Posted 2016-03-02 10:49 AM (#166325) Subject: Dodge Ram Big Horn
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Hanover, Pa
Ok, I have a question... We have a 2014 Dodge Ram Big Horn with a V8 HEMI, 6 speed transmission. We are looking into getting a LQ horse trailer. Thoughts about the towing of something like this with the truck? Does anyone have one they are using for the same thing? I'm not in a place to get a new truck right now. So, that's not an option. I won't be hauling all over the US either. Please, no snod comments.. I realize this is not a 3500 and I won't be trying to pull something super heavy. Just wondering what we can do? What are some of the lighter trailers out there that don't cost a small fortune? TIA.
Posted 2016-03-02 11:29 AM (#166326 - in reply to #166325) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
first off is it a 2500??? if so you should be fine with a 2 or 3 horse and a small LQ and as you said a lighter made trailer, just remember what ever you buy you need a way to get it stopped.
Posted 2016-03-02 12:10 PM (#166327 - in reply to #166326) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Hanover, Pa
That would've been helpful. It's a 1500. And it does have a tow package with the trailer brake. And I know that doesn't mean I can stop anything. But it will help.
Posted 2016-03-02 12:45 PM (#166328 - in reply to #166325) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
this is really going to limit you but if you look around there are some lighter 2 horse trailers out there with maybe a weekender pkg. instead of a full LQ.A friend of mine has a 3 horse featherlight with a 6' LQ had he has no problems but he keeps it as light as possible when he is going somewhere.
Posted 2016-03-02 12:48 PM (#166329 - in reply to #166325) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Hanover, Pa
Thank you. Good to know. It's ok. I don't mind being "limited." I won't be Living in it. Just like to stay where my horse is when I show and it's nice to avoid expensive hotel costs if I can.
Posted 2016-03-02 3:35 PM (#166330 - in reply to #166325) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
Elite Veteran
Posts: 801 Location: Tenn/Ala.
The issue with many 1500s is the tongue weight of a GN. The tongue, or hitch, or pin, or whatever you choose to call it needs to be equal to or less than your truck's rated payload capacity. Find that number for your truck, and that will help guide you.
Posted 2016-03-02 6:44 PM (#166333 - in reply to #166325) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Not mentioned yet, is box length of the F150. I would discourage the 5.5' box, the 6.5' box can work with extended hitch and a tapered trailer nose, so the best bet is the 8' box = but it is hard to find on a F150.
Posted 2016-03-02 7:04 PM (#166334 - in reply to #166330) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by RTSmith on 2016-03-02 6:35 PM
The issue with many 1500s is the tongue weight of a GN. The tongue, or hitch, or pin, or whatever you choose to call it needs to be equal to or less than your truck's rated payload capacity. Find that number for your truck, and that will help guide you.
Posted 2016-03-07 10:40 AM (#166390 - in reply to #166325) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
New User
Posts: 2
Location: BFE
Originally written by Charlenebare on 2016-03-02 10:49 AM
Ok, I have a question... We have a 2014 Dodge Ram Big Horn with a V8 HEMI, 6 speed transmission. We are looking into getting a LQ horse trailer. Thoughts about the towing of something like this with the truck? Does anyone have one they are using for the same thing? I'm not in a place to get a new truck right now. So, that's not an option. I won't be hauling all over the US either. Please, no snod comments.. I realize this is not a 3500 and I won't be trying to pull something super heavy. Just wondering what we can do? What are some of the lighter trailers out there that don't cost a small fortune? TIA.
Should easily tow a small Weekender or LQ. I believe the Bighorn has a max tow of 10,600, so keep your selected trailer with horses and cargo under that. I have a F150 Crew Cab 5.4 w/3.73 rearend and easily tow a 4-horse with dressing room. Your not going to go real fast, but I can imagine the hemi outperforms my 5.4. I have the 5.5 box, so I added the 4in gooseneck extender for a little more clearance. The Exiss is a very lightweight trailer. http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h417/wtfuknow/2011-04-14%2007.1...
Posted 2016-03-07 1:14 PM (#166392 - in reply to #166325) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
Veteran
Posts: 124 Location: Calgary, Canada
Please keep in mind that you have to look at all the limiting factors (not just the Trailer Towing Capacity) when sizing a tow vehicle. In fact, the Trailer Towing Capacity is a VERY misleading number when it comes to gooseneck trailers.
With a gooseneck trailer, approximately 25 to 30% of the total trailer weight (including the trailer and everything that you put in it) is carried on the gooseneck hitch of the truck. This weigh is transferred to the frame, suspension, axle and tires of your truck. This added weight onto your truck components is what limits how heavy of a trailer you can SAFELY and legally pull.
To realistically determine the trailer towing capacity of any tow vehicle, you need to look at the tow vehicle GVWR, Rear Axle Capacity, Tire and Wheel Ratings, Pay Load Capacity, GCWR and Trailer Tow Rating. If ANY of these ratings are exceeded, you are OVER LOADED.
For a quick calculation only, it appears that your payload capacity is in the 1500 to 1800 lb range. Assuming that 25% of the trailer weight is on the hitch, the payload capacity of your truck would limit you to a Maximum loaded trailer weight of 6000 to 7200 lbs (depending on your ACTUAL truck rating – 2WD or 4WD, box length, GVWR, Axle Ratio, etc).
The lightest aluminum gooseneck trailer that I have experience pulling was a 3H Keifer x 7 ft wide x 4.5 ft short wall tack room (no living quarters). The empty trailer weight was 4580 lbs and it was a fairly light built trailer. Add on two horses, tack, etc at 2500 lbs, and you would likely be overloading the GVWR, Rear Axle and Tire and Wheel Ratings of your and just about any ½ ton truck on the road today. And this is without living quarters. Add living quarters to the weight and you would surely exceed your trucks capacity ratings.
Now that is not saying it can’t be done, as I see many trucks and trailers going down the road overloaded, but I personally don’t want to subject my family and horses to those risks.
In summary, I believe that a ½ ton truck would be significantly under-rated to safely and legally pull even the smallest LQ trailer.
Posted 2016-03-07 7:51 PM (#166394 - in reply to #166325) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
I would worry that if you were overloaded your insurance will deny any claims. If you hurt your truck, Dodge could void your warranty. If there is a chance that you could be at fault, every company will fight to keep from paying from what my forensic mechanic tells me. If you are pulled over by law enforcement and you fail a weight check they could impound your rig on the spot. What I did when in your situation was get a tack stall, pack camping gear, drapes, and stay in the tack stall. Picking good show grounds that have showers or a nice truck stop nearby, heck even asking a friend that got a hotel room to let you wash up as needed. I was known to hop in a swimsuit, hit the wash rack with the horses and wash my hair too. (Back when that wouldn't send children running away screaming!)
Posted 2016-03-09 9:12 AM (#166409 - in reply to #166325) Subject: RE: Dodge Ram Big Horn
Regular
Posts: 78
There is not a LQ trailer made that I would tow with a half ton. I pulled a 3 horse with 6' short wall LQ for years with 3/4 tons, but fully loaded, that was as much as I would want to have towed with those trucks. It weighed about 7500 EMPTY.
Dodge Ram Big Horn
