Hey guys, my wife has found the truck she wants but I'm very concerned about towing with it. We have a camper that weighs about 7,000 lbs. I know I'm not thrilled about the 3.21 gears but she wants the Laramie and they all seem to have the same.
Currently pulling this fine with my sons Titan.
Can someone provide insight on this please? Thx

 

I don't think that's enough truck for what you want to pull.......

 

I am a little confused because I watched a youtube vid of a guy pulling 9,000 lbs with his and stating he has no problems. She is already gracious enough to drive a truck so I can keep my GT :-) so I can't put her in some monster 2500 not to mention we only pull the camper 4-5x a year and stay within a 500 mile round trip radius. I certainly agree that truck is pushing it and not the ideal situation. I'm just trying to keep her happy the other 300 days of the year.

 

There is a position I completely understand.

Just because you CAN do a thing, does not necessarily imply it's a good idea though. Figure out what your rig weighs, with everything hooked up, and all your gear (including passengers) aboard, and go from there. If you are still under your GCWR, then you are fine. If you go over it...... well, then it only becomes an issue if you get in an accident, or some over-zealous cop wants to put you on a scale. A couple hundred pounds overweight, I wouldn't be overly concerned about. More than that though, and I simply wouldn't do it. It is not just about getting the load moving, its about being able to stop it as well. Exceed your rating by too much, and the truck/trailer will be virtually impossible to control in an emergency stop..... even with trailer brakes......

 

AGREED, thanks!

 

If it's 7k after fully loaded, then you are good to go. The truck is rated to tow close to 8k with the 3.21 with the 8 speed. As far as brakes go, the trailer brakes do most of the work and you can downshift the tranny for engine braking when needed downhill. If a gas Titan can pull it, then the hemi can too.

 

I would prefer a higher ratio also.
for comparison I goggled the Nissan rear end ratio... not sure the year you have... but my search said its 3.36

 

Hi THC1-- http://prntscr.com/lm4m1i That Laramie will tow a maximum 7760lbs. - with a total gross combined weight of 13,800lbs. . Your Truck weighs approx. 5300 lbs. If your trailer weighs 7000lbs. dry (no cargo-water- propane- supplies - food - pots and pans, generator, tools, solar panels, Beer, etc.) your are flirting with the max allowed. Remember you have to include yourself and passengers. The most important number is the Gross Combine Weight Rating If you exceed the 13,800lbs. ( Truck -trailer - you - passengers and all of your camping supplies and equipment) it becomes an issue with weigh laws where you live. Also warranty. I've towed trailers for some time. 2 trucks with 3:92 axles and one with 3:55 axle. 3:91 axle is the choice for me. With that same truck with a 3:92 axle both GCWR and towing increase approx. 2000lbs.

Like Pedro Dog said as long as it's 7K fully loaded you're good to go.

Hope this helps -- there are Laramie's out there with 3:92 axles. Don't let the Sales Person pull the wool over your eyes.

cheers
Kayakman

2017 Laramie Longhorn crew cab - 3:92 axle
GCWR - 7,190kg (15,850lb)
Towing - 4,432kg (9,770lb)
Our trailer weighs approx. 6800lb. dry
truck -trailer - and all supplies and equipment 14,100lb. on Dept. of Transport Highway scales.

 

Here are some things to consider. The ratings are based on the J2807 Standard. The J2807 standard allows for;

• For light-duty full-size pickups (GVWR < 8,500 lbs.), SAE J2807 assumes that the tow vehicle includes any options with higher than 33 percent penetration;
• It assumes there is both a driver and passenger in the vehicle, each weighing 150 pounds;
• It assumes that tow vehicles also include up to 70 pounds of aftermarket hitch equipment (where applicable); and
• For conventional trailer towing, SAE J2807 assumes that 10 percent of the trailer weight is on the tongue.

So, there are 370 lbs that are already included.

Regarding the Titan, unless it's the newer 2017 model, the older one had the motor rated at 317 HP and 385 ft/lb and mated to a 5 speed with the following ratios. 1=3.827, 2=2.368, 3=1.520, 4=1.00 and 5= 0.834.

The 2017 and newer Titan is closer to the Ram Hemi and 8 speed. Motor is 390 HP and 385 ft/lb and mated to a 7 speed. ratios. 1=4.886, 2=3.169, 3=2.027, 4=1.411, 5= 1.00, 6=0.864 and 7=0.774.

For comparison, the Hemi is rated at 395 HP and 407 ft/lb and the tranny is better than the 7 speed of the Titan. ZF gears are; 1=4.71, 2=3.14, 3=2.10, 4=1.67, 5=1.29, 6=1.00, 7=0.89 and 8=0.67. The advantage here is the extra gear at 1.29 that helps a ton when towing.

 

The lower first gear in the the newer titan probably helps get the load moving...... if it was older, that 1st gear ratio would require a deeper rear end ratio to achieve the same thing..... (which is a good bet what he used to have..... I don't think it's likely he traded in a year old truck. ) In all reality, if he pulled the same trailer with the Titan, that he wants to pull now, I think the Ram will actually do a better job, assuming the brakes are up to snuff as well.