Why is my Ram so heavy?

[SpaceAvenger]

I'm perplexed. I've inherited a 2004 Ram 2500 5.9 4x4 Quad Laramie with a canopy and grill guard with a Warn winch. I've been on 2 DOT scales and they're both basically in agreement.

Front Axle - 5050 lbs
Rear Axle - 3550 lbs.
Total GVW - 8600 lbs.

This seems pretty high to me. The only other things in the truck were my wife and dog. My concern is we're purchasing a new travel trailer next month with a GVWR of almost 11,000 lbs. Right now we'd barely be ok with the GCVW (under 20,000 lbs) but the dry tongue weight of the TT is about 1,100 lbs. This would put us well over the GVWR of 9,000 lbs.

I can't imagine the that the grill guard and winch would add over 1,000 lbs. to the front axle. What else could be so heavy on the front end?

My father-in-law was pretty diligent about keeping records for his vehicles and I'm pretty confident I have them all. He bought the truck new and, aside from install air bags, I don't see any records of other additions he might have made.

What additions to the front of the truck could add 1,000+ lbs of weight? Or, is this about right for this truck.

I realize I'm throwing a Hail Mary but any help would be appreciated.

 

[dhay13]

Sounds pretty close to right. Not familiar with weights on 2004 but on a 4th gen 2500 Cummins they weigh in about 8000-8200lbs. Add the winch, brush guard and the cap on the back and that is probably pretty close to your 8600lbs. A 2500 Cummins really aren't capable of towing that heavy and being legal. Seems about 10,000lbs is about max for bumper pull and about 8000 or so for a 5th wheel and stay under payload. I towed a 9300lb bumper pull with 1100lbs tongue weight (all CAT scale verified) and the truck was at 9100lbs with the tongue weight and 700lbs of people (myself and 2 others). I don't have any add-ons except a tonneau cover. Mine is a 2018 2500 6.4 with a payload of 2973lbs (10,000lbs GVWR - 7027lbs curb weight). A Cummins weighs about 800-900lbs more than the 6.4

 

[HemiLonestar]

Don't confuse Gross Vehicle Weight with the actual normal running curb weight. Unloaded curb weight for my buddy's hemi 2500 was about 6500 lbs. With a Cummins that'll be closer to 7000 lbs.

 

[dhay13]

delete

 

[HemiLonestar]

Mine weighs a shade over 7000lbs empty but mine is on the heavier side for a 6.4. I have the off-road package with the factory skid plates, full console, power rear window and 20" wheels so it weighs more than most 2500's. But yeah, the Cummins is about 800-900lbs heavier.

That sounds about right for a 2018, from what I've seen the 4th gens are significantly heavier.

 

[dhay13]

That sounds about right for a 2018, from what I've seen the 4th gens are significantly heavier.

Might be. I have no idea what the older ones weigh

 

[HemiLonestar]

Might be. I have no idea what the older ones weigh

Gasser about 6500 lbs lol

 

[MikeT]

I was a bit hesitant to post the weight of my 06 2500 CTD 4wd as I had it weighed at a recycling center and the guy was a little lax on details. It was about 1/2 full of fuel and I was alone in the cab no additions such as winch etc. Basically a Laramie with very few other options. I was told it weighed 7200lbs.

Mike