Is This Enough Truck for 5th Wheel??

goducks10 wrote:
You absolutely need a 3500 SRW if you're going diesel. The heavy diesels take away 800-1000lbs from the payload. A 2500 diesel will have 2000-2200lbs for payload.

. . .

You'll be over the trucks payload rating when all said and done with a 2500 diesel.

If you get a Ram 3500 diesel you'll have around 4000lbs+/- for payload. Then you can take what you want and be safe.

As a side not, to check the trucks payload you'll want to look on the door jamb. There will be a sticker showing it.

The Ram 2500 has the same frame, front suspension, drivetrain, differential, and axles as the Ram 3500 SRW. The only difference between the two trucks is the rear suspension.

Configured as a diesel, 4x4, CC SB (with 18" wheels), the Ram 2500 has the same FAWR as a similarly configured Ram 3500 SRW: 6,000 lbs. The Ram 2500's RAWR is 6,500 lbs., only 500 lbs. less than the Ram 3500 SRW's 7,000 lbs.

"On-the-record", the Ram 2500 supposedly has a 10,000 lb. GVWR and 2,300 lb. payload rating vs. the Ram 3500 SRW's 11,700 lb. GVWR and 4,000 lb. payload rating. Quite a difference. A difference not justified based solely on the axle ratings of the two trucks.

Many believe the Ram 2500's 10,000 lb. GVWR is artificially low to allow easier registration and licensing in some states. Unfortunately, a lower GVWR also means a lower payload rating.

So . . . based on just the FAWR's and RAWR's on both of these trucks, one could very easily conclude the Ram 2500's realworld payload rating is only 500 lbs. less than the Ram 3500 SRW's 4,000 lb. payload rating. In other words, approx. 3,500 lbs. instead of 2,300 lbs.----approx. 1,200 lbs. higher than its official rating.

I wouldn't hesitate to bet a case of cheap beer the Ram 2500 diesel can safely handle at least 1,000 lbs. more payload than what it's officially rated for :)