I AM GETTGIN READY TO BUY A CAMPER PREFERABLY 25-28 FT. WHAT IS THE WEIGHT THAT MY 2004 DODGE RAM HEMI CAN PULL. I HAVE FULL FULL EXAHUAST, INTAKE, 100 POUND AIRBAGS IN THE REAR ETC ETC. HOW MUCH IS MY TRUCK GOING TO PULL COMFORTABLY. ANYONE KNOW ALL THE SPECA AND THE ENDS AND OUTS OF WHAT I NEED ETC ETC. I KONW I CAN ALWAYS BUY A 2500 OR 3500 OR GO TO DIESEL. I WANT HTIS TRUCK THOUGH AND I WANT TO GET THE RIGHT WEIGHT AND NOT PUT TTO MUCH BEHIND IT. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- CHRIS

 

That big of a trailer, i would definitely go with a 2500/3500. A 1500 just is not enough to safety handle that load. The hemi will move it, but if your looking at towing a lot, you'll wear the engine out in a hurry. If your serious about it, i'd opted for the cummins.

 

I've heard that about the 1500s, that they are a little undersized to pull a camper that size safely. And yet, my Dad's early-mid 90s (I forget the year) 2x4 F-150 with the inline 6 pulled our 27' camper all over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Never had any problems stopping it, never seemed the least bit hairy on any of those curvy roads. Granted, we were harder on the engine than is ideal, but as far as safety (i.e. stopping the load, control), it was never an issue. I wonder if the 1500 Ram wouldn't do just fine for the occasional trip? Although, having said that, I think a bigger diesel would be the way to go if towing was an all the time thing rather than a once in a while trip. Anyway, my .02

 

It has the full tow package with the class 4 hitch and the 3.92 axle, anti spin rear the tow mirrors etc. Has every opt for the year of 2004 laramie . What is the weight this baby wil pull. I could not find the specs on the dodge website. Thas guys. chris

 

Take a look at this site.

http://www.dodgeram.info/2004/load-tow/1500.html

 

I had to make the same decision, but for smaller trailer. If one is going to use the truck mainly to tow the diesel is the only choice. That said, we were getting a truck for a once-a-year tow, but for alternate daily-driver use the rest of the year--and that mainly around town.

I just couldn't deal with the diesel on a daily basis and as a racer whose daily drivers are all sports cars, I HAD to have a truck that would get out of its own tracks when I want it to. Hence, the lightest weight (ha, ha) 1500 hemi I could get, but with the tow package and 3.92 limit-slip.

So, it's a trade-off unless you are going to use it to tow all the time. btw, we towed at least 5500 pounds over the Rockies and back (at least 3500 miles) with a 318 once, and it got the job done surprisingly well. Never missed a lick nor burned a drop of oil. I'm sure it couldn't do that day-in and day-out for long, but...

All the best, whatever you decide.

 

I think the Hemi will do fine to pull it occasionally, however, I'd personally opt for a slightly smaller trailer. I'd also check to see what the weight of the trailer, equipment, fluids, etc is also before making a decision.

 

A 2004 Hemi will have issues since Tow/Haul keeps it in 4th - which is too tall a gear when towing anything with frontage.

You may have a chance with 3.92:1 diff ratio.

Also - if you have too much intake/exhaust - you will have even less low-end torque than stock.

If it is 4x2 with 3.55 gears - I would consider going to 4.10 or even 4.56 gears to compensate.

Make sure you have a full-sized tranny cooler.

Mine is almost the size of the coolant rad - the base cooler is only 40% as tall.

I just switched from P-rated 20's to 17's - LT275/70R17. Made a huge difference to 0-60 time.

Went from a brutal 11.2s to just over 10s - so I assume it will help out on the towing side.

Dave

 

I have the 04 1500 QC 4X4 HEMI and tow up to the limit of 8600lbs. I normally tow around 8000lbs. My truck has not had issues. I don't like the shift points on the truck and hopefully with the superchips programmer I'll have a easier time with the shift points. I tow about 6 to 8 times a year with each trip being under 400 miles round trip over a couple passes (San Diego to Gordons Well or YUMA, AZ). If I would have known I'd become a desert rat maybe I would have bought a diesel but my truck does fine for my size trailer and weight.

 

Jcarp,

Do you have 20's or 17's on your truck? I have the same truck with 20's and I am going to Phx to pickup a 23' Prowler (5000 lb max). I'd like to see how the truck performs before I consider getting a superchip and/or switching to 17's. I live in Ok and it's as flat as a pancake out here, so hills are really not a problem. Do you tow a fiver or TT?