Towing

11553 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by ballenbc, Apr 26, 2016

Coker050563

Discussion Starter · Apr 18, 2016

Does anyone know if i need stabilizer bars to tow a 6600 lbs travel trailer with my 2016 Rebel ? I have factory air bag suspension that seems to level the ride. Thanks Brent

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johnj

· #2 · Apr 19, 2016

Ram towing guide - page 3, footnote 9:

Weight Distributing Hitch is recommended for trailers over 5,000 lb.

http://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2016_ram_1500_towing_charts.pdf

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A weight distribution hitch is a good idea but I wouldn't say that it's absolutely needed. Anything to distribute the weight is good in any situation. I would see how your truck handles it before you go buy one. I'd say if it was closer to the max towing on the truck you'd need one but the truck should be able to handle it as long as the trailer is loaded right. I hauled right around 8000 (car trailer trail jeep and a sxs) on a 600 mile trip and it hauled great. Fuel milage SUCKED but that's expected.

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johnny.reb

· #4 · Apr 19, 2016

WD hitches do more than just distribute the weight. The bars are also responsible for sway control - which can be an issue if the tongue weight is too light due to improper loading.

I would use one for that trailer.

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Eddy

· #5 · Apr 20, 2016

So when hooking up the sway bars, how? Set it on ball on which setting (exit/entry up to normal) and then crank it down with chains? Truck is too eager to level out when you put weight on it

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lmeavtitn

· #6 · Apr 20, 2016

I would think you would want to turn the air suspension off [alignment or Tire jack mode] so the suspension isn't compensating when you are trying to put it on. Than once it's attached turn the air suspension back on . I wouldn't put it in offroad mode while hooking it up.

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johnny.reb

· #7 · Apr 20, 2016

Agreed. Place the truck in Jack mode to disable the active leveling, hook up the trailer, put the suspension back to normal mode.

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TooByFoor

· #8 · Apr 20, 2016

I suggest the WDH. My Rebel handles my 5,500lb TT fine without it when going to-from storage, but for the actual trip I wouldn't consider towing without it. Sure, it'll "handle it" but when the roads get a little rough you'll be happy you have it.

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Eddy

· #9 · Apr 20, 2016

Thank you.. I hope the truck will still lower once it is hooked up as I am in a wheelchair. It is tough enough to get into it when it is on exit/entry..

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johnj

· #10 · Apr 26, 2016

Your Ram owner's manual has a section on towing with weight distribution hitches:

Recommended Distribution Hitch Adjustment
Towing With 1500 Air Suspension
1. Set air suspension to normal ride height. No action is
required if already in normal ride height.
NOTE: The vehicle must remain in the engine running
position while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of
the air suspension system.
2. Position the truck to be ready to connect to the trailer
(do not connect the trailer).
3. Under radio suspension settings, turn on jack mode.
Jack mode will be canceled and procedure must be
restarted if the vehicle is driven at speeds above 5mph
(8kph).
4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel
opening on the fender to ground, this is height H1.
5. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight
distribution bars connected.
6. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel
opening on the fender to ground, this is height H2.
7. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing
bars so that the height of the front fender is
approximately (H2-H1)/3+H1 (about 1/3 the difference
between H2 and H1 above normal ride height
[H1]).
8. The truck can now be driven. Jack mode will be
canceled and vehicle will return to normal ride height
when drive at speeds above 5mph (8kph).

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ballenbc

· #11 · Apr 26, 2016

Eddy said:
Thank you.. I hope the truck will still lower once it is hooked up as I am in a wheelchair. It is tough enough to get into it when it is on exit/entry..

I don't think that it will lower once in Jack Mode as it disables the air suspension sensors. Also, I think when the truck is in Tow mode that it disables the ability to change out of Normal mode and forces it to stay in normal, something else you may need to be aware of for when you arrive and try to get it lower to get out. I was worried about it changing modes on me based on speed while I was towing and it just always stayed in Normal, even over 106 km.

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TooByFoor

· #12 · Apr 26, 2016

I raise/lower mine all the time with the trailer hooked up. Entry/Exit makes it easier to get the hitch on/off the ball.

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ballenbc

· #13 · Apr 26, 2016

TooByFoor said:
I raise/lower mine all the time with the trailer hooked up. Entry/Exit makes it easier to get the hitch on/off the ball.

I might not have been clear about what I meant but I didn't mean with it hooked up, I meant when you put the truck in TOW mode. And maybe I am wrong about when its not moving, but it definitely will not change modes when the truck is moving in TOW mode. It was just a thought.

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