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Old 03-26-2010, 08:34 AM   #1
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New Truck

I am looking at buying a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab with a 5.7 Hemi. We have a 1996 2670 solaris and I am trying to find out if this is the right truck. I looked at the trailer life towing guide and I am not sure what gears are it it. The sticker on the door of the camper says the camper gvw is 7000#. The truck receiver has 8000# max w\distibution. And can anyone tell me what the tow\haul button does?
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Old 03-26-2010, 10:15 AM   #2
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I just found out that this truck has 3.92 axle ratio and that makes it rated for 8500# of tow.
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Old 03-26-2010, 12:02 PM   #3
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In most situations, the tow/haul mode simply changes the shift points. In other words, with the tow/haul mode on, the truck will shift later to keep the engine up in the higher power bands to give you increased towing performance. In some cases, it might downshift with the application of the brakes too.

In a diesel, tow/haul would not only automatically downshift, but it would further provide engine braking.

It sounds like that truck would be a good fit for the trailer, but I would like to ask what the receiver says for a max tongue weight in Weight Distributing mode. Being a front bedroom model, the 2670 could have a hefty tongue weight that we wouldn't want you to exceed.

Jon
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Old 03-26-2010, 12:27 PM   #4
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The tongue weight is 800#. I have not got a chance to weigh the camper yet but I would like to when I have it loaded and go past a weigh station. Thank you for you help. The receiver that is on it is a Draw Tite and not sure if it is factory. What does the average camper weigh up front?
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Old 03-26-2010, 03:08 PM   #5
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The tongue weight will vary from person to person, depending on HOW MUCH STUFF is loaded into the trailer. Your trailer has a GVWR of 7000 #'s. Typically, approx 12 - 13 % (approx 900 lbs)of that weight is tongue weight. So with a good weight distribution hitch you'd probably be ok. Can't help you with whether the hitch is factory or aftermarket. Maybe run it to a dodge dealer and ask them to take a look at it and also check to see if it has a towing package on it. It "should" tow your trailer, but to be perfectly honest I'd want a 3/4 ton to pull 27 ' of trailer, my theory is that I can never have TOO much truck. Good luck in your decision. I'm sure more of the guys will be chiming in here shortly to help you out.

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Old 03-29-2010, 07:52 PM   #6
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The truck you are looking at will have no trouble pulling the trailer. You will need to address the tongue weight relative to the hitch. If the Drawtite hitch has adequate reserve capacity for the tongue weight, a nice Reese Dual Cam WD hitch and a quality brake controller will put you on the road safely.
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Old 03-29-2010, 09:09 PM   #7
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Hi Etters4

See this post on loaded camper tongue weights. This is a guide but it is from real actual loaded campers the way folks camp. There is 1, year 2000 on there that I weighed a T2670 and it was 780# the way those folks loaded it.

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...pic.php?t=3697

This is one you have to keep track of your weights. If you have a lot of bed weight aft of the rear axle, that and a 800 to 1000# tongue weight might present a over the limit on your rear axle. Again it is doable, just you need to watch where you put weight and how much.

A 5.7 with a 3.92 rear axle helps on the pulling. The brick we pull down the road will make it work from wind drag but take it easy anyway.

If it does not have an auxiliary transmission cooler, you will need one added. And ideally a pan temperature gage.

Tires, LT tires are better for towing as they can be stiffer, you have a long wheelbase to start with which helps. Don’t know if you have the lighter P rated ones or the LT’s. If you have the P’s the best you can do is air them up to max side wall cold pressure to help stiffen them up.

And yes for sure a good WD hitch and Anti sway control hitch is in order. Have to look at your receiver and be sure it is rated properly. It needs to be in the 1,000# tongue in weight distributing mode at least and the tongue weight might come in at 850 to 900 some plus bed weight that can act on the WD hitch. The Reese Dual Cam or the Equal-I-zer brand by Progress Mfg are 2 good ones.

If you get the truck, ideally you weigh it axle by axle and the camper loaded and then you know for sure if you are OK or not and can adjust accordingly. From the big picture, it can work but watch the weights and hitch and tow cautiously.

Good luck

John
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Old 03-31-2010, 08:34 PM   #8
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Re: "tow/haul" button

The tow/ haul feature on Dodge products is fantastic. I would not tow or haul anything without it engaged as it keeps the transmission from constantly shifting and "sliding" in rpm's as you encounter slight hills or excelleration. The feature locks the the transmission into final (only slighlty) lower gears. I'm not sure that it locks out of overdrive , because the rpm's remain the same at highway speeds. My rig is the cummins diesel (2006) and this feature allows the gobs of tourque this engine produces to do it's job. I towed a #5,100 Sunline T-257SR from Fresno, Cal. last week over two mountain passes 4800' elevation on I-5 and didn't even feel the trailer ever being there behind me. The TV is a 1 ton dually that weighs 8,500 lbs by itself. Got 13.5 mpg @ 70 mph freeway. I only get 16 mpg empty around town here. Love my Dodge .Happy travels.
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Old 04-01-2010, 04:37 PM   #9
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You will have no trouble towing that camper with that truck , I had a 02 2670 that I towed with a Jeep grande cherokee with a 5.2 v8 for two years I had now sway issues or power issue ever. how ever know what I know now I would most likly not have that same set up . but compared to your truck there should be no problem Dan
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Old 04-01-2010, 06:49 PM   #10
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Shepards2 is correct. The tow/haul in a Dodge will slightly change the shifting points of your transmission, and will lock out the overdrive feature. I use the tow/haul on back roads and anytime I encounter very hilly terrain on the interstate. But I have to admit I do tow in OD when cruising highway speed when it is flat of slightly hilly, and the tranny isn't hunting between 3rd and OD. My coach also weighs in at about 12k.
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Old 04-20-2010, 04:34 AM   #11
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I have a 07 ram hemi myself and pull a 2002 267sr. My truck does fine pulling the camper, could it be better, yes it could! I have the 20" wheels with the same gear ratio, however I have made a few modifications to my truck. I have a banks single exit monster exhaust, air intake with ram air scoop, and a edge on dash programmer that I run in tow mode with the camper as well as having the tow/haul button engaged on the truck itself. Truck pulls well, gas mileage not so good lol, average 8-10mpg depending on the area and traffic. I am however looking for a deal on a diesel, my biggest hold up is the fact that my truck is paid off and I really hate to have another payment, but I have been looking for a used cummins and just hope a deal will pop up!
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