So I have a 2011 Ram 1500 CC 5.7 with 3.55 rears. I am going to be purchasing a camper soon that weighs 5800 pds. I am installing airlift bags and will be using a weight distribution hitch. I am just curious what it will be like pulling this thing, gas mileage and if my Ram will be struggling to bad?

 

Well it is a Hemi so don't expect good gas mileage while towing. For about 6000# your truck will have no problem and with a weight distribution hitch it will be like a train on the road. Those Hemi's have power so don't worry about that you'll be pulling hills like nothing and if you wanted to pass a car hammer down. The only times i was a bit white nuckled was passing through the plains of saskatchewan with their crazy wind storms, that's when it gets interesting but i'm sure it's the same with big rigs in those situations

I was doing about 350 kms (pretty brutal) a tank with 35" tires, 6" lift and 3,55 gears going across the country, with that setup the only struggle i had was staying in gear, my truck was geared too high with 3,55 and my setup so it was gear hunting alot, until my rearend pooped out on me haha. But since i have upgraded to 4.56 gears and it made a hell of a difference. Truck will not gear hunt watsover and i'm also pulling a lil more weight than i was with the 3.55s, gas mileage too about 400 kms a tank. I just gotta make sure i know where the gas stations are and carry a couple of gerry cans with me hehe, sometimes its late at night and some gas stations are closed, had to pull over a few times and fill er up. I did a 4000 km treck last summer in about 4 days and that cost me 2000$ in gas roughly (91 octane). But good thing i work for a good company and didn't have to pay a dime of that.

But all in all without scaring you here, i think your gonna be impressed with the truck and it's capabilities.

 

A gear upgrade would definitely be beneficial. I used to tow a camper about that size with my 08 1500 hemi but I had 3.92s. I usually got about 5.5-7 depending on wind.

 

I pulled a 31' 4700lb (dry) camper around the country for 4 months. It probably weighed in around 6 to 6500# or so for the majority of the trip. We did 17.5K miles, probably 2/3s of that pulling the trailer. I have 3.92 gears, integrated trailer brake (which I wouldn't pull without) and a hemi also. I think the worst I saw was just under 7mpg and that was in the big boy mtns out west. For the majority of the trip, I was in the 8 to 10 range depending on where we were. More in the plains, less in the mountains. I need to do the bags as well as the rear suspension is lacking for more than 500# hitch weight. Tow/haul is your friend and don't be freaked out by the revs. I was at first. You get used to it. Plan on changing your rear diff fluid often if you're going to pull much.

It'll do the work but it might not always like it. Plan ahead for braking and buy MaKesh mirrors. They look goofy but work unbelievably well. Also realize that you'll likely be left with almost zero payload left so don't plan on loading up the back of the pick up w/ that camper on without doing the math.

BillO

 

If you have original tires and rims you will be better off than with the big tires and lift the other guy had. You could even go to 17 inch rims and tires and gives you more towing capability, might help with the 355s but 392 would be ideal and serve you well but try the original stuff first...good luck keep us informed I have my eye on a trailer.

 

I agree with 72combo, if you have the 31" tires, you'll be all-right. The tow ratings on a 2010 CCSB 4X2 with the 3.55 is 7,700 lbs, and 7,350 for the 4x4. InterpunX's setup with the 3.55 and 35" tires was equivalent to running 31" tires and having a 3.21 axle which on a 2010 CCSB 4x2 is rated at 5'700 lbs minus about 350 lbs if it's a 4X4. The engine is fine with the tow but keep an eye on the trans temps.

 

I'm towing with mine for the first time tomorrow. 67 and sunny so I'm hitting the water for some fishing. I've got the hemi in a CC express, 3.55s and 20s but this was an upgrade from an S10 so I'm sure the ram will manhandle this 19' bassboat. I estimate the boat/trailer/engine/fuel/gear weighs in about 3500#...4000# max

 

I have a 2009 hemi , we have a 2012 flagstaff 31' , weighs in around 6200# .. I have the new 4 way equalizer and sway together . Was waiting to see if i needed the bags . Truck sets real level with the equalizer on .

Truck pulls really good with it . only problem is side wind .. you can tell it .
Other than that pulls great

 

You should not even know it is back there .

 

That 5800 dry or loaded? Loaded it shouldt be an issue. Dry + passengers + gear and I would have a 3/4 ton if you are planning a lot of travelling.

I have towed a 24' enclosed car trailer, about 7000lbs total, with my 3.55 CC Hemi. Power isnt the issue but even with a properly set up WD hitch you sure knew it was there windy days in the mountains. Previous to that I had a 2500HD duramax and you didnt even know that trailer was back there. I have also towed my old 8000lb boat and trailer 150 miles to deliver it with the 2010 Hemi CC, once again power wasnt the issue, but that was the absolute limit IMO without some spring/wheel tire mods (I had 20s).

More important that +/- a few hundred pounds is knowing you real tongue weight and buying the proper WD hitch AND setting it up properly. Dont be scared to buy a toungue weight scale and try different loading/WD bar tension either.

As far as fuel mileage, my new boat (6000lbs w/trailer), 10mpg @65mph. The 24' enclosed trailer (6000lbs), 8-9mpgh at 60mph, and an open trailer and car (4200lbs) 11-12mpg at 65mph. The enclosed trailer is a brick, the extra 1000lbs is not much over the boat but in a headwind you can almost feel the mpg drop