Max Trailer Weight Rating- Will I be Legal

Jerry1984 · Aug 2, 2016

I had the air suspension and weight wise you will be fine. What gets you or at least it did me is the wind with a large trailer. My new camper is a 262bh model that is 5800 dry and about 7000 fully loaded. Truck pulled it fine even with a 4 wheeler in the bed. Sure I was over payload a bit, but depending on the speeds you'll be pulling at you may be okay. I ran in to issues around 70. If you pull at 60 or less twice a year a new truck may not be necessary. I double tow the side by side behind our camper so pushing 9000 between the two trailers. I had 3.92s but power wasn't the issue. I sold my truck and bought a f250.

Here's a thread showing a little of what that 1500 air suspension can do. Pretty damn impressive up to 2000 pounds I have heard. Don't exceed axle ratings.
http://www.ramforum.com/f119/stock_1500_air_ride_hauling_some_weight-83731/

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Jackfate · Aug 2, 2016

Wind drag & crosswinds are MAJOR factors . A half ton of any brand can't comfortably tow a tt of that size . I have just tried to do what you ask ,1200 mi. Gave up. Now have 3500.

Glowrdr · Aug 2, 2016

Grunt4Life said:
Thanks everyone! Wife has me looking for a new truck... Works for me

Congrats - I was in exactly your same situation (pre-trailer) earlier this year. Knew I was close with my 1500. Dry weight was fine, loaded I could be over slightly, but the payload was tight from the get go (being 280 myself).

I checked into the EcoD, thinking that might help. Nope - made things worse from a numbers standpoint. Also checking into the Titans (I work for Cummins, so I REALLY wanted to like it) - its outrageous what they are asking for them if you want any type of creature comforts in it.

Settled on a 1 year old 2500 that I got a steal on. More than happy now, and just bought our first TT last weekend, picking it up this Friday. Needless to say, the wife and I are stoked! I have another thread open as I'm adding the power fold A1 Auto tow mirrors (should arrive tomorrow).

Good luck, and enjoy your soon-to-be new truck and trailer!

Grunt4Life · Aug 2, 2016

audio1der said:
Congrats! As much fun as truck shopping is I know most of us wish the 1500 would work for you, but also you want you to be safe and have a reliable tow vehicle. I hope you took our comments in that context

Happy shopping!

Yes I did... They were well appreciated! That's what forums like this are for :happy107:

Sharp Charge · Aug 2, 2016

Look man, I just went through this with my 1500, it sucks. On paper it's all good till you actually hit the scales. Take your truck right now and hit a Cat Scale, it's a couple bucks, go with a full tank of gas and your normal crap and see what you way as is.

When I picked up my toy hauler, (dry weight from factory 6300lbs) with the WDH, it pulled like ****. I had an 11 Outdoorsman 1500 with 3.92 gears.

When I hit the scale with just the truck alone, I was 300lbs under max gross weight without wife, dogs or cargo. This was my every day run around weight! Add the trailer and tongue weight put me 400lbs over. Even after I rebalanced the hitch I said no way. I had the 2500 within a few days and it's MO BETTA!

When you do decide on your rig, you want to scale it 3 times. 1st time, fully hooked up, WDH bars attached. 2nd time, trailer hooked but WDH bars removed and put in bed. 3rd time, just the truck. This will give you all your weights and you can do the math for your actual truck, trailer and tongue weight. Good luck.

Grunt4Life · Aug 5, 2016

UPDATE: So the wife has decided what she wants and now I want to make sure we're good.

RAM 3500 4x4, 4.10 gear with 6.4 V8
Max Payload- 3,876
Max Trailer- 15,500

* Now I fully expect the numbers to be lower (found this out the hard way) but here's are target combination.

5th Wheel
UVW-11,470
Dry HW- 2,190 (Appears to be set for 19% of Loaded weight)
GVWR- 13,600 (HW of 2,584 @19% or 2,720 @ 20%)

I'm trying to plan for a max payload 3,500. Included hitch, cargo and people.

Questions:
Weights appears to be well within truck capabilities, with some room for variations.
1. Is there anything I've over looked and does this seem reasonable?
2. With this type of payload are air bags or auto level system recommended?
3. Is it better to have the Hitch prep done or do it after the fact.

As always, any assistance is well appreciated!

dexter · Aug 5, 2016

Grunt4Life said:
RAM 3500 4x4, 4.10 gear with 6.4 V8
Max Payload- 3,876
Max Trailer- 15,500

I have that truck - see my sig line
My door sticker payload must not exceed is 3,072.
The 3,876 does not take into account the extra weight for the 4x4, 5th wheel prep and other options.

3,072
- 200 for 5th wheel hitch
- 400 for 2 passengers
- 100 for step bars, mud flaps, bed liner, tools

2,372 available for pin weight

Don't get the 4x4 but a limited slip differential and you can add back about 350 lbs. I only got the 4x4 because it what was on the lot and I got a reasonable price.

You could remove the rear seats and pick up what they weight.

Grunt4Life said:
5th Wheel
UVW-11,470
Dry HW- 2,190 (Appears to be set for 19% of Loaded weight)
GVWR- 13,600 (HW of 2,584 @19% or 2,720 @ 20%)

Dry HW- 2,190 - What is the fully loaded HW? That is what you need.

20% of 13,600 is 2,720 which is over what I calculated above.

I think you are going too big on the trailer ---- again.

These are well made 5th wheels and at the heavy end of the size. You need to be looking at this size of 5th.

http://outdoorsrvmfg.com/glacier-peak-F26RKS/

Grunt4Life · Aug 5, 2016

dexter said:
I have that truck - see my sig line
My door sticker payload must not exceed is 3,072.
The 3,876 does not take into account the extra weight for the 4x4, 5th wheel prep and other options.

Hi Dextor- I'm looking at a 3500 not 2500 as noted. Please confirm you have a 3500... Thanks!

bobbo7915 · Aug 5, 2016

dexter said:
I have that truck - see my sig line
My door sticker payload must not exceed is 3,072.
The 3,876 does not take into account the extra weight for the 4x4, 5th wheel prep and other options.

your signature says 2500...post was that he was looking at a 3500, which would be in the 3,800lbs payload area.

my thoughts on the factory airbag setup - on the one ton if it is your daily driver without any payload i would definitely get it, the unloaded ride should be much more comfortable.

on the factory hitch prep - with an 8' bed my thought is 100% yes, you can get a fixed mount fifth hitch that will go right into the factory hitch prep.

if a 6' bed and you will be getting a slider fifth wheel hitch it could end up costing you more depending on hitch choices. most of them require an adapter bracket to fit the factory hitch prep. these brackets are for the most part more expensive then a custom ISR rail kit.

also depends if you want to have the ISR rails bolted in your truck bed, might get in the way of using the bed.

Grunt4Life · Aug 5, 2016

bobbo7915 said:
your signature says 2500...post was that he was looking at a 3500, which would be in the 3,800lbs payload area.

my thoughts on the factory airbag setup - on the one ton if it is your daily driver without any payload i would definitely get it, the unloaded ride should be much more comfortable.

on the factory hitch prep - with an 8' bed my thought is 100% yes, you can get a fixed mount fifth hitch that will go right into the factory hitch prep.

if a 6' bed and you will be getting a slider fifth wheel hitch it could end up costing you more depending on hitch choices. most of them require an adapter bracket to fit the factory hitch prep. these brackets are for the most part more expensive then a custom ISR rail kit.

also depends if you want to have the ISR rails bolted in your truck bed, might get in the way of using the bed.

Great feedback!

Looking at the 6' bed and looking at the Elite™ Series Airborne Sidewinder Combo, 16K Arm w/King Pin #5AS16K, Turret w/Hardware #61300 & Spacer Kit #61301. I believe if used a sliding hitch isn't required. Can anyone confirm??

bobbo7915 · Aug 5, 2016

yes with that style pinbox which rotates at the trailer you can use a standard fixed fifth wheel with the factory hitch prep.

dexter · Aug 5, 2016

Grunt4Life said:
dexter said:

I have that truck - see my sig line
My door sticker payload must not exceed is 3,072.
The 3,876 does not take into account the extra weight for the 4x4, 5th wheel prep and other options.

Hi Dextor- I'm looking at a 3500 not 2500 as noted. Please confirm you have a 3500... Thanks!

Click to expand...

I have a 2500 but you still need to subtract from that the weight you add.

So if you have
3,800
-700 for the things I mentioned
3,100 for pin
-2,720 pin weight
380 lbs to spare

I still think you are buying too much trailer.

Sharp Charge · Aug 5, 2016

What year is the 1 ton? And I'm assuming single wheel axle?

One other thing to consider is if you go diesel, you also have an exhaust brake that you don't get with the 6.4.

I've heard both schools of thought on bed length, my 2500 is a 6.5" bed. Some people have had cab clearance issues on tight turns with the shorter bed and a 5'er. Conversely, the 8 footer is hard to find a parking spot for, lol.

Hitch wise, a friend was just showing me his 5th wheel setup last week when I was in WI. He's got it in an F350, but it's a gooseneck with a 5th wheel that fits the gooseneck. He uses his truck for work too, so his work trailer is a gooseneck. Might be something to think about when making a hitch decision.

Grunt4Life · Aug 5, 2016

Will be a 2017 3500 single...

Sharp Charge · Aug 5, 2016

Grunt4Life said:
Will be a 2017 3500 single...

ok, Here's the towing spec sheet for the 2016's, 17's aren't out yet. This will give you the actual numbers for the truck. Find the one that you're looking at. Cab type, drive, axle and gears and take a look. Regardless of your decision, get real weights once you pull the trigger.

http://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2016_ram_3500_towing_charts.pdf

drittal · Aug 6, 2016

To the OP looking for a 6.4l to pull a 13+k 5th wheel...

I love the 6.4l. It goes a dang good job. Powerful and relatively economical for a big gasser if driven right. But...

Unless you live where it is relatively flat and don't plan on taking super long trips or into the mountains you will really want to look at a diesel for your intended purposes.

Other people have done what you intend to do and some like it, some end up trading in for a diesel.

Jackfate · Aug 7, 2016

bobbo7915 said:
your signature says 2500...post was that he was looking at a 3500, which would be in the 3,800lbs payload area.

my thoughts on the factory airbag setup - on the one ton if it is your daily driver without any payload i would definitely get it, the unloaded ride should be much more comfortable.

on the factory hitch prep - with an 8' bed my thought is 100% yes, you can get a fixed mount fifth hitch that will go right into the factory hitch prep.

if a 6' bed and you will be getting a slider fifth wheel hitch it could end up costing you more depending on hitch choices. most of them require an adapter bracket to fit the factory hitch prep. these brackets are for the most part more expensive then a custom ISR rail kit.

also depends if you want to have the ISR rails bolted in your truck bed, might get in the way of using the bed.

Sorry but wife and I are still laughing on thoughts on ride with airbags unloaded 3500 with factory airbag "auto level"
It rides like a trampoline . But if your hauling their great . Just go to a Rv forum and see what their running . Its hard to find anyone that doesn't have air ride of some type

3500CC,8'2" bed 6.7 w/ auto level single axle 4x4 ,3:42 limited slip 2016

Op sounds like 4-6 mpg on that load

Max Trailer Weight Rating- Will I be Legal

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