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Payload capacity/tow question

EODMatt

EODMatt

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Forgive my ignorance, I’ve got a 2019 2500 CTD CC LB T’man - payload max per sticker is 2300 lbs (which pains me). I’m used to using my 1996 3500 Dually 12valve and never worrying about payload or towing. My question is:

I’m looking for a new fifth wheel, or maybe a bumper pull travel trailer. When it comes to the hitch weight/pin weight for a 5er or bumper trailer should these weights be treated the same? Or by some type of magic is my potential payload more from a fifth wheel hitch vs. a bumper hitch? These numbers may determine which route I go between 5er and bumper pull. Thanks!
 
payload is payload. with only 2300 to play with, most lean towards a Travel trailer due to the tongue weight only being 10% of the gvwr vs 20-25% with a fifth wheel. With that being said, you can still get a fifth wheel, but selections will be limited. depending on your family size, that can eat up 5-800 lbs right off the top.
 
What carlrx7 said. Payload is payload. 5th wheel doesn't change that except put you over with anything over "1/2 ton" model.

Also be aware most of those 1/2 ton models usually have a Turning Point pinbox that cannot be changed out. You're stuck with it.

My 2018 Grand Design Reflection (mid level) 303RLS (32' external) is ~10K empty, GVWR 12K and my pin weight is around 2100-2200 lbs depending on loadout with a GVWR on the trailer around 11K. Right about where 5th wheel pin weights are expected at 18-20%.

Add a heavy hitch (not an Andersen fan but maybe OK for a light trailer), people, gear, genset, crossover toolbox, firewood, etc. etc. and you're well over payload in a 2500 Diesel.
 
I’m curious. All you guys with 3500 SRW trucks, what is your payload? When looking at the towing specs on the RAM webpage I dont see these huge differences in payload until you step up to a DRW. Am I misreading these charts?
 
EODMatt said:
Forgive my ignorance, I’ve got a 2019 2500 CTD CC LB T’man - payload max per sticker is 2300 lbs (which pains me). I’m used to using my 1996 3500 Dually 12valve and never worrying about payload or towing. My question is:

I’m looking for a new fifth wheel, or maybe a bumper pull travel trailer. When it comes to the hitch weight/pin weight for a 5er or bumper trailer should these weights be treated the same? Or by some type of magic is my potential payload more from a fifth wheel hitch vs. a bumper hitch? These numbers may determine which route I go between 5er and bumper pull. Thanks!
Click to expand...
More than likely your GVWR is 10K and if you add the axle weight ratings, it'll be 11K. Look up all of the truck weight ratings, you'll be surprized.
 
IronHorsePilot said:
I’m curious. All you guys with 3500 SRW trucks, what is your payload? When looking at the towing specs on the RAM webpage I dont see these huge differences in payload until you step up to a DRW. Am I misreading these charts?
Click to expand...

From a 2500? It all depends on the configuration of the truck. The higher the trim, the less payload. Short (regular) bed is less than a long bed. I have a 3500 Laramie with the H.O. regular bed, and a 3,750 payload. Know someone with a 3500 Big Horn with a long bed, standard 6.7, that has a little over 4,200 payload. My 2500 diesel had a 2,500 payload, so I gained 1,250 (it would be 1,700 with that friends truck), which I needed for a future 5th wheel. Understand, most 2500's are 2,300 or less. Put a gas engine in it, and you will see a pretty good payload over a diesel.

Go to a dually, and you will gain over 1,000 in payload over a SRW.

As always, broucher numbers are very optimistic.
 
IronHorsePilot said:
I’m curious. All you guys with 3500 SRW trucks, what is your payload? When looking at the towing specs on the RAM webpage I dont see these huge differences in payload until you step up to a DRW. Am I misreading these charts?
Click to expand...
You're correct regarding SRW vs DRW. On the latter you get 2K lbs more GVWR and roughly another 1400-1800 lb of payload. The trim does make a difference, PL is better for a 4x2 drive system and the long bed when it comes to the SRW 3500. As an example, I have the Laramie long bed 4X2/SRW and my PL is 4275 on my sticker. That gives me a pretty good pin weight capability/trailer GVWR for a 5'er. Won't tow the real heavy 3 axle trailers/toy haulers but I can haul fairly heavy trailers as long as I don't put a lot of extra weight in the truck and save my PL for pin weight.
 
IronHorsePilot said:
I’m curious. All you guys with 3500 SRW trucks, what is your payload? When looking at the towing specs on the RAM webpage I dont see these huge differences in payload until you step up to a DRW. Am I misreading these charts?
Click to expand...

My Limited fully optioned except VSIM and sunroof is 3707.

The RAM towing spec for tow capacity on an HO Limited shows 2K less @23K than my VIN, which is 25K.
 
Axle weigh your truck, subtract rear axle weight from rear axle capacity and you will have a good idea what you can haul for pin weight. Don't worry about PL. FCA is just playing it safe rating 2500's at 10k. Look at new GM's. They're rating 2500's at 11250 with PL at 3200. Same axle ratings as Ram!
 
Think FCA will ever come out with an equivalent to the F450? Yeah I know they offer the 4500 chassis cab, but I'm talking a pickup DRW version.
 
Forgive my ignorance on the subject but isn't the only difference between a 450 and a 350 that a 450 has a wide track, tighter turning front axle? I thought they were both the same GVW and towing capacity.
 
F450 has lower diff ratio and is a bit heavier. So the king of towing and tighter TR. F350 is king of payload.
 
IronHorsePilot said:
I’m curious. All you guys with 3500 SRW trucks, what is your payload? When looking at the towing specs on the RAM webpage I dont see these huge differences in payload until you step up to a DRW. Am I misreading these charts?
Click to expand...
I have a Tradesman 3500 HO SRW LB and my payload is 4308
 
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