2018 2500 tradesman

[rdecae81]

I am looking at a 2018 2500 tradesman, 6.7L diesel. door sticker says 2,458 Cargo. if my research is correct, this is basically the minimum for a 2500 and it means there is no OEM gooseneck/5th wheel set up. If there was I believe the cargo rating would be around 3,050.

is my research correct.

 

[Choupique]

No. The truck is only rated for 10,000lbs gross. A 7500 lb truck can only handle 2500lbs of cargo. I dont think you can get a 2500 diesel over 3000lbs cargo rating except maybe a single cab 2wd.

 

[tron67j]

My 2018 2500 CC LB 6.4 gasser is rated at 3,000 pounds. Adding the diesel engine reduces the PC. Looking at a 5th wheel you should really consider a 3500. Once you add the hitch and people, and if any accessories like running boards, your looking at a max trailer of under 11k pounds. If your buying the diesel and the conversation is immediately going to payload capacity, buy the 3500 and be much happier.

 

[06 Dodge]

If ya need/want gooseneck that's when you look for a long bed DRW truck

 

[2003F350]

A 2500 tradesman diesel with 2458 payload is pretty close to the max in a 2500 unless you go with a gasser. It's probably the best you're going to find in Ram.

The only 3/4 ton trucks built with a diesel AND over 3k payload that I'm aware of are the F250 Super Duties with the 'Heavy Tow' package. My FIL just picked one up this summer, he's got something like 3100 lbs of payload capacity.

However, I agree with the above, if you're looking for high payload and plan on using it a lot, jump up to a 3500 - it'll save you grief down the road.

 

[rdecae81]

thanks, as noted I really like the ride of the 2500, and I do not want a dually. So a SRW 3500 would be my only other option. Guess I will just have to keep my 5th wheel under 10K. And I am only looking at 34-36' fifth wheels so I can probably do that. plus I never travel with water, I am basically a dry camper 90% of the time, so under 10K is douable.

thanks for all the feedback.

 

[mtofell]

Payload goes quickly when pairing the truck with a 5th wheel. My 2500 gasser has 3000# and is right at (and even sometimes a couple pieces of firewood over) the 10,000# GVWR (but still well under my axle and tire ratings). The 5th wheel is only 9000# dry so even with your idea of <10K 5th wheel might be too much.

 

[nlambert182]

thanks, as noted I really like the ride of the 2500, and I do not want a dually. So a SRW 3500 would be my only other option. Guess I will just have to keep my 5th wheel under 10K. And I am only looking at 34-36' fifth wheels so I can probably do that. plus I never travel with water, I am basically a dry camper 90% of the time, so under 10K is douable.

thanks for all the feedback.

Possible yes... easy? not necessarily. If your payload is 2,458 lbs, below is the realistic pin weight that you have to stay below:

Base payload: 2,458
Estimated Passenger weight (2 passengers): 400 lbs
Estimated fifth wheel hitch weight: 200 lbs (could be more or less depending on what you were to choose)

Estimated available payload: 1,858 lbs.

If you based your trailer wet pin weight on the payload above with no margin for error, your maximum gross trailer weight needs to be 9,280 lbs. (9280 x 20% = 1,858)


A 34-36' fifth wheel under that weight is going to be tough to find. Possible I suppose, but tough. This assumes that you'll not add anything to the truck that didn't come factory and that you'll only have 2 passengers as well.

 

[rdecae81]

thank you for those numbers. that is great information. I am a numbers person, so I can take this and run with it.
so I assumed 4 adults 900lbs
Goose neck connection, not 5th wheel
pin weight of 15% (appears I was wrong about that)
so I had a RV weight of 9k
900
1,350
200lbs of riding gear etc in the cab
all other items would be in the RV and again a total weight of 9K in the RV

Again thanks for the numbers I can figure things out from this information

 

[nlambert182]

Yep 15% is the bare mininum on a fifth wheel and 99% will never have a 15% pin weight, even from new.

I still caution that it's going to be extremely difficult to find a 34-36' fifth wheel under 9k lbs.

If you're going to run a gooseneck, stay away from the adapters. Make sure you're using a goosebox like a Reese Goosebox or a Gen-Y replacement box. The adapters can crack the frame.