Towing/payload for a 2024 6.7 diesel Big Horn

[lindak]

I'm new to the Ram 2500 6.7 diesel Big Horn and fifth wheel camper world. I can't for the life of me figure out my payload and towing capacity. My fifth wheel is 7700 dry weight and just under 30 feet. How much weight can I add to the dry weight camper while including passengers/pets in the truck and still make this a safe ride. We will be taking a cross country trip soon. Our Ram is a 2024. Thanks for all your help. Not good at math.

 

[nlambert182]

Ignore the camper dry weight completely and ignore towing capacity for the truck. Dry weight is no longer accurate the second it leaves the mfg. You'll never get near tow capacity with a camper because most of the weight is fixed. Tow capacity is more applicable on flatbeds where the weight can be shifted to lighten the tongue.

Focus on the truck payload, truck rear axle rating, and the pin weight of the camper. Those are the 3 numbers you need.

This is how you do it without going to a CAT scale (which I do recommend for specific numbers):


On the camper, find the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating sticker. THAT is the maximum your camper should be able to weigh (if you don't overload it), including the cargo capacity. If it doesn't list that number, find the dry weight and the cargo capacity sticker. Add those 2 together for the GVWR.To ballpark calculate pin weight of the camper, multiply the GVWR of the trailer x 20%. THAT is roughly what the weight of the trailer could be sitting on the truck.

It will look something like this and is typically just behind the propane door on the driverside of the fifth wheel, but sometimes it can be up by the pinbox:

For the truck, look inside the door for the sticker that says payload capacity. THAT is the payload of your specific truck (every one is different) before you add any aftermarket accessories or put anything inside the truck.
Figure out the weight of all passengers and any additional cargo and/or accessories. Find out the weight of the 5th wheel hitch. Subtract those 2 numbers from the payload number. That number is the remaining available truck payload.

It will look something like this:



If the estimated pin weight of the trailer is more than the available payload, you're over. If it's under, you're good. If you're over the available payload, but under rear axle rating, you're potentially ok however I personally like to say under all numbers. Being new, I suggest not exceeding either one. Do not exceed that rear axle rating under any circumstances.

This is essentially all you need to do to get an estimate, but I'd always suggest running it across a CAT scale and getting real weights.


IF you're over... don't assume that adding airbags, beefing up springs, etc.. will increase your payload capacity. They don't. 2500 diesels have very little payload and are typically better suited for travel trailers but some lighter fifth wheels are ok.

 

[lindak]

Thanks for taking the time to lay it all out! I think we'll be just fine. We'll just have to learn how to travel a little lighter.

 

[nlambert182]

Good luck! It sounds like you're already overloaded... so if that's the case and you're moving ahead anyhow, I would strongly suggest getting camp ready and going across some CAT scales. Just make absolutely sure you do not exceed RAWR... You're likely only to have ~3k lbs or less available over the axle because the rest is the weight of the truck.

After that, I would visit one maybe twice a year to keep in check. It's way too easy to pack more and more in it and not realize the weight buildup.

Many just don't realize that a diesel 2500 takes away a LOT of payload on a 2500.

 

[lindak]

Hmm...Unless I calculated wrong, I think I'm still under. Truck shows max at 2075, camper 7500 and cargo max for camper 3907. With 2 adults, a dog, a Curt S20 hitch I thought I'd be okay. I doubt we'd be adding 3907 lbs of gear in the camper. Am I off on my calculations?

 

[nlambert182]

GVWR of the camper is 11,407 lbs. The camper may have been 7,500 lbs when it left the factory but as soon as the dealer installed propane tanks and a battery, an upgraded mattress, and any other gadgetry that number is already off by 100-150 lbs or more.

When doing the math, you should always assume GVWR as worst case. It's preferable to do this math prior to buying the truck and/or trailer so that you can match them up but it happens. No matter how hard you try to pack light, it's an inevitability 99% of the time that you're going to overpack. All the little nitnoid stuff in the cabinets will add up. Most who have RV'ed for more than a few years will confirm this.

20% of that GVWR (sometimes it is as high as 22% depending on the storage bay layout) = 2,281 lbs.

I'll guess at the weight of passengers. Let's call it ~375 lbs with the dogs.
Curt S20 = 109 lbs.

Payload = 2,075 - 375 - 109 = 1,591 available payload.

1,591 payload - 2,281 pin weight = -690


You're likely over payload by 690 lbs if you don't have anything else on the truck (like running boards, a bed cover, brush guard, toolbox, etc..) and don't load anything else in the truck.

Load it up just as you would go camping and drive across the scales. This is the only "real" way to know. Based on this math, you're going to have to seriously play the weight game every time you camp. A gas 2500 probably would've had the payload to handle an 11k lb fifth wheel, but the diesel engines costs you 900 lbs of payload right off the bat. Will it physically do it? Yes, as long as you don't exceed the axle. But you need to know how to handle the weight and the trailer. A general "rule of thumb" for Rams in particular (since the 2013+ 2500s have coil sprung suspension and the lowest payloads) is that 2500 diesels are preferable for travel trailers and 3500s are preferable for fifth wheels.

I never like to suggest that a newcomer start off in the negative. It's much easier to learn to handle it when everything is in spec than to try and learn while you're already overweight and don't know what to do.

 

[lindak]

Ouch okay. Not what I wanted to hear. This is not good news. Thanks again for your time.

 

[dhay13]

I'm in the camp that payload matters somewhat. The more important number is like mentioned, GRAWR. Be certain to not go over that or over GCWR. If you are slightly over on payload I'd be ok with that but that's me.

 

[nlambert182]

I'm not a strict payload follower as long as RAWR isn't exceeded. However, for a person brand new to towing a big trailer and brand new to the trucks I tend to try and steer folks towards caution. A lot of us who are seasoned haulers know how to handle the rigs and know how to handle emergency situations and keep them in control. New people often times don't and forget the load is behind them. It makes for a dangerous situation for everyone in the truck and everyone on the road.

 

[runamuck]

best to hook up and go weigh to see what you have. you cant always go by a standard formula. some folks will immediately say your pin wt. is 20% so you're over. you wont know till you get the numbers. my 5th wheel is 10,000# max but my pin wt. is 1680#. every trailer is different. ours has more load aft of the wheels than some other models maybe. anyhow my '22 laramie 6.7 tows the trailer easily and barely squats under the load. I am more concerned that I am towing a little nose high due to the ht. of the truck but dont want to have any less clearance.

 

[nlambert182]

best to hook up and go weigh to see what you have. you cant always go by a standard formula. some folks will immediately say your pin wt. is 20% so you're over. you wont know till you get the numbers. my 5th wheel is 10,000# max but my pin wt. is 1680#. every trailer is different. ours has more load aft of the wheels than some other models maybe. anyhow my '22 laramie 6.7 tows the trailer easily and barely squats under the load.

You start with the standard formula to make your assumptions because it's readily available. 20% is a good average to start with. Most fifth wheels (minus toyhaulers) fall between 18-22%. but I agree... Once you have those go to a scale and get the real weights.

But a scale can't be a one-time thing either. What you scale today when you're new will 100% be different 6 months to a year from now. I'd imagine if the OP went to the scale today with just the basics, they're within their ratings or probably close to it. But... 6 months from now they may likely be over once they've added all the cool gadgetry and widgets that most campers end up buying.

 

[lindak]

Thanks again. Will be heading to the scales in the near future.

 

[texcwa]

Like others have said, it is very unlikely you will ever exceed your towing capacity, but your payload (GVWR) is very likely to be exceeded. I have a 2019 3500 and pulling a 320 fifther (actually 36'). I a have been on scales 4 times now. The first time I was at my rear axle rating (exceeding the GVWR). I relocated my 3500W portable generator from front compartment and made a rear cargo tray on back to hold it. I also made some other weight distribution changes inside the rig locating some of the heaver items from Master bed closet and took my ice chest from back of truck to inside of rig while traveling. This helped my bed weight quite a bit but was still 100 lbs +/- over GVWR (but well under my axle rate). I then thought that since my fresh water holding tank is located behind the rear axle of rig, by filling it with 3/4 of water it may help reduce the bed weight. I then scaled it again and am now under my GVWR fully loaded with a full tank of gas, wife and dog in truck. I have mentioned this before with some responses that by loading water in tank and putting the generator on back could cause an inappropriate load, but I feel no difference while towing and one would have to believe that the RV manufacture expects you to travel with water in tank as well as having a hitch on back of RV to tow, putting some additional weight on back of RV.

Using a Cat Scale is the best thing to do allowing you to make some weight distribution changes for both hitch weight and side to side weight.

 

[dennisok]

Other thing to do is measure trailer height while hooked up to 5th wheel hitch on truck. Don't depend on manufactures data as it's different for each truck that the trailer is hooked too. My height on fifth wheel while hooked up to truck is 13' 8".

I know of two rv owners that were too tall for low clearence overpass. It basically takes out the roof of the fifthwheel when calculated incorrectly.

 

[turkeybird56]

Other thing to do is measure trailer height while hooked up to 5th wheel hitch on truck. Don't depend on manufactures data as it's different for each truck that the trailer is hooked too. My height on fifth wheel while hooked up to truck is 13' 8".

I know of two rv owners that were too tall for low clearence overpass. It basically takes out the roof of the fifthwheel when calculated incorrectly.

OP, ^^^^^ Heck of a Point. I banged the top of my Normal Height Bighorn 1500 while trying to park in a Casino Garage in NJ. Just a dinged the shark fin. U just gotta really measure. Also, I would add an extra 2" to what ever height U measure so U know U good and be aware of roadside clearances. Some overpasses that are dual laned are lower on the sides and a bit higher in the middle, especially older passes that have been there for years and years.

 

[turkeybird56]

best to hook up and go weigh to see what you have. you cant always go by a standard formula. some folks will immediately say your pin wt. is 20% so you're over. you wont know till you get the numbers. my 5th wheel is 10,000# max but my pin wt. is 1680#. every trailer is different. ours has more load aft of the wheels than some other models maybe. anyhow my '22 laramie 6.7 tows the trailer easily and barely squats under the load. I am more concerned that I am towing a little nose high due to the ht. of the truck but dont want to have any less clearance.View attachment 562804

Nice lil load U got there, with/without the peeps, dogs, and all the other stuff, tho u probably loaded with Propane/water, and and in that pic

 

[OC455]

I am more concerned that I am towing a little nose high due to the ht. of the truck but dont want to have any less clearance.

That's a bit of an issue with mine as well. Mine doesn't squat at all...

 

[nlambert182]

Other thing to do is measure trailer height while hooked up to 5th wheel hitch on truck. Don't depend on manufactures data as it's different for each truck that the trailer is hooked too. My height on fifth wheel while hooked up to truck is 13' 8".

I know of two rv owners that were too tall for low clearence overpass. It basically takes out the roof of the fifthwheel when calculated incorrectly.

Yep, it's a consideration. If the trailer is perfectly level, the overall height (including the ACs, etc..) should be below 13'6". As far as I am aware, all manufacturers cannot exceed 13'6" level to meet federal height regulations. If you're exceeding that there is likely an issue with the trailer sitting nose high. It's a bit more difficult on some of the newer trucks to get them level. If you have a 4x4, it can exaggerate things a little more.