Max payload

[Matt Todd]

First of all I feel like such a p**** asking this question lol but here it goes. I have hauled some things in the bed of my 1500 but this weekend I’m picking up a load of something that will max out the payload, probably around 1500-1600 lbs and with about an hours drive I didn’t know if there’s anything I should be concerned about. Any of you guys that have hauled that much in this truck, how does it handle?

Again I don’t mean to sound like a little girl but since I’ll have my kids tagging along I’d rather be safe than sorry.

PS it’s an 09 ram 1500 sport and it’s a solid truck with no considerable issues in the past.

 

[TXCOMT]

Hey, Matt, have you tried the towing guide on ramtrucks.com? Go here, plug in your VIN and all shall be revealed! Well, maybe not the secret to happiness, but at least your payload and towing capacities! At least, I'd assume Ram would have that data for an '09...sometimes, automakers don't provide data online for older vehicles. If not, you may be able to call Ram for the numbers.

Now I know you asked about handling, but I figured the capacities are a good place to start!

TXCOMT

 

[JoshR104]

First of all I feel like such a p**** asking this question lol but here it goes. I have hauled some things in the bed of my 1500 but this weekend I’m picking up a load of something that will max out the payload, probably around 1500-1600 lbs and with about an hours drive I didn’t know if there’s anything I should be concerned about. Any of you guys that have hauled that much in this truck, how does it handle?

Again I don’t mean to sound like a little girl but since I’ll have my kids tagging along I’d rather be safe than sorry.

PS it’s an 09 ram 1500 sport and it’s a solid truck with no considerable issues in the past.

You will be squatting but your truck should handle it just fine. I believe the rear axles are rated for 3700 pounds since it will be mostly over the rear axle. Going a few hundred over your payload wont hurt it as if you take both axle ratings its always higher than your gvwr max. I just wouldnt make a habit of it.

 

[Matt Todd]

Thanks guys

 

[GsRAM]

Hey Matt, better safe than sorry! No worries asking. I think you'll be ok. If using the stock P rated tires air them to the max sidewall pressure before you load up. Take your time , allow increased stopping distances, etc. Good luck

 

[McBroom]

What kind of tires do you have?
What shape are they in?
Are they anLT type or passenger type tire?
An LT(light truck) tire don’t have a P in front of the number.


I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

 

[Matt Todd]

What kind of tires do you have?
What shape are they in?
Are they anLT type or passenger type tire?
An LT(light truck) tire don’t have a P in front of the number.


I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

Not sure what type they are, I’ll check in the AM. They’re in very good shape though.

 

[McBroom]

Not sure what type they are, I’ll check in the AM. They’re in very good shape though.

Tires are the first thing to consider when trying to figure out if it’s a safe haul or not.


I Love my 18 Ram 2500HD 4x4 CC
Blue Streak Pearl off-road

 

[billyw]

Those tires are likely P metric. Air them up to max. Even LT tires should be aired to at least 50 psi for that load.

 

[VernDiesel]

Cheap set of airbags that you can install yourself would help a lot. Good advice on increased stopping distance. According to the tire manufacturers in their guides etc the max stability and safety is somewhat below the max pressure listed on the sidewall. My Goodyear SRAs that had a max psi of 44 had its max weight carrying capacity, stability, and puncture resistance at 39 psi according to Goodyear. I used several sets towing travel trailers before getting better tires and my experience matched their recommendation. I tried a few sets at max psi then per their recommendation tried 39psi only to prove myself wrong and them correct. Now I have upgraded to what Ram Ford & GM use on the new 1/2 tons; 275/55/20s in an XL load rating.

 

[Matt Todd]

Update, 1600 lbs felt great in the truck...makes me wanna push the limits lol. Thanks for the advice gents!

 

[GsRAM]

Nice! Glad to hear it went well.

 

[Jim Robinette]

Hey, Matt, have you tried the towing guide on ramtrucks.com? Go here, plug in your VIN and all shall be revealed! Well, maybe not the secret to happiness, but at least your payload and towing capacities! At least, I'd assume Ram would have that data for an '09...sometimes, automakers don't provide data online for older vehicles. If not, you may be able to call Ram for the numbers.

Now I know you asked about handling, but I figured the capacities are a good place to start!

TXCOMT

Funny, after entering My VIN it gave me different numbers than using the build out option directly linked to the page. The Enter VIN or Year are 1,000 lbs apart (both on the payload and total) Also, using the VIN shows a 2 door truck for a picture and not the correct Mega Cab.

Would the (factory) Rear Air option I ordered at build have anything to do with this discrepancy?

 

[GsRAM]

Go by the yellow sticker in the driver's door jamb area. That's your actual payload limit. My understanding is that as the trucks go down the assembly line at the end they are weighed and that sticker is then printed.

 

[TXCOMT]

Funny, after entering My VIN it gave me different numbers than using the build out option directly linked to the page. The Enter VIN or Year are 1,000 lbs apart (both on the payload and total) Also, using the VIN shows a 2 door truck for a picture and not the correct Mega Cab.

Would the (factory) Rear Air option I ordered at build have anything to do with this discrepancy?

Hmm...not sure about the air (my Reb has it, too, standard), but as Gs noted, go by the door jamb sticker. Lots of important stuff there, such as the correct air pressures for the stock tires, axle capacities, the secret to life, etc.

Still, I like checking out what the Ram site says about my rig, although, as you've seen, it doesn't appear to be all that accurate!

TXCOMT

 

[Walt2137]

Well a couple month ago i picked up a pallet of wet grase i was told it was betwene 2200 and 2400 and had to set it as far back as possible, the truck did squat but it handled ok, so i say load it up Matt.

 

[Wilmer]

I've hauled 2440 lbs of coal in QC 5.7L with 3.92 gears and 6'4" bed. 40 PSI in the P rated tires, with load index of 115 (2679 lbs).

About a 2.5 hr drive in tow/haul mode.

It squatted low but handled fine. Stock suspension. Speeds up to 65mph.

 

[VernDiesel]

Last slip from Ram1500diesel forum. 4th gen Ram steer and drive axles are safely rated for 3,900 each with a large margin between what the axle Mfg will rate it for and what the auto Mfg rates it for. That said personally I won't be more than 10% over or 4,300 on the drive for great miles time or speed. IE flying 80 mph across say the state of Arizona in 100 degree heat with 4,700 pounds on the drive axle. Always afraid I would hit a bad pot hole or harsh bridge joint and snap. Axle to frame Airbags such as Timbergroves provide support, control, dampen and take shock out but they do not change the legal capacity. I also don't like having more than the combined axle limit weight ie 7,800 on the truck as the brakes get taxed if you haul it down to a hard stop from highway speed. In fact everything gets too mushy at 8k IMO.

The first two slips one with a large 3 slide travel trailer the other from a boat plus a bedload of stuff. Note without WDH and or weight distribution from loading the front axle weights would be less and the drive more to where you start to grossly exceed the axle limit and the truck trailer combo would become unstable and sway prone etc. CAT set up for proper weight distribution is key for stability at or near your trucks listed limits. Combined vehicle weight rating CVWR for the 4th gen 1500 is 15,950 to which the load is 150 pounds shy of on the first slip. Just though some of you might like to see it as many never get weight slips of their larger loads.