Rafke77
Member
Ok, let me start off by clarifying I know what the towing capacity and payload is on my 2022 Laramie 2500 is, and I know it's more than sufficient to tow my future fifth wheel.
I see such a range of payloads and towing capacity on Rams website. I know there is a difference between diesel, gas, 4x4 vs 4x2, amount of options (added weight). But even if I'm filtering the vehicles to have most of the same options, they're still 500lb + or - differences in payloads. My truck has 2830lbs payload it shows others over 3000lbs.
I've read other makes have much higher payloads and that's due to Ram having coils opposed to leaf springs and different tires could increase payload.
So, how is the max payload calculated? And if it's just leaf springs that would give the same model with the same options different payloads, would changing from coils to leaf theoretically increase payload? Given this, I read payload cannot be changed, but like I said if it can't be changed then how come there are differences?
I've read a lot of articles and unless I'm not searching the exact correct terms I can't find the answer I'm looking for.
I found this response on jaycoowners.com, from 6/28/19, credit to "spoon059"
"There are 2 schools of thought. There is one side that says the little yellow sticker is the bible and you cannot exceed those weight ratings or your truck will explode and kill a bus full of nuns. There is another side that will point out that a 3/4 ton truck is arbitrarily limited to 10,000 lbs GVWR to keep in as a class 2B vehicle for registration purposes only.
I won't tell you what to think, but I will remind you that your 2018 Ram 2500 is the EXACT SAME TRUCK as a 2018 Ram 3500, with the exception of coil springs instead of leaf springs and minor frame differences to mount the coil springs. Engine, transmission, brakes, axles, wheels/tires (assuming 18" rims on your 2500), bolts, exhaust, seats, etc are EXACTLY THE SAME. The rear coil springs are rated to carry 500 lbs less than the leaf springs. Think about this... if you bought the 6.4 gas engine, magically your rear springs could hold 800 lbs MORE than you can since you have the Cummins. That should let you know that your truck is far more capable then 10,000 lbs, but it is limited simply because it was originally meant to be a class 2B truck, limited to 10,000 lbs.
In most every state in the union, you can register your truck for higher than 10,000 lbs if you want to pay the extra fees, and you will be perfectly legal to exceed the arbitrary 10,000 lbs number. There is virtually no mechanical difference between a 2500 and a single rear wheel (SRW) 3500... other than a 500 lbs difference in rear springs and slightly different frame (because of the different spring mount)."
So, how is payload calculated and contrary to what I've read can it be changed?
Please go easy on me, I'm trying to learn. Thank you.
-Rob
I see such a range of payloads and towing capacity on Rams website. I know there is a difference between diesel, gas, 4x4 vs 4x2, amount of options (added weight). But even if I'm filtering the vehicles to have most of the same options, they're still 500lb + or - differences in payloads. My truck has 2830lbs payload it shows others over 3000lbs.
I've read other makes have much higher payloads and that's due to Ram having coils opposed to leaf springs and different tires could increase payload.
So, how is the max payload calculated? And if it's just leaf springs that would give the same model with the same options different payloads, would changing from coils to leaf theoretically increase payload? Given this, I read payload cannot be changed, but like I said if it can't be changed then how come there are differences?
I've read a lot of articles and unless I'm not searching the exact correct terms I can't find the answer I'm looking for.
I found this response on jaycoowners.com, from 6/28/19, credit to "spoon059"
"There are 2 schools of thought. There is one side that says the little yellow sticker is the bible and you cannot exceed those weight ratings or your truck will explode and kill a bus full of nuns. There is another side that will point out that a 3/4 ton truck is arbitrarily limited to 10,000 lbs GVWR to keep in as a class 2B vehicle for registration purposes only.
I won't tell you what to think, but I will remind you that your 2018 Ram 2500 is the EXACT SAME TRUCK as a 2018 Ram 3500, with the exception of coil springs instead of leaf springs and minor frame differences to mount the coil springs. Engine, transmission, brakes, axles, wheels/tires (assuming 18" rims on your 2500), bolts, exhaust, seats, etc are EXACTLY THE SAME. The rear coil springs are rated to carry 500 lbs less than the leaf springs. Think about this... if you bought the 6.4 gas engine, magically your rear springs could hold 800 lbs MORE than you can since you have the Cummins. That should let you know that your truck is far more capable then 10,000 lbs, but it is limited simply because it was originally meant to be a class 2B truck, limited to 10,000 lbs.
In most every state in the union, you can register your truck for higher than 10,000 lbs if you want to pay the extra fees, and you will be perfectly legal to exceed the arbitrary 10,000 lbs number. There is virtually no mechanical difference between a 2500 and a single rear wheel (SRW) 3500... other than a 500 lbs difference in rear springs and slightly different frame (because of the different spring mount)."
So, how is payload calculated and contrary to what I've read can it be changed?
Please go easy on me, I'm trying to learn. Thank you.
-Rob
