Ram 1500 hotshot?

Half tons aren't built to tow regularly. While the diesel will probably handle it better than the Hemi I have doubts the rest of the truck is up to the task. Just too light.

 

Problem is, the tow rating is really designed for the occasional tow of your RV. It's not a real rating for using it 100% of the time.

 

I would advise not doing this. A friend tried with a brand new 16 ecodiesel a few years back after the oilfield company he was working for went belly up to try and make his payments. It basicly destroyed the truck after a few months.

In a 5 month period it warped the frame, actully bent the transmission mounts, caused him to lose said transmission due to overheat issues, destroyed his leafsprings and ate through tires on a regular basis. Not to mention destroying the engine. A lot of parts just started to fail at random.

To be fair a big part of it was he started accepting slightly overweight loads towards the end because the light loads werent consistant enough but still.

Honestly to be frank its a stupid idea when you can get a brand new 3/4th ton for just 2k more assumeing base specs that will do a far better job or a used 1 ton that would be perfect for the same price. Sometimes Power>Economy

 

The real question not towing but smugling !?
Of course you can !

 

1500 series truck won't hold up to everyday towing don't matter what make it is

 

Even with an empty trailer you won’t get the mileage either.

Just a thought.

 

I would be concerned the transmission and rear end on a truck like that won’t be up to the task. Particularly the pin weight over the rear axle. Half tons don’t use full floating rear ends like 3/4 ton and up do and don’t tolerate being loaded heavy (relatively). Keeping the transmission from burning itself up into an early demise would also be a question.

 

1 Ton truck with all the heavy duty springs and brakes is the way to go, but you may buy a single axle real truck for the same money.