Can I haul a 50hp tractor with a Ram 1500?

[Code54]

"looks like its only 100 pounds... which sounds about the difference of two additional leaf springs and perhaps a torsion bar... and indeed, THAT makes quite a difference in towing, but nothing more than a 3 to 600 dollar RideRite kit [/QUOTE]

2014 RAM 1500
LARAMIE
5.7L HEMIｮ V8 MDS VVT
QUAD | 6'4" | AUTO | 4X4
5450lbs

2014 RAM 2500
LARAMIE
6.7L I6 CUMMINSｮ TURBO DIESEL
CREW | 6'4" | AUTO | 4X4
7450

2014 RAM 2500
LARAMIE
5.7L HEMIｮ V8 VVT
CREW | 6'4" | AUTO | 4X4
6400lbs

I see people are disagreeing with the differences but here are the weights for 2014 on the Dodges. There is more than 100lbs difference (was more on the other year I looked at but this is the newest numbers for the premium package trucks.) I have both a 1500 and 2500 - I can park them side by side and looking underneath is like looking at two different trucks. If someone is saying it is just different springs they are incorrect. There are differences that go far beyond the springs - heavier steering, axles, frame, etc. If you don't believe this please go to a dealers lot and look, or check the part numbers for the two trucks and you will see they are different. It is a lot more than tires and springs..... Heck the axle on my 2500 is HUGE compared to the 1500.
Note the photos of the 2013's if you still believe they are the same. The 2500 is the left most photo (just the frame and no "ad")

[url=http://www.dodge.com/towing/D/vehicle_2_weight_results.jsp?

 

[Soundguy]

Mechanically your truck should have no problem with that tractor. A 20 foot trailer is a must in order to balance the load. Load equalizer hitch is likely needed to get the max tow capacity. I see the Chevy 1500 trucks advertised to tow 11600 GVW so perhaps Dodge would be just as good. Trailer brakes on both axles and a good controller would be a must.
You aren't going to gain anything in towing capacity with a 3/4 ton, just some stronger springs on the truck, so if you think you need to upgrade, you will have to get a 1 ton dually to gain any significant tow capacity. I think a properly equipped 1/2 ton truck should handle your load easily and will be much cheaper than trading in a good truck. Transmission wise, if you have the tow package, you aren't going to hurt the truck or engine. Just take it slow, gear it down on hills (both up and downhill) set the brake controller to take most of the stopping on the trailer and you will be good to go.
I tow my 70 HP with FEL with my 1/2 ton Chevy Z71 occasionally and it handle it easily and the double axle brakes stop it almost as well as the empty truck. It does strain a bit going up a slope and will shift to second gear but easily tows at freeway speeds on flat ground but does drop the MPG to about 10 on average.

I do believe.. that you could take his truck and at it's max ( maybee.. have not seen his door sticker.. ).. with enough upgrades to the trasiler ( 20', both brakes ). a wg hitch. leveling springs. good controller..e tc.. etc.

I think he would be right ont he gritty edge of hauling it.

if he can do it legally with his tow rating and make it safe, and doesn't mind being at 100%... that's fine. He just needs to remember he's at 100% when it comes to tossing on them extre few bags of concrete or horse feed for a project.. or when some jerk cuts him off. he'll need to drive like he's at 100%.. leave extra stopping distance. plan more pull out time..e tc..e tc... can be done.. maybee even legally if his truck sticker says so and tires are rated.. etc.

 

[Soundguy]

If you are going to upgrade the truck, I would seriously suggest looking at a truck that can handle a gooseneck trailer. Towing with a gooseneck is much more stable. I can haul 14K and barely know it's back there (although I am doing it with a 1 ton dually).

ditto on the gn.

even my old dodge ram liked a gn better than a bumper pull.


I much prefer gn over bp. easier backing.. more jacknife safety..e tc...

 

[Soundguy]

The little voice says," If you think it might not be a good idea, you are probably right"
Everyone has gone down the road watching out for some dude in a totally over taxed over weight set up, thanking their lucky stars it aint them.

ditto that.

I'd rather tow with more truck and trailer vs less truck and trailer.

buying a 9000$ used truck is better than killing someone. ( like me.. )

 

[Soundguy]

even if he loade dthe mower on first with the laoder setting over it.

I see someone posted his gcvr. looks like a no-no for that truck witht he laods mentioned.

OP stated he wanted to mow; I still don't think he'll get at 50HP tractor, and a rotary mower on a 20' trailer. My 6' mower is more like 7-8' with the tailwheel. Without a loader, he might fit on a 20' trailer, but barely and without room to balance the load.

I need to get a bigger trailer; I still use my 16', but all that will fit is my tractor(40HP NH). Adding the 7-8' for mower/tailwheel, I don't think a 20' will be enough...

My book lists my TC40 at 120"/10'. Add 8' for the mower/tailwheel, and I am already pushing 18'. That does not leave much room to balance the tractor on the trailer.

Per the book, I'm 4230lb tractor and filled tires. Educated guess a 50HP tractor will be more.

 

[dodge man]

"looks like its only 100 pounds... which sounds about the difference of two additional leaf springs and perhaps a torsion bar... and indeed, THAT makes quite a difference in towing, but nothing more than a 3 to 600 dollar RideRite kit

2014 RAM 1500
LARAMIE
5.7L HEMIｮ V8 MDS VVT
QUAD | 6'4" | AUTO | 4X4
5450lbs

2014 RAM 2500
LARAMIE
6.7L I6 CUMMINSｮ TURBO DIESEL
CREW | 6'4" | AUTO | 4X4
7450

2014 RAM 2500
LARAMIE
5.7L HEMIｮ V8 VVT
CREW | 6'4" | AUTO | 4X4
6400lbs




I'm not sure where these numbers came from or what they mean. Maybe that's what you can tow off the Reese style hitch. My truck is a 2004 3/4 ton and its rated to tow something like 11,000 or 12,000 lbs, but that's probably a 5th wheel or GN setup. Lets be clear here, a 3/4 ton will tow more and be safer but the limiting factor being thrown around here must be hitch, not the truck.

 

[buickanddeere]

I have a Toyota Tundra with a factory tow package, it is rated around 10,000 Lb's, I have a 20Ft Equipment Trailer with brakes on both axles, the trailer weighs about 2700 Lb's, my Kubota with implements weighs just over 5000, so I am towing about 7700 Lb's. Tundra's are known for great brakes, I have a brake controller as well, towing this set-up I can tell you the Tundra gets the job done with 380 HP & 410 Ft Lb's of Torque, but I can tell I have a heavy load behind me and stopping does take longer, even with the the trailer brakes, so I tend to drive slower, keep plenty of distance from vehicles in front of me, etc. I will probably get a larger diesel down the road.

1st indication if the vehicle is light duty or HD are the number of wheel studs. A six bolt wheel vehicle is still a lightweight axle on a light weight frame with lightweight brakes.
An eight bolt pattern is required for HD towing.

 

[Turbys_1700]

1st indication if the vehicle is light duty or HD are the number of wheel studs. A six bolt wheel vehicle is still a lightweight axle on a light weight frame with lightweight brakes.
An eight bolt pattern is required for HD towing.

I quit worrying about towing with 1/2 ton trucks in 95...
Bought a 92 F250...
In 04 bought an 03 F350...
Dana 80 in the rear and Dana 60 in the front...
The newer ones do have higher towing capacities than the older ones...
I just like my dually too much to part with it...

 

[LD1]

2014 RAM 1500
LARAMIE
5.7L HEMIｮ V8 MDS VVT
QUAD | 6'4" | AUTO | 4X4
5450lbs

2014 RAM 2500
LARAMIE
6.7L I6 CUMMINSｮ TURBO DIESEL
CREW | 6'4" | AUTO | 4X4
7450

2014 RAM 2500
LARAMIE
5.7L HEMIｮ V8 VVT
CREW | 6'4" | AUTO | 4X4
6400lbs




I'm not sure where these numbers came from or what they mean. Maybe that's what you can tow off the Reese style hitch. My truck is a 2004 3/4 ton and its rated to tow something like 11,000 or 12,000 lbs, but that's probably a 5th wheel or GN setup. Lets be clear here, a 3/4 ton will tow more and be safer but the limiting factor being thrown around here must be hitch, not the truck.

I think those were curb weights he was posting, not towing capacities.

As to the OP, I heard him mention a 5010, in which mahindra is a heavier tractor.

But if he is looking for a mowing machine, to work with what he has, there are lighter 50HP tractors out there. Like a MX5100 @ 3600#. Throw on a 800# 6' cutter and your at 4400#, add 2k for a trailer and 6400# dont seem too terrible for that truck. But certainly dont leave room for upgrades, like cab, loaded tires, loader, heavier cutter, etc. And honestly I am suprised at how low that tow rating (if accurate) is on that truck. Under 6k????

My 03 chevy 1500 had a tow rating of ~7500 I think. And I towed my kubota on a 2700# trailer quite often without issues. And my 3400 was ~5k or so with the loader, loaded tires, and 6' cutter.

But I do agree, a 1-ton and a GN is 10x's better for towing.

 

[Soundguy]

I quit worrying about towing with 1/2 ton trucks in 95...
...

it's not worth the hassle or worry.

if you just need to take the garbage to the dump.. or pick up a load of stuff from the grocery or box store.. or haul a piece of furniture home. 1/2 ton is fine.

seems there's no inbetween on towing.

people either haul a trash can or want to pull a mini excavator..

I opt big and safe... if i loose a few$ in the way of fuel or rubber.. i figure that's insurance for being safer on the road.. both to me and the people i'm driving around. If i try to white knuckle it and my 1/2 ton wrecks while i'm overloaded and other get hurt. migth as well hang it up financially.