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2021 Ram 2500 (Diesel) (5th Wheel)

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JustARam22

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New to towing 5th wheels, found a deal on the attached unit but concerned it's over my capacity.

It will just be me and my wife,and dog living in it full time. Any input is appreciated.
 

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Seems a good place to post this...

Have a 2021 2500 6.7l, new to towing 5th wheels. Have a good deal on the attached unit. Am I pushing my luck pulling it with my truck?
 

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You will not have enough payload imo. A 2500 with the diesel will not have enough payload for the spec the brochure lists, and manufacturers are notorious for underreporting the true pin weight. Most would say that is firmly in 3500 territory and some would even advocate for DRW.
 
darrellr said:
You will not have enough payload imo. A 2500 with the diesel will not have enough payload for the spec the brochure lists, and manufacturers are notorious for underreporting the true pin weight. Most would say that is firmly in 3500 territory and some would even advocate for DRW.
Click to expand...
I was afraid of that, thanks
 
16K GVWR = 3200 pin weight minimum.

Add all your other passengers, gear, hitch, etc. and you're getting really close to exceeding a well optioned SRW 3500.

You can pull it, you'll be over the RAWR.
 
Pin weight is up there. People with aftermarket airbags tow big 5ers all the time with 2500s. There’s liability involved with towing overweight, that will be up to you.
 
One of the problems with most fith wheels is that pretty well everything you put in them is in front of the axles and therefore adds to pin weight. The GVWR on that trailer is almost 16,000. Since you full time, you will probably be close to the 16,000 and it is not unusual for the pin weight to be 25% of gross or 4000 pounds for this rig. Everyone makes their own choices but I would recommend a 3500 of a lighter trailer. Since you are full timing, your choices of lighter (smaller) trailers is limited. Good luck.
 
Considering you are full timing I assume you will be on the road quite a bit, Id just go to a dually.

You're absolutely going to be over your sticker weight on a 2500 and will be pretty close to, if not over your RAWR (which is what really matters).

Your stability without airbags on a 2500 with that weight is going to suffer quite a bit with the inboard location of the coils (or air springs if you are factory rear air 2500). All of this leads me to a dually. Most SRW 3500 would be close to their limit at that weight.
 
Ok so I understand what most of you are saying at least with it being overweight. But everyone keep throwing out acronyms I am not familiar with. So I will write as I understand it

My truck can pull a max of 19k
Payload is 3100 (including occupant's and gear in the truck)
Hitch weight can not exceed maximum payload

Aside from this what am I missing, I've seen other post about 10k GWRS or something.

If the total weight of the until is 16k with payload that should put me 3k under my max pull, which I aware the payload will be over, jist trying to use this as a learning lesson to choose the right trailer
 
JustARam22 said:
Ok so I understand what most of you are saying at least with it being overweight. But everyone keep throwing out acronyms I am not familiar with. So I will write as I understand it

My truck can pull a max of 19k
Payload is 3100 (including occupant's and gear in the truck)
Hitch weight can not exceed maximum payload

Aside from this what am I missing, I've seen other post about 10k GWRS or something.

If the total weight of the until is 16k with payload that should put me 3k under my max pull, which I aware the payload will be over, jist trying to use this as a learning lesson to choose the right trailer
Click to expand...

What configuration is your truck?

SB/LB? Mega, Crew Cab, 4x4? and Trim level?

What is your payload sticker on the door (yellow tag)

GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: How much the truck can weigh total. Very much not enforced for non-commercial.
GCWR = Gross Carry Weight Rating (truck+towed)
RAWR = Rear Axle Weight Rating: The MFR spec for max axle weight. Some will tell you AAM rates it higher but if you break something it's certainly on you and I personally wouldnt' overload the rated spec as it will cause premature wear and tear.
FAWR = I think you get the picture

I highly doubt your payload is only going to be 3100. 20-22% of 16K is 3200-3420 and more likely what your "wet" weight will be.

Your RAWR is 6K. Exceed that at your own risk.

That RV is a widebody, dropframe, fulltime RV and to be blunt, has no business being behind a 3.4T truck.

2500 have inboard coils (or bags) and frankly are not always great at pulling even 12K 5th wheels without at least supplemental bags outboard @the rails where leaves would normally be.
 
P.S. I merged the posts from the other thread as it makes tracking multiple threads with the same basic Q&A difficult for others.
 
Brutal_HO said:
What configuration is your truck?

SB/LB? Mega, Crew Cab, 4x4? and Trim level?

What is your payload sticker on the door (yellow tag)

GVWR = Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: How much the truck can weigh total. Very much not enforced for non-commercial.
GCWR = Gross Carry Weight Rating (truck+towed)
RAWR = Rear Axle Weight Rating: The MFR spec for max axle weight. Some will tell you AAM rates it higher but if you break something it's certainly on you and I personally wouldnt' overload the rated spec as it will cause premature wear and tear.
FAWR = I think you get the picture

I highly doubt your payload is only going to be 3100. 20-22% of 16K is 3200-3420 and more likely what your "wet" weight will be.

Your RAWR is 6K. Exceed that at your own risk.

That RV is a widebody, dropframe, fulltime RV and to be blunt, has no business being behind a 3.4T truck.

2500 have inboard coils (or bags) and frankly are not always great at pulling even 12K 5th wheels without at least supplemental bags outboard @the rails where leaves would normally be.
Click to expand...
Big horn 4 x 4 crew cab

I am ok with not having such a big unit but more understanding. To exceed the rear axle limits you would have to increase the payload to way over the rated spec unless im missing someone.
 
Max tow rating is for marketing and difficult to obtain in reality. If you look at how it’s measured you’ll understand why.

It takes an empty truck, 300lbs of people, a 75lb hitch, 100lbs of options, and only 10% tongue weight. For trailers under 23K lbs it’s based on a bumper pull since it can be a bigger number.

You can see how a 19K max tow rating really decreases with a 20-25% pin weight. The same weight, 1,900lbs, only allows for a trailer weight of up to 9,500lbs at 25% pin weight. There are some differences thou, as a bumper pull will generally reduce the front axle weight and add that to the rear axle so you load the rear axle heavier with a bumper pull than a 5th wheel with the same pin weight.

Everything you have in the truck detracts from available tow rating.

GVWR is low on 2500’s, and that may or may not be an issue where you are registered. You will have to research that and make your own decision if you plan to exceed GVWR.

RAWR is also lower on the 2500, despite the axle being the same as the 3500. As mentioned I would add airbags to improve ride and stability. You will also have to research and see if you are willing to exceed RAWR and load up to the tire limits.

Lots to research and make your own calls, but if you want to stay within the ratings specified by Ram that trailer is too big.
 
will the truck do it 100% without a doubt but should the truck do it depends on the driver and local laws. With bags it will be safe and it wont hurt the truck if you air the tires up to the proper pressures but legally it depends on where you live.
 
Just sucks you but this expensive truck and basically unless you buy a semi, you can only pull a john boat
 
JustARam22 said:
Just sucks you but this expensive truck and basically unless you buy a semi, you can only pull a john boat
Click to expand...

Vehicle weight classifications really need to be modernized to match the vehicles and their capabilities. It would simplify the grey area of operation that you’re experiencing.
 
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