Towing and Load Capacity

[FAST42RACER]

I'm looking at a new fifth wheel camper. the trailer is 13,007 empty and 16,970 fully loaded. Trailer has a hitch weight of 2970. I have an '04 Dodge 3500, dual wheel, 2wd, quad cab, long bed, 5.9 Cummins, 4 speed auto trans and 4.10 rear gears. My question is I have searched the web for towing capacity. I know payload is the main factor and the best I can find is around 3200. That seems low considering I see these trucks hauling huge trailers everywhere. If the payload is in fact 3200 then it seems this truck can not haul any fifth wheel. With a pin weight of 2970 that only leaves 230 left on the payload, would this be correct? Also GVWR says 11500, I take it that that is the weight of truck, pin weight and all cargo and passengers in truck. If that is the case this truck isn't even made for hauling. Am I seeing these numbers as right? THANKS

 

[OC455]

There is a sticker on the inside of your driver's side door jamb on the B pillar portion that will tell you your max cargo/payload weight is.



Probably looks similar to this? I do not know how far back the Ram Trucks website VIN look up will go, but it might be worth a shot to get exact numbers you need.

Ram Towing | Find the Best Truck for Your Towing Needs

Find everything you need to know about Ram towing capacity, payload & more here. Discover the best Ram truck or van that fits your towing needs today.

www.ramtrucks.com

 

[CamperMike]

I think the numbers you are finding of only 3200 payload are for the SRW your DRW has a lot more capacity.

 

[FAST42RACER]

There is a sticker on the inside of your driver's side door jamb on the B pillar portion that will tell you your max cargo/payload weight is.

View attachment 471412

Probably looks similar to this? I do not know how far back the Ram Trucks website VIN look up will go, but it might be worth a shot to get exact numbers you need.

Ram Towing | Find the Best Truck for Your Towing Needs

Find everything you need to know about Ram towing capacity, payload & more here. Discover the best Ram truck or van that fits your towing needs today.

www.ramtrucks.com

Mine doesn’t have the payload on it. The Ram site doesn’t go back that far. My sticker is the old style and only has the GVWR 11500. If I knew for sure the curb weight I would know. Now I do believe this truck weights under 7000 which would make the payload closer to 4500 which seems more likely.

 

[FAST42RACER]

I think the numbers you are finding of only 3200 payload are for the SRW your DRW has a lot more capacity.

I can’t actually find any numbers, that’s a number others have posted elsewhere. I just wanted to see it with my own eyes.

 

[dhay13]

I would think you'd have more payload than that but not sure back in those years. Like was said, check for that sticker on your door jamb. If that isn't there then look at the black and gray one that has GRAWR (or GAWR-rear) to see your rear axle capacity. Then take your truck to a CAT scale and see what your rear axle currently weighs. Not ideal but it should get you close i the yellow sticker isn't there

 

[OC455]

Mine doesn’t have the payload on it. The Ram site doesn’t go back that far. My sticker is the old style and only has the GVWR 11500. If I knew for sure the curb weight I would know. Now I do believe this truck weights under 7000 which would make the payload closer to 4500 which seems more likely.

Surprised, the 2005 1500 I have has the payload/tire sticker...

 

[OC455]

If you can get your curb weight, and if it is over 7000lbs, you would still have a pretty decent payload. I think you still might be limited on towing though.

 

[Smokeybear01]

My 05 w/dualies and cummins 4wd has a scale weight of 8350 with a toolbox, tools, and 5th whl hitch. Don't remember the exact weight for each axle. My trailer is 14700 dry and fully loaded I am still under the trucks rating. I did the math a few years ago and my memory isn't so good at 71 years. You do want to make sure your tires meet the weight limits and you're running maximum inflation or they'll heat up fast and that's when you have problems. I see idiots all the time bragging about having the 'power' to haul triple axle toy haulers fully loaded with 3/4T trucks. Power only gets you up the hill, it takes a real truck to handle the trailer. You shouldn't have any problems with your setup.