Hi,
I've read the threads here about towing capacity and still don't see a definitive answer for my truck. The 2007 Trailer Towing Guide (and several other sources on the net) doesn't even include my model, what's up with that?! So I go to a dealer and someone in parts looks up my VIN and says I can pull 15,000 lbs. Dubious, I go to another dealership and they tell me my capacity is 6700 lbs but that includes me and the weight of the truck, which I believe is over 5000 lbs by itself, leaving me somewhere in the 1000 -1500 range.
I have a 2007 Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT 4X4 with the 6 foot bed, 17" rims and the 4.7 V8 automatic. It looks like it came with a transmission cooler, but no hitch and only the 4 prong trailer plug. The rear gear ratio is the "gas saving" 3.55, which must be why I enjoy a 12.2 mpg average. Woo-hoo!
I'm looking to buy a used horse trailer and would think a GN hitch would be less stress on my truck than a bumper hitch. Thoughts on this?
So, subtracting roughly 2500 pounds for two horses, tack, gear and my weight, what's the max trailer weight I should be considering. And not that I don't trust my tranny with the advice of strangers, but what is the source for your answer?
Thanks very much in advance.
Gary

 

2007 Dodge Ram 1500
SLT Quad Cab 4WD
4.7L 6' Bed 3.55's

You Can Tow 6100 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) = 6700 lbs
Payload = 1445 lbs
Curb Weight = 5255 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3057 lbs/3057 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear = 3900 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) = 11500 lbs

http://www.dodge.com/towing/D/vehicl...E+Transmission

 

Looks 'bout right.

 

http://dodgeram.info/2004/load-tow/1500.html 04-08's are all the same

*Payload is with a 150lb driver. You must account for cargo, fuel, and ANY additional weight added to your truck that you might not realize..i.e.hitch, beliner, cap, etc..

Dodge Ram is the worse when it comes to payload. Figure about 1200lbs is all you can handle after the above mentioned is taken in to consideration

 

how does tire size and rim size efeict how much you can tow. My ram came with 20" rims with 275/60R/20 tires. tire dia is 32.99". I have been told that if I had 17" rims I could tow more. But if I have a tire that is the same dia. why would the gcwr change?

 

NHHEMI- subtracting the weight of myself, two horses and gear and... tongue weight(?), it appears I should be shopping for a max trailer weight of approx. 3000 lb.? Does that sound right? Does a GN rather than a BP make a difference?

Dirtydog- A 150 lb. driver? Are we talking trucks or Pony Express? I'll load and fill my truck up and take it to a truck scale.

Dodge recently raised the tow limits for the 4th Generation stating that they were previously "underestimated". I wonder if that's also true for the 3rd Gen?

 

Yes these trucks are underrated as to how much they can tow and haul safely. Ever seen a 1980 F250 with drum brakes and 150 hp towing a 30ft. 5th wheel and think to yourself, "There is no way that that truck is built stronger than mine, and mine has 345 hp and large 4 wheel disc brakes!" Yet people seem to think that these trucks are only capable of towing a 20ft. ski boat.

 

Well said. Heck, it seems in Texas the rule is more based on common sense than what the manufacturer says. I towed near 1500lbs of payload plus 5000lbs of loaded trailer with my 05 2wd RCSB Hemi for over 3000 miles one way. Never so much as hiccuped.

 

I'm no expert but I can tell you my experiance. I have an 07 1500 4x4 hemi 20 wheels tow package 3:92 gears. I tow a 30ft trailer 4500 lbs empty. When loaded it could be as much as 7500, 8000 lbs. I have a weight distrubting hitch and a set of firestone airbags. Towing fully loaded is no problem at all. I would say you will not have a problem with a trailer up to around 3000, 3500 lbs. I would STRONGLY suggest getting a set up like I have, WD hitch, and airbags.

 

A 150 lb driver?! I guess I count as two drivers then