2020 RAM Laramie Longhorn 4X4 Diesel Short Bed

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by SteveE9C6

"Yes sir, you can tow 19,000 lbs... Look it up by VIN.". We bought a 3/4 ton new diesel ram less than a week ago to celebrate completing cancer chemo and radiation. We planned on buying a fifth wheel and traveling. Every dealer is happy to sell me pretty much anything. I thought the limiting factor was towing capacity. Today, I found out that the true limiting factor is the trucks total cargo capacity. The 2020 RAM 2500 4x4 Diesel Laramie Longhorn has a very meager 2109 lb total capacity. Calculating using a 20% figure of the 5th wheel total loaded weight, that doesn't leave much.... The fully loaded 5th wheel may not exceed 7,750 lbs to avoid exceeding the pin weight limit.

Well, crap.

Your best option is to contact the dealer about returning the truck and getting a 3500 instead. If you haven’t put a ton of miles on it you might be able to work out a deal.

[SteveE9C6]

Thank you for the informative responses as well as the light hearted banter. I thought about going back to the dealer for a 1 ton dually, but then decided on a different path. It's just my wife and I. We are not full timers. I placed a deposit on a 2021 KZ RV DURANGO HALF-TON D283RLT... It's 33 feet long and has an actual hitch weight of 1505 lbs (weighed). Their published hitch weight is 1310 lbs but when weighed is 1505. Dry weight 8810. Gross Weight 10,500. I'm certain this is a small 5th wheel to most here. That's ok. It will be fine for us. We sold our Damon DP which was 40 ft. This feels like almost as much room...
Thanks, Steve

[Elisavaet]

Originally Posted by SteveE9C6

"Yes sir, you can tow 19,000 lbs... Look it up by VIN.". We bought a 3/4 ton new diesel ram less than a week ago to celebrate completing cancer chemo and radiation. We planned on buying a fifth wheel and traveling. Every dealer is happy to sell me pretty much anything. I thought the limiting factor was towing capacity. Today, I found out that the true limiting factor is the trucks total cargo capacity. The 2020 RAM 2500 4x4 Diesel Laramie Longhorn has a very meager 2109 lb total capacity. Calculating using a 20% figure of the 5th wheel total loaded weight, that doesn't leave much.... The fully loaded 5th wheel may not exceed 7,750 lbs to avoid exceeding the pin weight limit.

Well, crap.

Steve
Take a look at some of the nicer travel trailers. Outdoors RV now has a line w auto leveling. Grand Design and Jayco have some very nice ones. You get a totally flat living area with no stairs, a lower roofline that is easier to cool or heat and has better usable space, and a lower overall height.

You are unlikely to be able to get a built in generator but other than that there are some great floor plans.

Compared to what you’ve been through this is easy as pie.

Best wishes
Kate

[wrvond]

Originally Posted by SteveE9C6

"Yes sir, you can tow 19,000 lbs... Look it up by VIN.". We bought a 3/4 ton new diesel ram less than a week ago to celebrate completing cancer chemo and radiation. We planned on buying a fifth wheel and traveling. Every dealer is happy to sell me pretty much anything. I thought the limiting factor was towing capacity. Today, I found out that the true limiting factor is the trucks total cargo capacity. The 2020 RAM 2500 4x4 Diesel Laramie Longhorn has a very meager 2109 lb total capacity. Calculating using a 20% figure of the 5th wheel total loaded weight, that doesn't leave much.... The fully loaded 5th wheel may not exceed 7,750 lbs to avoid exceeding the pin weight limit.

Well, crap.

I agree. It’s a real shame that auto manufacturers provide misleading statements in order to garner sales. It’s rarely a good idea to get important information from the marketing department. That said, Google 2020 Ram Towing Guide - you’ll find hours of educational material contained in that document that will help you choose the best camper match for your truck.
Since you are already committed to the truck I’d suggest investigating the “1/2 ton towable” units such as the Keystone Cougar.

[CecilD]

Sounds like you have things in hand. I was going to recommend a Grand Design Reflection 150 series with similar numbers. Your payload capacity allows you 150# for your weight and full tank of fuel. There are lightweight hitches on the market now that will help. Your drive train will pull your trailer without effort.

Now the frustrating news, once towing you will notice considerably heavier rigs being towed with your exact same truck! Congrats with your recovery.

[BPTS]

We have a ‘19 Outdoors RV 24RLS that tips the scales at 10k wet. Tongue weight is right near 1100#.
Tow vehicle was a 19 F250 6.2 CCLB. That truck pulled it fine, felt like it was on rails although the 6.2 was a bit anemic on the hills to maintain a reasonable speed.
Just traded it in for a 2020 F250 CCLB with the 7.3 and 10spd tranny. Haven’t pulled the trailer yet but I can tell it will pull it well.
Really surprised at a RAM diesels 2100# load limit. On both of the F250’s it has been 3460#.

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by BPTS

We have a ‘19 Outdoors RV 24RLS that tips the scales at 10k wet. Tongue weight is right near 1100#.
Tow vehicle was a 19 F250 6.2 CCLB. That truck pulled it fine, felt like it was on rails although the 6.2 was a bit anemic on the hills to maintain a reasonable speed.
Just traded it in for a 2020 F250 CCLB with the 7.3 and 10spd tranny. Haven’t pulled the trailer yet but I can tell it will pull it well.
Really surprised at a RAM diesels 2100# load limit. On both of the F250’s it has been 3460#.

Your gas F-250's have close to 1k or more in payload than a comparable F-250 w/diesel. My gas F-250 is 3216 payload but looked at similar trim level with diesel and it was around 2200. Looked at RAM's when I was shopping for the new truck and they have similar differences in payload between the 2500 gas and diesel models. The diesel engine is a lot heavier than the gas and eats a chunk of the payload in the 2500/250 models with the 10K GVWR.

[Elev8torguy]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

Your gas F-250's have close to 1k or more in payload than a comparable F-250 w/diesel. My gas F-250 is 3216 payload but looked at similar trim level with diesel and it was around 2200. Looked at RAM's when I was shopping for the new truck and they have similar differences in payload between the 2500 gas and diesel models. The diesel engine is a lot heavier than the gas and eats a chunk of the payload in the 2500/250 models with the 10K GVWR.

^^^^^^someone understands^^^^^^

[BPTS]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

Your gas F-250's have close to 1k or more in payload than a comparable F-250 w/diesel. My gas F-250 is 3216 payload but looked at similar trim level with diesel and it was around 2200. Looked at RAM's when I was shopping for the new truck and they have similar differences in payload between the 2500 gas and diesel models. The diesel engine is a lot heavier than the gas and eats a chunk of the payload in the 2500/250 models with the 10K GVWR.

Glad I stuck with a gasser. I had a ‘15 F350 Powerstroke before I bought the ‘19 F250. It was a good truck, the diesel just isn’t a good fit for me.
Thanks for ‘splainin

[joshuajim]

For those who state my superior brand is better than your junk. I've looked in a lot of different dealer service bays and they are all FULL with mostly trucks. Yeah, even your superior brand.

[BPTS]

Originally Posted by joshuajim

For those who state my superior brand is better than your junk. I've looked in a lot of different dealer service bays and they are all FULL with mostly trucks. Yeah, even your superior brand.

You mad bro?

[joshuajim]

Originally Posted by BPTS

You mad bro?

Nope...

You oblivious?

[HamboneTHW]

Originally Posted by CecilD

Sounds like you have things in hand. I was going to recommend a Grand Design Reflection 150 series with similar numbers. Your payload capacity allows you 150# for your weight and full tank of fuel. There are lightweight hitches on the market now that will help. Your drive train will pull your trailer without effort.

Now the frustrating news, once towing you will notice considerably heavier rigs being towed with your exact same truck! Congrats with your recovery.

The bottom part of this statement will continue to ring true. With that said, a guy in our park tows a 40’ Open Range that weights as much as our 42’ Columbus with a Ram 2500 LB Diesel. He’s put a lot of miles on it without any issues and used to be a truck driver.

I’m glad he’s willing to take the risk, but I’m not. We just bought a 2020 F-350 DRW. Before occupants and fuel, 5,289 lbs. of payload. Plenty of wiggle room with our FW fully loaded.

[HDGoose]

Originally Posted by SteveE9C6

Thank you for the informative responses as well as the light hearted banter. I thought about going back to the dealer for a 1 ton dually, but then decided on a different path. It's just my wife and I. We are not full timers. I placed a deposit on a 2021 KZ RV DURANGO HALF-TON D283RLT... It's 33 feet long and has an actual hitch weight of 1505 lbs (weighed). Their published hitch weight is 1310 lbs but when weighed is 1505. Dry weight 8810. Gross Weight 10,500. I'm certain this is a small 5th wheel to most here. That's ok. It will be fine for us. We sold our Damon DP which was 40 ft. This feels like almost as much room...
Thanks, Steve

My 2008 WolfPack 295WP toyhauler max is 12k. Usually under 11k for us. It pulled fine with my 2013 RAM 2500 Tradesman Diesel. I was withing 500 of GAWR, but was not over! Ours is a 33ft trailer and for us two it is great!