Towing Capacity vs Trailer Weight

702Man · Jun 28, 2022

I'm sure this is a dumb question but google/forum isn't giving me the answers. Why does the TRX have a max towing capacity of 8100 lbs but a max trailer weight of 5000 lbs? I understand GVWR but most definitions of max trailer weight also say don't go over towing capacity so why the 2900lb difference between towing capacity and trailer weight?

Long story short, how much weight are people pulling? Specifically looking at travel trailer options.
TIA

esm · Jun 28, 2022

I towed this one about 300 miles with no issues. I think the gross trailer weight was 6,200lbs. + extra crap we loaded into it. I also used a Weigh Safe weight distribution hitch.

Drove up to 90mph at times, up and down hills and averaged 6mpg!

Cromin8tor · Jun 28, 2022

Towing capacity is the maximum allowable weight that you could pull with the truck, I.e. the amount of inertia placed on the towing vehicle.

Max trailer weight is the amount of weight that is placed on the tow hitch i.e. downward force.

For example let’s just say you had some way to waive the amount being placed on the tow hitch while parked was 250 pounds over the trucks limit, by re-arranging parts of the load of the trailer will make that trailer hitch lighter moving heavier things towards the rear of the trailer

Ponce612 · Jun 28, 2022

esm said:
I towed this one about 300 miles with no issues. I think the gross trailer weight was 6,200lbs. + extra crap we loaded into it. I also used a Weigh Safe weight distribution hitch.

Drove up to 90mph at times, up and down hills and averaged 6mpg!

View attachment 45548 View attachment 45549

Thats solid MPGs there!! Great looking setup too!!

Cromin8tor · Jun 28, 2022

Cromin8tor said:
Towing capacity is the maximum allowable weight that you could pull with the truck, I.e. the amount of inertia placed on the towing vehicle.

Max trailer weight is the amount of weight that is placed on the tow hitch i.e. downward force.

For example let’s just say you had some way to waive the amount being placed on the tow hitch while parked was 250 pounds over the trucks limit, by re-arranging parts of the load of the trailer will make that trailer hitch lighter moving heavier things towards the rear of the trailer

I pulled this 10,000 pound 30’ trailer with 4’ of tongue making it 34 feet and I towed it behind my 36 foot motorhome weighing 34,000 pounds so I was 70 feet long and a total weight of 44,000 pounds’ish……you wanna talk about a nailbiter every trip was craziness but that’s what I did.

ari · Jun 28, 2022

I think he asked how much you tow with your trx. My dump trailer is usually 11,000-13,000 on the scale when I dump it. Not including the trx. I go easy on the car. No more than 55mph. I didn’t check my mpg because it’s 7 miles drive. But probably around 6-7mpg. Never had issue. Never used distribution hitch of any sort. Just sits slightly low.

F8Demon · Jun 28, 2022

Cromin8tor said:
Towing capacity is the maximum allowable weight that you could pull with the truck, I.e. the amount of inertia placed on the towing vehicle.

Max trailer weight is the amount of weight that is placed on the tow hitch i.e. downward force.

For example let’s just say you had some way to waive the amount being placed on the tow hitch while parked was 250 pounds over the trucks limit, by re-arranging parts of the load of the trailer will make that trailer hitch lighter moving heavier things towards the rear of the trailer

Tongue weight needs to be subtracted from payload, which depending on configuration of TRX, is around 1000-1200 lbs, nowhere near 5000, and that is not correct definition or explanation.

702Man · Jun 28, 2022

Cromin8tor said:
Towing capacity is the maximum allowable weight that you could pull with the truck, I.e. the amount of inertia placed on the towing vehicle.

Max trailer weight is the amount of weight that is placed on the tow hitch i.e. downward force.

For example let’s just say you had some way to waive the amount being placed on the tow hitch while parked was 250 pounds over the trucks limit, by re-arranging parts of the load of the trailer will make that trailer hitch lighter moving heavier things towards the rear of the trailer

Isn’t max tongue weight 10% of trailer weight? So “max trailer weight” of 5000lbs would only be 500lb tongue weight…

702Man · Jun 28, 2022

F8Demon said:
Tongue weight needs to be subtracted from payload, which depending on configuration of TRX, is around 1000-1200 lbs, nowhere near 5000, and that is not correct definition or explanation.

So do you know why max towing is different than max trailer? That’s what I don’t understand.

F8Demon · Jun 28, 2022

702Man said:
So do you know why max towing is different than max trailer? That’s what I don’t understand.

I do not, I have the same question as you. Hopefully someone chimes in who knows, thanks for posting.

The dude · Jun 28, 2022

Cromin8tor said:
Towing capacity is the maximum allowable weight that you could pull with the truck, I.e. the amount of inertia placed on the towing vehicle.

Max trailer weight is the amount of weight that is placed on the tow hitch i.e. downward force.

For example let’s just say you had some way to waive the amount being placed on the tow hitch while parked was 250 pounds over the trucks limit, by re-arranging parts of the load of the trailer will make that trailer hitch lighter moving heavier things towards the rear of the trailer

What you're calling max trailer weight is tongue weight and the TRX is definitely not rated for 5000lbs of tongue weight.

702Man said:
I'm sure this is a dumb question but google/forum isn't giving me the answers. Why does the TRX have a max towing capacity of 8100 lbs but a max trailer weight of 5000 lbs? I understand GVWR but most definitions of max trailer weight also say don't go over towing capacity so why the 2900lb difference between towing capacity and trailer weight?

Long story short, how much weight are people pulling? Specifically looking at travel trailer options.
TIA

Where are you finding the 5000lb number? The only place I see that is in the standard 1500 manual in reference to a Class 3 bumper hitch which does not apply to the TRX since it is equipped with a Class 4 hitch.

702Man · Jun 28, 2022

The dude said:
What you're calling max trailer weight is tongue weight and the TRX is definitely not rated for 5000lbs of tongue weight.

Where are you finding the 5000lb number? The only place I see that is in the standard 1500 manual in reference to a Class 3 bumper hitch which does not apply to the TRX since it is equipped with a Class 4 hitch.

Well maybe I’m getting in the weeds but when you google “TRX towing capacity” multiple dealerships and websites give the 8100 and 5000 number (Ram website only has 8100 number). I went through Ram 1500 and TRX manuals but there is no actual towing number in either which is strange.

esm · Jun 28, 2022

Go off the 8,100lbs for max tow and you will be fine. You can adjust the tongue weight with a WD hitch.

The dude · Jun 28, 2022

702Man said:
Well maybe I’m getting in the weeds but when you google “TRX towing capacity” multiple dealerships and websites give the 8100 and 5000 number (Ram website only has 8100 number). I went through Ram 1500 and TRX manuals but there is no actual towing number in either which is strange.

Dealership websites are about the last thing I'd trust for accurate information. The standard 1500 manual lists the maximum towing weights for all 1500 models at 5000lbs for a Class 3 hitch and 12,750lbs for the Class 4 hitch. It then directs you to ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/ for specifics on your model. Click through a few more options and you'll end up on the TRX at https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing/towing-guide.html#/models/ram_1500_dt/2022.

The answer to your question is the TRX is rated to tow 8100lbs with a maximum combined weight rating of 15,160lbs and has a maximum payload rating of 1310lbs. Real world this means you can tow a trailer that weighs about 7000lbs tops and still be within the legal limits. Typical payload ratings are around 1100ish pounds, a 7000lb trailer should have a tongue weight of around 840lbs which leaves you 260lbs for people and anything else you want to put in the cab or bed of the truck.

OnTheReel · Jun 28, 2022

Just send it.

Ponce612 · Jun 29, 2022

OnTheReel said:
Just send it.View attachment 45570

ThAts what im talking about!

F8Demon · Jun 29, 2022

Ahhh, a problem with the premise of the question. Thanks Dude for asking the right questions.

702Man · Jun 29, 2022

The dude said:
Dealership websites are about the last thing I'd trust for accurate information. The standard 1500 manual lists the maximum towing weights for all 1500 models at 5000lbs for a Class 3 hitch and 12,750lbs for the Class 4 hitch. It then directs you to ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/ for specifics on your model. Click through a few more options and you'll end up on the TRX at https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing/towing-guide.html#/models/ram_1500_dt/2022.

The answer to your question is the TRX is rated to tow 8100lbs with a maximum combined weight rating of 15,160lbs and has a maximum payload rating of 1310lbs. Real world this means you can tow a trailer that weighs about 7000lbs tops and still be within the legal limits. Typical payload ratings are around 1100ish pounds, a 7000lb trailer should have a tongue weight of around 840lbs which leaves you 260lbs for people and anything else you want to put in the cab or bed of the truck.

Thanks for everyone's help. Google can be your best friend or your worst enemy. You would think dealerships would post accurate information on THEIR vehicles!!
I spoke with Ram Chat and confirmed 8100 lbs is towing capacity AND max trailer weight.
Attached is from the Stellantis "media" website showing just that.

kwahaibi444 · Oct 19, 2022

Hello
im new to this forum. I towed my off road camper on a gravel road to the desert. At the end of the camping trip I realized that the bed has shifted , basically the it lifted from the front. I was concerned but I was hoping that something came loose and there's no issue with the frame. once I took to the dealership , to my surprise and shock , the problem was a bent frame!!!!!!!!! I did the same route many times before towing the same camper with a Rapto and a Ram Power wagon. I still can't understand the cause . Im not an expert when it comes towing. Any insights will help. Luckily the car is written off thanks to the insurance and I bought a new TRX but I'm worried to use it to tow my camper.

SneekEm · Oct 19, 2022

I was going to post and ask something similar soon, I’m glad this popped up.

My wife wants to buy a travel trailer so i need to tell her she has to look for one less than 8,100lb? Is this correct? I don’t know anything about them at all, she’s the one who grew up with them so she’s the one buying it, and I’ll tow it