Towing Issues: TOW PACKAGE, dodge ram 1500, bad attitude

Question
Dear Shayne,
I asked you a question a couple of days ago, "Define Tow Package." Thank you so much for your prompt response. As usual for me, I didn't ask the question the right way. I'm the guy with the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab with the 4.7L engine,auto trans, and a 3.92 rear axle. It DID NOT come equipped with the brake controller or trailer hitch,I had these installed after market. When I went to Dodge's web site to check my towing capacity it listed it at 7,350lbs with the notation "when properly equipped". So I guess what I really meant to ask you is, "with the engine,trans,and rear axle I have plus the addition of the brake controller and hitch all I need to consider my truck "properly equipped" to tow the advertised weight? The travel trailer I tow is 4,900lbs dry. We always go to RV parks, (KOA,etc), never travel with the water tanks filled etc. so I'm guessing I don't have more than 150 - 200lbs of stuff in the trailer. On a recent trip to San Antonio from Phoenix via I-10 my rear axle failed. Luckily it was covered under my 7-year, 70,000 extended warranty.I asked the mechanic at Dodge how that could happen and he told me one possibility was towing a very heavy load through the mountains, which I didn't do,I-10 is pretty flat the whole trip, or the possibility that at the 15,000 mile service when the dealer changed the rear axle oil the wrong type oil was installed. Anyway, I'm probably boring you by now. So can you tell me if my truck is now considered "properly equipped" for towing?  Thanks in advance.

Answer
Oh Paul,
The only questions I get tired of are the "I was parked illegally and got towed, how can I sue the world for my bad attitude?"... anyhoo...

I would say firstly that I think you are greatly underestimating your load in the trailer.  Did you count propane?  Dishes?  Beer?  There's 150# right there (plus the propane and dishes).  

That said, I don't see how you can possibly be close to your truck's limit.  Make sure your weight distribution is properly setup and you should be good to go.  

"Properly equipped" is a term used (for the most part) to allow the manufacturers an easy out in case of trouble.  Don't get me wrong, they need an out.  In this day and age where a major toy manufacturer was forced to recall plastic tricycles because the wheels could shatter violently if inflated beyond the recommended 10psi.  They were found to break at over 70psi.  If you inflate your kid's toy to 70psi and the plastic wheel shatters and messes you up, you probably did something wrong in a previous life.  That's enough soapboxing for now.  

Short answer: Yes.  

You are all set to hit the ol' dusty trail (based on what you have told me in these messages). (legal disclaimer)

Enjoy,
Shayne Peterson
MobileHitch
http://www.mobilehitch.ca/