So I have a good deal on a 2011 Ram that I might be purchasing soon. It looks to be prewired for towing but no receiver. I plan to get a receiver installed along with a brake controller. I will be pulling a 26BH with a WD hitch. It's about 5300 - 5500 fully loaded (we don't carry any water). My question is, is there anything I need to be concerned about with not having the factory towing package installed? I've been pulling this rig with a Frontier (6300lb tow rating). It gets the job done, but with pulling 85% of the capacity and the short wheelbase, it's a white knuckle experience. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Welcome to DF. Will move you to the correct location.

For future reference:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...ead-first.html

 

Ram doesn't really have an extensive tow package, it already comes with heavy duty cooling and all the electrical hook ups in place for the trailer. In 2010 it came prewired for a brake controller which the 2009 did not have. There is no suspension upgrade for a towing package or payload upgrade. If it did list a towing package it was probably for mirrors and tow hitch.

I have a 2009 Hemi with 3.55 rear and have never had any issues towing 5k lbs and more even in the Sierra mountains.

The 2011 will handle it well, it has plenty of hp and torque.

 

I added the trailer brake controller to mine. Just plugged right in. I pull a 28bh travel trailer just fine. I do suggest rear coil air bags. Made a world of difference in the ride! Best 100 I ever spent on the truck! Btw, I have a 2011 Laramie 4x4 crew cab with 355s. A bit of advice, I emailed Chrysler and got my trucks build info. It will tell you every little thing about the truck.

 

"Frontier white knuckle experience"
Yeah i bet...!!! Thats like sending a boy to do a mans job...lol.

As for the Ram & 5.7, you`ll wonder why you didnt buy one sooner for towing your rig.
Be smart and buy the CORRECT brake controller, and make sure you get the correct brake control harness to hook it up, otherwise your brake lights will stay on all the time. The factory unit is a little bit more money, but well worth it. The factory unit will work in the EVIC in the dash as well. Look in your owners manual for "Hill Assist" too, this helps alot when towing. Scroll down the EVIC menu, hill assist is in there, you can turn it on/off using your steering wheel buttons. Also in the EVIC, you can monitor your transmission temperature while towing... not that you need to, but its an option thats nice to have when pulling in the mountains.

 

It's funny because I had an '06 dakota with 4.7HO before my ram and even though it was as good as you can get with a mid-size (3.92, HO V8, trans cooler, etc) the RAM just makes you wonder why you didn't go full size in the first place. 6,000lbs behind a mid-size truck isn't insurmountable, but in a fullsize it's just another day.

 

Thanks all. By the way, are you running mid grade octane?

 

I do not run 89. I run 87 and have never had an issue -no park knock, no ping. I have tried higher octane and saw no difference.

 

Same here A.D stopped using 89 a month ago now just run 87 see no difference in power or fuel mileage , he vvt eliminates knock and ping ,also saving 9 cents a litre .

 

My 2009 came prewired for a brake controller. I use a Prodigy P2.

For the original poster, I use my 2009 to tow a 25', 4600lb (dry weight) travel trailer (so probably upwards of 5500-6000 fully loaded) with WD hitch with no issues. I have 3.55 gears and even have larger then oem size tires (came with 265/70/17 and I now run 285/70/17). I have pulled many Colorado mountain passes with no problems - power to spare. I run midgrade in my Hemi. I have a Superchips Flashpaq 3865 that I plan to set up for towing mode one of these times I tow just to see if it makes any difference.