Towing/payload for a 2024 6.7 diesel Big Horn

[truck2014]

What facts? They are just numbers for registration purposes that don’t reflect the real capabilities of the truck.

I have been towing fifth wheels for a longtime . There is no question the 6.7 Cummins will tow it . The thing I am always concerned with is my rear tires , can they handle the weight . Pretty sure most of these single rear wheel Rams come with an E rated tire thats rated for 3640 lbs. @ 80 psi . Thats what I do not want to exceed on my rear axle 7280 lbs. period . I really don't care much about the rest of all the GVWR's RAWR's etc . I do not want to overload my tire ratings .

We all now what we can pull ,just need to be a bit careful about what we can haul . I really never understand why we have 2500 ,and 3500 . I buy 3500 . I see so many guys towing with 2500 thats questionable on weight if you want to go by ratings , yet are running the same E rated tire as the 3500 , with one less leaf spring .

 

[06 Dodge]

I have been towing fifth wheels for a longtime . There is no question the 6.7 Cummins will tow it . The thing I am always concerned with is my rear tires , can they handle the weight . Pretty sure most of these single rear wheel Rams come with an E rated tire thats rated for 3640 lbs. @ 80 psi . Thats what I do not want to exceed on my rear axle 7280 lbs. period . I really don't care much about the rest of all the GVWR's RAWR's etc . I do not want to overload my tire ratings .

We all now what we can pull ,just need to be a bit careful about what we can haul . I really never understand why we have 2500 ,and 3500 . I buy 3500 . I see so many guys towing with 2500 thats questionable on weight if you want to go by ratings , yet are running the same E rated tire as the 3500 , with one less leaf spring .

Not all E rated tires have are the same weight rating, weight rating is based on the size of the tire and , example 267/75/17 is only good for 2910 lbs @80 psi < -- from my old 06 2500, my 2022, 2500 with 275/70/18 is 3640 lbs @ 80 psi, also my 2500 axel is only rated for 6040 lbs an not 7280 lbs that I assume is for the 3500 trucks

 

[truck2014]

Not all E rated tires have are the same weight rating, weight rating is based on the size of the tire and , example 267/75/17 is only good for 2910 lbs @80 psi < -- from my old 06 2500, my 2022, 2500 with 275/70/18 is 3640 lbs @ 80 psi, also my 2500 axel is only rated for 6040 lbs an not 7280 lbs that I assume is for the 3500 trucks

I was referring to the newer 2500, 3500 single rear wheels they come pretty much stock with E rated tires , the 18" rated @ 3640 . Most likely the 20" E rated LT 285/60/20 are also rated @ 3640 . Your rear axle is the same as some 3500 rear axles , depending on the tow package. The 3500 could be AAM 11.5 same as yours or the AMM 12" depending on how it was ordered . But regardless the 3500 is going to be a higher weight rating , suspension .

My point was tire ratings , sure your axle is rated for 6040 , only because of the suspension , not the axle or the tires which could be the same as on the 3500 , but the 3500 has more weight rating , because of the different suspension .

I wouldn't be afraid to hook my fifth wheel up to your truck from what I have read about the 2500 , I would add some airbags to give it more capability , no it's doesn't change the rating , but does give it more capability . I am much more afraid of tire ratings than any other thing . Sure there is a point to where it's also going to be handling ,but by then most likely we have overloaded the tire ratings also . Now we are into dually territory .

 

[truck2014]

Not necessarily.... it depends on what's on the truck. Things like tire size, trim level, and gear ratio. 18" wheels will net you a higher payload than 20" wheels (more tire sidewall) and a tradesman will net you a lot more payload than a limited.

It appears there is 17,18, and 20" tires, and wheels that come on the Ram 2500, 3500 single rear wheel trucks . It looks like 17" only come on the Tradesman , as well as 18". The higher trim levels come 18' ,and 20" stock , depends on what you order . Not sure you can get a 17" on the higher trim levels when ordering , possibility . I wouldn't want 17" on any of them . Stock tire sizes for the Ram Tradesman 2500 can be LT 245/70/17 , LT 275/70/18 , 17 being around 3000 lb rating . 18' being 3640 lb rating . Thats what I am seeing for the Tradesman stock . The higher trim levels come with the 18' or 20 " , they are either LT 275/70/18 E rated or LT 285/60/20 E rated . Load index 125 . Both tire sizes rated at 3640 @ 80 psi . So not sure what you are seeing as far as tire ratings on these trucks , if anything a Tradesman can have a lower rated tire , where a higher trim level will not . But nevertheless the higher trim levels will never have a lower tire payload rating then a Tradesman , the Tradesman may have a higher payload , but it won't come as far as the tire ratings .

I don't see where you are coming up with higher payload on 18" versus a 20" tires on these Ram 2500 or 3500 E rated tires , they are typically the same weight ratings 125 load index E rated @ 3640 @ 80 psi . Payload comes higher with suspension between the 2500 ,3500. Axles can be the same ,so that will not be a factor . I am talking axle size ,not gear ratio .

As far as the OP the limiting factor being his suspension , most likely that Big Horn he's running has LT 275/70/18's rated at 3640 lbs @ 80 psi . I would also guess they are the Firestone Transforce tires , could be either HT's or AT's .

 

[nlambert182]

Why divide by 2?

Because roughly half the weight of the RAWR is taken up by the weight of the truck itself. The RAWR number doesn't account for the weight of the truck, only the overall rating that the axle can handle.

 

[nlambert182]

It appears there is 17,18, and 20" tires, and wheels that come on the Ram 2500, 3500 single rear wheel trucks . It looks like 17" only come on the Tradesman , as well as 18". The higher trim levels come 18' ,and 20" stock , depends on what you order . Not sure you can get a 17" on the higher trim levels when ordering , possibility . I wouldn't want 17" on any of them . Stock tire sizes for the Ram Tradesman 2500 can be LT 245/70/17 , LT 275/70/18 , 17 being around 3000 lb rating . 18' being 3640 lb rating . Thats what I am seeing for the Tradesman stock . The higher trim levels come with the 18' or 20 " , they are either LT 275/70/18 E rated or LT 285/60/20 E rated . Load index 125 . Both tire sizes rated at 3640 @ 80 psi . So not sure what you are seeing as far as tire ratings on these trucks , if anything a Tradesman can have a lower rated tire , where a higher trim level will not . But nevertheless the higher trim levels will never have a lower tire payload rating then a Tradesman , the Tradesman may have a higher payload , but it won't come as far as the tire ratings .

I don't see where you are coming up with higher payload on 18" versus a 20" tires on these Ram 2500 or 3500 E rated tires , they are typically the same weight ratings 125 load index E rated @ 3640 @ 80 psi . Payload comes higher with suspension between the 2500 ,3500. Axles can be the same ,so that will not be a factor . I am talking axle size ,not gear ratio .

As far as the OP the limiting factor being his suspension , most likely that Big Horn he's running has LT 275/70/18's rated at 3640 lbs @ 80 psi . I would also guess they are the Firestone Transforce tires , could be either HT's or AT's .

As I mentioned... I said there are various things that impact your payload rating. I mention tires as one potential culprit because some are rated for less carrying capacity than others. In fairness, I should've cleaned up that comment a bit. What I said can be misleading.

 

[nlambert182]

I was referring to the newer 2500, 3500 single rear wheels they come pretty much stock with E rated tires , the 18" rated @ 3640 . Most likely the 20" E rated LT 285/60/20 are also rated @ 3640 . Your rear axle is the same as some 3500 rear axles , depending on the tow package. The 3500 could be AAM 11.5 same as yours or the AMM 12" depending on how it was ordered . But regardless the 3500 is going to be a higher weight rating , suspension .

My point was tire ratings , sure your axle is rated for 6040 , only because of the suspension , not the axle or the tires which could be the same as on the 3500 , but the 3500 has more weight rating , because of the different suspension .

I wouldn't be afraid to hook my fifth wheel up to your truck from what I have read about the 2500 , I would add some airbags to give it more capability , no it's doesn't change the rating , but does give it more capability . I am much more afraid of tire ratings than any other thing . Sure there is a point to where it's also going to be handling ,but by then most likely we have overloaded the tire ratings also . Now we are into dually territory .

Airbags give it ZERO additional capacity or capability. It just makes you feel like you're more stable until/unless one of them fail. All of that weight is STILL sitting on the axle.

I've been towing fifth wheels for a long time as well. The suspension is COMPLETELY different than every 3500, and it's much more than "one spring".

 

[truck2014]

As I mentioned... I said there are various things that impact your payload rating. I mention tires as one potential culprit because some are rated for less carrying capacity than others. In fairness, I should've cleaned up that comment a bit. What I said can be misleading.

Yes , very misleading, and wrong . You are hung up on axle ratings . Yet they throw the same tires on the 2500 , and 3500 , and tell you can carry more on the 3500. Now why is that ?

 

[stevenP]

I came from a dually 3500. Decided to go to a smaller RV, and truck. I really wish I had kept my 3500. My current 2500 only shows 2100lbs of load capacity with its GVWR at 10k. This is terrible, I can barely tow a super small fifth wheel within these limits. And even at that, this 2500 wonders, and rolls around under load due to the coil suspension. My 3500 was rock solid regardless of what I was towing with it.

 

[truck2014]

Airbags give it ZERO additional capacity or capability. It just makes you feel like you're more stable until/unless one of them fail. All of that weight is STILL sitting on the axle.

I've been towing fifth wheels for a long time as well. The suspension is COMPLETELY different than every 3500, and it's much more than "one spring".

As you said , I could have cleaned that up a bit , stability yes . Until one fails as in anything can fail . Maybe you have or not I’ve run a few sets of airbags , you can say what you want I know what they do .

You are totally caught up in what those trucks are speced at . As said the 2500, 3500 can , and do have the same axle , same E rated tire , and no the 20” do not have a less rating than the 18” . Sure not in all them , 3500 CAN have a larger axle . So we are back to suspension as the defining factor , you can sit the same weight on the axle , just can’t sit it on the suspension.

Again to a point , I could care less as long those tires are NOT overloaded, whether it’s a 11.5 or 12” axle running the same rated tires .

Maybe you can answer this , why do some throw those high rated 19.5 tires , and wheels on their SWR truck .

 

[06 Dodge]

I came from a dually 3500. Decided to go to a smaller RV, and truck. I really wish I had kept my 3500. My current 2500 only shows 2100lbs of load capacity with its GVWR at 10k. This is terrible, I can barely tow a super small fifth wheel within these limits. And even at that, this 2500 wonders, and rolls around under load due to the coil suspension. My 3500 was rock solid regardless of what I was towing with it.

My 2022 2500 Bighorn has 2259 lb payload, your payload is lower due to the higher trim level that needs a lot more copper wire to make all those gadgets work and all that extra copper wire ads weight. I would have thought that you would do your diligence by looking at payload sticker before you bought the truck being you were going from DRW to SRW truck or did sales tell you that you could tow any 5th wheel you wanted because it had a Cummins?

 

[truck2014]

I came from a dually 3500. Decided to go to a smaller RV, and truck. I really wish I had kept my 3500. My current 2500 only shows 2100lbs of load capacity with its GVWR at 10k. This is terrible, I can barely tow a super small fifth wheel within these limits. And even at that, this 2500 wonders, and rolls around under load due to the coil suspension. My 3500 was rock solid regardless of what I was towing with it.

Unfortunately it is suspension nowadays . There was a day both the 2500 , 3500 were very similar in the leaf spring suspension, and yes it was actually one leaf , and that could be overcome easily. Didn’t change the rating on the placard , BUT did change the capability.

I’ll admit the difference between the two , 2500 , 3500 seems significant now . I’ve always bought 3500 SRW. I honestly don’t know why anyone , I don’t mean to be critical to you , but any plans at all towing a fifth wheel , just get the 3500 . I guess 2500 towing bumper pulls with not a lot of tongue they work okay . I’m curious if there’s something that can be done to beef up the coil suspension.

 

[truck2014]

My 2022 2500 Bighorn has 2259 lb payload, your payload is lower due to the higher trim level that needs a lot more copper wire to make all those gadgets work and all that extra copper wire ads weight. I would have thought that you would do your diligence by looking at payload sticker before you bought the truck being you were going from DRW to SRW truck or did sales tell you that you could tow any 5th wheel you wanted because it had a Cummins?

159 lbs. difference.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

I came from a dually 3500. Decided to go to a smaller RV, and truck. I really wish I had kept my 3500. My current 2500 only shows 2100lbs of load capacity with its GVWR at 10k. This is terrible, I can barely tow a super small fifth wheel within these limits. And even at that, this 2500 wonders, and rolls around under load due to the coil suspension. My 3500 was rock solid regardless of what I was towing with it.

You don’t have the trailer loaded properly. I’ve never had “wondering and rolling” with my ‘16 Ram 2500 CTD with the coil suspension. I towed a 14k, 35ft fiver with a 3k pin weight and now an 8k TT with 1k tongue weight. No WDH needed for the TT. No wonder, sway, etc. with either trailer.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Unfortunately it is suspension nowadays . There was a day both the 2500 , 3500 were very similar in the leaf spring suspension, and yes it was actually one leaf , and that could be overcome easily. Didn’t change the rating on the placard , BUT did change the capability.

I’ll admit the difference between the two , 2500 , 3500 seems significant now . I’ve always bought 3500 SRW. I honestly don’t know why anyone , I don’t mean to be critical to you , but any plans at all towing a fifth wheel , just get the 3500 . I guess 2500 towing bumper pulls with not a lot of tongue they work okay . I’m curious if there’s something that can be done to beef up the coil suspension.

See post #54. Coils don’t need “beefed up”, at least on my truck.
There is a misconception that coil suspension is less capable than leafs on an HD truck. Talking 2500, not 3500.

 

[nlambert182]

Coils are absolutely less capable than leafs. There is no misconception. Coil springs provide a smoother ride and better articulation, but the trade-off is stability and capacity.

The fact that you don't know this makes me question what you've towed. There is NOTHING you can do to "beef up" a coil sprung suspension. Sure, you can add band-aids but they don't increase capacity at all. Forget what the placard says for a moment. The trucks are DESIGNED to handle certain weights. That doesn't mean they can't do more but part of the design is longevity. Being overloaded increases wear and tear and decreases longevity of the components.

Leaf sprung 2500s are absolutely more capable than coil sprung. My 2012 2500 had 2800 lbs of payload. My 2018 has 1681. That's not an insignificant reduction. I've had to tow heavier to get someone out of a pinch and that 13k lb fifth wheel squatted my truck. It would've been fine on my 2012.

Go look at the payload ratings on new F250s and GM 2500s in comparison to new Ram 2500s. There's a significant difference because they're still running leafs.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Coils are absolutely less capable than leafs. There is no misconception. Coil springs provide a smoother ride and better articulation, but the trade-off is stability and capacity.

The fact that you don't know this makes me question what you've towed. There is NOTHING you can do to "beef up" a coil sprung suspension. Sure, you can add band-aids but they don't increase capacity at all. Forget what the placard says for a moment. The trucks are DESIGNED to handle certain weights. That doesn't mean they can't do more but part of the design is longevity. Being overloaded increases wear and tear and decreases longevity of the components.

Leaf sprung 2500s are absolutely more capable than coil sprung. My 2012 2500 had 2800 lbs of payload. My 2018 has 1681. That's not an insignificant reduction. I've had to tow heavier to get someone out of a pinch and that 13k lb fifth wheel squatted my truck. It would've been fine on my 2012.

Go look at the payload ratings on new F250s and GM 2500s in comparison to new Ram 2500s. There's a significant difference because they're still running leafs.

My payload is nearly 2,400. Yeah, that fiver squatted my truck, but only enough for it and the trailer to sit level.
With a payload that light, sounds like you have a 1/2 ton or maybe a Power Wagon.

 

[06 Dodge]

My payload is nearly 2,400. Yeah, that fiver squatted my truck, but only enough for it and the trailer to sit level.
With a payload that light, sounds like you have a 1/2 ton or maybe a Power Wagon.

You have a 2400 pay load so the next question is your truck trim level Tradesman? Its well known that the higher the trim level you go the lower the payload, all those gadgets and goodies add weigh due too the amount of wire required to power them.

 

[nlambert182]

You certainly don't have anything more than a tradesman with a 2,400 lb payload and a CTD. Whether you'd admit to it or not, unless you loaded a 13k fifth wheel tail heavy to lighten the pin there's no way you stuck 3k lbs on it and it didn't squat below level. My assumption is that the reason you're arguing this so hard is because you're trying to convince yourself that you have enough truck by getting others to agree with you. Doesn't make you right.

But keep trolling.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Well I misspoke. Payload is nearly 2,200, not nearly 2,400. It’s a Bighorn.
I’m not looking for anyone’s approval. I couldn’t care less whether you or anybody else agrees or not.
I’m only relating my experience with my truck and trailers so the OP has more information.
Just because I have a different experience from others doesn’t mean it’s wrong or didn’t happen. Move on.