Please help a newbie

[Sue Lingley]

I just purchased a 41 grand design 5th wheel and am having a heck of a time finding correct information on towing capacity. Will a 2015 laramie 2500 v8 3.73L (?) Safely tow 15k lbs?? Some stats say 16k some say 12,600 lbs. So confused

 

[Ricktara]

Use this chart. Too many choices
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAJegQICRAB&usg=AOvVaw0R0IigfV-ywxm5aZshiaRm

 

[Firetruck41]

Sue, you need to look carefully at more than just the tow rating. You needed to look at payload capacity, gcwr, and GAWR too, in order to get a complete picture. Pin weight will be part of payload, as well as everything in the truck including passengers, 5th wheel hitch set up, etc. Realize that many trailer manufacturers are "optimistic"about the weight of their trailers, so plan on some extra weight there.

Is the trailer GVWR 15k? Or is that unloaded? My understanding is 5th wheel pin weight is generally 20% of trailer weight, could be more/less of course. If it was 20% you need a payload of 3k lbs for the trailer alone, not counting passengers, hitch system and other cargo in the truck. A 2500 may or may not be rated to carry that much weight, you have to look at the specs and preferably the door sticker before you purchase.

 

[392DevilDog]

You bought a new 5th wheel and already own the RAM 2500?

I believe you got too much trailer for that truck.

I am assuming it is a Crew Cab Short Bed

GVWR is 10000lbs. A Laramie is probably gonna have about 2200lbs of payload

Rear axle rating is 6000 lbs.

You also didn't say which V8.

5.7 GCWR 18300
6.4 GCWR. 19800

Max tow is 11200 for 5.7 and 12600 for 6.4

Max tow is only 300lb driver passenger cargo in truck. Not each...for all.
And is only a 10% tongue weight.

So. No. That is way too much.

I know some will say you can do it...but it sure isnt gonna be fun

 

[Bldrinker]

I have a 2018 Ram 2500 4:10 with 6.4 V8.
Bumper tow was 12,300ish fifth wheel was 15,000 and pay load was 3,000 something.

I pull a 14,000 bumper pull. I’m upgrading to 4.88 gears to help in the power department.

You have enough truck to be safe. But you are going to be short on power for sure.

 

[Bldrinker]

 

[Bldrinker]

Also you will likely need helper bags. My truck squatted a bit with my trailer.

 

[392DevilDog]

With a 6.4 and 4.10...yeah it would be close.

With a 5.7 and 3.73 you just dont have enough truck to stop it safely over and over again. A panic stop will scare the scrap out of you

 

[392DevilDog]

@Sue Lingley

We need some more info.

https://fcacommunity.force.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

Go here. Enter your VIN.

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

Go here scroll down to look up my vehicle. Click the link and enter your VIN.

 

[392DevilDog]

As soon s we get that info. We can better judge.

I have a 2018 Ram 2500 4:10 with 6.4 V8.
Bumper tow was 12,300ish fifth wheel was 15,000 and pay load was 3,000 something.

I pull a 14,000 bumper pull. I’m upgrading to 4.88 gears to help in the power department.

You have enough truck to be safe. But you are going to be short on power for sure.

Explain how you decided your fifth wheel towing was more than conventional towing.

It would actually be less as you are adding 15 to 20% tongue weight and the chart is set up for 10%.

Very interested if you found something else. Cause the numbers you say would put you way over GCWR.

I think you are misinterpreting the info...but I always like to learn something new.

Max tow is an almost unattainable number.

Only 300lbs allowed in the truck. Only so much for the hitch and only so much for tongue weight.

Anxious to learn if I missed a chart though

 

[Bldrinker]

With a 6.4 and 4.10...yeah it would be close.

With a 5.7 and 3.73 you just dont have enough truck to stop it safely over and over again. A panic stop will scare the scrap out of you

I would like to learn how a 6.4 stops better than a 5.7?

I would also like to learn what chassis and brake rotor and caliper difference are between 2500’s with a 5.7, 6.4 and a 6.7 are.

The OP is definitely under powered. And she is close as far as ratings.

but riddle me this. You can get a f150 with better ratings than her truck. But which truck would you rather use?

Yes the OP is pushing limits. But what’s the difference between her truck and a diesel truck besides power? Yet you still see guys all the time pulling massive 5th wheels.

 

[Bldrinker]

This trailer max is 13,780

my truck is rated in the low 12,000lbs for bumper tow. Yet the truck man handles this trailer as far as control goes. Hill climbing is decent if you are not scared of 4,000rpm.

Ratings mean very little nowadays. Looks at half tons that have the same ratings as 3/4tons.

my old 5.9 2500 mega cab has less rating than a new f150 or Titan.

the weight police can kick rocks when they bring up numbers because the above comparison. And no your insurance will still cover you unless you are something really stupid.

 

[392DevilDog]

Engine braking is greater with the 6.4l engine. Why the 6.4l engine gets a 1000lb more GVWR and 1500lbs more GCWR.

It is also why the 4.10 gets a higher rating and why the Diesel gets an even higher rating.

That is how these numbers are figures out.

You are correct. Plenty if people just love to pull over their limits. And that is perfectly fine.

I am just giving facts and a chance for people to understand the ratings.

That Ford you mention. It is a very particular truck. And alot of people have fallen for that bait and switch too.

And as I said. If she comes back with the 6.4 she is real close. With the 5.7 it is over.

I would much prefer she understand this than find out one day going down a hill at speed.

The 5.7 also has a lighter front axle. When the weight shift happens...that can be a problem at over capacity.

But sure just bag it and head off into the sunset.

 

[392DevilDog]

@Bldrinker

I agree With you. I am just giving information because nit everyone feels comfortable man handling the steering wheel and brake pedal going down a hill

 

[2003F350]

@Bldrinker

I agree With you. I am just giving information because nit everyone feels comfortable man handling the steering wheel and brake pedal going down a hill

Because it's not safe to do that.

Your picture shows an extremely squatted truck, with a LOT of weight taken off the front tires. Your setup LOOKS unsafe.

 

[392DevilDog]

Because it's not safe to do that.

Your picture shows an extremely squatted truck, with a LOT of weight taken off the front tires. Your setup LOOKS unsafe.

I hope you quoted the wrong person.
I am well under my capacity. And my trailering experience is calm cool and collected.

If you meant @blinker. Glad you saw this.

 

[392DevilDog]

@2003F350

I didnt even see his pic.

Yeah. Way over. I bet there is no weight on his front at all. Must be fun driving at night.

But the truck manhandles it. No need to worry about being 2 to 3 k overloaded

 

[2003F350]

@392DevilDog I was quoting him...I think? No, I see I quoted you, but I was referring to his picture. I really thought it I was replying to him...sorry about that.

I know you've been around the block on here several times, and your stuff generally looks set up right. His definitely doesn't.

 

[68PowerWagon]

I just purchased a 41 grand design 5th wheel and am having a heck of a time finding correct information on towing capacity. Will a 2015 laramie 2500 v8 3.73L (?) Safely tow 15k lbs?? Some stats say 16k some say 12,600 lbs. So confused

I have a 2016 with that same setup. Yes max tow is 12,630. The 15k you seen was same truck with 4.10 gears. Not sure where you were seeing 16k unless you mistook that for a diesel. I towed our trailer around last year (13,400lbs.) & it did ok. Last winter I had geared lower with 4.56 gears so it has done much better pulling the mountains this year. I was just about maxed out on every axle so anymore trailer than mine is in 1 ton territory. And if I were bumping up to a bigger trailer I probably would just go ahead & get a duel wheel 1 ton.

 

[68PowerWagon]

Because it's not safe to do that.

Your picture shows an extremely squatted truck, with a LOT of weight taken off the front tires. Your setup LOOKS unsafe.

Bldrinker's truck is not "extremely" squatting. It appears level to me, which is why they have a rake when not loaded. Truck is level, trailer is level, it "looks" safe to me. An experienced driver goes a long way when you are close to maxing out too.