Another "Can I tow it?"

[Bsdempsey]

Hello All,

Great sources of information here!

I have a Ram 1500 5.7L with a Payload @ 6800 lbs. on the sticker.

At the scale I was 6050 with my family of four, 50lbs in bed, and gas. Leaving me with 750 in payload.

Trailer I am interested in is @ 7000 lbs. GVWR. At 10%, I am @ 700 lbs. hitch weight with 50 lbs. to spare. I was planning on purchasing a Reese WDH. I do not plan on keeping any fluids in tank while traveling.

Go or no go?

More info from scale if needed:

Front Axle @ 3390 lbs. - rated to 3700
Rear Axle @ 2660 lbs. - rated to 3900

Tires are rated @ 2679

Thanks in advance! God Bless!

[Midnightmoon]

What is the specific trailer model that you are looking at? Generally, the recommended tongue weight is 12%-15% of the trailer GVWR. So, 840#-1050# tongue weight would be ideal for that trailer loaded to the 7000 GVWR rating.

It is all going to come down to what the trailer actually scales when loaded for travel. I am suspecting that it will be far more than 700# in real world measurement.

[Bsdempsey]

Thanks for the reply!

2019 25RB was the original choice. If that is too big I was thinking about the 2019 24RL.

[Topperace]

Dry Hitch weight for that trailer is 660lbs... not much to play with based on your truck specs...wouldn't recommend that trailer unless you upgrade trucks. The 24RL is not much better DHW...however, if you do decide to go with either one, think the 24RL would be better option as you don't have to transit through the living area to get to the latrine spaces... just a thought.

[RogerR]

That hitch will eat up any spare capacity you have. Besides, why start with the max you can tow. In deficiency, brake wear, tires, tranny etc. and you are over your limit.

[Bsdempsey]

Thanks for the responses! I will chalk it up as a "no-go".

[Rustic Eagle]

Bsdempsey,

Welcome to JOF

Originally Posted by Bsdempsey

snip.......At the scale I was 6050 with my family of four, 50lbs in bed, and gas. Leaving me with 750 in payload......snip

Smart move visiting the scale with your "loaded" TV....., a simple $9 CAT scale visit can result in saving $$$$$ when shopping for a TT, FW, etc..

I tend to agree that the majority of "loaded" TT tongue weights lean closer toward 15% than 10% of a TT's gross scaled weight..., plus they handle better.

Assuming a loaded 24RL (GVWR 6,500lbs) scaled at 6,000lbs gross weight = 780lbs to 900lbs (13% to 15%) loaded tongue weight. A sampling 'yellow sticker' on a 24RL stated "as-shipped" 5,565lbs UVW.

IMO both the 24RL and 25RB aren't a good match for your TV scaled conditions.

Bob

[Murff]

Me thinks Mr. Dempsey needs to check the yellow sticker on his door jamb. The truck may have a GVWR of 6800 lbs but that's not his "Payload"!

I believe the Payload should be somewhere between 1300 and 2000 pounds. I mean, that rear axle has a lot of room there! If his figures are correct for the scale, there is a lot of room before the axle limits are reached.

Or, am I nuts? (This is a very good possibility!)

Murff

[Rustic Eagle]

Murff,

Your correct, the 6,800lbs is the TV GVWR...., the OP's "payload" reference was a 'typo'.

In many cases a TV will max out the GVWR (inclusive of payload) before an axle weight limit is reached, thus the GVWR will 'trump' the remaining available axle weight(s).

The front/rear axle TV weight ratings are to be referenced independent from each other..., but the scaled "combined" axle weights can't exceed the TV GVWR.

Bob

[Bsdempsey]

Whoops! Yes, GVWR @ 6800 on the sticker.

Thanks for the responses! At the 15% there is not much my truck can tow.

Will need to upgrade at some point.

Col. 3:2 - God Bless!