Enlighten me then with your vast and endless towing knowledge and experience then why I can’t tow a trailer that’s just under a vehicle’s maximum towing capacity as determined by the manufacturer.
i never said you couldn't...have at it.
I'm kinda with DirtyJeffer on this one. I don't think it's generally a very good idea to tow at or near a vehicle's rated tow capacity.
Here is a link to the 2014 Ram Body Builder page, which lists all the weights and capacities of all configurations:
http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2014/docs/ram/rammlup1500.pdfScroll down to page 6, where a Ram Crew Cab with 5'-7" box, 4x4 with the 3.6L V6 and 3.55 axle ratio is shown
The rated tow capacity is 7200lbs, and GCWR is 12 500, while base weight (curb weight) of the truck is 4964lbs.
Cargo - 930lbs:Assume a family of four (two adults 200lbs and 150lbs, two children at 75lbs) - 500lbs
Add some luggage in the back of the truck (two suitcases - 45lbs ea, 1 cooler - 50lbs) - 180lbs
Finally add the weight of a 250cc dirtbike (200lbs) plus all the gear (armour, helmet, extra fuel, etc. - 50 lbs) - 250lbs
GCWR - Curb Weight - Cargo/Passengers = ACTUAL Tow Capacity.
12 500lbs - 4964lbs - 930lbs = 6606lbs.
As you can see from the above calculation, once you've added passengers and cargo to the vehicle, it can't actually tow what it is 'rated' for. This is a pretty common occurance. Most vehicles' 'MAX TOW RATING' is calculated using the curb weight of the truck, plus the weight of a single 150lb driver, with no extra cargo. This is pretty far from reality when you actually start towing something to go on a family vacation.
And then there is something that I like to call 'reserve capacity'. It's a little bit of a safety factor. Towing at or near the max tow rating is fine for short trips, but if you do it for longer trips, or more often, you are increasing your likelihood of breaking parts, wearing out equipment, or worse, getting into dangerous situations like sway. I'm a firm believer in 'buy more truck than you'll need' when it comes to towing. The heavier and more powerful the tow vehicle for any given trailer, the better and safer you'll be, and the more confidence you'll have in your equipment.
Honestly, with your trailer, coinciding with the fact that you're going to be dragging your family around, as well as a dirt bike, I wouldn't go with anything less than a V8. But, that's me, and I understand if not everybody subscribes to my school of thought.
Watch the YouTube channel called 'Big Truck Big RV'. He tows a lot of CDL-type loads with 1-ton and heavier trucks. He does a lot of heavy duty/half ton truck reviews, as well as large trailer reviews, and listen to his thoughts on towing RV's with a half ton:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M75Sm7XaIdY