Can I tow this...

[SoloCon]

I currently have a 2016 Ram 2500 tradesman 6.4L GAS 4x4. Looking on the Ram site and entering my VIN, it says I can tow

Max Payload of: 3162.53 LBS
Max Towing of: 15962.53 LBS

I've done some research on here and people say to look at my door sticker to see how much I can tow. I've done that and I'm more confused

I've attached an image of what my truck sticks shows but still don't know if I can tow a 5th wheel I'm thinking about buying.

The trailer specs can be found here: (Not this exact trailer, but one very similar) https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...010-5011182211

Here's the stats of the 5th wheel:

• GVWR (lbs): 14000
• Hitch Weight (lbs): 2300
• Dry Weight (lbs): 11252

From my understanding (of which I could be wrong), I believe the truck should be able to pull it. I'm thinking I might need air bags, but that's a different story.

I've towed a 27 footer bumper pull with a 1/2 ton before, but never done a 5th wheel and would like some input.

This is the wife's truck and a diesel/DRW is out of the question.

I'm out of Arizona and plan to take the truck/5th wheel toy hauler up north about 7 times a year. Besides that, the truck gets very little use.. (13K miles in the last 4 years)

So, is this too small of a truck/too big of a toy hauler? Will I be all over the road? If it matters, I'm towing a RZR XP 4 1000 which is about 1600 LBS

[aether_one]

All the door sticker tells you is the max axle weights and the trucks GVWR. The number you are missing is the GCVWR. As long as you stay under the truck's GCVWR the rest of the numbers look like you should be OK to tow this trailer, but with the trailer's dry weight more than the GVWR of the truck I think that may be a stretch, just like the "Max Towing of: 15962.53 LBS" is a stretch.

[SoloCon]

Originally Posted by tfryman

All the door sticker tells you is the max axle weights and the trucks GVWR. The number you are missing is the GCVWR. As long as you stay under the truck's GCVWR the rest of the numbers look like you should be OK to tow this trailer, but with the trailer's dry weight more than the GVWR of the truck I think that may be a stretch, just like the "Max Towing of: 15962.53 LBS" is a stretch.

I just pulled up my spec from the ram website and it lists: GCWR: as 22,800... is this what you're referring to?

[kdauto]

I certainly wouldn't recommend it. I'm no expert, but from what I've read most toyhaulers are very nose heavy until they're loaded. I've read of upwards to 25% pin weight. Your payload and RAWR will be at or very close to max.

If you're running monster tires with aggressive knobby treads the experience would likely suck.

I'd look for a smaller lighter trailer or a DRW truck, which you don't want. Can't have it all.

[tuffr2]

Ugh, truck buyers that buy a 250/2500 series truck to tow a 5th wheel really do not understand 5th wheel pin weights and their truck.

Think of it this way:

250/2500 series trucks are good to tow travel trailers

350/3500 series trucks are good to tow both travel trailers and 5th wheels.

Typically a 350/3500 series truck will have 1,200 to 1,500 lbs more payload capacity than the little 250/3500 series trucks.

For your truck you need to look at a toy hauler travel trailer...not a 5th wheel.

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by SoloCon

I currently have a 2016 Ram 2500 tradesman 6.4L GAS 4x4. Looking on the Ram site and entering my VIN, it says I can tow

Max Payload of: 3162.53 LBS
Max Towing of: 15962.53 LBS

I've done some research on here and people say to look at my door sticker to see how much I can tow. I've done that and I'm more confused

I've attached an image of what my truck sticks shows but still don't know if I can tow a 5th wheel I'm thinking about buying.

The trailer specs can be found here: (Not this exact trailer, but one very similar) https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/201...010-5011182211

Here's the stats of the 5th wheel:

• GVWR (lbs): 14000
• Hitch Weight (lbs): 2300
• Dry Weight (lbs): 11252

From my understanding (of which I could be wrong), I believe the truck should be able to pull it. I'm thinking I might need air bags, but that's a different story.

I've towed a 27 footer bumper pull with a 1/2 ton before, but never done a 5th wheel and would like some input.

This is the wife's truck and a diesel/DRW is out of the question.

I'm out of Arizona and plan to take the truck/5th wheel toy hauler up north about 7 times a year. Besides that, the truck gets very little use.. (13K miles in the last 4 years)

So, is this too small of a truck/too big of a toy hauler? Will I be all over the road? If it matters, I'm towing a RZR XP 4 1000 which is about 1600 LBS

Well don't know why with a 2016 you are pulling numbers off the web. There is a second sticker on the door pillar with YOUR trucks payload, it should have yellow stripes on it and words something like Tire and Payload.

If you post the year and model of the TH you are looking at we can provide exact manufactures weights.


I ran the VIN off my 2016 Ram 3500 CTD DRW through that web site, and the numbers were close to the yellow sticker but they were higher.
With a four year old TV, best to take DW and go to a scale and get it weighed, each axle.Full tank of fuel and normal camping stuff.

[Cumminsfan]

I tow a 9500 lb loaded TT with the same (2018) truck with 4.10 gears. Just speculating but I would figure on 13,500+ lbs loaded. I think from a power stand point you'll hate it. The 6sp tranny used is not real efficient. I suspect you'll be in 4th and 5th 100% of the time with more time in 4th. MPG's will be in the 7-8 mpg range.
You don't say how far you're towing. From my personal experience if you were towing only a couple 100 miles each way then yeah you could do it.
If you're going 500-800 miles then it will get old real fast. Also if you're heading into any mtns then plan on using 2nd -4th all the time.

You'll be real close on payload but under the RAWR. You'll also want air bags or Timbrens. Also from reading you'll want one of these;
https://www.thurenfabrication.com/pr...ckbar-kit.html
It keeps the rear axle from moving sideways when loading and unloading like in dips in the road. It takes the wiggle feeling out of the trucks rear.

Your real payload is on the door jamb on a yellow and white sticker. My 2018 6.4 CC LB 4x4 has 2907 lbs for payload. But it came with the Snow Chief and 5th wheel prep options. Otherwise it would be near your 3100+ lbs.

[JIMNLIN]

Your Rams 15900 lb tow rating is for all types of trailers and not just for RV trailers. It would work fine for my 16k triaxle stock trailer where we can load small stuff in the front and bulls and cows over the trailers axles for a light hitch load so we don't overload the trucks RAWR..

Your 2500 Ram like all 2016 250/2500 trucks have 6000-6500 RAWR for carrying all the trailers pin weight....a 200 lb hitch... and other gear in the bed... plus part of the cabs load.
These trucks can have around 3000-3200 lb in the bed payload before exceeding a tire...wheel...rear spring pack.

2014 and up 2500 Rams have rear coil springs. Not the best for towing max axle loads plus not a lot of after marker choices for upgrading for carrying heavy loads.

That 14k gvwr trailer can have 2800-3200 lbs of pin weight once its all loaded.

I would look at 12k +/- gvwr 5th wheel trailers which can have 2400-2800 lb of pin weight.

[77Travco]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Ugh, truck buyers that buy a 250/2500 series truck to tow a 5th wheel really do not understand 5th wheel pin weights and their truck.

Think of it this way:

250/2500 series trucks are good to tow travel trailers

350/3500 series trucks are good to tow both travel trailers and 5th wheels.

Typically a 350/3500 series truck will have 1,200 to 1,500 lbs more payload capacity than the little 250/3500 series trucks.

For your truck you need to look at a toy hauler travel trailer...not a 5th wheel.

That's no longer true these days...
For example" A 17+ F250 and a srw F350 are identical trucks except for the rear springs. The 10K GVWR is an artificial number that has more to do with registration than mechanical ability.

[Sandy Swede]

Until we have the GCWR of the TV, no meaningful assistance may be rendered.


This is just my opinion based on experience, but towing 12k to 14k lbs up a 6 -7 % grade with a 3/4 T gasser, even if you somehow meet the weight specs, will be an unpleasant experience. Now imagine heading down the grade. You couldn't pay me enough. As others have opined, get a 1 T diesel truck or cut back on the GVWR of the 5er.

[aether_one]

Originally Posted by SoloCon

I just pulled up my spec from the ram website and it lists: GCWR: as 22,800... is this what you're referring to?

Originally Posted by Sandy Swede

Until we have the GCWR of the TV, no meaningful assistance may be rendered.


This is just my opinion based on experience, but towing 12k to 14k lbs up a 6 -7 % grade with a 3/4 T gasser, even if you somehow meet the weight specs, will be an unpleasant experience. Now imagine heading down the grade. You couldn't pay me enough. As others have opined, get a 1 T diesel truck or cut back on the GVWR of the 5er.

Look at Post #3.

GCWR = GCVWR for the OP.

[Sandy Swede]

Originally Posted by tfryman

Look at Post #3.

GCWR = GCVWR for the OP.

My error - I missed your post. Knowing, that, are you not marginal as to weight specs? I still have the concerns mentioned. What's that old bromide - "Just because you can, should you?"

[SoloCon]

Thank you everyone!! Due to this post and not wanting to put anyone's life in danger, we just got our 2019 3500 cummins HO diesel with the AISIN tranny.



Granted it's not a dually, but should tow what I'm looking for.

[jjackrash]

Originally Posted by SoloCon

Thank you everyone!! Due to this post and not wanting to put anyone's life in danger, we just got our 2019 3500 cummins HO diesel with the AISIN tranny.

Granted it's not a dually, but should tow what I'm looking for.

Saving lives and getting a new truck in the process. Sounds like a win-win.

Congrats!