PaulandMonica
Victoria B.C
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Joined: 01/25/2007
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Plenty of truck
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mjn112
Nevada
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Joined: 01/17/2012
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Here is where I am at right now. I have found a truck 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 3.55 axle ratio with 20in. tires. According to
http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2009/docs/dr/mlup1500.pdf
this truck can tow 6650lbs. I am estimating my towing weight to be around 6000lbs. at the very most. Is the 650lbs enough leeway to tow my trailer without bogging the truck down? Plan B is to swicth to 17in. tires and add an additional 1000lbs....Let me know what you think. Once again, I appreciate all your comments and patience!
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ROBERTSUNRUS
Lakewood, Ca.
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Joined: 06/16/2010
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mjn112 wrote:Here is where I am at right now. I have found a truck 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 3.55 axle ratio with 20in. tires. According to
http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2009/docs/dr/mlup1500.pdf
this truck can tow 6650lbs. I am estimating my towing weight to be around 6000lbs. at the very most. Is the 650lbs enough leeway to tow my trailer without bogging the truck down? Plan B is to swicth to 17in. tires and add an additional 1000lbs....Let me know what you think. Once again, I appreciate all your comments and patience!
 Hi, 650 lbs is too close for me; I would go to the 17" wheels, in your case. (my opinion)
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Ken O
I live half way between Grayling and Cadillac, MI
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If your set on that truck, try it with the tires on it now. If your happy then your all set, you can always go to the other tire.
Silverado 250HD '07 LBZ SB
'12 Jayco Jay Flight 19RD
"Much better to have more truck and less trailer, than less truck and more trailer"
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ScottBob
Cajun Country
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Joined: 11/01/2011
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I have a 2008 Dodge Ram with the 5.7L engine, 3.92 rear end and tow package. It came with 20 in. rims. I'm pulling a Puma 20QB, which despite it's short 20 ft. length, weighs in at 7663 GVWR. Although the truck was rated at 8,050 lbs. towing capacity, the short stick 'n tin beast I'm pulling was cutting it kinda close, especially when I load it with a week's worth of food and beer, then pile in barbecue pits, meat smoker, firewood, etc. in the truck bed and head off to the races. I found that I couldn't even use the tow/haul gear, I had to run the whole way with it in overdrive off, which sucked the gas down to 7 MPG, especially going through a head wind and trying to keep up with my buddies who were going 75 MPH with their fifth wheel campers.
So I swapped over to 17" rims instead. I bought some 265 tires + 17" rims from a guy who was putting 26" mud tires on a 2004 Durango. They bolted right up (the same rims were used on the full size Rams as well). Now I can pull 9,100 lbs (according to the chart someone else linked here). I hardly notice the trailer is back there, and I can leave it in tow/haul gear and I'm up to 10 mpg now.
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mjn112
Nevada
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mjn112 wrote:Thanks for the info. Going to get the cooler for sure. I want to make sure I have the right set up before I sign on the dotted line.
I bought a 2008 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi with the 3.92 axle ratio and 20in. rims. The truck came with the transmission and oil cooler. Towed the trailer just fine.
Two more questions; How big of a hill/mountain would require me to use second gear? Example: I live in Las Vegas and will travel to California. I have to go up the Baker Hill as well as Cajon Pass. These are very steep. Would I use second gear going up as well as coming down?
What is a safe rpm for the truck on these big hills?
Thanks in advance!
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anaro
Cary, NC
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Joined: 01/16/2011
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Gassers will tach up when going up the hills, this is what they do. If you find yourself really getting into the gas to get up the hill or having trouble keeping up speed then you are in too high a gear and need to drop a gear. Come down the hill in the gear you went up it in, is a great piece of advice I once received. I was taught to use the engine to help brake you going down those big hills so that you aren't completely relying on your truck/TT brakes. This will help keep you from burning them out on a big mountain downhill. You will get a feel for when to shift up and down after a bit.
2009 Ford F250 Lariat Crew Cab 6.4L diesel 4WD
2011 Crossroads Zinger ZT26BL
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6 nights camped in 2012!
27 nights camped in 2011!
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extremis
BC
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I am not familiar with the hills in question, but on long mountain grades, use whatever gear you need. My trucks liked 3rd most times, but occasionally it got to 2nd. I don't worry about maintaining speed though, and let it slow down.
The Hemi likes revs to make power, so holding 3-4000 rpm won't hurt the engine on a long grade. Just keep an eye on your temp guage and all will be well.
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cpaharley2008
york,pa
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I have the same truck with the same wheels. You will do fine but remember that the capacity of the truck is about 1400 lbs which will include the tongue weight. Your truck has the springs which is a plus, mine, a 2009 has the coils which I installed air bags. Tow out of overdrive and with the trans cooler you will be fine. I get 13 mpg towing or not.
I also installed an airRaid cold air intake, gave me another 5% oooommph.
2009 Dodge Ram Hemi 4x4-7300- lifetime warranty
2011 Jeep Liberty Jet-1500-
picked up new 2012 Lance 1575 11/4/11
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mjn112
Nevada
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Joined: 01/17/2012
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My confusion comes from the tow/hau model. If I am in tow/haul I am only using gears 1,2, and 3. If the truck gets sluggish, do I switch to second gear?
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