HD Towing

[BLuRRnAWAY]

Hello everyone, I am new to the HD and diesel world!

Ordered a 2500 Laramie Cummins from the factory with the 5th wheel package thinking it would be sufficient for towing/payload etc, little did I know payload capacity was almost that of a 1500 V8 (Optioned with the stuff I added)! I know I know, should have done research. Perspective from someone stepping into the HD world, I thought purchasing an HD and cummins would pull and load anything that I personally would need.

My dealer, very, very kind of them understood the issue and ordered a 3500 HO for me. Plain and simple if you're planning on towing, or will have a payload in your cab and cargo area exceeding 2000lbs, save yourself the headache and just order the 3500, you will NEVER regret being able to tow, or carry more.

Excited to be part of the community!

 

[kobra]

Welcome, and good advice there!
I may have *cough*cough* been a wee bit over *cough*cough* on the payload on the 2500 cummins I had. I towed a 13k 5th wheel with it, and the truck towed it just fine. In fact it did great and I towed over 25k miles on it and through the rockies several times. New 5th wheel is heavier so I've gone back to a 3500 HO. It's the better tool for the job.

B

 

[DougB]

My understanding and experience is the 2500 can handle it but just not legally.

I will go with a 3500 for my next truck for the same reason.

My 2006’s (2500 MC 5.9 auto 2wd 3.73) payload is 2050 2150lbs on the door sticker. A fully loaded 2021 2500 Laramie MC 4wd 6.7 Is around 1780lbs per the Ram website

 

[Great White North Eh]

In my neck of the woods yer only overloaded if yer truck can’t pull it!

 

[MikeXM]

Hello everyone, I am new to the HD and diesel world!

Ordered a 2500 Laramie Cummins from the factory with the 5th wheel package thinking it would be sufficient for towing/payload etc, little did I know payload capacity was almost that of a 1500 V8 (Optioned with the stuff I added)! I know I know, should have done research. Perspective from someone stepping into the HD world, I thought purchasing an HD and cummins would pull and load anything that I personally would need.

My dealer, very, very kind of them understood the issue and ordered a 3500 HO for me. Plain and simple if you're planning on towing, or will have a payload in your cab and cargo area exceeding 2000lbs, save yourself the headache and just order the 3500, you will NEVER regret being able to tow, or carry more.

Excited to be part of the community!

To be frank, the dealers should always validate this with you before accepting the order. I bought a 3500 and I knew exactly what I was getting into. But my sales rep said that now they always check with the customer as this happened too many times.

 

[BLuRRnAWAY]

To be frank, the dealers should always validate this with you before accepting the order. I bought a 3500 and I knew exactly what I was getting into. But my sales rep said that now they always check with the customer as this happened too many times.

Yeah, it is for sure my fault, but they still took care of it.

On dodges website it says it tows 5th wheel RV’s, However the RV It will tow (legally) is smallest one or one up from that with little to no passengers or gear.

Really depends how you load the rest of your gear up etc. I’m confident the 2500 would most likely tow just fine, problem is I would like peace of mind knowing I’m within thresholds.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Frank]

Yeah, it is for sure my fault, but they still took care of it.

On dodges website it says it tows 5th wheel RV’s, However the RV It will tow (legally) is smallest one or one up from that with little to no passengers or gear.

Really depends how you load the rest of your gear up etc. I’m confident the 2500 would most likely tow just fine, problem is I would like peace of mind knowing I’m within thresholds.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would be reluctant to do it and certainly wouldn't advocate for it, but I have a few family members who have been camping for 30+ years and tow gooseneck trailers every day for work who swear it is safe. They wouldn't think twice. I'm sure it's not the best thing for the truck but I view it a lot differently than overloading a half ton with too much bumper hitch. But again, probably wouldn't do it myself.

I always load as much as possible in the trailer, on the floor over the axles and on the rear bunks. Not for towing, but because I like a clean an uncluttered truck. I've been on a few long distance trips with my wife pre-camper days with half the house crammed into the back seat and up to the ceiling...can't take it. I've either shown her the light or she realized I'm less grouchy with a clean and comfortable ride, not really important why lol.

 

[MikeXM]

I would be reluctant to do it and certainly wouldn't advocate for it, but I have a few family members who have been camping for 30+ years and tow gooseneck trailers every day for work who swear it is safe. They wouldn't think twice. I'm sure it's not the best thing for the truck but I view it a lot differently than overloading a half ton with too much bumper hitch. But again, probably wouldn't do it myself.

I always load as much as possible in the trailer, on the floor over the axles and on the rear bunks. Not for towing, but because I like a clean an uncluttered truck. I've been on a few long distance trips with my wife pre-camper days with half the house crammed into the back seat and up to the ceiling...can't take it. I've either shown her the light or she realized I'm less grouchy with a clean and comfortable ride, not really important why lol.

If you overload a 2500 with air suspension, it is a ticking time bomb. Don't do it.
If you burst an airbag on a pothole, you have no more suspension on that side (or both). The airbag is the suspension on the 2500.
There are a few documented cases out there. Even if you don't end up in a crash, it is definitively enough to ruin your trip.

 

[Frank]

If you overload a 2500 with air suspension, it is a ticking time bomb. Don't do it.
If you burst an airbag on a pothole, you have no more suspension on that side (or both). The airbag is the suspension on the 2500.
There are a few documented cases out there. Even if you don't end up in a crash, it is definitively enough to ruin your trip.

You should still use common sense as to whether you are exceeding capacity on individual components. Don't bottom out your springs or exceed what the air bags are rated for. At least on springs, I can tell you from setting up a WDH they will bear a lot more than the stated payload calls for. I would hope stock airbags have the same safety factor or you speced aftermarket appropriately.

 

[DevilDodge]

If you overload a 2500 with air suspension, it is a ticking time bomb. Don't do it.
If you burst an airbag on a pothole, you have no more suspension on that side (or both). The airbag is the suspension on the 2500.
There are a few documented cases out there. Even if you don't end up in a crash, it is definitively enough to ruin your trip.

Worst Nightmare Already

So I was towing my 5th wheel 13360 lbs with my 2500 today and had over 1400 miles on it so felt it wasn’t ready. Now I was driving on a highway that I never drove on before and was following another RV about 63-67 mph. Well we hit a dip which made the truck and trailer bounce. During the...

hdrams.com

Our most famous one here

 

[Firebird]

My contractor has a 2019 Laramie 6.7 Mega Cab 4x4 with Ram boxes, and his payload is under 1400 pounds. He pulls a 40' 5th wheel with it, he shouldn't, but he does.

 

[ianacole]

Hopefully this isn't too dumb of a question: Does tongue weight count towards payload?

 

[kobra]

Payload is the difference between the GVWR less the unladen weight as defined by the manufacturer. That will be the empty weight of the vehicle off the line, but also includes things like a full tank of fuel and 150-200lbs for a driver. I haven't checked the numbers for this gen of RAM HD; maybe someone can confirm how RAM measures this.

So, yes the tongue weight, extra passengers, the hitch and everything else that might go on or into the truck will be part of the payload.

hth!

B

 

[ianacole]

Payload is the difference between the GVWR less the unladen weight as defined by the manufacturer. That will be the empty weight of the vehicle off the line, but also includes things like a full tank of fuel and 150-200lbs for a driver. I haven't checked the numbers for this gen of RAM HD; maybe someone can confirm how RAM measures this.

So, yes the tongue weight, extra passengers, the hitch and everything else that might go on or into the truck will be part of the payload.

hth!

B

Hmmmm... Plan on towing a 28' enclosed trailer with a car in it. Not expecting a high tongue weight, but this makes me wonder if I should have opted for the 3500 over the 2500. Damper on the whole "new truck" thing

 

[BLuRRnAWAY]

Hmmmm... Plan on towing a 28' enclosed trailer with a car in it. Not expecting a high tongue weight, but this makes me wonder if I should have opted for the 3500 over the 2500. Damper on the whole "new truck" thing

Scroll up to the guy that had a friend whom pulled a 40ft camper with his 2500, you’ll be fine enjoy the truck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RV_Goose]

My current camper loaded for usual trips put my 2013 RAM 2500 Tradesman CC SB running at 90% rated capacity by axle weights. I had a 2400-2500 pound payload.

We will probably upgrade to a larger, heavier camper in a couple of years. And my 2020 RAM 3500 Tradesman CC LB dually HO Aisin will still be under 70% rated payload capacity.

I was amazed at payload differences between the Tradesman, Laramie and Limited trim levels. 800-1200 less than the Tradesman. My Tradesman has many amenities that are listed for the upper trims, so it is not a stripped down model.

 

[lovegolf44]

Welcome, and good advice there!
I may have *cough*cough* been a wee bit over *cough*cough* on the payload on the 2500 cummins I had. I towed a 13k 5th wheel with it, and the truck towed it just fine. In fact it did great and I towed over 25k miles on it and through the rockies several times. New 5th wheel is heavier so I've gone back to a 3500 HO. It's the better tool for the job.

B

I'm not afraid to say I almost made a similar mistake. I was ready to buy a 2500 Laramie off the lot just before the 68FRE recall hit that following week and the next weekend I was supposed to pick it up. They couldn't let me take the 2500 off the lot because of the recall so when I was doing more research on towing capacity I quickly found out I under estimated what I needed for towing.

BLUF: I went back to the dealership and told them I wanted to order a 3500 SRW. The sales person wasn't thrilled but ordered for me anyway and I'm glad I did. Of course Covid hit and my truck was delayed a bit getting shipped, let alone the stupid bed step recall too. Timing wasn't the best in my case. Luck of the draw as they say.

 

[Pronto]

Hmmmm... Plan on towing a 28' enclosed trailer with a car in it. Not expecting a high tongue weight, but this makes me wonder if I should have opted for the 3500 over the 2500. Damper on the whole "new truck" thing

What is that, about 8000 lbs? As long as you're not carrying a big load in the bed too, that should be manageable. On the plus side, you should get a softer ride than the 3500 when you're running around empty.

 

[Wmhjr]

Hmmmm... Plan on towing a 28' enclosed trailer with a car in it. Not expecting a high tongue weight, but this makes me wonder if I should have opted for the 3500 over the 2500. Damper on the whole "new truck" thing

Been pulling a 28' enclosed race trailer for years with the '04 5.9 NV5600. Had a 24' and then picked up the 28'. It's a heavy United UTX model with the heavier I-Beam frame. Probably about 4 years ago, right after I picked up the new trailer from United, I used scales to weigh the tongue weight - just static weight - not including any impact from weight distribution/anti-sway hitch, etc. Just the front foot down, with the trailer loaded but unhitched. I was surprised, but the tongue weight with the car in it, along with a full roll-on 5 1/2' too case, a complete set of extra mounted wheels, winch, and other misc stuff was still under 1k. Full loaded trailer was right at 10k. I also did a LOT of motorcycle racing (Road, GP type - quit MX years ago). I frequently hauled 4 race bikes plus the pit scooter, 4 extra sets of wheels, race fuel, and all the tools, etc. Very similar results. The horse trailer is a Four Star Aluminum 3 horse slant with small living quarters. More of a "weekender" LQ, as no plumbing, etc. Just Bed, AC/heat, etc. Again - very similar weights. My bobtail equipment trailer hauling either the Bobcat or the TB235 excavator - again - very similar tongue weights. And again, same with the dump trailer loaded up as much as I typically load it with stone.

When we bought the '20, we kind of were in a time crunch due to the '04 breaking down, so we were a bit limited to selection. IF there had been a 3500 CC short bed 4x4 anywhere in the region that was reasonable, I would absolutely have considered it (even though here in PA you get absolutely robbed with registration annually. The 2500 is bad enough!) however there was not. If I wanted a 3500, it would have to have been a long bed, which for us is a non-starter.

Bottom line - you'll be fine so long as that "car" isn't another 2500 6.7 in an extended height trailer. No damper required - enjoy your new truck.

 

[RV_Goose]

Reading RV boards and truck boards I learned alot about 2500/3500 capacities. Much more versed 4 years later. Almost bought a 3500 SRW, but it only gave me and additional 1400 payload over my 2500. The 3500 DRW I have is at 5500, and will accommodate anything we would buy.