So ever since I drove a Ram 1500 QC 4x4 I knew I wanted a Ram.

My question is my travel trailer has a GVWR of 7500lbs and 26 ft long. I am looking for some insight on if it would be feasible to tow it with a Regular Cab shorty with the 5.7, and hopefully 20's.

It looks that according to Trailer life, for the 2006 models at least (the info on 2005's seems to be lacking for the options) that it is "capable" of doing it. With the 4.10 or 4:56 gears.

http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-conten...Guide-2006.pdf

Anyone have any insight on how to "spot these out" instead of checking under everyone? lol.

I am not looking for a "white knuckle ride" but the only place we camp is about 30 - 40 minutes away, and we go there 2 - 3 times a year max.

Any insights are greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance.

 

Those 20s make for a factory tow rating of way less than one with 17s. For practical real world applications buy a truck with 17s. 20s are for looks only, not utility. Plus the tires are a heck of a lot cheaper.

 

http://www.dodge.com/hostc/towing/guide.do

You'll be at or over the limit, probably.

 

Well the obvious best choice would be a CTD, but in a gasser you really would want a 2500 (3/4 ton) for that type of load and would do a LOT better with the optional 4.10 gears over the 3.73 gearing...

 

I agree on the CTD for a 26 ft trailer but I pull a 16ft loaded all day with my 456 gears.

 

My trailer has that gvwr, but really only weighs in at around 5000 (4400 on axles when I hit the scales once). Mind you its an ultra light model. From front to back it is 24 ft (interior is around 20ft). You can tow that with a 1500. I towed mine with an 04 quad 1500 4x4, with a 4.7L engine previous to my megacab I run now. It was just fine. A little sluggish on mountain grades with that engine, but you'll have a hemi so no problems there. Only reason I upgraded was I carry about 700lbs in the truck bed as well (ATV+gear) and that was taking me too close to max on the 1500 tires and suspension.

I think you would be ok. The basic 1500 truck is rated for something like 7000lbs towing, and about 1500lbs payload. With a 7000lb trailer, about 900 lbs of that is on the truck, plus a passenger (reg cab, only 1 pass max) and whatever you weigh over 150lbs. Leaves maybe 200 lbs in the bed of the truck. (actually payload on truck and loaded trailer tongue weight is your limiting factor)

Find out what the trailer might weigh realistically. GVWR 7500lbs is the max its rated to weigh, empty or unladen (sometimes curb) weight is the weight it rolled off the factory line with no options or gear on board. In real life it will be in between, usually about 1200-1500 lbs over that empty weight for that size trailer. (mine is 7000lb GVWR, 3600lb empty and maybe 5000 ready to go as example)

For your short trips, i'd do it.

 

i have a 07 ram short box regular cab with 3:91 gears hemi 33" tires 4x4 and i have towed my buddys 24" enclosed trailer with 5 sleds in it to north bay about 6 times with no issues at all and its about a 4 hour drive from my place