First here is what i have:
2004 QC 1500 5.7hemi
20ib wheels
Flowmaster dual
Kn cai

Sticker on door:
Gvwr 6650
Gawr 3900
This is for p245 70r17
But i have 275 60 r20

I am considering. A travel trailer but really unfamiliar with towing and capabilies.
I keep seeing many posts about dodge having a 8800 lb max but wouldnt the max be the gvwr.

Plus i read that the 20 in will deacrease towing?

Can someone better explain to me the towing maximums?

 

What's your gear ratio? 4x4? If its 2x4 then you can tow 2 or 300lbs more. If its 3.55 4x4 your tow rating is around 7600lbs. If its 3.92 it raises to 8600 lbs. This is all with 17in wheels. You have the 20in wheels. I'm thinking the only reason the tow rating is lower with the 20's is because the 20's call for passenger tires. If you get light truck tires I think your tow rating will then be the same as the 17's. You need to confirm this. I have a 2003 ram with a hemi with a 3.55 axle. (Taking it Tuesday to get 4.56) I've got a 2012 coachmen catalina santara 271bh. Its 29'3" and weighs about 5200-5500lbs loaded. It tows decent. If you get a trailer try to get the lightest one you can afford without it being crowded for you and your family. Also try to get a tongue weight as light as you can. My tongue weight is 500lbs dry. I'm guessing 600- 650 loaded. Make sure you get a decent weight distribution hitch too. The santara series from coachmen is the lightest ones I've seen that sleeps 6+ people. They can be had for $10000 up too $16000 new. Or $8000 up too $14000 used. Depending on model. Oh.......don't freak out when that hemi is running 4000-4500 rpms up a hill! Let her rev and enjoy the sound, she loves to rev!

 

We Its a 4x4 with 3.92.
So where does the 8600 come from? What about the gvwr on sticker?

 

The 8600lbs rating is from chrysler engineers. That's the number they came up with that a ram 1500 qc 4x4 hemi with 3.92 gears can tow safely. The gvwr stands for (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) that means if your truck weighs 5500lbs empty. Then you can safely haul 1150lbs (payload) in your truck. 5500+1150=6650 gvwr. Just remember what ever trailer you get to subtract the tongue weight from your gvwr. So if your trailer has a tongue weight of 650lbs, then you have 500lbs left for your payload.

 

Go to www.rambodybuilder.com
There is not towing information for the 2004 model but there is for 2005.

Under Technical Information you will find Trailer Tow Information.
Find your model and specs to find the trailer towing limits.

What I found is:
1500 QC 4x4, 3.92 SHORT BOX ST = 8600#
SHORT BOX SLT w/ 20" tires= 7500#
LONG BOX ST= 8400#
LONG BOX SLT= 8300#

There is a ton of useful informatioon on this site.
Good luck.

 

You are correct that the 20in wheels reduce your overall tow weight by ~1000 lbs. Don't forget to consider the weight you will add to the trailer when you put clothes, supplies, propane, or even water in it. Also, probably not a good idea to shop based on the top number you can tow. I try to stay around 1000 lbs under my max. If you are towing on slower speed roads, flat roads vs. a lot of hills/mountains, or short distances, you can get away with closer to the max.

Do you have the factory tow package with the tow mode on the column shifter? If not, you want to make sure you get the right hitch, wiring, and a good brake controller. Also, a good weight distribution/anti-sway hitch with the trailer is a good idea.

Last but not least, don't trust an RV dealer to tell you what you can safely tow. They will often look up your max and then try to sell you the biggest/heaviest (more expensive) thing they can.

I've been towing RV trailers for the life of my truck. I finally have 17" wheels with Load Range E tires but most of the time I owned the truck, I was towing with the stock 20's with OEM tires and never had an issue. I've had 3 different RV's - all 29 - 30 feet in length and I was able to stay comfortably under my max tow weight.

 

Yes i do have the town package.

So if i under stand this right i can haul 1150 in truck so then if i tow a trailer i subtract the tongue weight but i have to consider passenger weight in vehicle.

Thanks everyone for clearing it up


Yea i dont trust sales people' they are just trying to make a buck.

 

You dont want to exceed the tongue weight, tow weight, or total weight (vehicle plus trailer). Cargo and passenger weight count against your gvwr (total weight). Tongue weight should not be an issue with a typical trailer. If you keep your trailer weight well below the max, the rest should not be an issue.