New 28 DSBH with Dodge Ram

[Bizzle]

So I just got this new fancy TT. Let me just say it's fantastical. Jayco really did a great job. Does anyone with a Dodge Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and tow package tow anything similar? This is the largest thing I've towed so looking for a little wisdom from you guys. So far I've only towed it from the dealership to storage. I have the wd added as well. Really the only thing I'm concerned about is transmission temps and tongue weight. My MPG is absolutely terrible but to be expected.

TV is a crew cab with factory tow package and I added the weight distribution hitch since everyone recommends it.

Oh and did anyone else notice the new ones look like they're smiling? It was a selling point for me.

[bap]

I am towing a 2009 Jayflight G2 29BHS with a 2013 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Tradesman with the 5.7 Hemi, 3.55 rears and tow package. I changed out the stock rear springs with springs by Tuff Truck Model: TTC-1223V and Bilstein shocks. I have an Equalizer 10,000# WD Hitch. It handles it quite well. Changing the springs and shocks helped a lot with how it handles. We went up I-91 North in Vermont last week for about 135 miles which has a lot of uphill climbs. My wife was driving and had cruise set at 57mph and it held it fine. According to the dash monitor, it was averaging 10.5 to 11 MPG.

[Subaru297]

What is the payload capacity of your truck? It is on the drivers side door jamb sticker next to your tire pressure recommendations.

That trailer will have a 900lbs tongue weight at least and easily a bit more. Do you have capacity for 900lbs plus all passenger, hitch and camping gear weight?

Pulling it and stopping it probably won't be an issue. Stability will be the issue with such a large trailer.

[Bizzle]

Looks like my payload capacity is 1300 lbs. Maybe this will convince the wife to let me upgrade trucks!!!

[jmactootall]

6 week + 5 day trip to East coast going out across Penn. then down to Va. and back across West Va. to Campbellsville, KY then home and 1 trip to Nashville. Our 242 is rated for 6500 max. About 10.5 MPG and pulled the "LITTLE hills" involved with no problems. I almost forget I'm towing sometime.

[Bizzle]

Nice. My sticker on my TT shows it was weighed at the factory at 6300 lbs. It tows so well. I'm a little worried now about the tongue weight though.

[Subaru297]

If that is what the sticker says in my experience realistic payload is 100lbs or so below that.

My biggest culprits are;
Undercoating
spray in bedliner
rubber mat in bed
Jumper cables and other misc stuff under the seat.

We went out for a few trips with our old half ton and I usually drove then one trip out my wife drove home and it was pretty windy. She got tired arms and decided we needed a new truck after that!

OK

[Pcschwenke]

You will be fine. The trailer weight is roughly 5400lbs dry. My trailer is about 1k lbs more and tows fine with a 2015 RAM 5.7 hemi with the same hitch.

[Subaru297]

Most people add around 1000lbs worth of stuff to that weight. So 6300lbs delivered weight +1000.....

7300lbs x 13% = 950lbs for tongue weight.

13-15% of trailer weight is recommended for tongue weight for stable towing. Some people can get away with as low as 10%. Depends on trailer design and personal comfort levels I guess. I am happy at 13% though.

[Bizzle]

Here is my sticker on my TT. At the very least I think I'll add better springs/shocks on my TV. We'll see how it goes and if it feels unstable at all I'll look to upgrade vehicles. Not looking to go on cross country trips anytime soon.

[Bizzle]

Found the specs online. My dry hitch weight for the 2016 28 DSBH is 655.

[Subaru297]

Dry hitch weight is not very meaningful. You need to add the weight of batteries and propane essentially directly to that weight and then all the other options or features that your trailer came with adds a bit to that as well.

6335lbs as delivered weight.

How much weight are you going to add? I would guess you are up to 7000lbs loaded easily. Your tongue weight needs to be between 10-15% of your trailer weight.

700 to 1050lbs depending on how you load it. I think most people recommend 12-13% tongue weight. 875lbs tongue weight.

So you have 425lbs left over for passengers and gear. You will probably be pretty close to the limits of your truck. Try it out and see how it goes if you are happy and safe that's great. We all have different comfort levels or expectations.

[Bizzle]

655 is with a battery and full propane. I appreciate the advice as I'll be driving carefully. I'm new to travel trailers so I'm sure I'll have about 1.5 million more questions to come.

[jsallman1]

Originally Posted by bap

I am towing a 2009 Jayflight G2 29BHS with a 2013 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Tradesman with the 5.7 Hemi, 3.55 rears and tow package. I changed out the stock rear springs with springs by Tuff Truck Model: TTC-1223V and Bilstein shocks. I have an Equalizer 10,000# WD Hitch. It handles it quite well. Changing the springs and shocks helped a lot with how it handles. We went up I-91 North in Vermont last week for about 135 miles which has a lot of uphill climbs. My wife was driving and had cruise set at 57mph and it held it fine. According to the dash monitor, it was averaging 10.5 to 11 MPG.

Bap, curious did you put Bilstein shocks all the way around or just on the back? I am considering putting the Bilstein HD's on, but cant decide if I want to do the front or just stick with the back. I am also concerned about making it ride like a farm tractor when not loaded.