Ram1500 EcoDiesel V6 revealed!

[aczlan]

I think those weights are without fuel and options, correct? It does say base weight, so I'm pretty sure that is correct. So, you can subtract 175 lbs for a tank of fuel and any options you get on the truck.

Correct. Here is a scenario:
Take any of those trucks and add the following:

• 75# trailer hitch
• 200# for 4x4
• 200# front push bumper
• 175# full tank of fuel
• 100# toolbox in the bed
• 100# of tools/equipment in the toolbox (or in the cab)
• 50# of options (extra alternator, airbags on the rear axle, plow frame, etc)

Now load it with 300# of food/camping gear and 3 220# guys.
Now you are at 1860#. Thats over the GVWR for ANY Dodge 1500 (except for the Std Cab, 8' bed 4x2 with the Pentastar 3.6L V6 which has a payload of 1900#) before adding the proverbial trailer full of ATVs, Snowmobiles, a boat, etc, etc, etc.

Aaron Z

 

[Heywood Jannockitov]

Wonder if it would have paint on the sheet metal. Lol

That's why American Airlines doesn't paint their aircraft. The paint on a widebody weighs about 300 lbs.
That's the weight of a couple of extra people onboard ...well, some people.

 

[jejeosborne]

Sorry Jejeosborne
but if you are towing that 7500 lbs. mini ex on a tandem flat bed trailer, with the f-150- and are still running those p rated (passenger tires) you are either right on the line for tire safety or are possibly over it.... or am I mistaken- since this whole thing is about safety and educating people...

I am anxious to learn. What am I missing? Tires are rated at 2271 lbs each and axle rating is 4050 in rear and 3600 in front. Truck is rated to tow 11,300 lbs and 1835 payload.

I want to mostly stay legal and in doing so being somewhat safe. Obviously it would be safer to use a bigger truck with LT tires but the excavator is moved just once or twice a year locally and being legal for that 30 mph move is most important.

 

[dodge man]

You guys don't know anything about trucks, I just want to look good cruising.

 

[sd455dan]

Ok- the truck is not over but with 2 adults 220#s each and 200#s for anything other than tongue weight, which (guessing here) works out to aprox. 1100#s leaves about 335#s to spare ? I stand corrected
but I would just say that I have had a couple blow outs in years past due to tire heat - was using a similar load rated tire on my j-10 Jeep and towing 150 miles with a heavier trailer, but loaded with just an intermediate size american muscle car... I have just had bad luck when towing using the lighter duty tires on the tow vehicles... it is an idiosyncrasy of mine i guess- I see you said that when towing that 30 mph would be used for the heaviest tows... Just be safe and i know from an earlier post that you inflate the tires by the tire manufacturers recommendations for max towing.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Well then, lets look at this from a nannies perspective. Ford rates their gvwr at 96% of the allowable weight on the axles. Dodge .. 87%.

Which truck has the higher margin of safety for an overload condition, or any condition for that matter. I guess being a Ford owner, you had better be carrying a bathroom scale around with you at all times.... cause there's not allot of wiggle room.

Do you seriously think the engineering in the Dodge is that much poorer? Or GM, OR Toyota... which are both in line with Dodges ratings.

Ford is notorious for doing this, all the way through their light truck lineup.

And yes, every truck I've owned before this RAM was a Ford... So I am absolutely not brand baiting, or bashing.

One of the things OEMs look at is the stopping distance at gross.. If its way off, they lower the gross or up the brakes. Tires also have a lot to do with it (up to axle limits, of course). If you want a plusher ride, softer, lower capacity tires go on it (notice that the 'max payload' option includes LT tires as opposed to P) Spring rate too. .. softer for better ride, harder for more payload. There's more to it than simply the axles.

 

[Midniteoyl]

So Ford builds a chassis, suspension, wheels, brakes, transmission, etc that maximizes the axles they have chosen. Way to go Ford. You guys are using your brain.
There is a WEAK link in the Ram and it isn't the axle. That is all we know based on any information I have access to. You may want to call Detroit and ask the person who rendered those numbers what is the limiting factor hold back the GVWR. Simple as that.

On the flip side. How do you feel about the Ram 3500 having class leading GVWR's? 2014 Ram 3500 - Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks
Do you think they are still under valuing the 1500 when they have no problems in other classes?

Post above this Ride vs payload..

 

[DarkBlack]

When it comes down to reality, the RAM 1500 sales have had huge growth in the last few years. Can't argue with success.

 

[crashz]

So what is Ram doing wrong?
They are offering the truck with a diesel, excellent ride and mileage with very typical 1/2 ton capacities. If the buyer needs more, the same trucks are offered in a 2500 and 3500 option, at the expense of mileage and comfort.
So whats wrong?

One of Ford biggest strengths in the market place is the almost endless configurations that their vehicles are offered in. And its made them hard to compete against, because they can best any manufacturer when certain things are focused on. But not all at once in one simple configuration. A HD F150 may have much more payload, but the added weight will make ride and mileage sacrifices. You can have the best or everything. Not both.

 

[jejeosborne]

So what is Ram doing wrong?
They are offering the truck with a diesel, excellent ride and mileage with very typical 1/2 ton capacities. If the buyer needs more, the same trucks are offered in a 2500 and 3500 option, at the expense of mileage and comfort.
So whats wrong?

One of Ford biggest strengths in the market place is the almost endless configurations that their vehicles are offered in. And its made them hard to compete against, because they can best any manufacturer when certain things are focused on. But not all at once in one simple configuration. A HD F150 may have much more payload, but the added weight will make ride and mileage sacrifices. You can have the best or everything. Not both.

The point being that their payload is lower than typical. Every truck has a weak point and payload is it for the Ram. Ram excels and leads the class in many other things though as you mentioned. No truck is perfect. If it only had better payload to match such strong powertains.....one would be in my garage.