How big of a 5er are you towing?

pprice01 · Apr 18, 2016

Looking into a 2014 megacab diesel.

Wanted the 2500 but it doesn't seem to have much of a payload to handle a 5er.

Looking now at 3500's, and wonder what the limits are for either, and what people are towing with theirs.

Also, is there anything (option-wise) that I should pay special attention to when looking for the right truck?

Thanks,

Paul

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BossHogg · Apr 18, 2016

I'm pulling a Montana 42 foot fifth wheel with a 3500 SRW Cummins. I'm close to maxing out the SRW 3500's tow and payload numbers with this beast but we didn't want a dually. The Montana is just under 15K equipped with a pin weight just under 3K pounds. I have the 5th wheel prep kit, cargo camera, and rear air leveling system.

The truck pulls it fine but that is what a Cummins does (right?), never felt the need for more ability.

Bigdaddy · Apr 18, 2016

BossHogg said:
I'm pulling a Montana 42 foot fifth wheel with a 3500 SRW Cummins. I'm close to maxing out the SRW 3500's tow and payload numbers with this beast but we didn't want a dually. The Montana is just under 15K equipped with a pin weight just under 3K pounds. I have the 5th wheel prep kit, cargo camera, and rear air leveling system.

The truck pulls it fine but that is what a Cummins does (right?), never felt the need for more ability.

Awesome setup.

mtofell · Apr 18, 2016

Here's a good thread that went around recently:

http://www.ramforum.com/f119/2016_ram_2500_payload-83990/

mowin · Apr 18, 2016

I'm dragging around a 38' Laredo with my 3500 SRW 6.4. Dry wt is just shy of 11,000# with a pin wt of 2100#. Payload on my truck is 4100#, so I've got plenty of payload left over.

pprice01 · Apr 18, 2016

mowin said:
I'm dragging around a 38' Laredo with my 3500 SRW 6.4. Dry wt is just shy of 11,000# with a pin wt of 2100#. Payload on my truck is 4100#, so I've got plenty of payload left over.

Thanks Mowin.

So you take the pin weight + people + cargo in truck = total payload?

Then divide that by the maximum payload rating to get a % of maximum allowable payload, right?

I'm learning that I should plan to use no more than 80% of the total payload rating.

Is this right?

Thanks.

Paul

THETANK · Apr 18, 2016

my brother in law is towing up to 45 footers with the 3500 dually I signed for, business arrangement.

cableguy_hd · Apr 18, 2016

whats the difference is a SWR 3500 and a 2500?? Assuming both both were diesel

MANual_puller · Apr 18, 2016

cableguy_hd said:
whats the difference is a SWR 3500 and a 2500?? Assuming both both were diesel

In a new truck a 2500 has coil springs or optional air ride and a 5 link rear end and a 3500 still has leaf springs.

Bigdaddy · Apr 19, 2016

mowin said:
I'm dragging around a 38' Laredo with my 3500 SRW 6.4. Dry wt is just shy of 11,000# with a pin wt of 2100#. Payload on my truck is 4100#, so I've got plenty of payload left over.

Nice, I was thinking about a 3500 but since I don't have a 5'er I decided not or when I do get one it want be that long. What kind of mileage you get unloaded?

avolnek · Apr 19, 2016

12,000# 36' bunk house 5th wheel. I am towing it with a 2500. When buying new I was in the same predicament you are in, asking whether to go 2500 or 3500. Both trucks were on the lot where I bought from. I was able to drive both prior and came to the conclusion my unloaded ride was greatly improved with the 2500 vs the 3500 due to the coil spring rear end vs the leaf springs.

I am running really close to my rated max payload but the way i see it, the 2500 is the exact same truck as the 3500 except for the rear springs. I plan to throw a set of timbrens at it some day. As it sits, my camper loaded to camp has a tongue weight of 2200# and i can load the bed full of firewood and it squats right to where its at in the picture, which is just past level...

My thought process was that my truck will be unloaded more often than loaded so i chose something that was going to be more comfortable unloaded and more than capable when towing...

mowin · Apr 19, 2016

pprice01 said:
Thanks Mowin.

So you take the pin weight + people + cargo in truck = total payload?

Then divide that by the maximum payload rating to get a % of maximum allowable payload, right?

I'm learning that I should plan to use no more than 80% of the total payload rating.

Is this right?

Thanks.

Paul

Correct. As long as you can keep all your gear, pin wt, people under your payload your safe. Rule of thumb is to leave a little cushion though.

mowin · Apr 19, 2016

Bigdaddy said:
Nice, I was thinking about a 3500 but since I don't have a 5'er I decided not or when I do get one it want be that long. What kind of mileage you get unloaded?

Unloaded around town 14, highway 18 sometimes a little better if I keep it at 65.

KarL45 · Apr 20, 2016

Just starting into our 4 month Canada/Alaska trip. Towing 13k plus Keystone TH. This isn't the first tow with the 5'er but think the ram finally got broken in at about 25k. the towing ability compared to last summer is night and day. With the 4.56 gearing it now easily pulls in 4th through 6th gear and have not even considered using the tow / haul mode. The only driving changes i make when not in tow mode is to slightly decell on any shift until the converter locks up. Also, looks like i may be 1 to 2 mpg better on economy. Last year, 8 was about it but now see 11 to 14 quite frequently on the evic. As for the weight and handling, truly i can't find fault with it. I did add the AirLift 5000 bags to it last year but at 40# will put the ride height to unloaded height. Also aids on the pin shock and also the headlamp aim. Had the R46 stabilizer mound done prior to leaving. Seemed to stabilize the front axle some but not sure why it should seem that way. As for the electric brake function, working as advertised after finding loose connection and pins in the bed mount receptacle. Very happy so far and see no reason to question the ram's ability to tow for the 12k miles or so.

mtofell · Apr 20, 2016

KarL45 said:
Just starting into our 4 month Canada/Alaska trip. Towing 13k plus Keystone TH. This isn't the first tow with the 5'er but think the ram finally got broken in at about 25k. the towing ability compared to last summer is night and day. With the 4.56 gearing it now easily pulls in 4th through 6th gear and have not even considered using the tow / haul mode. The only driving changes i make when not in tow mode is to slightly decell on any shift until the converter locks up. Also, looks like i may be 1 to 2 mpg better on economy. Last year, 8 was about it but now see 11 to 14 quite frequently on the evic. As for the weight and handling, truly i can't find fault with it. I did add the AirLift 5000 bags to it last year but at 40# will put the ride height to unloaded height. Also aids on the pin shock and also the headlamp aim. Had the R46 stabilizer mound done prior to leaving. Seemed to stabilize the front axle some but not sure why it should seem that way. As for the electric brake function, working as advertised after finding loose connection and pins in the bed mount receptacle. Very happy so far and see no reason to question the ram's ability to tow for the 12k miles or so.

I have serious truck envy..... I've been tossing around the idea of trading my 6.4 for a diesel but am thinking of the EXACT mods you mention. I'm hauling a 10,500# 5th wheel totally stock at the time.

The truck does fine but something to help the rear end would be nice (I'm right at the 10K max GVWR). And the 4.56 gears sound like what the truck should come with. I'm currently stuck with the 3.73 which are ridiculously low gearing. My hesitation with the gearing has been worrying about too high RPMs at highway speed. Just yesterday coming in from a job I left the truck in 4 w/o realizing it. I was buzzing along at 65 running about 2400RPM and didn't even notice it until I looked down and saw the gear #. That pretty much made up my mind that the gear swap would work. In looking at the charts I'm thinking you run about 2200RPM @ 70?

Bigdaddy · Apr 21, 2016

mtofell said:
I have serious truck envy..... I've been tossing around the idea of trading my 6.4 for a diesel but am thinking of the EXACT mods you mention. I'm hauling a 10,500# 5th wheel totally stock at the time.

The truck does fine but something to help the rear end would be nice (I'm right at the 10K max GVWR). And the 4.56 gears sound like what the truck should come with. I'm currently stuck with the 3.73 which are ridiculously low gearing. My hesitation with the gearing has been worrying about too high RPMs at highway speed. Just yesterday coming in from a job I left the truck in 4 w/o realizing it. I was buzzing along at 65 running about 2400RPM and didn't even notice it until I looked down and saw the gear #. That pretty much made up my mind that the gear swap would work. In looking at the charts I'm thinking you run about 2200RPM @ 70?

So mtofell, if you go with the diesel would you go with the 3500 because the 2500 diesel don't have the payload that your 6.4L 2500 have?

mtofell · Apr 21, 2016

Bigdaddy said:
So mtofell, if you go with the diesel would you go with the 3500 because the 2500 diesel don't have the payload that your 6.4L 2500 have?

Oh yeah.... definitely a 3500. That 4000#+ payload looks REALLY nice

pprice01 · Apr 21, 2016

avolnek said:
12,000# 36' bunk house 5th wheel. I am towing it with a 2500. When buying new I was in the same predicament you are in, asking whether to go 2500 or 3500. Both trucks were on the lot where I bought from. I was able to drive both prior and came to the conclusion my unloaded ride was greatly improved with the 2500 vs the 3500 due to the coil spring rear end vs the leaf springs.

I am running really close to my rated max payload but the way i see it, the 2500 is the exact same truck as the 3500 except for the rear springs. I plan to throw a set of timbrens at it some day. As it sits, my camper loaded to camp has a tongue weight of 2200# and i can load the bed full of firewood and it squats right to where its at in the picture, which is just past level...

My thought process was that my truck will be unloaded more often than loaded so i chose something that was going to be more comfortable unloaded and more than capable when towing...

Hi Avolnek,

What is the payload rating for your truck? I'm looking at '14 megacabs and they come in at below 1900 pounds.

I would prefer. 2500, but once I add people and only 200 pounds of gear to the hitch weight of even a smaller 5'er (Hideout 308bhds) I'm way over the payload rating.

Thanks, I appreciate the info!

Paul

KarL45 · Apr 21, 2016

For anyone wondering about hi way rpm with the 4.56, with 3.73 @ 80 was about 1750 and with 4.56, 2200 @ 80. Suppose if not towing and in the lower elevations, the 3.73 is ok but for the higher elevations and or towing, the 4.56 in my opinion was by far superior. We just started figuring some of the mileages on the trip and suspect we are in the low 10's for mpg average starting from Grand Junction, CO and now about 80 miles form the Canadian boarder in ND. Much of the time in the 3000 ft elevation i am running 4th thru 6th gear. Today, bucking about a 20 mph head wind, saw forth and once third on a steep hill. Running easily at 55 to 60 mph. Noticed also payload weights. The last time i weighed, figured over 3000# pin weight and also carry a 7k gen set and 4 ,5 gal fuel cans in the bed. I don't see any bounce or swerve on the Ram even on the narrow and sometimes rough roads. All in all, very pleased with everything. Alaska, "here we come" lol

mtofell · Apr 22, 2016

pprice01 said:
the hitch weight of even a smaller 5'er (Hideout 308bhds) I'm way over the payload rating.

Small world.... I just bought the exact model 5th. I don't know if I'd call it "small". It's 35' and I'm at about 10,500# loaded up with typical stuff for a family of 5.

For comparison sake I'm right at my 3000# payload on my 2500 gasser Hemi with the loaded 5th and my wife + 3 kids. I do have a pretty heavy B/W slider hitch that is about 275#.

For this load or anything similar I'd have no problem doing it with the 2500 diesel. Sure, you'll be over the GVWR but not even close the rear axle rating. Realistically, the extra 700# for the diesel is riding over the front axle anyway. If I were buying a truck to match the 5th I'd go with the 3500.

How big of a 5er are you towing?

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