Actual Tow Capacity?

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saintfyre

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Hi all,

I've been trying to figure this out and not sure where to turn to figure out the actual tow/payload capacity on my truck.

Just picked up a '22 2500 w/ the 6.7 Cummins, no airbags in the rear and Crew Cab w/ the 6' bed.

Is the https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing/towing-guide.html portal accurate? Tossing in my VIN it's coming back w/ a Max Payload 2,076lbs and Max Towing lbs 16,660 but it's asterisked with "When properly equipped see dealer for details".

Just curious if there's a better way.

Thanks!
 

crash68

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The website isn't always accurate. The biggest no-no is exceeding the GAWR on the truck, you can find those listed on the door jamb. Keep it under those along with whatever your state/plate allows and the Cummins will drag it.
I'm guessing someone is going to suggest you should have bought a 3500..
 

JayLeonard

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My door stickers are exactly what’s shown when I plug in my vin.
 

dhay13

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My door sticker says 2973lbs payload but last time I weighed it with me in it I was at about 7500lbs so only had about 2500lbs of payload left. Only add-ons are tri-fold tonneau cover and factory tow mirrors that I swapped out for the regular mirrors it came with. Hard to believe that added that much weight but the scales don't lie.

But yeah, I'd focus more attention on the GRAWR and GCWR than anything else
 

stevenP

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I just went thru this same analysis. I down sized from a 3500 to a 2500. And downsized my RV as well. The added weight of the diesel(1100lbs), really kills the payload on the 2500s. So you number of 2076 sounds about right. I am towing a 10k fiver, so mine barley makes the cut on payload. The thing is when I walk thru the camp grounds I see rigs that no way should be towed with a 2500, but its done all the time.
So basically mine says on the door jam sticker states the truck is rated for 10k(GAWR)...minus the weight of the truck which is 7800...so maybe around 2200 lbs is your payload legal number.
 
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Loudram

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The thing is when I walk thru the camp grounds I see rigs that no way should be towed with a 2500, but its done all the time.
That doesn't surprise me at all. Those of us who tow and actually know and care about the numbers are few. I'm willing to bet 70% of people in the campground I'm in right now don't know their payload or tongue/pin weight.
 

Irishthreeper

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That doesn't surprise me at all. Those of us who tow and actually know and care about the numbers are few. I'm willing to bet 70% of people in the campground I'm in right now don't know their payload or tongue/pin weight.
I couldn’t agree more. The most common issue I’ve seen in campgrounds all across the country is 2500 Cummins’ pulling enormous 5th wheels. I’m talking 40’ toy haulers, etc, with hitch weights I bet are well over 2500 lbs. I never pry but if it comes up in conversation the owners say they are “probably over payload a bit” but haven’t weighed it. The 2500 Cummins is very capable but pulling it down the road is only part of the equation.
 

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Here's a whole sticky on how to find your numbers:

 

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Payload on the diesel 2500's really suffers due to the coil springs in the rear. Similarly equipped F250's and GMC 2500's have significantly higher payloads for their diesel's. Closer to 4000# of payload. Which is why you see those 3/4 tons yanking around 15,000 - 17,000 lb 5ver's with 3000# pin weights. They're rated for it.

One has to decide what is more important for their needs. Higher payload with a crappy unloaded ride, or a lower payload with a smoother unloaded ride. Ram takes the cake when it comes to unloaded ride quality, that's for sure. Just comes at a cost.
 

OC455

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Similarly equipped F250's and GMC 2500's have significantly higher payloads for their diesel's. Closer to 4000# of payload.
Sometimes, my brother had a 2018 F250 with the 6.7 Powerstroke for a short time and I was curious to what his payload was, it was 2510lbs. He liked the power because it was deleted, but he didn't like that it had quite a few electrical Gremlins in it....wake up in the morning and the windows would be down and unlocked after he locked it up for the night and other stuff similar to that. Crew cab, short bed.

I guess it depends on the configuration...
 

Riccochet

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Sometimes, my brother had a 2018 F250 with the 6.7 Powerstroke for a short time and I was curious to what his payload was, it was 2510lbs. He liked the power because it was deleted, but he didn't like that it had quite a few electrical Gremlins in it....wake up in the morning and the windows would be down and unlocked after he locked it up for the night and other stuff similar to that. Crew cab, short bed.

I guess it depends on the configuration...

That's exactly it. Config matters with the F250's and GM 2500's. My neighbor up the street has a 2020 F250 XLT CC long bed with a payload of 3870. I think it's the bed camper package that adds a lot of payload.

I wish Ram offered a high payload option on the 2500. I'm sure they'd sell a lot more and cut in to Ford and GM sales with it. It's those coil springs that kill it.
 

Loudram

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Here's the perfect example of over weight. This just pulled in next to us. Four people in the truck plus at least two tires and a propane bottle in the bed. It's an F-150 Lariat
20220724_161223.jpg

20220724_162124.jpg
 
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Dusty

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Here's the perfect example of over weight. This just pulled in next to us. Four people in the truck plus at least two tires and a propane bottle in the bed. It's an F-150 Lariat
View attachment 498691

View attachment 498692
Hope he trades it before he needs a transmission.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 74737 miles
 

Adam E

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Here's the perfect example of over weight. This just pulled in next to us. Four people in the truck plus at least two tires and a propane bottle in the bed. It's an F-150 Lariat
View attachment 498691

View attachment 498692
I also bet he made good time getting there going 75MPH down the highway :D

I have a family of 5 so when I was looking for a travel trailer I wouldn't go above 5000lb dry.
I use my tongue weight scale before every trip and I'm always between 700 and 750 lbs.

With the payload of my 1500 and nothing in the bed I'll still over 80% of my recommend payload.

@Loudram You must be getting close to your payload numbers when loaded?
 

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Hello

You can get a can very decent payload for the ram 2500. You just can't have the Cummins. With the 6.4L you can get the payload up to 3300 to 3500lbs. I am pulling a TT around 6000lbs any getting 9.5 to 10.5 mpg. Have a 2011 3500 6.7 and get 11.5 to 13.5 mpg however take a small loan to fill up now.
 
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Loudram

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@Loudram You must be getting close to your payload numbers when loaded?
I'm right there at my limit. I have a sticker payload of 1553. My truck weights 5835 with my hitch installed and me in it with a full tank of gas. That leaves 1065 actual payload. My tongue weight is between 900 and 950. The trailer weighs 7105 loaded. My truck has a 10600 tow rating. For me the 80% rule is a nice guide but these truck have safety margins built in so I don't have a problem going to my limit on tongue weight with a solid set up.

I have a Weigh Safe True Tow hitch so I adjust my weight distribution based on my tongue weight each time I tow. This hitch allows me to really dial it in. On my trip to Carlisle All Chrysler Nationals I found a 18 wheeler doing between 60 and 65. He was in no hurry so I got behind him and was drafting him a bit but keeping a safe distance. All the other 18 wheelers were flying by us doing at least 70. My rig never moved. I never needed a second hand on the wheel when they passed. My trailer tracked straight and true. It's a solid set up and a fantastic hitch.
 
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flashman252

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So just did the vin look up and it says for my truck my max load capacity is 2234 meaning I can put 2000 lbs of stuff inside my truck bed (passengers included).

The max towing lb is 17,790. So if I am looking at a new fifth wheel and the dry axle weight is 7300 lbs and I put my UTV in the back (1600 lbs) and add full tank of water (625 lbs), plus all the extras (500 lbs) then I am looking at a trailer that is roughly 10025 lbs (we will say 10500 lbs to be safe). I have 7000 lbs of wiggle room for passengers and cargo to go in the truck. Also, the trailer has a 12,500 GVWR rating so thats if the trailer is packed to the gills of towing and the truck should be more than capable of towing this.

Am I figuring this right?
 

Loudram

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So just did the vin look up and it says for my truck my max load capacity is 2234 meaning I can put 2000 lbs of stuff inside my truck bed (passengers included).

The max towing lb is 17,790. So if I am looking at a new fifth wheel and the dry axle weight is 7300 lbs and I put my UTV in the back (1600 lbs) and add full tank of water (625 lbs), plus all the extras (500 lbs) then I am looking at a trailer that is roughly 10025 lbs (we will say 10500 lbs to be safe). I have 7000 lbs of wiggle room for passengers and cargo to go in the truck. Also, the trailer has a 12,500 GVWR rating so thats if the trailer is packed to the gills of towing and the truck should be more than capable of towing this.

Am I figuring this right?
Take your truck to a scale with a full tank of gas and weigh it. Subtract that from your gross truck weight. That's how much payload you really have. Don't forget to factor in your hitch. I'm not familiar with 5th wheel pin weights but subtract your LOADED pin weight from your payload and that's how much room you have left for passengers and cargo. On a travel trailer the loaded tongue weight can be and usually is hundreds of pounds more than an unload trailer. I'm sure it's the same way with 5th wheels.
 

OC455

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So just did the vin look up and it says for my truck my max load capacity is 2234 meaning I can put 2000 lbs of stuff inside my truck bed (passengers included).

The max towing lb is 17,790. So if I am looking at a new fifth wheel and the dry axle weight is 7300 lbs and I put my UTV in the back (1600 lbs) and add full tank of water (625 lbs), plus all the extras (500 lbs) then I am looking at a trailer that is roughly 10025 lbs (we will say 10500 lbs to be safe). I have 7000 lbs of wiggle room for passengers and cargo to go in the truck. Also, the trailer has a 12,500 GVWR rating so thats if the trailer is packed to the gills of towing and the truck should be more than capable of towing this.

Am I figuring this right?
You have to know the pin weight, what make and model 5th wheel are you looking at? The pin weight of the 5th wheel will go against your payload. So, the driver, passengers, dogs, hitch, whatever you put into the truck plus the pin weight of the 5th wheel will probably eat up that 2234lbs., payload capacity. Then the stuff you add to the 5th wheel will add to the pin weight too.

Let's just use some light weight figures....
Driver weight: 150lbs
Passenger weight: 110lbs (spouse) 2 young kids: 160lbs
Stuff you put in the truck/5th wheel hitch too: 150lbs hitch +100lbs various camping items
Pin weight of the 5th wheel: 1400lbs pin weight

2070lbs., for everything you added to the truck....leaves you less than 200lbs., for anything else. The other is to check your axle ratings, you'd have to weight your truck to make sure you are not over the axle ratings. CAT scales probably the best way to know for sure.
 
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Riccochet

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6.7 2500's really suffer with payload. You're going to have a hard time finding a 5th wheel with reasonably light pin weight. Pin weight is generally 20-23% of trailer weight. So even a 10k lb 5th wheel is going to have at least a 2000 lb pin weight.

Diesel 2500's are better suited for towing heavy bumper pull travel trailers. Where tongue weight is 10-15% of trailer weight. You can tow a rather large bumper pull and be fine.
 
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