Hi,

I am in the process of buying a Jayco Eagle HT 26.5RLS. 7400lbs dry. A camper that Jayco claims to be half ton towable. I currently own a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn 4x4 Hemi crew cab with 20" wheels and 3.55 gears. It has been rather difficult trying to find a consistent answer as to whether or not I can tow this camper without exceeding my GVWR.

There are websites stating it has either 1370 payload, 1400 payload, 1470 payload, with either a 8450, 8650, 9100, 9200, 10,450lb towing capacity. It is pretty ridiculous!

I need help!!!

I do not want to install a hitch with the expensive cost of labor (3.5hours) in my truck only to have it removed because it cannot(not should not) tow my camper. My camper is going to a campground resort close to the dealer I am buying it from. They deliver. I will hopefully be on a seasonal site whereas I do not have to move it and can leave it there during the winter as well. Giving me time to save money and buy a 3/4 ton which I know can handle this camper easier than my 1/2 ton. Another option is to install an air lift kit in the rear coils to help compensate for the load and installing bilstein shocks.

Another problem that I have read is that my factory dual exhaust causes complications with the fifth wheel hitch. My dual exhaust exits straight out the back. It has cut outs in the factory bumper. The way I see it this camper is going to cost me a lot of money and time to compensate for the extra load. I am not looking forward to replacing my rear bumper, or spending money on a new exhaust system, or adding air bags. Possibly going from 20" wheels down to 17" wheels to increase my tow rating and even swapping out my 3.55 gear ratio to the 3.92 or 4.10. All I can see is dollar signs flashing and adding quickly into a truck that already has 100,000 miles on it that definitely will not increase its resale value by adding these aftermarket accessories.

Please help. Any information on any of the topics I have written would be greatly appreciated. For the record. I really cannot afford a new truck. I still owe $20,000 on my TRADE IN VALUE OF $15,000 truck (if I am lucky) and just took out a loan for $40k for the camper. A $300 camper payment instead of a $170 is much easier to swing than a $700 truck payment than a $350 truck payment. I can't afford an extra $500/MO unless I sat home and did absolutely nothing but work and sleep.

In summary, yes or no
Air bags in coil springs i.e. air lift 1000 to help out sag

Does dual exhaust effect Husky 16K sliding fifth wheel hitch and/or the fifth wheel camper while in tow?

20" to 17" wheels to increase tow capacity

3.55 swap to 4.10 gears

Or just leave my truck alone and either save, borrow a truck to tow it when and if needed?

 

Airlift coil air bags will definitely help with sag. I pull a jayco 29bhs with my 2012 ram 1500 with no issues. I do use a load equalizing hitch system though.

 

Instead of bumper pull travel trailer I'm going to a fifth wheel. There's no doubt in my mind the engine has the power. It's the suspension. I think for what I plan on doing it will be okay. My plan is to get a seasonal site and make it our weekend getaway. There are over 200 sites, a 26 acre lake, a man made beach, an unground pool, miniature golf, volleyball, basketball, tennis, horseshoes, and much more. Why would I want to travel? And I get to drive my lifted golf cart around. Lol. But perhaps we will visit family out of state eventually. It'd be nice to know if anyone else has any experience or knows of anyone who pulls a fifth wheel with a half ton truck.

 

the payload for your truck is listed on the B pillar below the driver door latch. The tongue weight for the trailer is key here.

Per the jayco website, the dry hitch weight is 1305 lbs, your truck max payload is probably around 1370 lbs. the hitch itself weights 130 lbs so, 1305 plus 130 lbs and you are at 1435 lbs. You are over the limit before you get started.

Now you add fuel for the truck, You and passengers as well as luggage plus propane, water, etc for the trailer and you are way over loaded.

When they state that a 1/2 ton can tow this trailer, they are talking about a regular cab, 2 WD with 3:92 gears, even then it's pushing it.

You are better off getting a trailer tow RV with a good weight distribution hitch, this allows you to reduce the weight on the truck.


Edit; Looked up specs on the Jayco trailer

 

2012 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman QC 5.7 - 3:92 axle. I tow a 27ft Rockwood Signature series approx. 6700lb. dry and about 7500 loaded. No problem towing. I have been towing 5ers since 1990. Check your dealer for the updated ratings for 09's or contact Ram Trucks. I use Timbrens suspension, like it more than air bags. I use PULLRITE SUPPERGLIDE HITCH. no slider for me. I don't thing the dual exhaust will be a problem. Contact Pullrite and/or/E-trailer or both. Hope this helps

scroll down and see video and pictures without/with Timbrens on a ram 1500 towing a fifth wheel
http://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Susp...id=20121009715

http://www.pullrite.com/products/sup...uper-glide-16k

http://www.leftlanenews.com/dodge-re...-capacity.html

 

Leave me a private message. I'll send pictures of the truck and trailer. For some reason I can't post pictures here.

 

I don't know how it went for allmyTdrunken, but there is one thing that I missed in the comments, or wasn't there. While a 1/2 ton is capable of moving a 7400lbs camper, towing long distances and varied terrain involves for more than just running down the flat interstate.

The weight of the camper can actually out-weigh the tow vehicle. Problem.

Also the length of the camper can create leverage against a shorter wheelbase tow unit.

3\4 and 1-ton suspensions are worth the money as opposed to doing modifications on a 1/2 that may make the value at trade in even lower.

Airbags are false security and promote risk taking.

Always use a weight distributing hitch if the weight in-tow is 80% of the tow vehicle weight or higher.

The loading technique of the in-tow unit is also very important.

Tow-safe and Tow well.

 

I swear on the Hensley Arrow Hitch, I tow my 9000lb Airstream like a dream; also have skyjacker rear springs +4 inches, and a solid rear swaybar.