It seemed only natural to tow the Dodge D291 with a Dodge Ram, though the folks at R-Vision tell us that a fair number of Dodge trailer buyers actually own other brands of vehicles. The team at Dodge sent us a nicely equipped Hemi-powered '07 Ram 1500 Laramie Quad Cab 4x4. This vehicle has a base price of $37,655 and an as-tested price of $41,175. Our rig was set up for towing with 3.92:1 gears ($50), power trailer tow mirrors ($100), and the trailer tow group ($355). Dodge also installed an electric brake controller and we installed the R-Vision-recommended equalizer hitch.
Our test Ram had a maximum trailer weight rating of 8,350 pounds, so the 6,000-pound (loaded) D291 was well within its specs. The Hemi pulled strong from a standing start and the tow/haul mode helped wring every last bit of power from the V-8. On the highway, there was adequate power for hills and passing and overall the truck was stable. Braking was very good and the trailer tow mirrors offered a good field of view-good enough for us to blind-side back the 30-foot trailer into a small campsite usually frequented by smaller pop-up campers. It was no surprise that strong, gusty 30mph crosswinds during our return caused the rig to wander on the highway. Naturally, this is where a hitch stabilizer (which we didn't have) would've helped. We averaged 9.4 mpg, which we thought was pretty darn respectable.
Ultimately, our test proved that if you occasionally tow and don't want to fork out the bucks for a 3/4- or 1-ton truck and the expensive diesel engine, a properly equipped 1/2-ton like the Ram 1500 is up to the task.
We were amazed at how quickly and easily we could transform the garage area into living space and vice versa. Here are a few of the things we came up with.
In the evening it became a cozy TV room. We found it strange that there are no electrical outlets in the garage, though. When the movie ended, the 76-inch-long fold-up sofas were laid flat to become beds for the kids. | 
It became a scenic reading/screen room by simply pulling down the standard retractable screen with the cargo door open. The screen effectively kept bugs out while offering the sounds and views of the woods. |
During a rainstorm, it became a diner by simply setting the portable dinette table between the sofas. | |
General
Model: Dodge D291
Base price: $19,211
Price as tested: $24,729
Options as tested: 13.5-Btu air conditioning; awning; AM/FM/CD player; microwave; oven; RVQ grill; stove cover; safety glass; TV antenna; outside shower; DSI water heater; two-door refrigerator; tub surround; ladder (side mount); Fantastic Fan; double entry step
We invited Jake Kelsey (an up-and-coming SF Performance-sponsored motocross rider) and his dad to work on one of their race bikes in the garage at night. They lauded the grippy bedlined swing-open ramp that's rated for up to 2,500 pounds, and they loved the super-strong interior lighting and the overhead cabinets. With a length of 11 feet and a width of 6 feet 2 inches between the wheelwells, there was plenty of room to work on their Suzuki 105 Supermini. When a little race gas and lube got spilled on the floor, it wasn't a big deal because the flooring is gas- and oil-resistant.
Dimensions
Length (in): 364
Width without awning (in): 96
Height (ft): 10
Weights
Total dry weight (lb): 5,227
Hitch dry weight (lb): 597
Axle dry weight (lb): 4,630
GVWR (lb): 9,197
Capacities
Fresh water tank capacity (gal): 30
Water heater (gal): 6
LP gas bottles (no/lb): 2/20
Refrigerator (cu. ft.): 6
Seating & Sleeping
Front bed (in): 60x74
Fold up sofa in garage (in): 76
Dinette (seats): 4 adults
Miscellaneous
Electric system (amps): 55
Stabilizer jacks: 4
Interior lights: 12
Axles: Dexter independent
Brakes: 12-inch electric
Tire size: ST225/75R15