While I already do own a '98 Ram and can obviously look at the owner's manual (if I had one) or the door jamb, I was wondering if there was a reliable site online to be able to look this information up. I have used Edmunds before and looked at vehicle "specs," but data is often missing or definitely wrong. I'm half tempted to sell my '98 and get a 3/4 ton, but I don't know what it will gain me, or if I should go 2wd, 4wd, long box, short box, quad cab, standard cab, etc.... and how it affects towing capacities. That, and U-haul has me all screwed up because I've rented from them many times before. They equate a more massive truck to having a better towing capability, e.g. a quad cab long box 4x4 weighs more all by itself, and it therefore will mee their criteria of weighing approximately 80% more than the thing being towed, vs. trying to tow the same thing with a standard cab short box 2wd with the same drive train. As an example, I tried to rent a car dolly once and I had a truck (it had a bowtie on the front), extended cab, long box, DUALLY, DIESEL, and I wanted to tow a small 4x4 SUV and they wouldn't let me do it because the vehicle to be doing the towing didn't weigh enough.... Uhaul's logic is obviously a little different...

Anyway, looking at trying to find reliable info so I can see if I want to change trucks or not, and if yes, what year and model I want to do. Was almost thinking of upgrading (or downgrading?) to a 2002-2003, but budget alone will require me to get something minimal.

 

http://www.rm-indy.com/Towing%20Tips.htm
Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Lists the tow ratings for every configuration of engine, body & driveline for the 98 Rams. Scanned from the 98 dealer info booklet.

 

Well I have a 98 Ram Sport 4x4 with a 5.2L and it pulls and stops my trailer with no problem. U-haul is a joke. Find a friend with a trailer you can borrow.

I don't know any good sites for specs since they all have there opinions.

 

Hello...
Not sure why U-haul wouldn't allow you to tow that SUV, my guess is that the person behind the counter looked things up wrong. Its a pretty good rule of thumb that the vehicle doing the towing should weigh more than 80% of what you would attempt to tow, that way you don't have the load trying to push the tow vehicle forward as you're trying to stop.
We discussed this several posts ago and anyone who has a factory owners manual can give you the factorys recommended towing capacities. If you have a specific combination you either wish to tow, or what truck is best suited for towing a certain weight I or others can answer that accurately if you accept the mfrs suggestions. As far as online, most dealer sites will list new model year vehicles only.

AHHHH! Indy posted up while I was typing...perfect!

 

I'm pretty sure (someone please correct me if I get this wrong) that in the US as long as you don't exceed the weight ratings of the axles, wheel/tire combo, and GCWR of the vehicle you are legally safe. IOW things like GVWR and maximum trailer weight rating are merely manufacturer recomendations which are based on cheap OEM equipment such as wheels and tires.

I think Canada is a bit different though and GVWR is law but I don't know that for sure.

Whatever the case it is probably a good idea to get everything weighed when you are all loaded up with gas passengers and cargo, GCW, and axle weights just so you can be sure you aren't exceeding the weight ratings of the axles, wheels and/or tires.

Edit: I would add that it's also important to consider ride quality besides legallity. For example it is possible to meet weight ratings but have a rear end squatting down to the axles due to the squishy 1/2 ton springs. Obviously this is going to handle really poorly since the vehicle is designed to ride level...not to mention the headlights will be pointing at the sky at night, potentially blinding everyine passing in the other direction, instead of on the road.

 

I will be towing a 24' fiberglass boat that weighs 3900 pounds unloaded (e.g. no fuel or stuff counted yet). I'm not sure how much the trailer weighs, I'm guessing probably 1500 to 2000 pounds?

This won't be frequent towing, mind you. But to get it home in the first place, I will be towing it about 150 miles (cautiously). I'm picking up a new (used) boat.

So if I'm reading that link correctly for a '98 Ram, my maximum recommended trailer towing weight is 7,800 pounds. So, assuming the trailer weighs 2000 pounds, that would be 5,900 pounds which is a 75.6% ratio. If I factor in a full tank of fuel (60 gal, I believe), that's roughly another 420 pounds which puts me at about 81%, so it sounds like I'm in the right zone.

Might not need to bother moving to a 3/4 ton then? That would only gain me another 1,000 pounds assuming I stuck with the same base for a truck (4x4 quad cab).

 

That's a pretty big boat. If it has a tandem axle it requires trailer brakes by law and you'll need some sort of a controller for that.

 

It's tandem axle, however, boat trailers are normally surge brakes, not electric (and it has surge brakes), so no electric hookup needed in this case.