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Are you going to tow that 5th wheel 'dry'.......NO
So forget that stupid dry number. And forget that magical tow rating number.

Real world......
What is your available 'payload'? That's the number left after you weigh your truck camp ready (Fuel, you, passengers, any stuff in cab, any stuff in bed...hitch) and subtract that number from your trucks GVWR.

Example:
Truck camp ready.......7800#
Trucks GVWR..........10,100#
Available payload......2300#

That's what's left (2300#) for 5th wheel pin weight
A 10,000# 'DRY' weight trailer probably has at least a cargo carrying capacity of 2000# (or more) so a 12,000# GVWR trailer will have a pin weight of 2400# (that's typical 20% of GVWR for pin with w 5vr).
Gee you have gone over your trucks GVWR (10,100) with a 12,000# trailer (what happened to that 17,000# tow rating :S)
Then there is the rear axle rating...6200# maybe higher (what is the rear axle weight for camp ready????) Got enough left over for pin weight??
Then there are the rear tire max load rating......3195#/tire---6390# (what was that rear axle weight??) Got enough left over for that pin weight??

Your license requirements......just like towing --------just because others do it wrong doesn't make it right/safe or something you should do. Don't be part of the 'pack' stand up and do the right thing.

I hate the magical numbers. Weigh your truck. Get the real numbers then do a little research and then do the math. It's simple addition/subtraction
And if you're not going to get the proper license..then just don't renew. At least then maybe you can't get insurance and won't drive.

Off my soap box........

goducks10 wrote:
So if it weighs as you say 10,800lbs and you add 1200lbs you have 12,000lbs. 20% for pin weight @2400lbs. Looks good to me. I know Ram beefed up the suspension some on the 2500's for 13. Beefed up the frame in 14. I'd tow that with my 12 2500 CTD.
Can't help you on the license.

X2, get the correct license to cover yourself in case of accident.

Pulling a trailer weighing at or near the truck's towing limit is a performance issue and maybe a reliability issue. But, the REAL weight issue is loaded pin weight and potentially exceeding the rear GAWR. On almost all diesel pickups, tire/wheel capacity is what limits GAWR, so exceeding the GAWR represents a significant safety issue.

You need actual loaded weight on the truck's rear axle to determine remaining carrying capacity available to handle a realistic pin weight.

So if it weighs as you say 10,800lbs and you add 1200lbs you have 12,000lbs. 20% for pin weight @2400lbs. Looks good to me. I know Ram beefed up the suspension some on the 2500's for 13. Beefed up the frame in 14. I'd tow that with my 12 2500 CTD.
Can't help you on the license.

Thanks for the quick responses.
I was heavily leaning towards either obtaining the new license or just getting a smaller trailer, but the second option puts me in the doghouse with the wife... LOL...
That being said, I have seen posts here (and elsewhere) that have a HUGE variance on what that model should/could realistically tow, so was just looking for some more insight. I would think that a truck should be able to two 3/4 of it tow rating safely?

No comment on your tow ratings, but a comment on your driving license.

You may be able to get away with your current drivers license, you may never be questioned. BUT, if you are ever pulled over for a traffic violation, be involved in a traffic accident (no matter how minor), law enforcement will be inspecting your drivers license. I don't know what the law says in your area, but I wouldn't want to risk that!

If you get the camper, do the right thing and get the proper driving credentials too.

You would probably end up overloaded on the rear axle. Just because it is within the total towing limit doesn't mean that the pin weight is good on that truck.

As for license (note that I live about as far from Canada as you can get and stay dry) I know that members of the Titanium Owner's Forum (Titaniums were made in Canada) who live in BC have to get the upgraded license in order to get insurance. Not sure about the other Provinces. At least in BC, it is not a difficult test. It might become a problem if somebody else hits you and the police have to do a report.

Thanks for the input. Tow rating for the truck is 17000lbs and change, but I recognize that I shouldn't push the limit of what Ram says I can do, but am just looking for some "seasoned" opinions from the true professionals out there. As for the license, virtually every state and province has some sort of weight restriction for trailer with a regular license, but virtually every person I have talked to regarding shrugs it off, so I was just wondering if it is really enforced.

there are numerous threads on this forum, as well as related info on the web, regarding how to judge towing capability for trucks and particular 5th wheels. I would strongly recommend researching these topics so you can make a judgement on your own. Just reading your post my GUESS is that you'd be overweight on your truck.
As far as towing without the proper license, if that's what the case is, it's your decision and you're responsible for it.