I bought a 2012 Ram 2500 with 5.7 Hemi, it's a 4X4 crew cab, white.

So far, 3000 miles, I love this truck.

My last two truck were also Dodge 2500's but they both had a Cummings.

I don't think I pull enough weight to mess with the emissions stuff. I pull a 8.5X20 enclosed cargo trailer. Pull it mostly in town with very little Hwy time, lots of stop and go.

Question is do I need a weight distribution hitch with sway control for this trailer? I didn't have one for the other two trucks, pulled same trailer.

The other two trucks were 4X2, quad cab w/8' bed.

This truck feels different to me when I get to 50-60 mph. I feel the trailer moving around, never felt this with the other two trucks.

Could it be that this truck sits up higher being a 4wd or short bed or lighter truck without the cummings?

Also, the trailer seems to sag the truck a bit, never noticed this with the other trucks.

I'm more concerned with the sway than the sag.

I will try to post a pic of my truck when I have time.

Thanks

 

depending on what you have in the trailer, you probably should use a weight distribution hitch per the specs of your tow hitch. i have found that while it balances out the weight and really smooths the ride out, it seems to help with sway as well. with that said i would buy a W-D hitch that you can ad a sway control to in case you decide to add that as well.

i am surprised that you can notice it on a 2500 though, unless they have softened up the rear suspension a lot on these new trucks. my buddy just ordered a 2500 to pull his camper with, so i guess i'll keep this in mind when i set his truck up for him.

 

i am surprised that you can notice it on a 2500 though, unless they have softened up the rear suspension a lot on these new trucks. my buddy just ordered a 2500 to pull his camper with, so i guess i'll keep this in mind when i set his truck up for him.[/quote]

I'm surprised also, I never did with the other 2500 I had.

 

the cummins is more weight if I am not mistaken, might be enough weight to make it not sway as much with the hemi.
Also it MIGHT be a little higher but I don't think thats the issue. It should not be enough to throw the load off that much. But just to double check when your trailer is hooked up its a level hitch? If its too high or too low it will sway.
The other thing that comes to mind is the tires. How do your new ones compare to your old ones? I would think they would be load rated E on the new ones because its a 2500, but sometimes you just never know with some dealers.

Personally IMO I will not pull a trailer 16' and over without a WDH. It may cost more then some are willing to spend, but it puts a lot less strain on your truck. I realize its a 2500 and I only have a 1500, but your still putting the same amount of stress on each truck regardless. What I am trying to say is IMO it don't matter how heavy of a truck I have I know that if I have the option to put more weight on the trailer axles (which are build and designed to carry full trailer weight) I will. Takes all that off the truck, and is not going to hurt the trailer anymore then without one. Might create more wear on your trailer brakes, but thats cheap compared to the rear end of a truck! I pull our 30' holiday trailer with my 1500, would NEVER think about doing it without one. In fact here Alberta anyways, when you buy any holiday trailer 20' and over its gonna come with a WDH. Dealers don't let you drive off the lot without it.

I also believe that it helps with trailer sway. It will help to maintain a more level hitch height which will correct the sway. Another poster posted this too, but when you are buying the hitch just make sure the option for sway control is there IF you need it. I don't have sway control for the holiday trailer and it does just fine.

Hope this helps!

 

The tires are the same as last truck, E rated. Also the trailer is level when hooked up to the truck.

I did get a price yesterday for a WDH for $299 that includes sway control. I think I will get it to be safe.

Thanks for the help.

Btw, that's a big trailer to pull with a 1/2 ton. How did it do?

I think a 1/2 ton would do good pulling my small trailer. Went with the 2500 because it's useed for work.

 

It pulls it just dandy, its still only 8000lbs fully loaded, but its LONG so lots of weight on the front! Of course I pulled it when the truck had 8000kms on it so everything was pretty new. Coils were pretty stiff and not worked in yet, that seems to be the biggest issue on the half tonnes is the rear end sagging. I didn't have any issues with mine, might have to put some bags in later but I guess I will find out! As far as power? that's not an issue with the hemi It handled pretty good too, of course not as good as a 2500 would but still reasonable! I think the biggest thing there is im still running factory sport 20" tires. IF I switched some some load Es im sure it would be much much better.

If I used my truck to pull a trailer constantly for work, I would be going 2500. But I don't pull often enough to need it...

 

I too have a hemi 2500 4x4. I'm reading this thread with a little concern. As I've pulled a fully loaded 16' dump trailer several times with my truck and never had any serious sag. However I also threw an add-a-leaf to the rear.

the hemi is a little lighter than the cummins, the 4x4 is higher than a 2wd. The only trailer I've had on the highway is my 12' landscape trailer, but never felt anything abnormal there.

maybe try a dropped down ball first? I use one. like 30 bucks are your local auto store. but if your towing frequently, the distribution hitch couldnt hurt, especially doing highway driving with a trailer.

 

It has been my experience that if your trailer is swaying it has to do with one of a few things.

1) trailer load too heavy behind the trailer axels.
2) Ball position is too high/low
3) Wind

I also understand after talking to the dealer when I bought this new 2500 4X4 that the traction control will engage if a trailer starts swaying. Now I cannot believe that any traction control devise will overcome physics it will probably help somewhat.

The very first thing I pulled with this new truck was my boat and I noticed that the back end was a couple inches higher then my last truck, F-250. This is going to be a problem for pulling my boat if I don't increase the drop on my ball set up. I thing I have a 2" drop now and will have to see what will work the best but I am pretty sure I will need another 2" for a total of a 4" drop. It may end up being 3" but I will need a new one for sure.

If you are in a 4x4 now and a 2x4 before I am pretty darn sure there is going to be a hight difference and you will need to adjust for it. A weight distribution hitch is a great idea anytime. If you can get your hands on one from a buddy to try before you buy I bet you will end up with one. I have one in my tool box in the back end of the truck cause I randomly hook up to several trailers and it is easy to slap it on if needed.

Just remember if you start having sway issues slow down for safety, Engage the trailer break controller and don't over steer. You can put the whole works in the ditch pretty quick and that would SUCK!

 

Couple of points...
1) there is not g in Cummins...
2) the 1500 hemi is a more powerful motor in a lighter truck than the 2500... because of this, with similar gearing and tires the 1500 is going to out accelerate the 2500 and maintain hill climb speed better. The problem comes with braking, trailer control and wear and tear.
3) my opinion is that you are misloading your trailer... as in the load is not positioned correctly on it. WDH will mask that if the weight is too far forward but will do nothing if it is too far back. Your CG wants to be about 90% of the way down an imaginary line from your hitch ball to the center of your trailer axle(s).