Pay load question

[payload_frustration]

Looking to purchase a new truck and 5th wheel. Been checking with Dodge dealerships and have not been able to get a straight answer about the 2500 payload after the add on's when ordering one. Found a website that listed the Tradesman 2500 V8 Hemi at 3170 payload, but that's before add on's. The 5th wheel that I am looking to purchase will have a pin weight close to 2000.

Just getting frustrated, I would think that there would be a guide out there that would give you a payload number.

 

[jsalbre]

Almost impossible to say exactly what the payload rating for a truck is going to be. Your best bet is to find a listing for a truck optioned out as close as possible to what you want and look up it’s ratings.

That said, I had a 2020 2500 Hemi Limited Crew Cab Short Bed, with every available option except air suspension and clearance lights and it had a payload of 2815.

My 2023 2500 Rebel has the same options my 2020 had, plus a winch and it has a payload of 2871.

A 2000# pin weight 5th wheel is going to feel like a lot of weight on the back of a 2500. You can totally do it, but if I were going with a heavy 5th wheel I’d go with a 3500 as the leaf springs are much more stable than the coil springs, due to the position of the springs relative to the frame (leaf springs are outboard, coils inboard). You can counter this a lot by adding airbags to a 2500 as they sit even with the frame, adding a lot of stability, and will get you back to level once loaded up.

 

[payload_frustration]

So when you say air bags, are you referring to the option of the air suspension?

 

[unclelala]

The 5th wheel that I am looking to purchase will have a pin weight close to 2000.

IMO .... Lets say you get a 2500 with 3000lbs payload, and your trailers pin is 2000, thats not much breathing room cause if thats the dry pin weight you could easly be looking at 500 to 800 lbs. more pin after you load up the trailer. If you have 2,3 or 4 persons in the truck plus gear you would be way over your payload. With that pin weight I would go a 3500 IMO....thats my own saftey beliefs, others will tell you it fine go ahead you'll be fine with a 2500 but not me.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Realistically the 2500 will do it but if your ordering a truck just get a 3500 its almost no extra cost but much more gain

 

[payload_frustration]

This is all new to me, I have never owned a 5th wheel before. The one that we are looking to get has an unloaded vehicle weight of 9245, dry pin weight of 1745, GVWR is 11,250. I was hoping to find a 2500 that could handle it rather than go up to the 3500. I guess the cheapest doesn't always work out lol.

 

[unclelala]

This is all new to me, I have never owned a 5th wheel before. The one that we are looking to get has an unloaded vehicle weight of 9245, dry pin weight of 1745, GVWR is 11,250. I was hoping to find a 2500 that could handle it rather than go up to the 3500. I guess the cheapest doesn't always work out lol.

Thats a lot of pin weight for a relatively light trailer. how long is the trailer? Why don't you post the type, model etc.
My Cougar 24RDS is rated at 1450 pin and GVWR of 10,000 but Ive had a pin of 2150 loaded. My 3500 pulls it effortlessly and thats the way I want it.

 

[payload_frustration]

It's a Jaco 29.5RSTS 34' 4". I am going off of the chart on the back of the brochure.

 

[payload_frustration]

Thats a lot of pin weight for a relatively light trailer. how long is the trailer? Why don't you post the type, model etc.
My Cougar 24RDS is rated at 1450 pin and GVWR of 10,000 but Ive had a pin of 2150 loaded. My 3500 pulls it effortlessly and thats the way I want it.

Sorry it's actually 29.5BHDS

 

[unclelala]

Its just under 35 foot long which to me is a big sail for cross winds for a 2500....but just wait it out, someone will come along and tell me I'm a full of $#@# granny and give you their blessings to proceed with a 2500.

 

[payload_frustration]

Its just under 35 foot long which to me is a big sail for cross winds for a 2500....but just wait it out, someone will come along and tell me I'm a full of $#@# granny and give you their blessings to proceed with a 2500.

Well I thank you for your advise. That's why I came on here because it's all new to me. I don't know anyone with a 5th wheel to pick their brains lol. I was hoping that I could get away with the 2500, but I want to safe rather than sorry.

 

[jsalbre]

So when you say air bags, are you referring to the option of the air suspension?

I’m referring to supplemental air bags like Airlift or something similar. The factory air suspension sits in the same locations the the coils do on the standard suspension and thus doesn’t help with the side to side stability.

As a happy 2500 owner and frequent tower, get a 3500 with that trailer. You *can* do it with a 2500, but you’ll be happier and more comfortable with a 3500.

 

[AH64ID]

As others have said the 3500 will tow that trailer better, especially if you get the auto-level suspension.

 

[Darkside]

I have a 2500 Laramie Hemi with rear air suspension with an 8’ bed, I purchased a “1/2 ton towable” 5th wheel (26’ 10,500 GVW). I would step up to a 3500 with the size 5th wheel you’re looking at, better safe than sorry when you load up all of your gear.

 

[payload_frustration]

I’m referring to supplemental air bags like Airlift or something similar. The factory air suspension sits in the same locations the the coils do on the standard suspension and thus doesn’t help with the side to side stability.

As a happy 2500 owner and frequent tower, get a 3500 with that trailer. You *can* do it with a 2500, but you’ll be happier and more comfortable with a 3500.

Thank you for your advise. Yes I do believe that I will be ordering a 3500. Better to be safe than sorry. That's why I came on here to get some options. Hate like heck to spend 67,000 and not have the right equipment.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

The 2500 would do it problem free but why not spend the extra 500-1000$ for the 3500 and have room to expand

My 5th wheel is 37ft with a 2k pin weight unloaded my 19 2500 pulls it like a dream without air bags but when i bought the truck i had to buy what was on the lot So i was stuck with the 2500 instead of a 3500 like i wanted

You are ordering a truck id assume so go for the one ton

 

[unclelala]

I purchased a “1/2 ton towable” 5th wheel (26’ 10,500 GVW).

Which one is it...I must know.

 

[firemansdiesel]

This is all new to me, I have never owned a 5th wheel before. The one that we are looking to get has an unloaded vehicle weight of 9245, dry pin weight of 1745, GVWR is 11,250. I was hoping to find a 2500 that could handle it rather than go up to the 3500. I guess the cheapest doesn't always work out lol.

You’ll surpass your payload before towing weight with today’s trucks.

 

[payload_frustration]

The 2500 would do it problem free but why not spend the extra 500-1000$ for the 3500 and have room to expand

My 5th wheel is 37ft with a 2k pin weight unloaded my 19 2500 pulls it like a dream without air bags but when i bought the truck i had to buy what was on the lot So i was stuck with the 2500 instead of a 3500 like i wanted

You are ordering a truck id assume so go for the one ton

I am going to order a 3500 after talking to different people on here. I wish it was just a $1000. When I priced it out it was saying it's about $4500. I would rather be safe than sorry. Thanks for your advise I appreciate it.

 

[payload_frustration]

You’ll surpass your payload before towing weight with today’s trucks.

Ya I think you are right rather be safe than sorry. Thanks for your feedback I appreciate it.