Ram 2500 cargo capacity

[joshuabardwell]

My girlfriend has been dreaming about getting an RV. We crunched the weight numbers on a fifth-wheel, and I was surprised at the result. Here are the specs for my truck:

2005 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 SLT Quad Cab Short Bed 5.9L HO Diesel Engine

GVWR:                            9000 lbs
GAWR (front):                    5200 lb
GAWR (rear):                     6010 lb
GCWR:                            20000 lbs


Curb Weight:                     6813 lbs (nominal) - 7220 lbs (weighed 3/8/2012)
Curb Weight (front axle):        4280 lbs 
Curb Weight (rear axle):         2940 lbs


Max payload:                     2187 lbs (nominal) - 1780 lbs (weighed 3/8/2012)
Payload (front axle):            920 lbs
Payload (rear axle):             3070 lbs


Max towing:                      13050 lbs

The hypothetical trailer weighs 9000 lbs, with a 3000 lb cargo capacity for a total max weight of 12000 lbs. Since it's a 5th-wheel, 25% of that rests on the pin, which is 3000 lbs. This is 60 lbs over the rear axle's weight rating, which is close as makes no difference. The trailer's weight is 1050 lbs less than the truck's max tow capacity. And the combined weight of truck and trailer is 19,220, which leaves 780 lbs to spare. The only spec that doesn't measure up is the truck's GVWR. 9000 lbs GVWR - 7220 lbs curb weight = 1780 lbs cargo capacity, which is 1,220 lbs short of what would be needed to handle a fully loaded trailer, never mind the weight of additional passengers and cargo in the cab of the truck.

I'm kind of surprised that the cargo capacity of the truck doesn't seem to measure up to its tow capacity and/or its axle rating. One reason for this is that the truck has skid-plates on the undercarriage, which I think makes up most of the 400 lb difference between the nominal and the actual curb weight. Even if that was removed, it would still be short.

Are 3/4 ton trucks just not ideal for towing fifth-wheels? Are Dodge trucks particularly light in the cargo department? What's the deal?

 

[aczlan]

Dodge trucks are known to be light in the cargo department even to this day.

Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yea, Dodges are known to be light on paper to legally handle cargo, ect. The new ones are no better.

To compare my 2004 F250 4x4 had 10,000# GVWR and weighed 7,500 with me and my wife in it at the Cat Scales. It left me a honest 2,500# for cargo/pin weight, ect. It replaced a 2003 2500 Dodge 4x4 for the same reasons.

The F250 has since been replaced with a F350 Single Rear Wheel 4x4. It has 11,500# GVWR and weighs 7,600# with me and the wife at the same Cat Scale so 3,900# is the payload.

Chris

 

[s219]

I saw the same when shopping for half ton trucks. Dodge has a narrower margin between gross weight and curb weight, especially on the optioned out models. Perhaps they design for the regular cab base model and then let doors/options eat into the margin.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Don't forget to watch your tires also. Many 3/4 tons come with whimpy 245 tires that are not rated high enough.

Chris

 

[dodge man]

I own an almost identical truck but its a 2004. Mine weighs about 100 pounds more but I also have a tool box in it with some stuff in it.

I will tell you this, but keep in mind it won't change what the sticker on the door says for legal reasons. The difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton single rear wheel is the rear spring pack. The 1 ton single wheel has an over load leaf added to each side. For all practical purposes you could add that setup and be the same. The brakes, axles, frame, drive shafts, transmission and everything else is exactly the same. You could also add airbags and be good to go also.

When I read what people tow with these trucks on the Cummins forums you are well in what I would call the safe zone with that trailer but for legal reasons if you ever got in a serious accident someone might start looking at all the weights and technically you would not be legal.

 

[joshuabardwell]

When I read what people tow with these trucks on the Cummins forums you are well in what I would call the safe zone with that trailer but for legal reasons if you ever got in a serious accident someone might start looking at all the weights and technically you would not be legal.

That's the catch right there. I would be better off, legally, to get a bumper pull that only puts 10-15% of its weight on the truck, even though in some respects, a bumper pull tows worse and is somewhat less safe.

 

[joshuabardwell]

I saw the same when shopping for half ton trucks. Dodge has a narrower margin between gross weight and curb weight, especially on the optioned out models. Perhaps they design for the regular cab base model and then let doors/options eat into the margin.

That was the thought I had. I bet cargo would be fine if I had a long-bed standard-cab.

 

[Bigfoot62]

. . . Since it's a 5th-wheel, 25% of that rests on the pin, which is 3000 lbs. . .

Need to check your math.
Typically, 5vers have a pin weight of 15-20% of the gross trailer weight.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Need to check your math.
Typically, 5vers have a pin weight of 15-20% of the gross trailer weight.

No offense, but I have heard different. RV'ers I have read seem to say that you should calculate based on worst-case 25%, with 20-25% being typical.

 

[sd455dan]

I own an almost identical truck but its a 2004. Mine weighs about 100 pounds more but I also have a tool box in it with some stuff in it.

I will tell you this, but keep in mind it won't change what the sticker on the door says for legal reasons. The difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton single rear wheel is the rear spring pack. The 1 ton single wheel has an over load leaf added to each side. For all practical purposes you could add that setup and be the same. The brakes, axles, frame, drive shafts, transmission and everything else is exactly the same. You could also add airbags and be good to go also.

When I read what people tow with these trucks on the Cummins forums you are well in what I would call the safe zone with that trailer but for legal reasons if you ever got in a serious accident someone might start looking at all the weights and technically you would not be legal.

See Lots of guys pulling weights way above the sticker over on the Cummins Forum- without problems, also

found this interesting information on the AAM 11.5 on Wiki - 11.5 AAM[edit]


GMC All Terrain concept truck with 11.5 AAM axle
The 11.5 AAM rear differential replaced the "14 bolt" in many of the General Motors "heavy duty" light trucks in 2001 models, however the "14 bolt" is still in production. Besides trucks, it is used in commercial van applications. AAM continues to manufacture this axle for GM, as well as Dodge Ram trucks. Dodge discontinued running Dana Corp. axles after model year 2002 trucks. This is the main axle used in 3rd Generation Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks. The GM version uses a paper gasket and the Ram version uses a re-usable rubber gasket. This attribute also makes the Dodge and GM axles appear very different, because of the different cover used. This became the standard axle on all 2500 and 3500 RAM trucks for model year 2014.
Features[edit]
Increased GAWR: 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) Max.
1541 alloy axle shafts
Larger ring and pinion than the "14 bolt" axle. As well as other components.
Although pinion is overhung/no support bearing like the 14 bolt.
Selectable locking differential on Ram Power Wagon (2014 and newer.)


11.8 AAM axle. Optioned on 3500 RAM trucks with the High Output package.

The 10,000 lbs. rating on the AAM 11.5" sounds plenty strong -at least for the axle itself

 

[dodge man]

Yeah the rear axle is huge, I'm not to worried about breaking mine.

 

[sd455dan]

Yeah the rear axle is huge, I'm not to worried about breaking mine.

If what i just read is right -the F-250 and SRW F350 use the Sterling 10.5 rear axle??
quote (A feature unique to the 2011 Super Duty is the addition of a locking differential. It is only available for the F-250 and SRW F-350 4x4 models with a rear Sterling 10.5 axle. It is a 390.00 USD option)

and it is (heavier duty?) than the AAM :confused2: I don't think I will worry about my 3500s AAM either...

 

[kenmac]

Josh, I know you want to be legal for liability reasons. I probably need to worry about the liability part ,but I don't...I just go by the old saying,,,,,, don't worry about the mule,,, just load the wagon .I haven't broken anything on my Dodge 2500 yet

 

[Bigfoot62]

No offense, but I have heard different. RV'ers I have read seem to say that you should calculate based on worst-case 25%, with 20-25% being typical.

No offense taken. I just think you're getting the wrong info. I've been pulling 5vers since '96. Currently own my third one. (all 3 different makes) I've never seen a fifth wheel RV trailer with a 25% pin weight. My sister-in-law and her husband had a 40' 5ver, triple axle, with a dry weight of over 13,000#. They started pulling it with a 3/4 ton Dodge, before they bought a Ford dually. I don't think a stock 3/4 ton (any brand) could handle a pin weight of 3250#.
JMHO

 

[FredH]

No experience myself with 5th wheel r.v.'s other than helping in-laws set up theirs on a newer truck when they were alive . But I have a Question . On my semi , I have a sliding 5th wheel , thus I can shift weight forward to front axle to help balance the load on the truck . Although this would not help your gross vehicle weight , just wondering if something like that is even available on r.v.'s ??

Fred H.

 

[Diamondpilot]

If what i just read is right -the F-250 and SRW F350 use the Sterling 10.5 rear axle??
quote (A feature unique to the 2011 Super Duty is the addition of a locking differential. It is only available for the F-250 and SRW F-350 4x4 models with a rear Sterling 10.5 axle. It is a 390.00 USD option)

and it is (heavier duty?) than the AAM :confused2: I don't think I will worry about my 3500s AAM either...

It's the total package, not just the axle. Chassis, springs, hardware, tires, wheels, ect.

Chris

 

[RoMad]

No experience myself with 5th wheel r.v.'s other than helping in-laws set up theirs on a newer truck when they were alive . But I have a Question . On my semi , I have a sliding 5th wheel , thus I can shift weight forward to front axle to help balance the load on the truck . Although this would not help your gross vehicle weight , just wondering if something like that is even available on r.v.'s ??

Fred H.

Yes, sliders are available and quite popular. A lot of people with short bed trucks use them. You pull with them slid forward going down the road and slide them back when in a park or anywhere you need to make tight turns.

 

[RoMad]

A friend of mine bought a new fifth wheel travel trailer from a large dealer near Tampa. They moved his trailer to the onsite campground and had him take his truck to the service department to have the hitch put in. The service manager looked at his truck and told him his truck was not rated to pull the trailer he bought and he would not put the hitch in.
The service manager called the sales manager and the sales manager offerred to have my friends truck capacity upgraded and the dealer would pay for it.
They had my friend take his truck to another business and they changed his rear springs and I don't know what else. Afterward they changed or added a new tag showing the new rating.
My friend said he asked the guy at the shop what it would have cost to have his truck modified and the guy said " a little over $2k.
The truck is a Ford F250 diesel.

 

[Diamondpilot]

A friend of mine bought a new fifth wheel travel trailer from a large dealer near Tampa. They moved his trailer to the onsite campground and had him take his truck to the service department to have the hitch put in. The service manager looked at his truck and told him his truck was not rated to pull the trailer he bought and he would not put the hitch in.
The service manager called the sales manager and the sales manager offerred to have my friends truck capacity upgraded and the dealer would pay for it.
They had my friend take his truck to another business and they changed his rear springs and I don't know what else. Afterward they changed or added a new tag showing the new rating.
My friend said he asked the guy at the shop what it would have cost to have his truck modified and the guy said " a little over $2k.
The truck is a Ford F250 diesel.

Sounds like a upstanding dealer. Most would say you should have known your trucks capacity.

Chris