Towing capacities of new pickups: Just try to get a straight answer!

treeguy64

treeguy64

Hari Om, y'all!
Location
Austin, TX.
Once again, I'm getting ready to buy a new pickup truck. Once again, I have to deal with the reality of nobody in sales knowing what the hell they're taking about! Ask ten salesman or managers what the towing capacity of a given model is, get ten different answers! So frustrating.

This time around, towing capacity is crucial, as we'll be hauling about 9,000 lbs. of a loaded RV up and down The Rockies. I don't want to be that driver whom everyone curses at as they drive 15mph behind his in-tow RV laboring to make it up a steep slope.

I have just called the RAM HQ. Even there, after twenty-five minutes on the phone, the rep admitted she was unable to nail down the towing capacity of the vehicle whose VIN I gave her. As in the past, I was told she'd pass the case on to a tech, who'll have my answer by Noon, Monday.

This whole towing capacity thing is a scam, as I see it. Most pickup truck TV commercials shout the praises of their trucks when it comes to the mega pounds they tow. It gets people to the dealerships. Once there, you soon realize that the truck that tows that mega-load, on TV, simply doesn't exist in normal production inventory! It's not that the companies lie about towing capacity, it's just that that specific truck isn't available at any dealerships!

So, I'll wait until Monday. As it stands, I "know" that the truck they ordered for me, and that I test drove, today, max tows somewhere between 6,500-11,500 lbs. Gee, that's just great, right?
 

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One of our Daughters/Son-in Law have a huge Ford 350 Diesel, and they have a big 5th wheel camper they tow. They haven't been through the Colorado Rockies with it, yet, but they say they have to be careful when towing it, so they don't drive too fast. Apparently this big turbo diesel has plenty of power to haul that big 30' camper around.
 
Towing capacity numbers are available everywhere, why anyone would contact a dealership for an answer is over my head. Years ago sales reps were knowledgeable in the vehicles they sold. No longer true today. It is so bad I started a couple decades ago asking sales reps over the phone questions that they had zero answers for. I was even told by one rep "You callers know more than us sales people do."
Last year I bought a new truck and during the test drive I asked several questions like does this have power windows? He replied as he was sitting in the drivers seat "I am not sure." He called me twice during and after the sales was final to rate him high when the dealership sent me a survey. When I got in to the truck to drive it home there were no floor mats and no radio antenna.
 
oldman said:
On the Ram website, all of the towing payloads are listed.
Dodge Ram
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They are incorrect, as you find out when you dig deeper, and call the Ram techs on the service lines..

I hasten to say, I'm on my fifth RV, so I'm no newbie to towing capacities. I've been towing RV's for more than thirty years.

My experience is exactly why my frustrations are greater than those who are not up on this area of RV ownership. I'm on RV forums, and you get lots of misinformation there, too. You occasionally do find those who are knowledgeable about towing.

The main problem I have is with new trucks and their towing capacities. As mentioned, above, the internet listings are incorrect, and often laughably so. Companies need to be forced to simply include the towing capacity of each vehicle on each window sticker. They never will, because that would make things too easy for the consumer, and too tough for the companies, opening them up to liability issues.

This time around, I will only buy a truck that comes with a company certified statement of towing capacity. As one who writes contracts for part of my living, I guarantee that the statement I get will include, "... under ideal conditions." Therein, the company will have its wiggle room on liability issues, but I'll feel a little better with that statement in my possession.
 
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I would never rely on a salesman's knowledge. Most have never towed anything ever.

I would go to a factory website that lists the specs for that particular truck.

Transmission coolers and other equipment is also vital. Coolers are much cheaper than a transmission overhaul.
 
Manatee said:
I would never rely on a salesman's knowledge. Most have never towed anything ever.

I would go to a factory website that lists the specs for that particular truck.

Transmission coolers and other equipment is also vital. Coolers are much cheaper than a transmission overhaul.
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Please read my other post, above.
 
You’re looking at a new Ram. Is there some reason you are not buying a diesel Cummins with an Aisin transmission? It will tow three of your RVs and get better mileage than any other engine transmission offered by Ram. And have better resale too. You can pay for cosmetics and get a pretty one too. Great driveline, rest of truck is okay quality.
 


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