Hi Everybody,

Just came back from a trip, towing about 4500lb. The truck handled the load pretty well I would say, plenty of power, so I am quite happy here even though it seemed to have . What I didn’t like though, is that the rear end was feeling kinda “springy” to me, bouncing up and down sometimes (at least that was my feeling).
There are no mods on the truck other than few cosmetic ones and adding a canopy. I read a bit about these air bags you can install and I phoned the dealer to see what they think about the problem and if they have any suggestions. First thing they said was to blame it on the hitch equalizer, maybe wasn’t set and adjusted properly, so I am going to have it looked at just for the peace of mind.
Has anyone else experienced similar issues? Is it the hitch equalizer or is the coil springs in the rear suspension? If it’s the springs, will installing the air bags help?

Thanks for any feedback you can provide


P.S. I have a 5.7 Hemi, 4x4 with a 3.55 read end

 

My camping trailer is just around 4800 and I haven't noticed anything like that. Maybe it is your hitch setup. I had to use a slightly different setting on my load leveling hitch than with my old Sport Trac, but now it tows like a dream.

 

either check your load leveling hitch (if you have one) or re distribute your load. sounds like too much tongue weight.

 

first off, dont believe anything the dealer says.

 

If the 09 Ram can't handle the tongue weight of a 4500 lb trailer then it shouldn't be classified as a truck. I'm experiencing the same issue you have. My trailer has a tongue weight of 800 lbs and I pulled it 160 miles last weekend. I am very impressed with the Hemi as it has more than enough power. The suspension is another story. The trailer will rock left to right with the slightest wind even on a straight road. I have the airlift 1000 airbags I bought for $90 but I haven't installed them yet. If anyone has pictures or tips on how you installed them, it would be much appreciated.

 

There's an install video here:
http://www.airliftcompany.com/al1000.html

I will be towing a 5600lb trailer with 755lb tongue weight this week. I'm also concerned about how the suspension will handle this load and am considering the Air Lift as a last resort only. I want to get the weight distribution right so I don't have to install bags.

 

I recently pulled about 6000lbs. of trailer (28ft.) and gear about 600 miles to and from camping. the trailer dry weight is about 4900ibs. so I figured I got at least 1000 or more pounds of stuff! I had some of that in the bed, probably a few hundred pounds. The trailer tonque weight is listed as 380lbs. I use an easy lift weight distribution hitch. When all set up the trailer is nearly level to the ground! The truck is slightly lower in the back, almost unnoticeable. The truck handled fine, power and control. I noticed a little swaying above 65mph!

The key here with a weight distribution hitch is you need the trailer as level as possible. Plus having your vehicle level is also a major plus. The 2x4 RAM is about 5100 lbs. dry so most trailers are not going to be like "the tail wagging to dog" so to speak.

When I towed a smaller 3500lb trailer dry, with nothing in the truck bed I did notice some springiness in the ride, but again is was only me in the truck and a dry camper.

 

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...ate/index.html


"Aside from the lack of the brake controller, we had no complaints about the Ram's towing ability while hauling approximately 6500 pounds.
The five-speed automatic transmission never hunted for gears, although it wasn't exactlyed taxed, as we encountered very few hills and were mostly following the 62 mph speed limit.
We appreciated the coil spring suspension--the truck towed as well as any half-ton with conventional leaf springs would have in the same situation."

My experience has been the same. My 09 hauls the same 5500lb TT my 04 did except it does it with a smoother ride, much better shifting and more power to spare. Once I got the Weight Dist Hitch re-adjusted the trailer and truck were perfectly level, no sag.

 

I have to remember to try to snap a pic tonight when I hook up the travel trailer to head down to the ocean. I am very happy towing with this truck. I researched it for towing both our current trailer and what we have planned for a couple years from now BEFORE I bought it so would not be disappointed.

 

Just got back from a trip to lake of the ozarks (600 miles each way). 5 people in the cab, about 1000lbs of gear in the bed and a 3500lb boat/trailer. No issues with bouncing, rear of the truck dragging or power.

800lbs of tounge weight is way out of whack for a 4500lb trailer, what is going to happen when you slam on the brakes and that 800lbs becomes more like 1200?