Towing/payload for a 2024 6.7 diesel Big Horn

[truck2014]

Weight police. SMH
Done here.

Good to hear .

 

[nlambert182]

There was a day you could make the argument about the capability of the Ram 2500 , those days are over , they simply don't have the carrying capacity they once did . Sure they will tow it just fine .

I'm sure there are fifth wheels that fall into the category that the 2500 will handle , but the capability is sure limited . 3500 would make a lot more sense with a much better , and more capable suspension .And thats where it's at my friend , and no matter how much you want to argue that ,it still won't change the facts .

Absolutely true.

I've said previously, my 2012 Ram 2500 had close to a 3k lb payload because it was on leafs. My current 2018 has nowhere near that capacity now. I've towed fifth wheels with both and I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt from experience... the handling characteristics are a night and day difference.

For pulling power... they're identical in performance and should be since both had identical engines/trans combos. Where that load sits is the differentiating factor.

I fully intended to buy a 3500 SRW when I got this truck for that very reason. I wanted the extra payload "just in case" we went to something bigger in the future. The only reason I didn't was because the truck was a little too worn out for my liking. Since I knew we were getting this travel trailer I decided to test drive the truck I have now. It rode a good bit smoother so I decided to concede to payload to keep the wife happy with the ride.

If I even remotely considered a 5th wheel, I'd be back in a 3500, and likely a DRW. I didn't find much that it couldn't tow and DRW doesn't bother me for DD duties at all.

 

[Gr8bawana]

What that will show you is that many people tow outside of their specs. What they don't tell us is if/when they have problems because nobody likes to admit a mistake. Driving through a campground to see what folks are towing with tells you nothing other than some people are idiots. I've seen 1/2 ton trucks towing WELL above their ratings because the truck physically moves the trailer and some salesman told them it was ok.

It should be common sense, but I am beginning to understand how it isn't so common anymore. There is no opinion here, and I can back up any of it with data. Can you? It's just math.


I'll use a 2018 Ram 2500 CTD as an example, since that's what I have.

The HIGHEST payload available for that year with the above is a Tradesman, reg cab, long box, 4x2. Payload is 3,160 lbs.

The average family typically has a crew cab and more often than not a 4x4. Typically between a BigHorn and Laramie trim level (you can check that out for yourself in campgrounds or poll the rv forums). Those payloads are between 1,600 and 2,300 lbs before anything is added to the truck (like a 5th wheel hitch) and before people sit in it. You can get to 2,600 lbs if you have a 2wd.


A fifth wheel generally has between 18-22% of the pin weight sitting on the truck.
Here are some examples of fifth wheel pin weights (all calculated by the GVWR of the trailers @ 20%):

11k lbs - 2,200 lbs
12k lbs - 2,400 lbs
13k lbs - 2,600 lbs
14k lbs - 2,800 lbs
15k lbs - 3,000 lbs


A travel trailer generally has between 12-15% of the weight on the tongue. (all calculated by the GVWR of the trailers at 15%):
Here are some examples of travel trailers:

7k lbs - 1,050 lbs
8k lbs - 1,200 lbs
9k lbs - 1,350 lbs
10k lbs - 1,500 lbs
11k lbs - 1,650 lbs

Based on these numbers, which trailers fall within the ratings of the truck? Most travel trailers do. Very few fifth wheels do. Now... tell me, where is my opinion in any of this?

If this was true we would see thousands of these "overloaded" 2500 trucks scattered along the side of the highway. I would guess that about 90% of the 5th wheels we see driving down the highways are being towed by 2500s.
A very small percentage are being towed by 3500s or duallys.

 

[nlambert182]

It's 100% true. I never said it couldn't physically do it. I said they are towing outside of the specs of their trucks. These trucks will do it for a while, until they can't. You aren't likely to see them "scattered along the side of the highway" but instead in a shop getting repairs. Good chance they don't tell the shop why the truck broke to begin with. But.. I can tell you from the perspective of a previous diesel truck service writer that the shop can very often put 2+2 together and figure out what you did that killed something on the truck.

Quite frankly it would be difficult to know how many have issues. How many people will come on a forum to tell everyone that they tore their truck up overloading it? Not many. It's obvious for those advocating for towing heavy with a 2500 that they wouldn't be ones to admit it if/when something broke. Those of us who know better don't do it.

 

[truck2014]

If this was true we would see thousands of these "overloaded" 2500 trucks scattered along the side of the highway. I would guess that about 90% of the 5th wheels we see driving down the highways are being towed by 2500s.
A very small percentage are being towed by 3500s or duallys.

And that makes it okay , and why do you think it’s 90%. You can make outrageous claims all you want . Tell me what you think is best you running , let’s pick a number 1000 lbs over you axle rating on that mighty coil sprung 2500 or me with my 3500 towing the same fifth wheel within my axle ratings.

I’m barely within my axle rating with my pin weight , and I’m not towing some 40’ toy hauler , and yes I see many 2500’s doing it . I will say when I do see the dually’s or at least the 3500 SRW I know they have the good sense to get the right truck .

I can’t remember how many of these threads I’ve seen guys trying to justify towing over their weight ratings . What guys like you get caught up in , is you think that mighty 6.7 Cummins is getting it done as far as towing , but with that wimpy coil suspension that belongs on your Pruis .

You keep telling yourself it’s okay , you have obviously convinced yourself.

 

[truck2014]

It's 100% true. I never said it couldn't physically do it. I said they are towing outside of the specs of their trucks. These trucks will do it for a while, until they can't. You aren't likely to see them "scattered along the side of the highway" but instead in a shop getting repairs. Good chance they don't tell the shop why the truck broke to begin with. But.. I can tell you from the perspective of a previous diesel truck service writer that the shop can very often put 2+2 together and figure out what you did that killed something on the truck.

Quite frankly it would be difficult to know how many have issues. How many people will come on a forum to tell everyone that they tore their truck up overloading it? Not many. It's obvious for those advocating for towing heavy with a 2500 that they wouldn't be ones to admit it if/when something broke. Those of us who know better don't do it.

We are obviously beating a dead horse . As said in my previous post , they get caught up in the fact that Cummins is pulling it down road very nicely , up , and down the mountain grades ,how nice . Although they kinda wonder when a semi passes them , and the truck wanders around a bit , or cross wind , and they wonder why they are pushed around . I’ve heard it many times , but hey that 6.7 is pulling it nicely .

 

[06 Dodge]

We are obviously beating a dead horse . As said in my previous post , they get caught up in the fact that Cummins is pulling it down road very nicely , up , and down the mountain grades ,how nice . Although they kinda wonder when a semi passes them , and the truck wanders around a bit , or cross wind , and they wonder why they are pushed around . I’ve heard it many times , but hey that 6.7 is pulling it nicely .

This reminds me of a neighbor I had 10 years a go who used his F150 to tow his 4 axel boat 15 miles one way on the back roads to the lake a few times a year and yet could not understand why the frame rails bowed....

 

[truck2014]

This reminds me of a neighbor I had 10 years a go who used his F150 to tow his 4 axel boat 15 miles one way on the back roads to the lake a few times a year and yet could not understand why the frame rails bowed....

As the old saying goes , You can't fix stupid .