Do I have enough goat?... I mean Ram......

[GoHorns]

As a preamble: I have a Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi. I have the automatic 8 speed tranny... long story short... I'm rated at 8,150 towing, and 1,650 payload. It is what it is, and such shall it be... at least for a couple of years. (I might add that I'm very happy with the truck)

I am looking at a new trailer (Sonoma 240 RKS if your curious).

The trailer specs say 673 tongue weight, 5,976 empty, 7,673 max loaded.

So... using old-school East Texas mathematics (I had to kick a shoe off).... If you figure 400 pounds for me and my wife (that's mostly me btw 😉 add 100 pounds for the hitch itself, and throw in 673 for the stated tongue weight... I should still have 477 pounds of capacity.

Then... in regards to the trailer: If it is at max loaded weight... I'd still have about that much capacity as far as towing...

Am I missing something?

Also, I'm currently running P275/60R20 tires... Should I strongly consider going to LT?

I also welcome hitch recommendations, as well as brake controller.

We really like the trailer... we're downsizing after three Power Strokes, and two fifth wheels... We might consider a 3/4 ton in a few years... but no sooner... So... I want to avoid burying myself just to prove my skills with a shovel.... so I am seeking the wise counsel of my forum friends...

Thanks,

[stevemorris]

JIMNLIN wrote:
The biggest complaint I see with folks with high hp V8 and 8 speed trannies in F150/1500 size trucks and wimpy 3.08/3.21 gears is complaints of constant up and down shifting when towing some type of trailer. There are reasons the 3.92 geared 1500 Hemi/8 speed trannies carries a higher tow rating

true, but with 8 ratios to choose from, go down a gear when needed, the control is right on the steering wheel!

[GoHorns]

One thing I didn’t mention was that on the 2016 truck I replace the original tires with LT tires. In order to get a decent tread I had to go up one size which threw the speedometer off about 2 or 3 miles an hour at 65 miles an hour. Although the truck looked like it had plenty of clearance: these new tires were 1 inch larger in height and when you would cut the wheels all the way to one side there was a very small amount of rubbing. I do think this enhanced the stability when towing.

On my new 2017 I have not replaced the original tires as of yet but when I do I will consider strongly going back to an LT tire.

[JIMNLIN]

The biggest complaint I see with folks with high hp V8 and 8 speed trannies in F150/1500 size trucks and wimpy 3.08/3.21 gears is complaints of constant up and down shifting when towing some type of trailer. There are reasons the 3.92 geared 1500 Hemi/8 speed trannies carries a higher tow rating.

Will the truck pull that size trailer ?? sure.

P tires ???
The wifes 1500 has 17" P tires and works fine with a 10k car hauler carrying a blue cab'ed tractor 12' 2" tall on the trailer.
Pump those P tires to the max and make a short trip....then is the time to decide if you want/need a C or D LT tire. Your not going to like LT options in 20" tire sizes.

[2112]

GoHorns, your original post made me chuckle. I generally don't need to kick off my shoes cause I'm usually barefooted and I have proven my shovel skills too many times.

Thanks for the follow up, good info.

[stevemorris]

we just got a similar ram, hemi 8 speed and 3.21 rear axle. our local rv dealer who also sells fords, said the 3.21 is fine for towing because of the ram's 8 speed. it has plenty of ratios to choose from was his comment and he sells ford trucks!

[mkirsch]

8MPG is going to be expected. It takes HP to move things, and it takes gas to make HP.

You might do a little better with the 3.92, and it's got the 8(?) speed now? Just don't expect any night and day difference, like 15MPG or something.

[1stgenfarmboy]

Thanks for the update, it is rare that people come back and let us know how it worked after asking questions.

[Bionic_Man]

I'll never understand those small fuel tanks. Glad you are happy with what you have now.

[FishOnOne]

Thanks for the follow up...

[GoHorns]

Browsing thru the site this evening, and I came across this old post of mine... So I thought I'd update those interested with how it turned out. We purchased our Imagine 2150RB back in April. Turns out the 2016 Ram 1500 2WD with 5.7 Hemi, 3.21 differential and 8 speed automatic pulled it just fine. Plenty of take off power, plenty of towing capacity, plenty of stability at 65-70 mph. We pulled it out to Red River N.M. so we had a good test of how it would perform in the mountains.

However, the one thing I wasn't pleased with (didn't see this one coming) was fuel range. We averaged 8 mpg or so in the mountains. With a 24 gallon tank, and not wanting to get below half a tank in an area where I wasn't completely comfortable with fuel availability: this meant stopping every 120 miles or so for fuel.

So, a couple months ago I stopped by my local Dodge dealership to see what options they had for 1/2 ton fuel tank capacity. Long story short: we ended up trading in our 2016 for a 2017. Essentially the same truck, but went with a 4x4, and 3.92 rear diff this time (along with the 32 gallon fuel tank). However, these options were more towards what we might be towing a few years down the road. If it were not for the fuel range, we'd still be towing with the 2016 and perfectly content in doing so.

Hope this was helpful!

[FishOnOne]

The OP posted his question back in 2/17. It would have been courteous of him to post a final conclusion to his original question for others here to learn.

[spoon059]

SouthpawHD wrote:
Even at 8,000 pounds loaded for camping, your tongue weight will be 900-1000 pounds (assuming 12% on the tongue). Add some more for propane, battery, WD hitch, and you could be pushing 1,200 pounds on the hitch, leaving only 250 of remaining payload.

The trailer GVWR is only 7600 lbs... including the propane, battery etc. Those aren't additional weights and are already included in the tongue weights.

[jesseannie]

When you have an 8 speed transmission why does differential gearing matter? Inquiring minds want to know.
Jesseannie

[SouthpawHD]

Austria7 wrote:
GoHorns: Thank you for posting this, it looks like we are in a very similar situation. I have a 2017 RAM 1500 HEMI with 9,830 towing capacity and 1,450 Payload capacity.

.....

Thanks, all the best, HAPPY TRAVELS

Even at 8,000 pounds loaded for camping, your tongue weight will be 900-1000 pounds (assuming 12% on the tongue). Add some more for propane, battery, WD hitch, and you could be pushing 1,200 pounds on the hitch, leaving only 250 of remaining payload.

You will save yourself tons of grieve, stress and money by asking these good questions ahead of time.