2013 looks to be a good year for Ram HD trucks

[john_bud]

Dodge has always been low on its numbers. Both tow ratings and GVWR. Same can be said with GM also but they make up for it with the trucks being about 800# lighter on average prior to this new chassis. My 06 F-350 Diesel is rated at a little under 18,000# We all know the Dodge can do more than the 13,000# number but with the way the world is if you have more than that on it and get into a accident they will hang you.

And if you die on the side of the road, your warranty may be void if you are over the rated cap! I know of one dodge dealership that voided a warranty for a 1500 having something like 7500 # load with the rated cap of 5500#. I was in the dealership looking at new trucks when he and the stealership manager got into a 110db conversation about how his 6 month old truck needed a new transmission and how he would have to foot the whole bill because of "gross abuse". It was "funny" as the salesman had told me just moments before that while the tow cap was low, the truck would have no problems. I did ask him to put it in writing in the sales contract that I could tow as much as I wanted to and still be warranted..... that didn't happen!

Q: with your truck rated at tow cap of 18,000 what's the GCVW and do you need a CDL to drive it?

is that right a cumming equipt 3500 2500 can tow 13200 wow thats low my 2011 3500 srw 6.0l 4.11 gears can pull 13k

The numbers were from the Dodge ... er... Ram web site. I included the link. Considering the Ford ratings, the Ram is ridiculously low! I sure hope they
fix it for the 2013 models.

 

[Diamondpilot]

And if you die on the side of the road, your warranty may be void if you are over the rated cap! I know of one dodge dealership that voided a warranty for a 1500 having something like 7500 # load with the rated cap of 5500#. I was in the dealership looking at new trucks when he and the stealership manager got into a 110db conversation about how his 6 month old truck needed a new transmission and how he would have to foot the whole bill because of "gross abuse". It was "funny" as the salesman had told me just moments before that while the tow cap was low, the truck would have no problems. I did ask him to put it in writing in the sales contract that I could tow as much as I wanted to and still be warranted..... that didn't happen!

Q: with your truck rated at tow cap of 18,000 what's the GCVW and do you need a CDL to drive it?

The numbers were from the Dodge ... er... Ram web site. I included the link. Considering the Ford ratings, the Ram is ridiculously low! I sure hope they
fix it for the 2013 models.

The Gvwr is 11, 500#. Truck weighs 7, 600#. I mainly use it to tow my 15, 600# boat.

Ch ris

 

[john_bud]

The Gvwr is 11, 500#. Truck weighs 7, 600#. I mainly use it to tow my 15, 600# boat.

Ch ris

This is an area where confusion is present.... is a CDL needed for that? 11,500 + 15,600 = 27,100 pounds and the trailer is over 10k. I thought it was, but...?

 

[Diamondpilot]

This is an area where confusion is present.... is a CDL needed for that? 11,500 + 15,600 = 27,100 pounds and the trailer is over 10k. I thought it was, but...?

Not for private use. The truck weighs 7600# &15600# for the trailer. Thats 23200# Either way there are exemptions for rv and private use.

Chris

 

[Brad_Blazer]

And if you die on the side of the road, your warranty may be void if you are over the rated cap! I know of one dodge dealership that voided a warranty for a 1500 having something like 7500 # load with the rated cap of 5500#. I was in the dealership looking at new trucks when he and the stealership manager got into a 110db conversation about how his 6 month old truck needed a new transmission and how he would have to foot the whole bill because of "gross abuse". It was "funny" as the salesman had told me just moments before that while the tow cap was low, the truck would have no problems. I did ask him to put it in writing in the sales contract that I could tow as much as I wanted to and still be warranted..... that didn't happen!

Q: with your truck rated at tow cap of 18,000 what's the GCVW and do you need a CDL to drive it?



The numbers were from the Dodge ... er... Ram web site. I included the link. Considering the Ford ratings, the Ram is ridiculously low! I sure hope they
fix it for the 2013 models.

Good to know - don't let the dealership weigh your trailer in that situation. It seems like the tow ratings are designed to steer you to more pricey options. On the 2012 Ram 1500, the 310hp 4.7L quad cab 4x4 with 3.55 rear end and 65RFE transmission is rated to tow 5850 lb. The same truck with a 390hp 5.7L hemi on the same drivetrain is rated to tow 8550lb. They basically scaled the max combined weight to horsepower - like a half ton truck really needs more than 300 horsepower. I'm thinking the 4.7L will be significantly easier on the drive train than the hemi.

From the towing chart "Note that all the payload and Max Trail weights are ESTIMATED values." http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/pdf/RAM.1500.Towing.Specs.pdf


By the way, I just bought that 1500 with 4.7L. Averaged 21mpg on the way back from the dealership , mostly highway, according to the computer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Its not just HP. Take a base model GM versus the top of the line. Smaller oil capacity, drum brakes versus disc on the rear, and more important is the size of the cooling systems.

Chris

 

[Brad_Blazer]

That's true if you go to the extremes but the two trucks I was describing have identical chassis, brakes, "heavy duty transmission cooler", and "heavy duty engine cooling". Sure the Hemi holds a an extra quart of oil and 2 quarts of water. That's still engine and both trucks have plenty of power.

Driving 14000lb up a 6% grade at 65mph takes about 150hp more than on the flat. Driving on the flat should take less than 100hp.

 

[john_bud]

Not for private use. The truck weighs 7600# &15600# for the trailer. Thats 23200# Either way there are exemptions for rv and private use.

Chris

Different states must have different laws. Ours is pretty ...... strict ( I wanted to use a "bad" word ). They go by actual weight, plated weight or manufacturers listed GVWR -- which ever is higher. So, here you would be in deep doo-doo when the highway patrol pulled you over and scaled ya! There are no exclusions on the 26,000 weight here, that's for sure.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Different states must have different laws. Ours is pretty ...... strict ( I wanted to use a "bad" word ). They go by actual weight, plated weight or manufacturers listed GVWR -- which ever is higher. So, here you would be in deep doo-doo when the highway patrol pulled you over and scaled ya! There are no exclusions on the 26,000 weight here, that's for sure.

I have pulled this boat on a 18,000# GVWR trailer using my 11,500# GVWR truck all over more than 10 states. Never a issue. I have also pulled my old 25,000# GVWR 30' Tandem Dually GN all over 15 or more states using my F-350 with no issues.

Most every state has exemptions for Farm, RV, and private use (not for hire). Every 5th wheel camper and diesel pusher would be illegal if not.

Chris

 

[mikehaugen]

I have pulled this boat on a 18,000# GVWR trailer using my 11,500# GVWR truck all over more than 10 states. Never a issue. I have also pulled my old 25,000# GVWR 30' Tandem Dually GN all over 15 or more states using my F-350 with no issues.

Most every state has exemptions for Farm, RV, and private use (not for hire). Every 5th wheel camper and diesel pusher would be illegal if not.

Chris

The exceptions for RV's I know exist, I remember reading it somewhere on the state website. I am not so sure about a gn flatbed though. I do know someone that was doing it for hire and had to go through all the same procedures as semi-driver... Log books and all.