If you’re researching Ram used trucks for sale, it will be apparent that Ram pickup trucks have incredible hauling capabilities. As the “least capable” truck model, even a used Ram 1500 for sale can tow a whopping 10,650 pounds, with the 2500 and 3500 models boasting even more impressive towing capabilities. These capabilities provide more than enough reason to choose a Ram truck, no matter what you need to haul. Despite the incredible towing capabilities, the transition from everyday driving to towing can be a learning experience. For this reason, you should first understand the best practices for hauling and towing before visiting a Ram dealer near you to choose the perfect Ram truck. Performance CJDR Delaware believes in keeping customers safe and smart when towing, so we provided a list below of four Dodge Ram towing tips before visiting our dealership or any Ram dealer near you.
- Know Your Truck’s Towing Capacity
When you browse used Ram trucks for sale, you will notice that they have a term called the GCVW rating. This term stands for the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight, and it represents the maximum amount of weight that your Ram can carry safely. It includes everything, from passengers, cargo, and everything being towed. You should not exceed this rating under any circumstances, as it could cause damage to your truck. A light-duty truck, like the Ram 1500, is known for having a lower GCVW rating, while heavy-duty trucks, such as the Ram 2500 or 3500, have higher GCVW ratings. If you are interested in towing something heavy, aside from construction equipment or commercial loads, Performance CJDR offers a wide selection of used Ram 2500s for sale. If you need to do any construction or commercial-related hauling, you can also look at our inventory of Ram 3500 used trucks for sale.
- Load Your Trailer’s Cargo Wisely
Loading a trailer properly is the best way to prevent major steering, braking, and trailer sway problems. When packing your trailer, you should consider the balance of weight. To best load a truck, the general rule is that you should strive to load 60% of your weight in the front half of a trailer. The other 40% should be in the rear half unless your trailer manufacturer indicates otherwise. It would be best if you also made an effort to balance the weight from side to side, keeping the center of gravity low and over the truck’s axle to ensure optimal towing stability. If you want more information about Ram truck trailer loading procedures and how you can optimize your towing, you can contact us at Performance CJDR Delaware or any Ram dealer near you.
- Adjust Your Driving
Before getting behind the wheel of a Ram truck to haul a load, it is crucial to understand that the truck will handle differently than when it’s not towing. Because of this, you must adjust your driving accordingly. You should always make wide turns when hauling because your trailer will turn sharper than your truck, particularly when turning right. You should also give yourself more space to brake behind vehicles, as the additional weight will greatly affect how your truck accelerates and brakes.
- Reverse Slowly
An important driving maneuver to consider before finding a Ram used truck for sale is reversing with a trailer attached. Hauling a trailer and reversing can have damaging consequences if you don’t use caution. Going too fast can cause a trailer to jackknife, making it hard to straighten the trailer out. Reversing with a trailer will take some practice in empty lots, but you will get comfortable with it as long as you take it slowly.
With this knowledge in hand, you will be prepared to handle most Ram truck towing situations, and you are ready to buy your first Ram. If you are in the Columbus area and in search of a used Ram truck near you, we hope you will visit us at Performance CJDR Delaware to browse our selection of Ram trucks.
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