5th Wheel w/2018 2500

[Bldrinker]

I find these threads funny. How is it that the auto transport guys with 3500 dual lies can haul 30-40k lbs.

But we sit here and scrutinize a 10-15k loads on a 2500?

Man those 2 extra tires double the capacity.

OP toss on some air bags load range E tires, drive with common sense and keep the trailer around 17-18ish pounds and you will be fine.

 

[Groundhog66]

I find these threads funny. How is it that the auto transport guys with 3500 dual lies can haul 30-40k lbs.

But we sit here and scrutinize a 10-15k loads on a 2500?

Man those 2 extra tires double the capacity.

OP toss on some air bags load range E tires, drive with common sense and keep the trailer around 17-18ish pounds and you will be fine.

I know it will tow the weight, it's the GVWR that seems to be the issue.

I've got the tires that will handle it.

 

[mtofell]

keep the trailer around 17-18ish pounds and you will be fine.

This might be getting a bit too optimistic. At that weight you'd be well over tire and axle weights.... not a smart place to be IMO.

I'm fine moving past the artificially low GVWR on 2500 trucks since they are essentially the same thing as a 3500 SRW. But once you get past about 15,000# it's hard to stay under RAWR and tire ratings on a SRW truck. Of course, a lot depends on what you carry in the truck and what kind of hitch you have, too.

 

[Bldrinker]

This might be getting a bit too optimistic. At that weight you'd be well over tire and axle weights.... not a smart place to be IMO.

I'm fine moving past the artificially low GVWR on 2500 trucks since they are essentially the same thing as a 3500 SRW. But once you get past about 15,000# it's hard to stay under RAWR and tire ratings on a SRW truck. Of course, a lot depends on what you carry in the truck and what kind of hitch you have, too.

Go watch all of the rigs that pull into Glamis on any given weekend.

3/4 ton trucks rolling in left and right hauling massive weight and they have been doing so for years.

Hell my grandparents traveled the US in a 71 Chevy 1/2ton with a 350 4 speed with a huge fifth wheel.

 

[Groundhog66]

Not looking to push limits, want to be safe, but not limited by artificial GVWR.

 

[Mountaineer83]

The 2500 trucks are all limited by the 10k GVWR. Now, I have a loaded up Laramie but have the 6.4, my payload is 2942 off the sticker. If I had the same truck I have now, but had the Cummins, I'd be about 2200 lbs of payload, +/- a bit.

This illustrates how the 10k GVWR is the difference on payload. The example above shows that you can pull a bigger trailer with the Hemi trucks based on the sticker However, we all know a Cummins is going to handle the weight better power wise and the trucks are identical in every other way. There are numerous guys out there towing over their payload with 2500 diesel trucks.

In my opinion, unless you are getting over 14-15k lbs, a 2500 should be sufficient, but yes, a 3500 would be better, a dually even more so. But once you get into the heavy luxury and toyhaulers, then I'd opt for a dually diesel for the safest combo.

At the end of they day, if you are within your axle limits, tire limits, and you are sensible, I dont see a difference in towing the same trailer with a mega cab Cummins (1700ish payload) or a Hemi crew cab (3000ish payload). Its the same truck, just hindered by a number on paper essentially.

 

[MajorMalfunction]

I've towed tens of thousands of miles with travel trailers. Even did a 7500 mile round trip cross county on a 3 week vacation. I'm very particular about the numbers, the math, and the engineering behind towing safely. So I have to say that the 10K GVW and payload sticker on the doors of a 2500 are "comical" when you get down to it. The maximum rear axle load on my 2500 is 6500 lbs. My payload sticker says 2030 lbs. Put a gas engine in the same truck and the payload goes up 1000 lbs. It's obvious that the weight that can go over the rear axle is entirely based on keeping the GVW at 10,000 lbs and not the actual limitations of the equipment. As others have stated, there are countless threads on what seems a very artificially reduced payload limit on a 2500 CTD.

My 5th wheel is about 1800 lbs tongue load fully loaded and near 12000 lbs total. I have Timbren DR2500D suspension enhancers for the rear axle. Even before I installed them, I had almost no noticeable squat in the rear once I was hooked up. This is opposed to my Ram 1500 that really sank down with only a 700 lbs tongue load trailer. What a difference in how the rear springs handle a heavy load in the 1500 vs the 2500.

Regardless, I can tell you that pulling my 5th wheel near the rated payload sticker is NOTHING like pulling at payload maximum on a 1500. I have no issues with stability, steering, etc. The only reason I got the Timbrens is to try to soften the porpoising you can sometimes get on highway expansion joints. I will say it helps a lot with that. Overall, I have to say that towing/hauling at the payload limit (or a little higher) with a 2500 CTD seems to be quite over rated in terms of scariness, danger, etc. I am certainly not seeing any hints of loss of control, swaying, bottoming out, or anything else to tell me I'm in over my head. And as far as pulling 12k lb trailer, as other have said, the CTD yawns at it plus gets impressive gas mileage when you compare it to the gasser doing the same work.

But in the end, if you can get a 3500, get it. Having too much truck is NEVER a bad thing. But beware! I fell into the trap where you move up a weight class and then start thinking well....I can pull something way bigger now..maybe I should upgrade the trailer too

 

[East0352]

Not sure about the hitch.

But are you serious about wondering if your diesel can pull a 8500# trailer?

Well I’m looking at 5th wheels that are 10,500# and my truck has the 6.4

My 5th wheel is 15k dry and my 6.4L pulled it no problem from Dallas to Houston, Tx. Granted there’s no major hills, but managed 10mpg the hole way at an average of 65-70mph. About to move it to Missouri with it filled with my possessions this time. I’ll see if I actually need the diesel after this tow. 5th wheel is 20k GVW. Using the Demco auto slide.

I recommend looking at the Demco puck system and their Auto slide hitch if you have the 6’4” bed. You’ll regret the $1600 repair bill when you make your first left hand turn.

 

[DZTrucker]

Ok, this thread is the first time I have seen someone say the 2500 has the same axle as the 3500, I have been trying to figure this out. I have a 2017 2500 CTD Crew, Off-Road, etc, and have been trying to figure out if the rear axle is the same as the 3500. I have been having heartburn over this also. I know the suspension is different and has a much nicer ride, that is why I went 2500.

I have been towing a 9,000lb trailer on the class V hitch and looking to upgrade to a 5th wheel but worried about the pin weight also.

We are looking at a trailer hat weights 13k, but the pin weight is about 2600 loaded. I am fine upgrading the tires and adding bags but wasn't sure the axle was designed for it. So my question is, are you sure it is the same axle? The dealer won't answer that question so I have been looking at 3500s.

So for the tires, what are you guys running? I hear Toyos, any other brands? I am only looking at putting about 2800 lbs on the pin loaded, but that is over what my trcuk is rated at, which is 2380. The Cummins definitely has the power and cooling to handle it. I rarely hear the cooling fan kick in unless I have an extended uphill or temps are pushing 100 degrees.

 

[Bldrinker]

Not sure about the hitch.

But are you serious about wondering if your diesel can pull a 8500# trailer?

Well I’m looking at 5th wheels that are 10,500# and my truck has the 6.4

Update no longer looking at 10,500lb fifth wheels.

Pulled our current trailer for the first time this weekend. It’s 7500lbs.

Not impressed with a the 6.4. Maybe it needs more time to break in.
Truck only has 700 miles on it.

 

[Tankerpilot01]

Correct. Looking at the previous pic, the unloaded vehicle weight was 8,500 pounds and change and a carrying capacity of 2500 something. Tongue weight was like 1000 which is heavy but still in spec for a bumper pull and easy for a 5th wheel

Looking at the updated pic, you’d still be good. With a 2500 CTD you’ll be close to max payload but that really depends on how much you have in the truck with you. Check your yellow door sticker and see what your payload number is.

I’ll be getting 5er in the next year so to make sure I have my facts straight:

The door sticker is no kidding from what it weighs when it left factory? They aren’t estimating? So payload on my DRW is 5,266. So they have a scale and weigh every truck as it rolls off the line?

So GVWR of 14,000-5,266; so then I assume my truck weighs 8,734? Is that without any fluids (oil, fuel, coolant, etc?)?




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[BOB RAM 2500]

Well, I have to jump in here. I have my 2018 2500 6.4 4x4 and tow a 2019 Forest River Cedar Creek Silverback 37RTH (Toy Hauler). I upgraded my gears from the stock 373's to 456's. I also added airbags just to make sure everything was perfectly level. I do live in Florida but have traveled to Georgia and around Florida and find it does a fine job. Cruise control usually between 65-70. Upgraded 35" tires and 20" wheels. Average towing gas mileage about 9-10 mpg. Purrs along at bout 2200-2300 rpm @ 68 mph. I have friends that swear by their diesels but I am very happy with my gasser. I always use 93 octane for my truck and boat so that works. I also us the truck to tow my Camplight truck camper (approx 3,000lbs) while towing my 22' Shearwater for weekend fishing trips. Now upgrading the gears mad a night and day difference to the power available in the 6.4. Love it more when i feel frisky while not towing and sitting at a light !!!! Oh .. also added Flowmaster cat back dual exhaust and K&N Performance air intake. Not sure if they help but sure does make it sound great !!! Wish you luck as everyone has an opinion. My opinion is I love my set up. Been a Chevy guy forever and this is my first Mopar. I could not be happier.

 

[Moparfanatic21]

A buddy of mine who is a diehard Ford guy was talking to me, trying to get me to buy a Ford. He said and I quote, "Ram trucks can barely pull the truck itself they can't tow to save their life!" I then said about the Dakotas and how I knew a guy who towed a 16K trailer with his Dakota. He then said, "Those things can't even tow a sheet of plywood." I then showed him the following video and he shut up. So if this truck can move this house trailer with a dated 360 that made at best 300ftlbs I can only imagine what our new trucks will do. I know the following video isn't safe but it's moving it, that's why I always will buy RAM.

 

[pogo3033]

I have a RAM 2500 Quad Cab and 8' bed with Cummins 6.7 pulling a 32' Keystone 5th wheel and it pulls it easily, I think the Keystone has a 1400 lb tongue weight.

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

I’ll be getting 5er in the next year so to make sure I have my facts straight:

The door sticker is no kidding from what it weighs when it left factory? They aren’t estimating? So payload on my DRW is 5,266. So they have a scale and weigh every truck as it rolls off the line?

So GVWR of 14,000-5,266; so then I assume my truck weighs 8,734? Is that without any fluids (oil, fuel, coolant, etc?)?




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Correct. That is no estimate, your payload is 5,266 lbs. Now that IS based on how it left the factory and doesn’t include anything added later.

And agin on your vehicle actually weighing 8,734 lbs, correct. That is a “wet” weight.

 

[Tankerpilot01]

Correct. That is no estimate, your payload is 5,266 lbs. Now that IS based on how it left the factory and doesn’t include anything added later.

And agin on your vehicle actually weighing 8,734 lbs, correct. That is a “wet” weight.

Wet weight. Excellent thanks! I’ll eventually throw it on a CAT scale; but for now I can get pretty close to take that payload and subtract the bed cover weight, tools, me, wife, etc.




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[OC455]

I’ll be getting 5er in the next year so to make sure I have my facts straight:

The door sticker is no kidding from what it weighs when it left factory? They aren’t estimating? So payload on my DRW is 5,266. So they have a scale and weigh every truck as it rolls off the line?

So GVWR of 14,000-5,266; so then I assume my truck weighs 8,734? Is that without any fluids (oil, fuel, coolant, etc?)?




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Damn you HD trucks and your cargo capacities….LOL

 

[mtofell]

Yeah, it's pretty cool they weigh the trucks as they leave the factory. My 6.4 Hemi CC 4X4 6' bed was 6960# so my sticker says 3040# payload. After the factory I added a bed liner, nerf bars, floor mats and, of course, the obligatory bin of tools I never leave behind so I'm usually around 7300# (with me in it @ 240#). Sliding 5th wheel hitch adds 200# or so. Wife + 3 kids is another 250#. So, I really only have about 2200# to play with for 5th pin weight and anything I want in the bed other than the hitch.

I have been as much as 400# over my GVWR but still 800# under RAWR and 1200# under tires (total). Knowing how the "weight game" is played is a crucial part of RVing IMO.

 

[Slick rick 2500]

I have a hartland e326. Same weight, got 5.9 mpg going to California from las vegas in myb15 6.4. Motor is a real work horse pulled it but i was just too worried. I just traded it in for a 2018 6.7 2500.

Not sure about the hitch.

But are you serious about wondering if your diesel can pull a 8500# trailer?

Well I’m looking at 5th wheels that are 10,500# and my truck has the 6.4

 

[GsRAM]

A buddy of mine who is a diehard Ford guy was talking to me, trying to get me to buy a Ford. He said and I quote, "Ram trucks can barely pull the truck itself they can't tow to save their life!" I then said about the Dakotas and how I knew a guy who towed a 16K trailer with his Dakota. He then said, "Those things can't even tow a sheet of plywood." I then showed him the following video and he shut up. So if this truck can move this house trailer with a dated 360 that made at best 300ftlbs I can only imagine what our new trucks will do. I know the following video isn't safe but it's moving it, that's why I always will buy RAM.

I wonder if the frame was bent/broke before he hooked up or after? Itd be good to have that info! Lol... wow. No words!