Towing Capacities

[WalterG]

Ok, I have something to put out there and see what everyone thinks.

I am comparing tow ratings on 2010 model 1500 Ram trucks, one of which it mine. The max towing that is shown on the Ram Trucks towing site differs from one truck the next. I just wonder why the difference? Why with a truck that has the same basic package equipment as another would be rated at half the tow rating as another?

Here is a list of what I compared.

All trucks include this basic equipment, less minor options, such as heated seats, radio options, seat types, sliding rear window, etc. All information is derived from looking at the build sheet and towing rating on Dodge's websites based on the VIN of each truck.

4X4 Crew Cab Chassis (D - QC)
GVW Rating 6800# (D - 6700#)
P265/70R17 Tires (D&F - 275/60R20)
205MM HD Front Axle
9.25 LD Rear Axle - 3.92 Ratio LSD
Tow Package - Class IV Reciever
5-Spd Auto 545RFE
5.7L V8 HEMI MDS VVT Engine (C - 4.7)
Heavy Duty Trans Cooler
Heavy Duty Engine Cooling

TRX Option - Trucks - B, C, G

Payload/Towing/GCVW
A = 1312/9850/15500
B = 1350/4250/9850
C = 662/6200/12500
D = 1338/10000/15500
E = 1312/9850/15500
F = 1166/9700/15500
G = 1350/4250/9850


So, does anyone have an explanation for the difference?

 

[csuder99]

It's actually quite simple. The manufacturer determines a GCVW, back in 2010 pretty much all mfr would use their own criteria, however there is an SAE recommendation that most mfr follow nowadays.
The GCVW is mostly constrained by engine, transmission and gearing (acceleration, climbing) as well as braking capability. I bet that B and G do not have 3.92 gearing, and C has the lower output 4.7 engine hence the different GCVW.
The other important number is the unloaded weight of the vehicle, the higher the weight the lower the towing capacity as the GCVW stays the same. Vehicle F e.g. appears to be 150# heavier as the payload and towing are reduced by about that amount.

 

[WalterG]

As shown in the equipment listing, all of them have the 3.92 LSD rear axle.

Sent from my HTC One Max

 

[WalterG]

I went through all of the towing spec pages again. All of the trucks are right around 5400lbs (+/- 50lbs) curb weight with one exception, truck C is at 6150lbs.

I am sure that this affects the numbers, but that truck has a higher rating than B & G, which are the three TRX package trucks.

Sent from my HTC One Max

 

[csuder99]

Valid points. Looking here there is no specific mentioning of the TRX package http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2010/docs/ram/rammlup1500.pdf but a good guess would be that the different suspension made the engineers reduce the GCVW. But that doesn't explain C, the document above does not show any variant with 6000+ lbs of curb weight, and why would the less powerful engine have more towing capacity. Maybe somebody fat-fingered the data entry.

 

[WalterG]

Valid points. Looking here there is no specific mentioning of the TRX package http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2010/docs/ram/rammlup1500.pdf but a good guess would be that the different suspension made the engineers reduce the GCVW. But that doesn't explain C, the document above does not show any variant with 6000+ lbs of curb weight, and why would the less powerful engine have more towing capacity. Maybe somebody fat-fingered the data entry.

This is good information, it is about the same as a section of the owners manual that my '02 had. I wonder, since they show the TRX along with the SLT on the section with the Regular Cab truck, if the Crew and Quad Cab models are the same. From all the build sheets I looked at, the TRX is the only package that comes with the LT tires, so I would guess that by using that line in the sheet you listed, then it should be the appropriate specification.

Thanks for posting this, although it conflicts with the spec you can get online for a specific truck VIN, I think its informative. Makes me wonder even more though which to really believe......