Same Boat - New Truck (Fifth Wheel Purchase Suggestion)

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by Dranoel

You probably will have over 5,000 lbs pin weight with that MS. With cargo, fuel, hitch and passengers you may be close to your payload rating. I know I am.

My pin is at 5,800# and that puts that me at my RAWR. I have a heavy B&W hitch and BIG tool box full of tools. Know your axle weights.

[Wolffox00]

[QUOTE=Cummins12V98;3466155]My pin is at 5,800# and that puts that me at my RAWR. I have a heavy B&W hitch and BIG tool box full of tools. Know your axle weights.[/QUOTE

Do you have the SRW or DWR. What is the the GVWR for your MS?

[Patriot65]

Originally Posted by Dranoel

You probably will have over 5,000 lbs pin weight with that MS. With cargo, fuel, hitch and passengers you may be close to your payload rating. I know I am.

So I am thinking of going quite heavy, and from RAM's website, my 3500 DRW Diesel/AISIN/4.10 is listed at 5680 lbs payload. A 5000-pound hitch weight for my trailer leaves not much weight for fuel and occupants.

350 pounds of dog and people, 40 gallons of diesel is about it (with full urinary bladders). The RV itself is limited to the max of 3000 pounds on the unit's I'm considering. Going to lighter rigs decrease the amount of insulation and weight capacities and in my mind, liveability.

A lot to think about here. So what, I take my truck to different dealers to weigh rig combos? Other ways to be sure of weight problems?

[Cummins12V98]

[QUOTE=Wolffox00;3467138]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

My pin is at 5,800# and that puts that me at my RAWR. I have a heavy B&W hitch and BIG tool box full of tools. Know your axle weights.[/QUOTE

Do you have the SRW or DWR. What is the the GVWR for your MS?

I am guessing you can't see my public signature at the bottom of each of my posts.

2015 Dually RAM CUMMINS/AISIN. GVWR of MS is 21K with it weighing in at 23K with upgraded kingpin bolts to accommodate this. Rear axle weighs about 3,400# with 7/8 tank fuel on the scales in factory form. That allows about 6,400# of rear axle capacity. I am at or under my axle ratings and combined weight ratings towing 33K combined.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by Patriot65

So I am thinking of going quite heavy, and from RAM's website, my 3500 DRW Diesel/AISIN/4.10 is listed at 5680 lbs payload. A 5000-pound hitch weight for my trailer leaves not much weight for fuel and occupants.

350 pounds of dog and people, 40 gallons of diesel is about it (with full urinary bladders). The RV itself is limited to the max of 3000 pounds on the unit's I'm considering. Going to lighter rigs decrease the amount of insulation and weight capacities and in my mind, liveability.

A lot to think about here. So what, I take my truck to different dealers to weigh rig combos? Other ways to be sure of weight problems?

You have MUCH more than 5,580# capacity. That number is derived from taking the Class 3 limiting number of 14K from the trucks factory weight. FORGET the 14K as it is ONLY there for licensing and insurance purposes.

I am using all of my RAW capacity of about 6,400#. I really doubt you will even come close to that weight but if you do know that you are still at or below your trucks axle ratings of 6,000# front and 9,750# rear.

[Dranoel]

Keep in mind you could have to explain any overweight situation to your insurer and a judge.

[DJNCJ]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

You have MUCH more than 5,580# capacity. That number is derived from taking the Class 3 limiting number of 14K from the trucks factory weight. FORGET the 14K as it is ONLY there for licensing and insurance purposes.

I am using all of my RAW capacity of about 6,400#. I really doubt you will even come close to that weight but if you do know that you are still at or below your trucks axle ratings of 6,000# front and 9,750# rear.

In your post (#19 in this thread) You published a Cat Scale ticket showing 9880# on the drive axle of your truck. 130# over the axle limit is not much but still over.

It was a scenerio similar to this that caused me (conscience got the best of me) to move away from a 2500 Ram (6500# rear axle limit) and into a 3500 Dually (9750# rear axle limit).

In the event of an accident, I didn't want to have to try to excuse away my actions.

I am not saying your rig is not safe going down the road (there are slight over weight capabilities engineered into every truck) its just not quite legal. It is important for others to understand this prior to making a purchase.

[Patriot65]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

You have MUCH more than 5,580# capacity. That number is derived from taking the Class 3 limiting number of 14K from the trucks factory weight. FORGET the 14K as it is ONLY there for licensing and insurance purposes.

I am using all of my RAW capacity of about 6,400#. I really doubt you will even come close to that weight but if you do know that you are still at or below your trucks axle ratings of 6,000# front and 9,750# rear.

So the RAM brochure (not website) says for a 3500 long box crew cab, 4x4, DRW, 6.7 Cummings/AISIN 6-speed, 4.10 axle:

GCWR 39,100
Tow Capacity 30,320
Payload 5,690

The clear limiting factor is the hitch weight. With max payload the GVWR is 14000 lbs. I won't be pulling a fifth wheel over 25,000 lbs to reach the GCWR.

Anybody got a lead on a new nicely equipped heavy four season (DRV, Luxe, New Horizon etc) RV? Still haven't bought one.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by Dranoel

Keep in mind you could have to explain any overweight situation to your insurer and a judge.

Sorry not an issue. Why is my RAWR 9,750# and my front axle UNLOADED 5,100#. That certainly is well over 14K. If I were running 14K tonnage I could get a ticket, that's it! 16K covers that.

[Roosters 67]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Sorry not an issue. Why is my RAWR 9,750# and my front axle UNLOADED 5,100#. That certainly is well over 14K. If I were running 14K tonnage I could get a ticket, that's it! 16K covers that.

Depending on the load, it could put weight on the front axle ie: weight distribution hitch.
As per your own weight ticket earlier in post, you are overweight by 1520Lbs on your truck.

5640+
9880=
15520

GVWR on your truck is 14000.
Math is math.

you are under on your GCWR

[Cummins12V98]

"2500 Ram (6500# rear axle limit) and into a 3500 Dually (9750# rear axle limit)."

BIG difference is your 2500 was limited to 6,500# because of the rear tires capacity. My tires at 80psi will net 11,340# carrying capacity. So I am nowhere near the tires capabilities.

Really funny how few people actually understand the game these manufactures play with their numbers.

Someone please explain to me how I can load my rear axle to 9,750# without a single other pound being added to the truck and be at or below the 14K rating? It's simply not possible.

[Cummins12V98]

"In your post (#19 in this thread) You published a Cat Scale ticket showing 9880# on the drive axle of your truck. 130# over the axle limit is not much but still over."

Yes that is true and have acknowledged that many times. I no longer have that extra weight in my toolbox.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by Roosters 67

Depending on the load, it could put weight on the front axle ie: weight distribution hitch.
As per your own weight ticket earlier in post, you are overweight by 1520Lbs on your truck.

5640+
9880=
15520

GVWR on your truck is 14000.
Math is math.

you are under on your GCWR

I see you are hauling a DRV also and I am sure you know they are VERY heavy. Have you taken your "FULLY" loaded combo to the scales?

[DJNCJ]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

"2500 Ram (6500# rear axle limit) and into a 3500 Dually (9750# rear axle limit)."

BIG difference is your 2500 was limited to 6,500# because of the rear tires capacity. My tires at 80psi will net 11,340# carrying capacity. So I am nowhere near the tires capabilities.

Really funny how few people actually understand the game these manufactures play with their numbers.

Someone please explain to me how I can load my rear axle to 9,750# without a single other pound being added to the truck and be at or below the 14K rating? It's simply not possible.

No doubt that from a mechanical standpoint there is room to carry far more than published.

Yes, the 6500# axle limit on the 2500 is due to the tires. They were listed at 3640# ea. at 80 psi. It is my understanding that the axle in the 2500 could actually handle 10k depending upon tire and spring capacities.

The numbers are all over the place. Law enforcement often does not understand truck weight regulations. The state I live in does not have plate registrations that match truck GVWR ratings. My truck, for instance has a 14k GVWR. Illinois offers a plate for 12k GVWR and then one at 16k so I must choose either to be under registered or over ! I also own an F550 for work. It has a GVWR of 19.5k. Same thing for it... register for 16k or 26k...nothing available in between.

Most of us that pull these large trailers are blessed with common sense. Our legislators though seem to be lacking...