Towing with 1/2 ton 2017 Ram 1500

**Rgpracer** · 12-16-2020, 06:48 PM

This is my first post.
My trucks specs are:
Axle 3.92
Max tow is 10,330
GVWR IS 7,000

This is going to be our first RV......I am tore between the 260RD or the 22MLE. I'm sure the truck will pull eith easily, but all that said, has anyone had experience towing the 260 with a 1/2 ton? Everything I have read say that it will do fine pulling the 260 (which is my first choice).

Any input will be invaluable to me. I plan on buying in Jan/Feb time frame.
I am retired AirForce and look fwd to traveling.

Thanks to all in advance.

**Ynot4me2** · 12-16-2020, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Rgpracer

This is my first post.
My trucks specs are:
Axle 3.92
Max tow is 10,330
GVWR IS 7,000

This is going to be our first RV......I am tore between the 260RD or the 22MLE. I'm sure the truck will pull eith easily, but all that said, has anyone had experience towing the 260 with a 1/2 ton? Everything I have read say that it will do fine pulling the 260 (which is my first choice).

Any input will be invaluable to me. I plan on buying in Jan/Feb time frame.
I am retired AirForce and look fwd to traveling.

Thanks to all in advance.

You shouldn't have an issue with the 22mle.
Payload is the #1 bummer in RVing.
What those you door sticker say?
For TT, tongue weight is between 12 and 15%. From what I've read here, 5er is between 15 and 20%.
So for the 260RD pin weight alone will be around 1600lbs.
Our tongue weight on the 22mle, loaded for camping with 1/3 fresh water is around 760lbs.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

**RV Sailor** · 12-17-2020, 12:04 AM

It’s not only the towing capacity.
Ram 1500 and 2500 have same engine and towing capacity

Check into the payload capacity.

**Thorvald** · 12-17-2020, 05:54 AM

Ah my favourite topic, I just came from a ram 1500 with almost no pay load and was towing a 2800 BH. Yes it did it just fine, no issue with power. Gas mileage was terrible and I ended up trying air suspension to try to mitigate the porpoising that would randomly happen when not properly loaded. Honestly don’t think it made a difference and if I did it again I’d probably skip the air suspension as it absolutely destroyed the ride on the truck without the trailer attached.

What shocked me was that about 30 K (30000km) the brakes were totally shot And we only tow it about 5 to 6 times a year. So even though the payload was useless it did just fine but the trailer was a little too much for the stock brakes. I moved up to 3500 single wheel as soon as I possibly could afford the trade in hit.

See my signature for more info on using a CAT scale and checking your door sticker.

Cheers
Tim

**Rgpracer** · 12-17-2020, 05:58 AM

Thanks Tim, THAT is one thing i overlooked, premature brake wear.
We lrobably won't use this but a few times a year either......hmmmmmm.

**FedMill** · 12-20-2020, 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by Rgpracer

This is my first post.
My trucks specs are:
Axle 3.92
Max tow is 10,330
GVWR IS 7,000

This is going to be our first RV......I am tore between the 260RD or the 22MLE. I'm sure the truck will pull eith easily, but all that said, has anyone had experience towing the 260 with a 1/2 ton? Everything I have read say that it will do fine pulling the 260 (which is my first choice).

Any input will be invaluable to me. I plan on buying in Jan/Feb time frame.
I am retired AirForce and look fwd to traveling.

Thanks to all in advance.

I do not know or can answer regarding the 260RD however, you should have no problem at all towing the 22MLE! I tow a GD 2600RB Imagine and my Truck does just fine. Tows straight as an arrow, and my 2.7 Eco does not want or lack for power ! I did add the Timbren Bump Stops, and I have a Four way Equalizer Hitch. These two items make a Huge difference. Truck actually maintains a slight rake to the front. The Timbrens prevent any squatting. They do make the ride a little rougher unloaded but Ill take the swap off for the better towing needs as we will be towing all over the US !! Just recently did a 1300 mile round trip with no issues at all. Milieage was not that good averaging 9.5 mpg but I believe I can better that as I continue to tweak the load,,,

**Rgpracer** · 12-20-2020, 07:33 PM

Fedmill......would like to talk to you more please.

**FedMill** · 12-20-2020, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by Rgpracer

Fedmill......would like to talk to you more please.

Ask away and I’ll
Answer.

**Tgunter5** · 12-21-2020, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by Thorvald

Ah my favourite topic, I just came from a ram 1500 with almost no pay load and was towing a 2800 BH. Yes it did it just fine, no issue with power. Gas mileage was terrible and I ended up trying air suspension to try to mitigate the porpoising that would randomly happen when not properly loaded. Honestly don’t think it made a difference and if I did it again I’d probably skip the air suspension as it absolutely destroyed the ride on the truck without the trailer attached.

What shocked me was that about 30 K (30000km) the brakes were totally shot And we only tow it about 5 to 6 times a year. So even though the payload was useless it did just fine but the trailer was a little too much for the stock brakes. I moved up to 3500 single wheel as soon as I possibly could afford the trade in hit.

See my signature for more info on using a CAT scale and checking your door sticker.

Cheers
Tim

Great read from your signature!!!