Hey I am new here. I own an 07 1500 Hemi with a 3.93 rear. I am wondering, if I upgrade suspension will I be alright to buy a 8000lb 5th wheel camper??\

 

Welcome to DF adkguy! I move this thread over to the 3rd Gen Ram Section for better input for ya! Good Luck!

 

Fifth wheel is ~20-25% of trailer weight on the kingpin, which is 1,600lbs. You are probably right on the ragged edge of official capacity using the low side of 20%, and once you start adding camping gear, fluids, food, etc...

Also; keep in mind that if you have a shortbed, there are very few 5th wheels that can be hauled without squishing the cab on turns.

 

The 2007 bodybuilder specs (http://www.dodge.com/en/business/body_builders_guide/) gives 1300-1500lbs of payload. It goes up to about 1800lbs on a 2WD regular cab, but QC/4WD etc all top out at about 1500lbs.

 

You'll be right at the limit of your truck. Although beefing up the suspension, adding air bags, re-gearing to 4.56 gears, aux. tranny cooling and even the addition of an aftermarket tuner will aid your abitlity to tow and save the transmission in the end, you will still LEGALLY be very close to the limit. I've seen highway patrol force people into weigh stations and make them unhook if over. Not only having to pay a hefty fine, but also having to make arrangements for another vehicle to have to come get the trailer.
Also, you may have a hell of a time with your insurance company and should check with them, giving specific weights. They would just love to leave you high and dry and not pay any claim due to the fact you were over capacity.
These are all things you need to consider besides just beefing up the rear of your truck...

 

A member on here did a little test and compared concrete blocks and payload capacity. He showed with all the things added up, us QC 4wd owners can only put like 900lbs to stay within limits. A Truck with a payload of 1500lbs doesn't mean you can put 1500lbs in the bed. You need to account for one big thing...FUEL. 26gal tank weighs 130lbs when full of gas. Also, how much does the king pin plate weigh? i bet another 150lbs. etc..etc..
Now before you even jump in the truck and load any gear or passengers your at 1220lbs.
I would say a 5th wheel is not a good idea for ANY 1500 series. DOT looks for that sorta thing and if they put you on their portable scales and your over, not only will you have to get your 5th wheel towed, but you won't be able to pick it up until you have a proper truck. If your out of state, you'd be screwed.

 

We have discussed this a few times lately...basically long story short, no 5th wheel on a 1500. weight distributing hitch and ball would be better. and, i would look for a lighter trailer also or i bet you go over on weight if the trailer "weighs" 8000 right off the bat with no gear, water, supplies, etc. thats basically an empty, dry trailer weight.

 

let me see if I can find the most recent discussion. It was a good one too. Sticky anybody?!?!

 

If im not mistaken, this thread touches on what you are asking, and also has a ton of great information in there... bookmark it.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...-can-i-do.html

 

Wow, crazy how Massacusettes is 10,000lbs before you need brakes and NY right next door is 1,000lbs. How stupid is that? Ohh, I'm a NY loser too. I just went through all the measures to add brakes to a trailer that I bought from jersey.