Tow Numbers - 21C / Ram 1500

PDow

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Joined
Aug 27, 2024
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16
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Katy
Just purchased a 2018 21C from ETI and it will be delivered in mid-December. GVWR of trailer is 5008 lbs. GVWR of my Ram 1500 Laramie is 6900. Payload is 1441 lbs. Opinions on whether my TV can handle it OK?
 
Careful, now, you're asking for opinions, and you'll get many. None from me. Incomplete information provided.
per a search with what you did provide:

"The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), or gross vehicle mass (GVM), is the maximum operating weight/mass of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer[6] including the vehicle's chassis, body, engine, engine fluids, fuel, accessories, driver, passengers and cargo but excluding that of any trailers."

What is the towing capacity of your tug? Does it have a "tow package"? What size engine?
There are other question others will bring up.
 
No problem. I tow a 2014 21C with a 2016 RAM 3.0 EcoDiesel 4x4 which has the same torque and 100 fewer horsepower than the 5.7 Hemi. I use a single CURT 17200 trailer anti-sway bar control kit and have Timbren air bags on the truck at 25psi while towing. My 21C weighs 4200 in travel mode. I migrate annually between Fairbanks AK and Gainesville FL, towing so I have seen most towing conditions. RAM Hemi drivers I have quizzed seem to average 11-13mpg towing. I do around 16 with the diesel. A slightly extended tow bar will let you fully open your tailgate if the TV and trailer are lined up. Mine is CURT and rated for 7500 lb. You will need a 4" or 2" drop depending on whether your 21C is lifted or not. I never wish I had a heavier capacity truck.
 
No problem. I tow a 2014 21C with a 2016 RAM 3.0 EcoDiesel 4x4 which has the same torque and 100 fewer horsepower than the 5.7 Hemi. I use a single CURT 17200 trailer anti-sway bar control kit and have Timbren air bags on the truck at 25psi while towing. My 21C weighs 4200 in travel mode. I migrate annually between Fairbanks AK and Gainesville FL, towing so I have seen most towing conditions. RAM Hemi drivers I have quizzed seem to average 11-13mpg towing. I do around 16 with the diesel. A slightly extended tow bar will let you fully open your tailgate if the TV and trailer are lined up. Mine is CURT and rated for 7500 lb. You will need a 4" or 2" drop depending on whether your 21C is lifted or not. I never wish I had a heavier capacity truck.
The extended tow bar I use for my un-lifted 21C is a CURT 45320 dual length ball mount which has a 4" drop. I have abount an inch clearance when the tailgate is down. This works for a manual jack but would not work with an electric jack which is much more bulky than the manual version.
 
the trailer's tongue weight, probably around 500-600 lbs fuly loaded, depending on how carefully its loaded, WILL come off your truck's 1440 lb payload, but that leaves 800-900 lbs for you and yours plus any gear in the truck.
 
I think even the base model truck from any of the manufacturers is sufficient to tow just about any Escape, at least below the 23. I checked the base base Ford 150 XL (with no options) several years ago and it had a tow rating of 6000 pounds I believe.
If your truck does not have one, you will want to add a trailer brake controller, and I would also add a transmission cooler as well. As others have mentioned, you can either look it up online or go to a Ram Dealer and they can give you all the towing specs for your truck. It is definitely a good idea to get that info. Good luck and congratulations on your new Escape!!
 
assuming the truck comes with a 7 blade RV plug and 2" reciever, if it doesn't have a brake controller, it probably has a 4 pin connector somewhere behind the dash to plug one in. These connectors are different for the various manufacturers, but Tekonsha, at least, sells pre-wired pigtails that make their brake controllers plug and play, for Ford, Toyota, DOdge/Ram, and Chevy/GMC.

For instance, this is the harness for a Dodge/RAM... Amazon.com and the Prodigy P3 that would plug into, Amazon.com
 
The extended tow bar I use for my un-lifted 21C is a CURT 45320 dual length ball mount which has a 4" drop. I have abount an inch clearance when the tailgate is down. This works for a manual jack but would not work with an electric jack which is much more bulky than the manual version.
Oops, CURT 45230 (11 1/8" long, 4" drop) not 45320. Others that may work are CURT 45260 (12.25" long, 2" drop) or CURT 45270 (13" long, 4" drop).
 
I used a Curt 45260 with my former F250 4x4, it was perfect and the tailgate could be fully opened as long as the trailer was level with the truck.
 
Just purchased a 2018 21C from ETI and it will be delivered in mid-December. GVWR of trailer is 5008 lbs. GVWR of my Ram 1500 Laramie is 6900. Payload is 1441 lbs. Opinions on whether my TV can handle it OK?
We have been towing our 5.0 now for years with our RAM 1500……tows great
 

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