You are way over weight towing that 5th, It might not bother you being over weight but if you kill someone while towing and you are over the weight limite for your truck your insurance is null and void and you will be held responsable. Get a bigger truck.
Go to trailerlife mag to get the proper towing cap info for your truck.

I guess I should say that this is for Canada and yes they check out your rig for towing cap up here. Way to many people tow with the wrong truck/car. As I live in the mountains I have seen my shear of and 5ths/TT that have crashed head on into the rock cut becouse of the wrong truck or lack of driving exp with a big trailer.



Ram 1500 4WD 5.2 V-8 4,800 d,g,k
Ram 1500 4WD 5.2 V-8 5,300 a,g,k

NOTE: Sports models are not recommended for towing.
Dodge rates its cars based on towing trailers on fairly level
roads in moderate weather conditions. Trailer ratings more
than 10,000 pounds are for fifth-wheels.
*TD = turbodiesel.
a Requires 3.9:1 axle ratio.
b Requires four-speed automatic overdrive transmission.
c Requires three-speed automatic transmission.
d Requires 3.5/3.9:1 axle ratio.
e Requires 4.09/4.10:1 axle ratio.

f Requires either a 3.5/3.9/4.09/4.10:1 axle ratio.
g With five-speed manual transmission.
h Towing not recommended with 3.21:1 axle ratio.
i California gcwr may differ.
NOTE: Vehicles with tow ratings that are
below 2,000 pounds are not included.
j Requires towing package.
k Club Cab rating slightly lower.
L Requires 3.21:1 axle ratio.
m Requires manual 5/6-spd transmission.
n 4WD not listed by factory at presstime.

 

The problem you are going to run into no matter how much you beef the truck up to handle the load is going to be a legal one.

I know for a fact in my state at least, the man will pull you over and make you unhook and make arrangements to get a proper vehicle to come pick up the trailer (after writing you some HEAVY fines).
Also, your insurance company has every right to deny a claim if you are towing a weight that exceeds the capacity of the truck (and just like the cops, they go by the VIN # and don't really care what you've done to the truck).
This could put you in a very bad way if you happened to have an accident that resulted in property loss or injury.

Something to think about...

 

Look in to some air bags for the rear if your not going to get a 3/4ton/1ton

 

For the weight he wants to tow, he is going to NEED a 3/4 or 1 ton.

 

If your not worried about gas mileage I would go with 4.56's for the extra power to get up them hills, you should gain some mpgs anyways since the motor and truck will be working alot less hard.

Airbags would be nice but a set of add-a-leafs will work just fine.

I would upgrade pads and shoes at the least and be thinking about some good quality rotors

It seems every towing thread goes down hill at some point, the OP realizes what he is doing. And it doesnt seem to bother him(I know most of the people on here have pulled something to heavy for vehicle at the time at least once in there life). Cluttering the thread is going to make it hard for others and probrably send the OP to another forum searching for his answers, so lets just answer what was asked instead of telling him how many laws will be broken(one warning is all people need....right)

His towrating is anywhere from 7000 to 8000lbs depending on cab size and if 4x4, and Merc225 those are tow ratings for a 5.2 manual which are way lower.

 

I have over loaded my dually plenty of times Pulling A 44foot dovetail with Hay, Skidsteers,Dozers,Tractors,Ect. but my truck is more prepared for towing

 

if the topic has changed from gears (which I highly rec 4.56's for the extra torque + ease on the tranny and engine), I'd venture into HIGHLY recommending not only some sort of spring booster, but a brake controller and quality brakes on the trailer, upgrading brakes on his rig, but also a weight distribution hitch.. those things are golden.. I won't tow over 3k without one...

if the weight is being shared on the front axle, the overall handling and braking is MUCH better.. coupled with a brake controller and good brakes on the TT, that extra weight won't be as serious an issue as it sounds.. not that I would do it, because of the fines and opportunity for disaster- but it certainly would make it easier.

 

Get a 2500.

 

The trailers(it is a 5th wheel, not a bumper pull btw) brakes are extremely powerful, I have to leave my brake controller set quite low for it to not jerk the truck around when they are applied/released. On the lowest setting, they are still very powerful, and stop the truck all by them selves if done manually, so no issues there. I have the firestone airbags for the rear end. I'm a little reluctant to go as far as 4.10s on the rear, much less the 4.56... Does anyone have the 4.56 on stock tire size? What does the motor rpms run at around 55 (thats as fast as I go when pulling the camper)


The truck is the 5.9 magnum quad cab long bed 4x2, with of course the beefed up hd tranny.

 

I also think your rearend isn't gonna like that kind if weight either. Which stock size tire you running? I assume 245 70 17? Maybe a 265.