Questions for those of you that trailer your Cats

[Stl376]

Im in the market for a truck that I will eventually use to trailer the HC to races. Would like to stay in the RAM family and have been researching the 1500/2500, Hemi, EcoDiesel etc, both new and used, though done really want to go older than 2017 and dont want to spend more than $60K

Just curious what everyone else is running, and general thoughts about the matter. Any help, gudience or personal opinions welcome! Thanks much

 

[Marc W]

1500 will tow a Hellcat on a open trailer without any problem. 2500 will tow a 18000 lb trailer without any problem. I can say that because it do it with my 2018 Ram. I’m out west where the mountain grades are real. I’m towing a 34’ with full bath setup. Loaded with big generator, two airs, water, fuel, tools and a golf cart in addition to my car.

 

[vortecd]

It's better to have too much then not enough with a tow vehicle

 

[jonx96]

technically a ram 1500 could tow a 24ft aluminum with the hellcat in it. Would I want to nope. I’d think you’d be able to find a 17 Cummins for 60

 

[Jimmy N.]

Whatever you do keep in mind that two wrongs (1500 and Ecodiesel) do not make a right.

 

[Marc W]

Yeah. I forgot to say…. Whatever you do…. Don’t buy a EcoD. Another thing…. I have air bags on my 2500 and that makes a big difference. I also tow at or below the speed limit and make sure all my brakes are good. Including the trailer on all six wheels. I’ve got 95k miles on the truck now (about 30k of it towing) without a problem.

 

[DavidKFla]

Had both. 1500 with open is much easier.

 

[2ndAmend]

I just bought a F150 XL 5.0 with minimal options, under $46k. I considered the 3/4 ton but discounts were non-existent, they are big, don’t fit in my garage, and they are a “truck” with a solid front axle, they drive like a truck where a 1/2 ton drives like a car. And while both the 1/2 ton and 3/4 are said to get 12mpg towing, the 1/2 gets 20+ not towing where the 3/4 is like 14. One good thing on the 3/4, resale is much higher (good for the original buyer, bad for 2nd owner).

As much as I would have liked the 3/4’s capability, the 1/2 won easily for my needs. About half the mileage will be a 7k# horse trailer, I figured the 1/2 would be ok. I guess it depends on whether you really need the 3/4, I obviously did not. Hope this helps.

BTW: My first choice for a 1/2 ton was the Ram, but the 23 1500 5.7 is eTorque only, big pass on that. Since then, someone mentioned that the 1500 Classic is available non-eTorque, might be worth a look.

 

[Jimmy N.]

I just bought a F150 XL 5.0 with minimal options, under $46k.

My condolences.

 

[2ndAmend]

My condolences.

I still have my '03 Silverado which is running fine, and feels better to drive, like a soft old shoe!

 

[BULL]

6.4L Power Wagon, 24' enclosed steel

10,000lbs or so, technically overloaded, but towed OK, just not up any grades.

Power Wagon off road suspension is too soft for towing in my opinion.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Power Wagon off road suspension is too soft for towing in my opinion.

It can't possibly be any softer than the marshmallows...err, springs, on a 1/2-ton..

 

[Linda's Hell Cat]

I recently sold my 2015 Dually Deisel 3500 Ram. It pulled my single place trailer very well.

"How much horsepower does a 2015 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins have?
350-385 HP
The new Cummins 6.7l engine from 2007.5 to 2015 had 350-385 HP and 865 lb-ft of torque"

My husband would always go back and forth between a Ford and Ram for towing. In 2016 he bought a Ford F350 dully diesel and a 2 place gooseneck trailer.
You would never know the trailer with 2 cars in it was even being towed behind the Ford.
Putting the pedal to the floor was like dragracing it, it just took off.

John was going to trade the Ram for a new 2017 Ford, but well rip Top Cat.
John didn't care if a Ford was pulling his Mopar. He cared that it was easy and safe.

Dually s are a pain for parking but the Ram did very well for towing. I never had a problem towing my single place trailer and car. I kept the Ford because it's a 2016. I'm eventually selling the 2 place trailer so it will also be good if I have to move it, I can.

Linda

 

[moparjim]

I tow mine with a 1500 on an open trailer.
If you go that route then I recommend a ram with the air suspension. My buddy overloads his all the time with a 24' enclosed trailer.
While I don't condone that he has had no issues with any of his trucks with air suspension. We live were it should be a problem in the winter at least. I am replacing my truck with another with air suspension. Nothing better than a truck that stays level. The regular suspension truck sags to much for my liking.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Air suspension is great, but with a 1/2-ton a weight distributing hitch is almost mandatory.

Well, technically it is, according to Ram.

 

[drag racer]

weight distributing hitch mandatory for sure, and one with sway control interfaces as well for any extended high speed pulls.

 

[moparjim]

I don't have a weight distribution hitch.
Finding one for my trailer isn't easy up here.
Plus the sway control on the truck has never kicked in. My tongue weight is only 640 lbs.
So nothing crazy. The newer DT model tows better than my old ds model which had a weight distribution hitch on a steel open trailer.
I'm not arguing with the other concerns and statements it's just my .02$.
I do however have lots of experience towing stuff with inadequate equipment from when I drove a wrecker. So I am pretty comfortable towing with the new stuff that is way more capable than the old trucks, one tons included.

 

[SilverBillet]

I recently sold my 2015 Dually Deisel 3500 Ram. It pulled my single place trailer very well.

"How much horsepower does a 2015 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins have?
350-385 HP
The new Cummins 6.7l engine from 2007.5 to 2015 had 350-385 HP and 865 lb-ft of torque"

My husband would always go back and forth between a Ford and Ram for towing. In 2016 he bought a Ford F350 dully diesel and a 2 place gooseneck trailer.
You would never know the trailer with 2 cars in it was even being towed behind the Ford.
Putting the pedal to the floor was like dragracing it, it just took off.

John was going to trade the Ram for a new 2017 Ford, but well rip Top Cat.
John didn't care if a Ford was pulling his Mopar. He cared that it was easy and safe.

Dually s are a pain for parking but the Ram did very well for towing. I never had a problem towing my single place trailer and car. I kept the Ford because it's a 2016. I'm eventually selling the 2 place trailer so it will also be good if I have to move it, I can.

Linda

It will make a good moving trailer when you relocate to Florida

 

[1971demon]

It's better to have too much then not enough with a tow vehicle

Ask @JimmieN...you'll be towin yer trailer with a Unimog

 

[fumanchu182]

1500 Ram with Airlift suspension. 2016 with the 5.7, doesn't even notice the trailer. Has a controller in the cab to add or remove air.