Ram Truck Towing Technology
Know before you tow! Whether you're new to towing or have questions, we've got you covered. Let's explore essential towing topics like the maximum tow ratings of Ram trucks and vans, calculating towing capacity, payload capacity, and more. Roberts Dodge Chrysler Ram helps explain some of the common terms used in towing and choosing what type of vehicle you should tow with.
HEAVY-DUTY OR LIGHT DUTY
When choosing what kind of truck or van is the first and probably most important step in towing, do you choose the Ram 1500 or the Ram 3500? A Ram 1500 might be considered light-duty, but it certainly packs a punch while maintaining efficiency. It's perfect for hauling boats, travel trailers, ATVs, or other recreational vehicles. Whereas the Ram 3500 is great for towing horses, RVs, and just about anything else.
CALCULATING TOWING CAPACITY
Once you have narrowed down whether you will need a light or heavy-duty truck, the next item on the list is learning how to calculate your towing capacity. Knowing the payload and towing capacity numbers for your truck or van is the initial step in figuring out the capability you need to tow safely, securely, and with the utmost confidence. But, first, we need to determine the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of your vehicle and trailer.
PAYLOAD VS TOWING
The payload of a vehicle is the amount of cargo it can haul in the truck's beds or the back of the van. Therefore, payload plus tongue weight cannot exceed the payload capacity. On the other hand, towing capacity refers to the maximum weight that a truck can tow after adding in the truck's weight and any cargo.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING
Your car or truck's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum appropriate weight of a fully-loaded vehicle. A fully-loaded vehicle is the total weight of passengers and cargo. This is the total amount of curb weight, cargo weight, and passenger weight combined.
GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT RATING
The next important term and calculation you need to consider is the Gross Trailer Weight Rating. This is the total weight capacity of the trailer plus the maximum allowable cargo in it.
TONGUE WEIGHT
The tongue weight is the amount of weight a loaded trailer applies to the hitch of the vehicle. Typically, it should be about 10% of the trailer's total weight if towing with a conventional trailer and 15% if you are using a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer. Too little tongue weight leads to trailer sway, and too much tongue weight will negatively affect the towing dynamics of the vehicle, so it's important to adjust accordingly to get your load properly distributed.
GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING
The Gross Combined Weight Rating is the maximum allowable weight of the towing vehicle and the loaded trailer. This number includes the total weight of cargo and passengers that the vehicle is designed for towing safely and securely.
Robert's Chrysler Dodge is your local commercial and truck dealer
If you are looking for your first tow truck or if you need to upgrade to a bigger Robert's Chrysler Dodge would be happy to help. We offer a wide range of inventory perfect for towing. Plus, our financial and sales team will work together to provide you with the automobile you desire at a price you can afford. We provide a stress-free, no-hassle, and friendly buying experience. So please stop by and visit us at 120 S Broad St to experience true customer satisfaction.