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Airstream Dad · 12-07-2012, 03:40 PM

Not sure why you need a Dodge pickup. The new Durango, for example, is an awesome tower with plenty of capacity in the Hemi V8 version and, with fully independent suspension (it inherits a Mercedes chassis that it shares with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a huge improvement over the crappy early 2000's truck-based Durango), arguably a better tow vehicle than the 1500 (that might give you maybe another 2,000 lbs in capacity, superfluous for most trailers). I believe they even improved the transmission in the 2012 version (mine is a 2011 and it's great). And a medium to large SUV will be a WAY nicer highway ride than a truck (less road noise, more refined ride, etc.).

I've noticed a tendency among many to go way overkill on towing capacity and go with huge pickups. I guess it depends on the style of driving, if you want to be able to go 90 mph uphill and/or be able to pass cars on the highway going 80 with no change in your driving habits going from your Mustang GT to your F350 towing your trailer, then by all means overpower. But if you're happy cruising along at the speed limit and casual passing is fine, then my $0.02 is to go with a well-equipped SUV with decent towing capacity (say, 7,000-8,000 lbs) and, most of the time, a great family/utility SUV.

Cheers,

Airstream Dad

dznf0g · 12-07-2012, 03:50 PM

Um, Steve has a 31' Classic w/10,000# GVW. Wouldn't ever pull that with a Durango, or Tahoe or Expedition.

Frank's Trailer Works · 12-07-2012, 04:16 PM

I tow with a Dodge. I have a 2003 3500 4x4 quad cab long bed. The Cummings never falters even when pushed hard. I can tow at 85mph is I want up or down any hill. It is more truck than U need, but it is my company truck and I want to be able to tow anything.
Is it a good tow vehicle? Sure is. Would I buy another? Sure would. Why do I like it? There is nothing it cannot do. It gets 18.9 highway empty and 14.3 towing. What do I not like? Diesel is $3.89 around here right now. A full tank costs $125+. It also is not a good daily driver because diesel is $3.89 around here.

mstephens · 12-07-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airstream Dad

if you want to be able to go 90 mph uphill and/or be able to pass cars on the highway going 80 with no change in your driving habits going from your Mustang GT to your F350 towing your trailer, then by all means overpower.

Darned funny!

mstephens · 12-07-2012, 04:29 PM

I was just looking at the 2012 Durango R/T specifications online. Hadn't even known it existed. It looks really GREAT.

moparjohn · 12-07-2012, 06:08 PM

I have a new to me 09 Ram Bighorn, Hemi 4x4 etc. I finally upgraded from my 98 Ram workhorse. I thought the new Ram would not be as "tough" as the old. BELIVE me when I say that is is one hell of a truck! The Hemi is amazing, alot of talk about it, but it is a very nice package. I am a musclecar leadfoot, and this truck has power. When not towing I can get 18.5 MPG highway, 12.5 or so towing. I can easily get going to 70-75 MPH on the road. The interior is fantastic, nice, well laid out, dozens of storage places (including coolers built into the rear floor!) and most of all QUIET! The 10 speaker sound system is crystal clear. The steering, ride, all of it are so beyond my expectations, I got mine with almost 67k on it, wish I had the $ to buy one new. I love this truck for everyday and towing the Airstream! MPJ

mutcth · 12-07-2012, 06:47 PM

The Durango with a Hemi (which I own) is probably about as fast of a tower as a Ram with the same engine. Different wheelbase and suspension, of course...

I'm looking forward to towing with a Ram with the new 8-speed automatic later next year. Should be rather nice. (But at this point of the season, with the Safari in a storage warehouse, I'd love to be towing to go camping with almost anything...)

Tom

dkottum · 12-07-2012, 07:10 PM

We were looking for a capable Airstream tow vehicle that would be easy and comfortable to drive when not towing, which is most of the time.

This short wheelbase Ram 1500 came with factory brake controller, electronic anti-sway, stability control, anti-lock brakes, 6-spd auto trans with tow/haul mode, eng controls to shut down 4 cylinders when not needed and adjust intake for broad torque range. Coil springs all around. 100k miles drivetrain warranty.

It is a dream to drive with or without the trailer, small turn radius, and 12-13 mpg towing, 18-20 mpg on its own. Under $25k with year-end discounts. That's pretty good all-around economy in a new tow vehicle.

doug k

rodsterinfl · 12-07-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

am surprised that no major truck magazine or towing enthusiast has done a heads up road test/shoot out comparison of this new IRS Dodge with any leaf spring pick up. ???

Seems to me many folks very interested in actual real world differences.

There is Motor Trend comparison of 2012 models from August on the Raptor versus Runner. They are essentially the top of the line models but designed for off road use and kin to their siblings. See youTube search for

Ford Raptor vs Ram Runner! - Head 2 Head Episode 14

SteveH · 12-08-2012, 06:52 AM

All your comments are nice to know, but as the original post states, I'm interested in how the new Dogge, or Ram as they are now called, is doing towing with the new coil spring rear suspension.

Surely there are more users of this truck that can comment?

bganso · 12-08-2012, 09:03 AM

We have a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab with the 5.7 Hemi, 3.92 gears, factory brake controller. It tows our 30 footer without problems and, living in the Sierras, has been over many steep passes. I average 19 mpg w/o the AS and got 12.2 on a 4,700 mile trip through the western sates and Canada this past summer. The only drawback, we were over the GVWR of the truck by 160 lbs. when we weighed at the CAT scales. I wish I had a bed cap, but that would only increase the total weight.

SteveH · 12-08-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bganso

We have a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab with the 5.7 Hemi, 3.92 gears, factory brake controller. It tows our 30 footer without problems and, living in the Sierras, has been over many steep passes. I average 19 mpg w/o the AS and got 12.2 on a 4,700 mile trip through the western sates and Canada this past summer. The only drawback, we were over the GVWR of the truck by 160 lbs. when we weighed at the CAT scales. I wish I had a bed cap, but that would only increase the total weight.

Thanks, and that's exactly the type of info I was looking for. But one specific question if you don't mind....do you feel the rear suspension is stable enough for towing your trailer, and what type of hitch do you use?

Sorry, I guess that was two questions.

Anyway, I wouldn't be too concerned about going over the max weight a bit, they obviously don't think it's an issue in Canada.

dkottum · 12-08-2012, 09:11 AM

Steve, as stated earlier the truck drives and tows very nicely, a smooth riding truck. I could add that there are no problems with it, no dislikes, it is smoother and may have less side-to-side movement than the Tundra we replaced.

Have towed just under 4k miles so far with a Andersen hitch, which works nicely with it, especially virtually eliminating porpoising on old segmented concrete highways that we had with the Tundra/Equal-I-Zer. That may be more a quality of the hitch than the coil suspension, but they work well together. Note that the Andersen is the lightest of w.d. hitches, lightening tongue load to be transferred, and possibly improving the ride on the coils.

doug k

SteveH · 12-08-2012, 10:46 AM

Doug,

Would you happen to have a side view picture of your rig you could post, and do your know your tongue weight?

mutcth · 12-08-2012, 03:40 PM

Doug, congrats on the new truck! I know we both were considering a turbodiesel SUV for a while there. Somehow I think it's going to be easier to find parts and rural dealers for the Dodge...

Tom

SteveH · 12-09-2012, 07:33 AM

Yes Doug, the one picture I did see in the Andersen hitch thread, the rig looks really nice.

Any others towing with the late model Ram 1500?

moparjohn · 12-09-2012, 07:44 AM

Steve, if the coil springs have you worried (as they did me) don't worry! The truck rides better with them (first vehicle for me without rear leaf springs!) The truck has a tail high rake unloaded, with the Airstream it is a little lower in the rear than level. The truck is not headlights to the sky by any means. I will try another notch higher on the bar chains next time to see if it makes it more level. My Tradewind is about 4200 dry, probably close to 4700 loaded. I usually do not carry fresh water in the tank. I hope this helps some more. No pics of mine on here yet, maybe this afternoon. John

SteveH · 12-09-2012, 08:07 AM

Thanks John. I'm actually considering in the future going to a Ram with the middle sized cab, hemi, 4X4, and the 3.92 gears for towing my 31' Classic. The truck has the towing capacity, but any way I figure it, I'll be 100-200 lbs over GRAWR any time I'm towing, and the coil springs have me concerned.

I used to have a Chevy truck, '72 I believe it was, that had coil rear springs. It did ride good, but would really sag any time you put a close to capacity load on it.

I won't go GM or Ford if I do this because I want the middle sized cab (GM calls it extended cab, Ford used to call it Supercab, but they've changed the name so I really don't know what they call it) anyway, they are both suicide opening rear doors and I won't have another one of them. Also the small GM rearend is weak, and the Ford has small seats that I don't like.

My trailer by spec has about a 800 lb tongue weight, plus I have a ProPride hitch, another 200+ lbs, so by the time I get a cap on it (also a necessity) the numbers are getting very close to max or slightly over max GRAWR.

So, these are the reasons I'm looking for success stories from folks towing with the newer Ram 1500 truck.

Bob4x4 · 12-09-2012, 08:17 AM

I have a friend with the coil spring Ram.He tows a nearly 30ft toybox with it.It squatted a bit with it's 12-1300 twt.He added some light duty airbags that fit inside the coils and some Bilstein (yellow) shocks and is now very happy with it

bganso · 12-09-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Thanks, and that's exactly the type of info I was looking for. But one specific question if you don't mind....do you feel the rear suspension is stable enough for towing your trailer, and what type of hitch do you use?

Sorry, I guess that was two questions.

Anyway, I wouldn't be too concerned about going over the max weight a bit, they obviously don't think it's an issue in Canada.

Doug,

My AS came with an Eaz-Lift WDH. In approx. 7,000 miles of towing, only once did a get a significant amount of sway (in the mountains, on a corner, and being passed by a big rig right as I completed a lane change). If caused me to be a little more careful, as up to that time I had never had any concern with stability. It wasn't an issue, just a wake-up.

Bruce