Towing E21C with Ram 1500

[millae]

Over a year ago I purchased a 2023 E21C. From day one, I have towed it with a Toyota 4Runner. I vaguely remember providing some height measurements to the Escape factory to make sure the towing mechanism would work correctly. However, I knew all along I was close to the maximum weight I could tow with my SUV. So yesterday I purchased a new vehicle with more towing capacity. It’s a 2023 RAM 1500 Eco Diesel. What do I need to do to make sure my new vehicle will tow my E21C?

 

[GregColdewey]

your new RAM will tow a 21C effortlessly. The only thing you need to set up is your hitch for the new truck. If you are using a WDH it will probably need to be adjusted. If not, you may need a new insert to account for the hitch height on the new truck.

 

[7Gentex]

Needed items:

Appropriate hitch receiver (Class IV likely on the Ram which is fine)

7 pin trailer hookup on truck (likely present on truck)

Brake Controller on truck

Per ETI, top of trailer ball should be at 19" when hooked up and loaded to go. (add 2 5/8" for the high lift option)

 

[gharper]

I tow a 21 ft Bigfoot with a Ram 1500 5.7L. My mechanic, who also tows a trailer with a Ram 1500, recommended adding air bags as the truck has coil springs and can squat in the rear when significant weight is added. I also have a WDH, an integrated brake controller that the truck came with and tow mirrors. The truck tows well.

 

[Meandering Minstrel]

I have a 2015 Ram EcoDiesel and didn't need to do anything to it for pulling our 21NE. I don't use stabilizer bars and have had no issues. I did install bladders inside the coil springs on the back axle of the truck. I leave it at 5 pounds when not towing and pump them up to about 18# when towing. It doesn't affect the smooth ride but levels out the truck nicely when towing. I have my trailer brake set at 5 on the Ram.
I switched from a Honda Ridgeline to the Ram and have zero regrets. I get better MPG towing with the Ram than I got with the Ridgeline when NOT towing

 

[gharper]

I have a 2015 Ram EcoDiesel and didn't need to do anything to it for pulling our 21NE. I don't use stabilizer bars and have had no issues. I did install bladders inside the coil springs on the back axle of the truck. I leave it at 5 pounds when not towing and pump them up to about 18# when towing. It doesn't affect the smooth ride but levels out the truck nicely when towing. I have my trailer brake set at 5 on the Ram.
I switched from a Honda Ridgeline to the Ram and have zero regrets. I get better MPG towing with the Ram than I got with the Ridgeline when NOT towing

I use 25 lbs in the air bags and my brake setting is at 7. Our trailer is around 5,800 lbs with a 720 lb tongue weight.

 

[millae]

Ram Eco Diesel with 21C

Many thanks for the quick responses and great tips. I also did some height measurement comparisons this morning between our SUV and the RAM. Exactly the same! We do have airbags on the RAM but not the suspension upgrade as it’s a 2023 Big Horn not a Laramie. I do have the trailer brake options and will be testing that shortly. I’m also quite excited about the mileage savings of the Eco diesel. I bought it after seeing a review in Consumer Reports. On the downside, RAM has replaced the Eco diesel on the 2024 production line with an all electric model. That part seems absolutely stupid, but I’ll guess that’s more due to government regulations than Chrysler.
I’ve never owned a diesel before. As a Costco fan, I just wish that had more locations with diesel fuel available.

 

[millae]

Ram Eco Diesel with 21C

Many thanks for the quick responses and great tips. I also did some height measurement comparisons this morning between our SUV and the RAM. Exactly the same! We do have airbags on the RAM but not the suspension upgrade as it’s a 2023 Big Horn not a Laramie. I do have the trailer brake options and will be testing that shortly. I’m also quite excited about the mileage savings of the Eco diesel. I bought it after seeing a review in Consumer Reports. On the downside, RAM has replaced the Eco diesel on the 2024 production line with an all electric model. That part seems absolutely stupid, but I’ll guess that’s more due to government regulations than Chrysler.
I’ve never owned a diesel before. As a Costco fan, I just wish that had more locations with diesel fuel available.

 

[splitting_lanes]

I think you’re going to love that diesel.

As far as not having as many places to fill up at — you can go much farther on a tank of diesel than a tank of gasoline, especially when towing.

 

[Pender]

I recently had a warning message on my 2018 Laramie Eco Diesel about the exhaust filter being at 80% which escalated after just a few kilometers to ‘100% full, See dealer.’.This was inconvenient since the nearest dealer was 125 km away and I wasn’t sure at what point I might be into ‘limp mode’. I unhitched and drove to the dealer for the hour and a half forced regeneration. While not in limp mode, the truck laboured on hills with the revs up at 3500 @ 40 km/hr.

Despite owning the truck for three years, I had not come across this before. Living 20 km from downtown does allow for the engine to warm up (which is what the 80% notice said to do). I had driven a few thousand kilometres in the week preceding my week stay at a campsite a five minute drive to the grocery store. I was surprised that the short daily drives over the course of a week would result in an exhaust filter issue. This makes me wonder if others had had a problem using the Eco Diesel as a daily commuter for short trips.

 

[Pender]

Further to the original post, with the WDH, I don’t really notice the trailer as it tows easily. I don’t have air bags. As for fuel consumption, if I’m light on the pedal in a flat area, about 13 l/100km. With rolling hills, it climbs to 15 to 16.