New Ram 2500 owner with question...

[AXG1040]

Just picked up a 2014 Ram 2500 Laramie 4x4 CTD CCSB. Have been looking at a few travel trailers in the 32-33' range with GVWRs from 9-10k. Dry hitch weights from 700-1000 lbs.
Truck gets delivered Sat so I need to get it to the scales after I put a few things in it. Want to see what she weighs to figure out my available payload.
With the trailers I mentioned above do you think I am in the right ball park?
*Please do not reply with a link to the Ram towing guide. I have read it many times.
Just looking for some real input from seasoned RV'ers.
Thanks!!!

[oweninthekey]

AXG - You should not have any issues with the TT. I have a 2014 2500 HD with the 6.4L Hemi. My fifth wheel weighs in at just under 12K and apin weight of 1100 lbs. My CGO capacity of 1800 lbs and the truck hardly even knows it is back there.

Congrats on your new purchase.

[caissiel]

Get the unit that is best for the 2.
You should be able to tow any size TT with your 3/4 ton.
To many RVers get something they don't like because choosing to small and end up trading.
I tow a 15k 5ft wheel with my F250 because that is what we need. And not what others tell me I can tow.

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by oweninthekey

AXG - You should not have any issues with the TT. I have a 2014 2500 HD with the 6.4L Hemi. My fifth wheel weighs in at just under 12K and apin weight of 1100 lbs. My CGO capacity of 1800 lbs and the truck hardly even knows it is back there.

Congrats on your new purchase.

Something doesn't add up here. Your 5'er weighs 12,000lbs and the pin is 1100lbs? I don't think anyone makes a 12,000lb 5'er with a 1100lb pin weight. That's under 10%. You sure your pin isn't around 2000lbs or more?

[jimcumminsw]

Originally Posted by AXG1040

Just picked up a 2014 Ram 2500 Laramie 4x4 CTD CCSB. Have been looking at a few travel trailers in the 32-33' range with GVWRs from 9-10k. Dry hitch weights from 700-1000 lbs.
Truck gets delivered Sat so I need to get it to the scales after I put a few things in it. Want to see what she weighs to figure out my available payload.
With the trailers I mentioned above do you think I am in the right ball park?
*Please do not reply with a link to the Ram towing guide. I have read it many times.
Just looking for some real input from seasoned RV'ers.
Thanks!!!

OK: your truck has a GVWR of 10,000 LBS and approximately 2,180 LBS payload. Front and rear axle loads are (GAWR) 6,000 LBS (front) and 6,500 (rear) with a combined GWR of 24,000 LBS allowing you to tow a max trailer weight of 16,010 LBS.

Now this is a little off since no one has only 20 LBS of options in their truck and only a 150 LB passenger. So you do need to weight the truck as you would use the truck in pulling a trailer this will than tell you what you can pull as far as a trailer. Also according to Ram the payload and maximum trailer weights are mutually exclusive; this is foot note 3 in the Ram Body Builders Guide for Payload/GCWR/towing weights. They also state that the GAWR and the GVWR should never be exceeded, foot note 7 and 8 in the guide.

In my case I am towing a 318SAB Cougar that is 35’ long with a 2008 Ram 2500 Mega CAB CTD, 6 speed auto. My weights are front axle GAWR 5,200 LBS scaled at 4,940 LBS; rear axle GAWR 6,010 LBS scaled at 5,160 LBS; trailer axle weights are 8,140 LBS and the GCVW 20,000 LBS scaled at 18,240 LBS. I do not even consider payload when I tow my trailer as long as I do not exceed the GAWR and GCWR of the truck.

Jim W.

[AXG1040]

Just a quick photo of the truck. Now time to shop for our trailer.....

[wandering1]

Why don't you read the towing specs from the manufacturer??????

[Cumminsfan]

The towing guide is the only thing worth using. I certainly wouldn't take an opinion from someone I didn't know. If it says you can tow xxxx then you can. If it says you can only carry xxxx then that's all you can carry. Not sure what you're asking.
Are you wanting someone you don't know to approve of what Ram has listed for CCC and tow ratings?
But to answer your question there's probably not a TT out there that your Ram can't tow safely.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by AXG1040

...*Please do not reply with a link to the Ram towing guide. I have read it many times.

The RAM (and Trailer Life) towing guides are misleading in that they tell you only the gross weight you can pull (based on the GCWR). They ignore the hitch weight you can haul, based on the GVWR. Most pickups will exceed the GVWR long before they reach the GCWR.

So the RAM towing guide is a pretty good indicator of the max weight of a trailer you can pull without overheating something in the drivetrain. But only a CAT scale can tell you the max hitch weight you can have without overloading the suspension and brakes of the pickup.

Want to see what she weighs to figure out my available payload.

Good idea!. But don't just put "a few things" in the pickup. Load it up with all the people, pets, tools, jacks, campfire wood, 5er hitch, and whatever else might be in the truck when towing. Then go to a truckstop that has a CAT scale, fill up with fuel, and weigh the wet and loaded tow vehicle.

Subtract the weight of the wet and loaded tow vehicle from the GVWR of the tow vehicle. The answer is the max hitch weight (pin weight) you can have without being overloaded. Divide that max pin weight by 20% (0.20) and the answer is the max GVWR of any 5er you want to buy to tow with that tow vehicle.

For example, if your max hitch weight is 1500 pounds, then the max GVWR of any 5er you want to look at is 7,500 pounds. That's not a very big 5er. My 2000 Sprinter 25RK with one big slide has GVWR of 7,900 pounds.

Hopefully, you'll have at least 2,000 pounds of payload available for hitch weight. Then you can consider 5ers with GVWR up to 10,000 pounds. There are lots of nice 5ers with GVWR between 9,000 and 10,000 pounds.

[AXG1040]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

The RAM (and Trailer Life) towing guides are misleading in that they tell you only the gross weight you can pull (based on the GCWR). They ignore the hitch weight you can haul, based on the GVWR. Most pickups will exceed the GVWR long before they reach the GCWR. So the RAM towing guide is a pretty good indicator of the max weight of a trailer you can pull without overheating something in the drivetrain. But only a CAT scale can tell you the max hitch weight you can have without overloading the suspension and brakes of the pickup. Good idea!. But don't just put "a few things" in the pickup. Load it up with all the people, pets, tools, jacks, campfire wood, 5er hitch, and whatever else might be in the truck when towing. Then go to a truckstop that has a CAT scale, fill up with fuel, and weigh the wet and loaded tow vehicle. Subtract the weight of the wet and loaded tow vehicle from the GVWR of the tow vehicle. The answer is the max hitch weight (pin weight) you can have without being overloaded. Divide that max pin weight by 20% (0.20) and the answer is the max GVWR of any 5er you want to buy to tow with that tow vehicle. For example, if your max hitch weight is 1500 pounds, then the max GVWR of any 5er you want to look at is 7,500 pounds. That's not a very big 5er. My 2000 Sprinter 25RK with one big slide has GVWR of 7,900 pounds. Hopefully, you'll have at least 2,000 pounds of payload available for hitch weight. Then you can consider 5ers with GVWR up to 10,000 pounds. There are lots of nice 5ers with GVWR between 9,000 and 10,000 pounds.

Thanks. I always enjoy reading your posts. We are looking at travel trailers at this time. Was really surprised to see the yellow payload sticker only have 2018 lbs listed. We went with the Laramie CCSB 4x4 CTD with the factory spray in liner , 20 in wheels /tires and step bars. All that stuff adds up. Like I said I really need to get it on the scales to really know my payload. I do have a 10k GVWR. Love the truck and bought it knowing we could handle more travel trailers vs. 5th wheels.

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by AXG1040

We are looking at travel trailers at this time.

Yeah, I need to learn to read.

Most travel trailers have around 13% to 15% hitch weight, so use 15% to lessen the possibility of your being overloaded in the middle of your third camping trip.

So if you have 1,500 pounds of payload capacity available for hitch weight, that's a TT with a GVWR of not more than 10,000 pounds. That's a pretty big TT, just what you were thinking of.

Have been looking at a few travel trailers in the 32-33' range with GVWRs from 9-10k.

If that 32-33' is overall length of the trailer, then you're right on track.

For example, the Forest River Salem 30QBSS has dry weight plus cargo carrying capacity of 9742 pounds. They say the GVWR is TBA, but you can bet it will be close to 9,750 pounds. The 30QBSS means a 30' box with queen bed, bunk beds, and a SuperSlide (one big slide).
Salem Travel Trailer by Forest River

If you wanted more trailer than that, then you should have bought a 3500.

[AXG1040]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

Yeah, I need to learn to read. Most travel trailers have around 13% to 15% hitch weight, so use 15% to lessen the possibility of your being overloaded in the middle of your third camping trip. So if you have 1,500 pounds of payload capacity available for hitch weight, that's a TT with a GVWR of not more than 10,000 pounds. That's a pretty big TT, just what you were thinking of. If that 32-33' is overall length of the trailer, then you're right on track. For example, the Forest River Salem 30QBSS has dry weight plus cargo carrying capacity of 9742 pounds. They say the GVWR is TBA, but you can bet it will be close to 9,750 pounds. The 30QBSS means a 30' box with queen bed, bunk beds, and a SuperSlide (one big slide). Salem Travel Trailer by Forest River If you wanted more trailer than that, then you should have bought a 3500.

Thanks. We really like the Open Range MR288FLR and the Sundance SD322RES. The OR has a GVWR of 9800 and the SD is 10500. I plan on taking the truck to the scales this weekend loaded up to see what we have left in terms of payload.

[scottygl64]

I tow basically the same 5er as Caissiel with my 07 5.9 CTDSBQC and have no issues. Not saying you need to follow suit, just that what you're describing to use you're fine. Besides the 14's have more Towing Capacity than the 07s.

[scottygl64]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Something doesn't add up here. Your 5'er weighs 12,000lbs and the pin is 1100lbs? I don't think anyone makes a 12,000lb 5'er with a 1100lb pin weight. That's under 10%. You sure your pin isn't around 2000lbs or more?

On my 06 Heartland BH 3400 RL, slightly smaller than his, my tongue weight hits around 2100 or so when my loaded trailer hits 13,820, cat scale. These are heavy units, but two like a dream. Well balanced. This is my 6th unit and tows the best of any previous units, but heavvy