Concerned fifth wheeler

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Ramlaw58

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My 2020 RAM 2500 Laramie 4x4 6.7L Diesel door sticker says my maximum load capacity is 2100 lbs. I have a fifth wheel RV that is 43.6 feet and GVWR of 15,000 lbs. The hitch weight alone is 2,700 lbs. I'm way over the door sticker number. I'm new at this. I have only taken the RV out twice and the truck seemed to handle it well. Is it safe to tow my RV with this vehicle? TIA for any input
 

JayLeonard

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That's almost 30% over the weight capacity. That's a lot. I would not be comfortable.
 

OC455

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The Cummins will pull a lot of weight. The unfortunate thing is that the Cummins takes up the weight for the payload on a 2500. You already know you are over on the payload, you will more than likely be over on the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR). A 15000 lbs. 5th wheel is a lot of trailer.


Put your VIN into the look up to see what your tow rating is, you're probably over your tow rating by a lot.
 

2020PW

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It’s not about what the engine will do. It’s about the suspension, brakes, etc.
 

BlackGold6.4

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I would think that maybe you are looking at a wrong #.. or at least hope so. 2100lbs is not very much .. my 2014 2500 is 3300lbs and 15500 for towing.. but I'm gas not diesel ... is there that much weight difference between 6.4 and the 6.7?
 

dhay13

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I would think that maybe you are looking at a wrong #.. or at least hope so. 2100lbs is not very much .. my 2014 2500 is 3300lbs and 15500 for towing.. but I'm gas not diesel ... is there that much weight difference between 6.4 and the 6.7?
yes there is. The Cummins is about 900lbs heavier than the Hemi. My 6.4 has a payload of 2973lbs
 

dhay13

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I would take the setup to a CAT scale and weigh it. We know you are over on payload. Are you over on GCRW? Are you over on GRAWR? If you are over on either of those then you are definitely in 'forbidden' territory. My best guess is that you are in 3500 territory. Maybe not a dually but 3500. Best bet is to get to a CAT scale fully loaded like you will be towing.
 

crash68

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The Cummins will pull a lot of weight. The unfortunate thing is that the Cummins takes up the weight for the payload on a 2500. You already know you are over on the payload, you will more than likely be over on the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR). A 15000 lbs. 5th wheel is a lot of trailer.


Put your VIN into the look up to see what your tow rating is, you're probably over your tow rating by a lot.
A typical 2500 CTD can tow around 19K lbs add that to the base weight of the truck and it's in the 27K lbs GCVWR ballpark.

It's the OP's trailer that has a GVWR of 15K lbs, that has not to do with the truck's capacity. His big concern will be staying under the GAWRs.
 

OC455

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Oyou812

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Man, I feel for you. That is exactly why I went for a 1/2 ton to a 3500 Dually. Not knowing what I would be towing a few years down the road I didn't want to have to worry about a weight problem.
 

Zoe Saldana

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My 2020 RAM 2500 Laramie 4x4 6.7L Diesel door sticker says my maximum load capacity is 2100 lbs. I have a fifth wheel RV that is 43.6 feet and GVWR of 15,000 lbs. The hitch weight alone is 2,700 lbs. I'm way over the door sticker number. I'm new at this. I have only taken the RV out twice and the truck seemed to handle it well. Is it safe to tow my RV with this vehicle? TIA for any input

Your 2,100 lbs is an empty truck and 200lb driver. Anything you add e.g. 5th wheel hitch subtract from it.

Is that pin weight fully loaded - up to max capacity, or dry/empty?

You might have squeaked by with a 6.4L.


 

ramffml

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Your 2,100 lbs is an empty truck and 200lb driver. Anything you add e.g. 5th wheel hitch subtract from it.

The 200 lb for a driver is not included in payload. If you weigh 200 pounds and hop in, you have 2100 - 200 = 1900 pounds of payload left.

Payload is an empty truck as it came from the factory, with full tank of fuel and all fluids. Anything else, like running boards you added afterwards, cargo, people, drivers, that is all deducted from the 2100.
 

Zoe Saldana

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The 200 lb for a driver is not included in payload. If you weigh 200 pounds and hop in, you have 2100 - 200 = 1900 pounds of payload left.

Payload is an empty truck as it came from the factory, with full tank of fuel and all fluids. Anything else, like running boards you added afterwards, cargo, people, drivers, that is all deducted from the 2100.

Correct, I was thinking about the old standard.


So, that diesel is only good for getting groceries.
 

Riccochet

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A 5th wheel that's 43' and weighing 15,000#, realistically you're pin weight is closer to 3000-3200# since 20% of GVW is pin weight. Factor in another 200# for the hitch, 300-400# occupants, you are close to 4000# of payload in the tow vehicle.

Honestly, that is 3500 DRW territory. You are grossly overloaded pulling that with a 2500 diesel.
 

ChesterJack

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It really is a very confusing situation. I have a 2500 cummins with a payload of 2100lbs. I pull a travel trailer with it with no issue. But my TT is only 800lbs on the hitch so payload is what drives me. Seems different for everybody what they focus on.
 

BadAzp

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The Cummins will pull a lot of weight. The unfortunate thing is that the Cummins takes up the weight for the payload on a 2500. You already know you are over on the payload, you will more than likely be over on the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR). A 15000 lbs. 5th wheel is a lot of trailer.


Put your VIN into the look up to see what your tow rating is, you're probably over your tow rating by a lot.
Says no vin ifo available then trys to send me to a new truck sales site
 

tron67j

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There is no doubt you have far exceeded your towing spec for payload capacity. I believe you are in dually territory, if nothing else because you add 2 people (or more) plus you 5th wheel hitch plus any other gear and aftermarket accessories, you are close to 3200 pounds payload, or 50% over weight. If you weight scaled it there is a really good chance you are even exceeding rear GAWR, and then the stress on your tires, brakes, etc.

Obviously this doesn't apply in every instance, but diesel in a 2500 is a huge trade-off in payload and if buying that the truck primarily for towing, it is probably wiser to get a 6.4 in 2500 or move to a drw 3500.
 

OC455

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JNelson

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You said it towed it well.

Throw some air bags on it and don’t exceed your tire weight rating and let it eat.
 

18CrewDually

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Reality, should of bought a dually for a 5er of that size.
But you got what you got. I'd go weigh it at a CAT scale and see what your axle weights are. If it is grossly over on rear axle, shop for a dually.
 
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