You'd be surprised at how much worse the new designed Fords are too. They don't tow nearly as well as even the 4-5 year old models did. EVERYBODY is going for daily driver, car-like ride quality on their half tons now. Although I still think the new Fords handle towing better than the new Dodge trucks. But I'd put them more in line with the leaf rear Dodges (3rd Gens) now where they used to tow a good bit better. I hate to say it, but even if you are going to tow a marginal load, it's time to go right past the 1500 (or 150s) on the lot and straight to the 3/4 tons which are still built with WORK in mind, regardless of the listed towing capacity of the half tons...

 

Sounds like a weight distributing hitch (WDH) is in order. I had the same issue with an Isuzu Trooper. The WDH fixed it. I'm considering using it with the RAM now, just to calm the ride down a little while we pull our 3500 pound camper. It does have around 350 pound tongue weight though.

 

Tires will help for sure and so will an equalizer hitch.

I do agree with hammer tho, 1/2 tons are going towards the era of passenger hauling and not towing. Hence why they are coming out with these 6 cylinder engines for fuel economy. They are going to be really good on fuel have lots of HP, but no towing torque. Might I say specs are HALF of what the hemi is.

I have had lots of people come to me and say they are not going with dodge because of the coils in the back. Someone tried it once back when (can't remember for sure) and there was a reason they got rid of them. But in my opinion, I have driven both a new ford and I own a dodge of course, I have yet to drive a chev or GM but have ridden in one. There is NONE that rides like the dodge, I don't know if there is any third gen guys that found their 1500 when they were on a curve and hit a bump the back end would want to sway a touch? This new 1500 DOESNT MOVE!...the new fords do a little bit, but still...

I told these guys for the occasional hauling and moving this 1500 is still great! I would never sacrifice my coils and go into a 2500 just to tow a holiday trailer every now and then. Even if you went and bought the most expensive set of bags, bought an equalizer hitch and anything else that you can think of to make the 1500 tow pretty good. You will still be under the price of getting into a 2500, where they are not equipped with them. The rides are totally different, and I would not sacrifice that for the world. Now I have also changed some of these ford guys to dodges.

Sorry for the ranting :P

 

I agree with Hammer, all of the new 1/2 ton trucks bob up and down with little tongue weight without the WDH. I have the air bags and a good WDH that includes anti-sway (the trunnion type bars, not the chains) and have no bobbing up and down whatsoever. They key is setting up the WDH properly so that when the *** end wants to dip, most of the weight is distributed to the front of the tow vehicle and some to the trailer axle(s). My previous truck (2000 1/2 ton GMC 2WD was so bad that even after I added a leaf, it bobbed up and down until I got the WDH. My wife used to complain about getting sea-sick before that. While the the leafs (stock) may seem better for towing, they are worst for sway than the current ram suspension.

 

its definitely not the up and down motion, the bags stopped the sag. The best way to describe it is if you were sitting on a trampoline that was sitting on a vibrating table, its more of a bobble than anything else. With todays tow ratings and the dodge being 2K more than my ford was I expected a much better towing experience with the dodge. Anway I can't say enough about the ride, handling and power of the vehicle unloaded, truly is a fantastic ride. I may try pumping up the bags a bit more, and I even read an article that said to pump up the rear tires one extra lb for every 100 lbs of tongue weight, so maybe try 5 psi extra in the rear tires.

 

This is the one I have. It's adjustable and works great.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CHT-17002/

 

Here is what I have

http://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Distr...e/RP66153.html

I highly recommend it

 

I have a 2011 Ram Sport that came with 20” rims and had the dealer switch them for the 17” from the SLT even up and I put LT “E” rated tires on. I tow a 7500 lb enclosed car hauler w/ WDH and NO air bags. One hand on the wheel @ 70 next to and passing semis. Tires will do much to change the handling of a vehicle.

 

#1. For all the guys recommending WD hitches. You CAN'T use WD hitches on a boat trailer with surge brakes because it interfers with the brake mechanism. They make a surge brake specific WD hitch but I've heard they are a waste of money.

#2. Somebody already mentioned tires and that is one of the leading issues with what you are describing. I run 40PSI in mine and plan on upgrading to a tire with a thicker sidewall when it's time to replace as I have the same issues with my truck and boat trailer.

 

Depends on what year his boat and trailer are...They are making new trailers now with electric brakes. They are attaching anodes to all the brake equipment to prevent corrosion. So if he has a newer boat with electric brakes WDH is all his...

Not to mention they are making more and more boat specific WDHs, He would have to make sure that he can use it on his boat for sure...But I think you would be surprised at how many hitches you can use with surge brakes now.

Either way if he buys a hitch thats 100 bucks more it will help him a lot. Not just distribution but anti sway too.