I currently have a 2020 Ram bighorn 4x4 crew cab with a 6.4 gas engine and short bed. I am looking at a 2018 Jayco 322RLOK travel trailer to use for stays at race tracks along the east coast. We would be towing on average two weekends per month with trips up to 1500 mile round trip. The trailer GVWR 11,750 lbs and Hitch Weight 1,260 lbs. How do you think my Ram would do towing this camper. I want it to be a relaxing tow after a long weekend of racing.
You don't need the vin lookup to figure this out. You just need the math to do the initial estimate. Best way is to find a CAT scale for the real world numbers.
From a numbers perspective:
Take the gross weight of the trailer (11,750) x 15% for a rough starting point on the tongue weight. The actual tongue weight would be 1,762. 1,260 hitch weight is the DRY weight number and is based on a 10% hitch weight. Campers rarely (if ever) have a 10% hitch weight.
Then add up the total weight of people and any cargo you need to carry. Add that number to the 1,762 hitch weight. Make sure to include anything that was added to the truck after it left the factory. Running boards, bed covers, tool boxes, etc... You'll absolutely need a weight distribution hitch, so factor in another 75-80 lbs for that hitch. All of those numbers combined is the actual payload weight you could see.
I'll give you example math at the end of this. But.... it's an EXAMPLE only. You need to do the math for your use case.
If set up properly, you can expect the WDH to shift roughly 15-20% of the weight from the trailer tongue back onto the trailer axles.
Look at the payload sticker on the door of your truck. If the final number you come up with exceeds the sticker on the door, you're over payload. Sometimes you can slightly break that number as long as you never exceed the rear axle weight rating. It's 6,600 lbs, but half of that is weight of the truck itself.
Example ONLY:
Trailer GVWR: 11,750
Real hitch weight (11,750 x 15%): 1,762
Truck Payload sticker: 3,320 lbs
4 people @ 200 lbs ea = 800 lbs
Cargo - 250 lbs
WDH hitch weight = 80
Payload reduction (800+250+80) = 1,130
Adjusted available payload = 3320-1,130 = 2,190
WDH transfer - (1762 x 20%) = 352
In this example, you'd be ok. HOWEVER... 38' is a LONG travel trailer behind a single rear wheel truck so if your numbers do work out (I think they will) then absolutely run a rock solid weight distribution hitch with sway control. Do not cheap out. Buy a quality system.