Load Rating questions/concerns for Ram 2500 Diesel truck

[RogerZ]

Hi All,

I am a newbie member. I purchased my Ram truck about 4 months ago when I had a break down RV’ing on the road with my 2005 DuraMax 2500 diesel in Northern California. The wait time for injector repair was 2 months so I decided to purchase this truck in Eureka which was one of the few trucks in stock in this part of the country. The new ram truck pulled my old 9,000 lb 5th wheel just fine.

New Truck specs:
2020 RAM 2500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 Long Bed 8’, Engine 6.7L I6 Cummins Turbo Diesel, Transmission 6 speed auto 68RFE, 3.73 Axle ratio, white with black interior.

Recently I had a minor fire in my old 2005 5th wheel trailer and decided it was time to replace. I bought a 2020 Grand Design Solitude 310-GK 5th wheel trailer. Of course the dealer said that my Ram truck would tow it just fine. I stupidly did not make them show me the actual numbers to confirm this statement. The truck does actually seem to tow it just find with plenty of power up hills and has very good steering and breaking control. The truck back suspension does go down perhaps 4-5 inches when hitching up to the 5th wheel. The springs and wheel wells seem to have plenty of clearance.

I decided that perhaps I had better weigh my rig to make sure it is legal/safe - weight wise -

Here are the weights:
Total Truck and 5th wheel:
truck steer axle: 5220
truck drive axle 6620
trailer axles 11020
total axles 22860

Truck only
truck steer axle: 5240
truck drive axle: 3580
trailer axle: 0
total axles 8820

Based on above information:
tongue weight is 6620-3580 = 3040
total trailer weight is 22860-8820 = 14040

I am unable to find my truck payload data on the web site ramtrucks.com - towing & capability charts? I think the total trailer weight of 14,040 is no problem. I think my back truck axle is 600 overweight as sticker on the truck says max of 6040 max axle weight. I would guess my payload is definitely over but not sure how much as no charts seem to be available for my truck. I have contacted ram corporate and a dealer and both think I am ok, but they can not show me actual documented data to verify it! I think my tires are also under weight rated for 6600 by 100-200 each. I intend to install higher rated Michelin tires for this problem. Hopefully I can get higher than a E rated tire.

What do you all think about my high tongue weight on this truck? Is it not too dangerous or should I be looking to trade my truck in for a 3500 dually?

Appreciate any advice you all may have for me

Happy New Year to all.

 

[Motoman501]

There are many on here that are smarter about this stuff than I am but my 2015 Cummins 2500 Tradesman had about 2300lbs of payload. After finding this site and learning about payload I was shocked how low the payload capacity was on 2500 diesels. Your payload will be on the sticker on the driver's side door and I'm betting the number will be far less than you hope.

 

[MADDOG]

I've attached the towing capacity chart for 2020 2500 & 3500 trucks. You can find the info in there you need to determine your truck's UVW, GVWR, payload, etc... then do a little trailer math. Just on the face of it I think that pin weight, which counts as payload, puts you over the truck's GVWR.

 

[NH RAM]

Your shipping hitch weight is 2350 pounds per the mfr specs and 12,100# dry trailer weight. Before you add anything to the truck or camper (including the 5W hitch), you're at / over max payload. Payload is a SOB with the 2500 diesel; My gas 2500 has 3140# payload and your diesel is probably right about 2000#.
This is where the fun starts- deciding if you want to upgrade to be within the stated limits or run it as is. There are plenty of arguments on the internet for both sides. I would certainly add airbags with that much weight- I added them to my 2500 and it helps a lot even though I'm not close to max payload. This may also transfer a little more weight to the front.

In my opinion, the used truck market is very strong right now- I'd upgrade the truck to a 3500 and you'll get around 4300# of payload if I read correctly.
Here's a link to general payload and towing numbers for the 2020's.
https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d..._HD_3500_D2_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY20.pdf

 

[dhay13]

You are over payload by about 1000lbs just based on your pin weight. Your payload should be on a yellow sticker in your drivers door jamb. Probably be around 2100-2300lbs. In addition to your pin weight you have to add any passengers, cargo in the rear, etc. Looks like you were about 1800 over payload. My 6.4 has 2973lbs payload and that would probably even be overloaded with my 6.4. Not about the power but the vehicle weight class. Will it do it? Probably. Do others do it all the time? Yep. Should you be in a 3500? Yep. A 3500 SRW will probably be ok but I'm not sure exactly what the weight limits are on a 3500 SRW. A dually would definitely be legal

 

[BWL]

The door sticker will have your axle and gvwr ratings. As far as tare weight you just have to run it over a scale to find out for sure. They vary too widely to really get an accurate number.

 

[Sandevino]

Click this link and look up your vehicle by your VIN for your specific payload.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing/towing-guide.html

 

[RogerZ]

Thank you all for your responses. Thank you NH RAM for the latest 2020/2021 charts. Where did you find them?
What does SRW & DRW mean on these charts?

I am thinking about upgrading to
2021 RAM 3500 LIMITED LONGHORN CREW CAB 4X4 8' BOX
AISIN 6-Speed Automatic Transmission

MAX PAYLOAD
5091.56LBS
MAX TOWING
34091.56LBS
3500 with 6.7L I6 HO Turbo Diesel DRW 4.1 axle ratio gvwr=14000, payload=6150

 

[RogerZ]

'I found srw - drw. Now I see why drw dual tires have more load ratings. Do dually's have lots of cons? Perhaps changing tire, more cost, road handling, etc.?

 

[BWL]

'I found srw - drw. Now I see why drw dual tires have more load ratings. Do dually's have lots of cons? Perhaps changing tire, more cost, road handling, etc.?

More tires, worse handling. Rough ride. PITA to fit in a parking spot. If you don't need a dually then stick to SRW. Way nicer to drive not towing. Pretty much have to keep 1000lbs in it or it'll wander and skip around on you. I've known a few people who thought it would be cool to daily a dually. They didn't feel that way for long. If it's just a secondary vehicle for towing there's less downside.

 

[Elkman]

If the weight of the 5th wheel is lowering the bed by 5 inches then the rear springs are not providing enough support and the rear shocks will take a beating. The heavy duty Ram pickups have leaf springs and I would phone the people at SuperSprings and get their recommendation for an upgrade.

My Duramax has a payload from the factory of 2800 lbs but after adding a double lead set of SuperSprings I could have a 4,000 lb load in the bed with no saggins at all and much improved handling and ride and shocks were a lot happier as the range of travel of the rear axle was greatly reduced.

 

[RogerZ]

Thanks for the response. I decided to up grade to a Dodge 3500 dually. Will leave on my first trip with it this Thursday. Towing trailer to Quartzsite to boon dock 4 nights, Then to Gila Bend for 2 nights of full hook ups, and then to Organ Pipes National monument for 4 nights of zero hook ups at the park camp ground. This is a beautiful park close to the Mexican border and it is just as warm as San Diego. Returning to San Diego via a 2 night stay in Gila Bend with full hook ups. Hope every thing goes well on my ****** trip dry camping with my trailer and the new truck. Hope my 4 Battleborn Lithium batteries and solar panels keep me powered up.

 

[dhay13]

If the weight of the 5th wheel is lowering the bed by 5 inches then the rear springs are not providing enough support and the rear shocks will take a beating. The heavy duty Ram pickups have leaf springs and I would phone the people at SuperSprings and get their recommendation for an upgrade.

My Duramax has a payload from the factory of 2800 lbs but after adding a double lead set of SuperSprings I could have a 4,000 lb load in the bed with no saggins at all and much improved handling and ride and shocks were a lot happier as the range of travel of the rear axle was greatly reduced.

The 3500's have leafs but the 2500HD's have coils. And yeah adding leafs will help it from sagging but won't increase your payload. Whatever is on your yellow sticker is it. Can't be changed unless you remove bumpers, bed, etc. 4000lbs might ride well but still isn't legal

 

[runamuck]

my son bought a new 2500 dsl laramie a cpl. weeks ago to pull his 8500# 5th wheel and has already added the 5000# airbags..he only had about 2100# cargo cap..tells me if I go dsl, should get 3500. My trailer not as heavy and I cant afford dsl so looking at 2500 gassers.

 

[JayLeonard]

my son bought a new 2500 dsl laramie a cpl. weeks ago to pull his 8500# 5th wheel and has already added the 5000# airbags..he only had about 2100# cargo cap..tells me if I go dsl, should get 3500. My trailer not as heavy and I cant afford dsl so looking at 2500 gassers.

I just bought a new Bighorn diesel and I have a 2240 lb load capacity. It's enough for my TT as I just changed from a 17 1500 that ran out of load capacity.
So the laramie must have 120 more pounds of options than a Bighorn. lol