Recommendations Of Parts Needed When Towing Trailer With Camper In Bed Of 2008 Dodge Ram

Question:

I would like to tow a 6x10, 3500 lbs axle, 2950 lbs GVW, 2inch coupler cargo trailer with a 2008 Ram 4x4 dually long box pickup truck carrying a 10foot 2inch Northern Light camper. Could you tell me what parts is needed for this application. I do have the 2inch factory hitch.

asked by: Daniel K

Expert Reply:

The first thing you will want to do is make sure you have the clearance at the back of your truck with the camper on the bed for your trailer. You can use a yardstick or dowel and a tape measure. Place the dowel at the back edge of the camper and let it extend below the trailer hitch. Then measure from the center of the hitch pin hole to the dowel. That is the amount of clearance you need to clear the camper with your trailer.

You can use that measurement to find the right ball mount. I have attached a link to our product page for the ball mounts we offer. You may want to check out the helpful article that I attached to find the right ball mount for your setup. You want to tow your trailer as level as possible.

You also want to make sure your truck is level when towing and may want to consider weight distribution. This helps keep the nose of the truck down when towing and sway control helps keep the truck on the road and easier to steer when in high winds and passing large trucks on the highway. The most important thing you need to know is the total tongue weight. That is the tongue weight of your fully-loaded trailer in its ready-to-tow condition added to the weight of anything behind the rear axle of your truck.

For example, if you find your total tongue weight is around 700 to 800 lbs I recommend the Reese Steadi-Flex, part # RP66559. This is designed for tongue weight between 500 and 1000 lbs. It has sway control built in to help keep you steady on the road. With the weight of your camper and the unknown weight of your trailer you may find that a system like part # RP66561 would be a better fit. It is designed for total tongue weight between 700 and 1,400 lbs.

If you have brakes on your trailer, you will also need a brake controller like part # 90885. This is a proportional brake controller that applies the brakes on your trailer with the same intensity as the applied brakes on your truck.

If you have a factory 7-way on your truck you will also need part # 3020-P. This plug-in cable attaches to the back of your brake controller and then into the port located under the dash of your truck.

If you do not have a trailer wiring harness you will need part # 119178KIT. This is hard-wired and includes a circuit tester to help find the correct wiring on yoru truck. You will then need part # ETBC7. This connects to your 4-way and you then need to attach the remaining wires. I have attached a drawing that shows how the brake controller and the # ETBC7 wiring is run you can take a look at.