Hey all, new member to the site! I just purchased a new Ram 2500 with the Cummins. Wanted to get everyone's input on what a "comfortable" max trailer weight is. I know the maximum weight is close to 20K lbs but that would obviously not be very comfortable towing that much. I live in Utah so mountain grades are not uncommon. Basically I want to make sure that the toyhauler we eventually purchase is light enough that the towing experience is always comfortable, I want to be able to go the speed limit up mountain passes, get reasonable fuel mileage, avoid white knuckle driving etc. What do you guys think?
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Comfortable Towing Weight
- Thread starter Sams0822
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I had a 16 2500 diesel rfe and i hauled 13k every weakened with no problem at all and a few occasions hauled 17k with it and i could definitely feal the weight difference but with driving style adjustments and i was just fine. I personally wouldn't feal comfortable doing long trips if i was over 18k, thats just me though. Now short pulls i wouldn't mind pushing the limits a bit. I definitely prefer the wide hips though with over 20k, much more stable of a ride and better stopping.
MikeXM
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If you are going on the 5th wheel toy hauler segment, you will find that your 2500 payload will rapidly limit your legal max tow weight.
I would say as a starting figure: find your maximum payload sticker, subtract 500-800lb from it and multiply that remaining number by 5. That would be your 5th wheel trailer GVWR.
edit: the 500-800lb is your truck cargo. You, the wife, bags and your 5th wheel hitch.
I don't think that will even give you a workable GVWR. You will need to look in travel trailer toy haulers.
I would say as a starting figure: find your maximum payload sticker, subtract 500-800lb from it and multiply that remaining number by 5. That would be your 5th wheel trailer GVWR.
edit: the 500-800lb is your truck cargo. You, the wife, bags and your 5th wheel hitch.
I don't think that will even give you a workable GVWR. You will need to look in travel trailer toy haulers.
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It really tows 13k easily? How did it climb with that much weight?
Gondul
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At that weight you will need to watch your tongue weight/payload... honestly a 6.7 on a 2500 is useless due to crap payload, better to move up to a 3500 if you're going to tow heavy and plan on getting the 6.7.
LossPrev
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I tow a 33' bumper pull toy hauler that sits just under 9k loaded. I won't lie and say I can't feel it back there but almost. I think you're going to hard pressed to find a bumper pull toy hauler that could even approach maxing out your truck, even in the mountains. The heaviest I've seen in my searching come in around 9500 or so dry, even with 2k lbs of cargo you're truck will rip that up and down mountains pretty easily.
Length would probably be a bigger concern since bumper pulls don't handle wind as well as a 5th wheel. If you went and got one of the 38' monster bumper models it might push you around a bit in high winds. Toy hauler models are much taller than standard rvs so wind can be a bitch.
Length would probably be a bigger concern since bumper pulls don't handle wind as well as a 5th wheel. If you went and got one of the 38' monster bumper models it might push you around a bit in high winds. Toy hauler models are much taller than standard rvs so wind can be a bitch.
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SteelersFan
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I towed my 35 ft travel trailer (6900lbs dry)with a GMC 1500 crew cab with a 5.3 V8 for 2 yrs with a weight distro hitch. I traded up to a 2019 2500 Mega Cab Cummins last year. No more white knuckle driving and able to hold 70-75 with ease. My gross on a CAT scale last month was 17120 lbs with 5 passengers (about 550lbs total). I would feel comfortable with another 2k of trailer weight with out an issue. There are many toy haulers in the 85-9500lbs range.
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It was great, I loved it for what we used it for. Pulled the mountains on a regular basis with no trouble at all. Averaged 11-13 mpg while pulling running 75-80 mph. Had to trade it in though due to dreaming of a monster tiny home to haul around. Never had any issues with the rfe at that weight range either. Mine was a short bed rambox and i wasnt concerned with payload values as there's no room In those beds to haul anything anyway. With the slider hitch i had, there was only 3/4 " clearance between inside bed and fiver handle.