Big towing dreams

[Allen8511]

I feel I've done some pretty good research with regard to towing with my 2015 Power Wagon Laramie. From what I've gathered from this forum, and other resources, is that the primary factor limiting the 14/15 Power Wagon's from keeping up with the towing capabilities of the normal RAM 2500 6.4l 4x4 counterpart comes down to the soft off-road springs of the PW. So if I were to correct this issue through an air bag suspension and a weight distribution hitch, would I be correct in assuming that the PW would be on par with its basic RAM 2500 6.4 counter part which has a GCWR of 22,880 lbs and a max tow rating of 15,610 lbs?

The reason I ask is because I'd like to tow a toy hauler with a two door wrangler inside. I have found that while this idea might be dreaming big, it is actually not all that uncommon. So here my super fancy math/reasoning......

2 door jeep = 5000 lbs
toy hauler dry wt = 7828 lbs (toy hauler has capacity to haul said jeep)
people/cargo = 1000 lbs

This puts my trailer wight at 12828 and my GCWR at 20,853.

I'm I crazy or could this be possible?

[FirerescuePW]

It can't hurt to dream big. Just make sure your dreams are rooted in reality.

The topic of towing more than the truck is rated for has been beat up pretty good here. I assume a few will jump in about that.

1000 lbs. seems a little low for people and cargo. Just the gear that I carry in my camper, not including food, water, and other things that we load for each trip, is close to 3000 lbs. Admittedly, we roll heavy. We carry most of the "basics" for our camping group, as many use tents and don't have storage space. If you are kind to some, and not so to others, call each person 200lbs. That's 800 for 4 people. The 200 lbs. left over will add up in a heartbeat if you carry food and beverages, not to mention gas for the Jeep.

Just make sure you are being accurate with your estimates.

[Jnallison]

You would be fine with the right air bag set up and the proper hitch. I have towed 14k with mine quite a bit, although in a well balanced dump trailer, the truck doesn't break a sweat doing it or stopping it. Just my opinion. I am sure the safety police will chime in soon and tell you that your'e crazy. I would do it. But driving skills are different for some. I have probably towed large trailers in small and big trucks as many miles as I have without. Just drive with sense. The truck can do it.

[Allen8511]

I appreciate the responses. I'm one to always error on the side of caution. I have no problem cancelling a project if things are looking a bit too risky. Just when I start to put numbers down it appears it will work well.

[vanished]

Sorry but I've towed heavy and often with Rams - anything over the 10k-12k+ range is 3500 diesel, plain and simple... (Or 2500 w/ bags if you're not worried about the door stickers) Just my $0.02 and why I got a 3500 SRW for my 14k GN trailer...


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[MSCH2112]

Sorry but I've towed heavy and often with Rams - anything over the 10k-12k+ range is 3500 diesel, plain and simple... (Or 2500 w/ bags if you're not worried about the door stickers) Just my $0.02 and why I got a 3500 SRW for my 14k GN trailer...
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x2. Legally you can't go over 10k...or what your side door says. and if your in an accident and they show you were overweight, especially up to 20k you are done for. to try 20k is a little crazy in my opinion. i know with my stock trailer with live moo moos pushing 10k is way too much for my pw, especially in the mountains. unfortunately next pickup will be a 2500 diesel...

mike

[Bill2014]

The latest generation PW seems to handle heavy towing (up to 15,000 pounds) without any significant issues. If I run into any challenges, it's always when I'm off road on softer ground. And 15k pounds is probably the upper limit. Even with over 400Hp, it's hard to accelerate off of lights as fast as the rest of traffic if you're pulling 15k pounds or more. Here's a picture of a heavier overloaded 16k trailer load that I drove across the county.

When I dumped this load, it actually picked up the rear end of the truck and slid it over 2 feet.

With my stock suspension, the loaded trailer actually lifts my front end up close to two inches and drops the rear end more than four or five inches. For your toy hauler, a weight distributing hitch would probably keep you leveled out nicely. Add airbags if you really need to. They may impact the soft cushy ride that we enjoy in our latest gen PW's when we are unloaded.

Be sure to air the tires all the way up and keep the stock tire diameter to maximize towing capability! Setting the brake gain correctly is key to safe stopping with heavy trailers.


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[04Ram2500Hemi]

Sorry but I've towed heavy and often with Rams - anything over the 10k-12k+ range is 3500 diesel, plain and simple... (Or 2500 w/ bags if you're not worried about the door stickers) Just my $0.02 and why I got a 3500 SRW for my 14k GN trailer...


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I think Vanished hit the nail on the head here. The Power Wagon is an awesome 3/4 truck, but some of the things that make it what it is cause it to have a few limits.

[Allen8511]

Thanks for honest replies. For a second there I thought I could have the best of both worlds; a jeep, a power wagon, and somewhere to sleep, all in one place. Oh well, I'm sure I can find a more reasonable and lawful alternative.

Thanks again Gents.

[MoparToYou]

Sell the toy hauler, and get a motorhome to tow the Jeep. That's what I did. Then you can get a relatively light duty truck, like the Power Wagon, instead of driving the 3500 dually diesel that would be needed to tow both the living quarters and the Jeep.

[Cactus Red]

That's the best solution.

Fuel economy might be better too... PW's suck gas at a phenomenal rate.

Dennis Miller "You can't order black coffee anymore. It's un-creamed..."

[olyelr]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1443483106.085020.jpg

Jeez that looks like a nice load of Afton stone right there!

[TwinStick]

Sorry but I've towed heavy and often with Rams - anything over the 10k-12k+ range is 3500 diesel, plain and simple... (Or 2500 w/ bags if you're not worried about the door stickers) Just my $0.02 and why I got a 3500 SRW for my 14k GN trailer...


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^^^^^^^Yup, this.^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I had a 10,500 lb 30' Toy Hauler. I have the 5.7 but i also have the G-56 6-speed manual trans. The G-56's uber low gear ratios made pulling that camper a relatively easy affair. But i would NOT want to tow any heavier than that. It was a "both hands on the wheel at all times" camper. I have Hellwig Load Pro 35's on my leafs, weight distibuting hitch with sway control. When towing that camper, I got 3-6 mpg. No misprint. 3-6 mpg. Our brand new camper is 18' & 3200 lbs. I get 8 mpg towing that. I can drive with one hand on the wheel now. MUCH more relaxing to tow now.

[JBM Power Wagon]

Here is a pic of my set up. Trailer fully loaded up with gear comes in around 8500lbs. Then in the box of the truck I have close to 1000lbs (my atv, my kids mini atv, ramps, gas, generator, chain saw, fire wood). I have added Air Lift air bags with the Daystar cradles. With this load I need to air the bags up to 70-80psi. It handles it all very well but I don't think I would want to load up much beyond this, mostly for safety and also for drivability.