Can the Ram SRT-10 Viper Truck Tow an RV Camper?
It can be challenging to find the right vehicle to tow your RV. The Ram SRT-10 Viper has a vibrant history and could be the right (or at least fun) choice when looking for a towing vehicle.
Today, we’ll examine the Viper’s many features and help you discover if it’s the right tow vehicle for your RV.
Let’s jump in!
What Is the Ram SRT-10 Viper?
Categorized as a “muscle truck,” the Viper was touted as a pickup with the soul of a sports car because it used the same V-10 engine from the Dodge Viper sports car. This muscle truck had a decent payload and towing capacity, but one of the main reasons people bought it was the horsepower.
When Was the Viper Produced?
Dodge’s Performance Vehicle Operations group created the Ram SRT-10 Viper. According to Motortrend, it was “produced at the Saltillo Truck Assembly plant in Mexico as a regular-cab starting in 2004, and the lineup was expanded to include the four-door Quad Cab for 2005 and 2006.”
However, Dodge only manufactured the SRT-10 for three years, and manufacturing stopped after 2006.
Towing and Payload Capacity of the Ram SRT-10 Viper Truck
The Dodge Ram SRT-10 Viper’s towing capacity is 7,500 pounds, and its payload capacity is 1,010 pounds. However, there’s a difference between towing and payload capacity. Towing capacity is how large of a load a vehicle can tow. Payload capacity is how large of a load a vehicle can have inside it.
A truck’s payload includes the weight of the items in the bed and the weight of the people riding inside the cab. Usually, towing capacity is significantly higher than payload because the trailer’s axles distribute most of the towing weight.
Pro Tip: Unsure of how to find your trucks towing capacity? Read more to find out How To Find Towing Capacity by VIN.
Can the Ram SRT-10 Viper Truck Tow an RV?
RV weights can range between 1,000 and 9,000 pounds or even more. The SRT-10 can tow an average RV weighing about 5,200 pounds. Therefore, although it can’t pull some of the larger and heavier RVs, the Viper can pull most RVs.
What Kind of RV Can You Tow with the Viper?
Most other travel trailers fall under that 7,500 towing weight, and the SRT-10 Viper truck should easily tow it. Common RV brands, including Livin Lite, Rockwood, Forest River, Keystone, and Evergreen, make travel trailers weighing less than 7,000 lbs. However, because fifth wheels weigh more than 12,000 pounds on average, the SRT-10 can’t tow larger fifth wheels.
Pro Tip: Looking for a lightweight travel trailer to tow with your truck? We found the 5 Best Lightweight Travel Trailers in 2021 for you.
Why Was the SRT-10 Truck So Popular?
Ram’s SRT-10 Viper had several features that made it popular. It had a Viper V-10 engine, options for a manual transition, and an enhanced brake and suspension system, all wrapped up in a daring new exterior design.
Perhaps one of the main reasons the SRT-10 was so popular was that it was fast. In fact, it was record-breaking fast. According to Motortrend, “The Dodge Ram SRT-10 posted a two-lap, both-directions average speed of 154.587 mph over a ‘flying kilometer.’”
The previous record was 147.54 mph. In 2004, the Guinness Book of World Records awarded the truck the World’s Fastest Production Pickup Truck title. Additionally, the SRT-10 quad cab runs 0-to-60 in 5.6 seconds and 0-to-100 in 14.3 seconds.
How Much Is a Used SRT-10 Viper Today?
Although the original SRT-10 Viper price tag ranged between $40,000 and $50,000, prices today are significantly higher. For example, a 2006 SRT-10 Viper with only 1,400 miles recently sold for $76,000, and a 2004 Viper with only 245 miles sold for $68,200.
Of course, higher prices may be because Dodge only produced 10,143 trucks in three years. But whatever the reason, many car experts are declaring the Ram SRT-10 Viper a wise financial investment because they don’t see the price going down.
The Modern Take on the SRT-10 Viper: 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX
Although the Ram SRT-10 Viper can be a fun truck to drive, its high price and the fact that Dodge no longer manufactures it makes it difficult to find. The 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX may be a good alternative. The Ram 1500 TRX features 702 horsepower, has 650 pound-foot of torque, and can go 0-to-60 in 4.5 seconds.
Additionally, the Ram 1500 TRX has a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,404 pounds. Both these numbers are superior to the SRT-10 Viper truck’s towing and payload capacity.
Is the Viper Right for You?
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The Dodge Ram SRT-10 Viper is a fun truck to drive because of its impressive horsepower and speed. And it can do a decent job towing most RVs. But if you’re looking for something with a little more towing and payload capacity and easier to find, the Dodge Ram 1500 TRX may be the perfect option for you. Which truck would you choose if you could have either?
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: