Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-29-2016, 08:25 AM   #1
Weekend Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Missouri
Posts: 71
Exclamation Anyone tow their camper with a Ram 1500 Hemi ?

I’ve got an 04’ Hemi Ram Quad Cab 4x4 with around 130,000 miles on it. Mechanically it’s in great shape…no issues at all.

I’ve recently picked up a 19ft camper trailer that weights around 4,000lbs….and the family and I are planning on doing lots of road trips, most around 12-16+ hours. Are there any items that I should upgrade on the truck before I do all of this towing? It’s got good brakes (aftermarket rotors & pads), and it’s got the factory towing package on it (not sure what that really gains me). Anything else I should look at upgrading?
IQRaceworks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2016, 09:19 AM   #2
Full Time Camper
 
MartyinSC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SC
Posts: 679
You should be in good shape. Get a WD (weight distribution) hitch and anti-sway bar. Get the trailer brakes checked, adjusted, and bearings greased. There's a lot to learn about weights, tongue weight, etc. You'll find a lot here if you search around. As for the truck, you'll need a properly wired 7-pin hitch and an electric brake controller.
Enjoy!
__________________
Marty and Martha
2015 Z-1 211RD
2012 Nissan Titan
Dalzell SC
MartyinSC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-29-2016, 10:00 AM   #3
Full Time Camper
 
ewbldavis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Canton, OH
Posts: 937
Woah...19ft. with a RAM? Might be pushing it...

You should be good to go as Marty stated.
__________________
Eddy & Brenda
Canton, OH
2015 Silverado HD 6.0L
2014 Zinger 32QB
ewbldavis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2016, 04:57 PM   #4
Full Time Camper
 
r2millers's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 577
Quote:
Originally Posted by IQRaceworks View Post
I’ve got an 04’ Hemi Ram Quad Cab 4x4 with around 130,000 miles on it. Mechanically it’s in great shape…no issues at all.

I’ve recently picked up a 19ft camper trailer that weights around 4,000lbs….and the family and I are planning on doing lots of road trips, most around 12-16+ hours. Are there any items that I should upgrade on the truck before I do all of this towing? It’s got good brakes (aftermarket rotors & pads), and it’s got the factory towing package on it (not sure what that really gains me). Anything else I should look at upgrading?
Hopefully by now you have used it and can give us some feedback.

The trailer pkg means a lot. The wiring back to the rear, proper class IV hitch, and the under dash wiring for a electric controller.

That 4,000 lbs won't be a big deal at all even though you'll probably be closer to 5k loaded. You probably have a 2 5/16" ball and I'd make sure that's correct.

Enjoy.
__________________

Bob and Better Half

2007 F-250 PSD, SW, CC, LB, 2WD
2006 TF32SS Cross Terrain Toy Hauler (sold)
Reese 16k slider
r2millers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2016, 08:23 AM   #5
Weekend Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Missouri
Posts: 71
Well, we got our trailer out for the first time over the weekend and my truck (04’ Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi) seemed to pull it just fine. I’ve got a nice Curt brand load leveling type hitch with the sway control, and I have a brake controller in the truck for the trailer brakes.



Overall it pulled it really well…..but when you start getting up over 65mph you can really tell that you are pulling something that has the aerodynamics of a brick wall. It’s no diesel, but the 350hp Hemi in the truck seemed to hold its own as long as you don’t mind spinning up the RPM’s when you need more power.



I have a 3-inch Flowmaster aftermarket exhaust on the truck which I never really thought was too loud in the past….but after towing that trailer for 2hrs, I’m starting to think that a quieter exhaust might be something that I need to look into. I think if I had to hear that exhaust during a 10+ hour road trip, it would drive me nuts. If the road is nice and flat it’s pretty quiet and no big deal, but when you are climbing hills and trying to maintain 60+mph and the motor is running 4000+rpms…….it gets annoying in a hurry.
IQRaceworks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2016, 10:48 AM   #6
Full Time Camper
 
r2millers's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 577
One last thing to consider...1500 series trucks don't usually come with LT tires that a 2500 or 3500 series come with.
Your tires are probably rated at 44 psi max vs the 80lb max on the LT's.
It would create a bit of peace of mind having the more heavy duty rated tires.
__________________

Bob and Better Half

2007 F-250 PSD, SW, CC, LB, 2WD
2006 TF32SS Cross Terrain Toy Hauler (sold)
Reese 16k slider
r2millers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2016, 11:48 AM   #7
Weekend Camper
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Missouri
Posts: 71
Quote:
Originally Posted by r2millers View Post
One last thing to consider...1500 series trucks don't usually come with LT tires that a 2500 or 3500 series come with.
Your tires are probably rated at 44 psi max vs the 80lb max on the LT's.
It would create a bit of peace of mind having the more heavy duty rated tires.
I'm running LT305/55/R20 Nitto Terra Grappler Tires...they seem to carry a load really well.
IQRaceworks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2016, 05:03 PM   #8
Family Vacation Member
 
jimmerz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 116
I tow a 28ft TT it was about 5400lbs dry. with a 600lb hitch. I have a 2014 Ram 1500 Hemi CC with the tow package. I have been on about 16 camping trips so far. Most are in the 2-3 hour range. Long weekend trips. I think we did take 1 that was 4.5hours. I have had no problems towing and really love the truck and TT. I am sure I am over my payload on occasion when I load my bed with bikes and Kayaks. These 1/2 Rams have crappy Payloads! I wish I researched a little more about towing before I bought everything. Our next move will more than likely be into a Class A.
__________________
2014 Ram Big Horn CC 1500 tow package, 3.92 gears.
2016 Crossroads ST270BH (June 18, 2015)
(2015: 7 nights camping, 425 miles) (lost track and became too lazy to update!)
jimmerz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2020, 04:15 PM   #9
New Camper
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Virginia
Posts: 5
I have a 24RB that comes in at 5,5kish and tow it with a 2019 Ram 1500 with the 3.21 gears without a problem. I used to two it with a 2011 Ram 1500 with the 3.92 gears and that truck had 217,000 miles on it. Started to run into maintanance issues with the truck so I upgraded, but never had a problem with that. My friend pulls a 6k coleman 28' in a 2020 Ram 1500 with the 3.92 without a problem and finally my father pulles a 1978 Airstream Overlander 26' with a 2003 Ram 1500 Hemi 2wd without any problems from what I understand. So, I don't thnk you will have any problems.
__________________
Ryan & Chelsea
Buoy & Tiller

2010 Sunset Trail 24RB w/EAZ Lift WDH
2019 Ram 1500 4x4 HEMI w/Leer Cap
NATRDYSANDCO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2020, 05:43 PM   #10
Site Team
 
mark5w's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,715
Ryan That post is from 2016 Don't know if they are still a member here. But thanks for answering.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania

EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
mark5w is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Crossroads RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:13 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×