Looking for our 1st 5ver, many questions....

Simply as a rule of thumb for the average TV and average trailer.

Up to 12k 3/4t
12-16k 1t SRW
Over 16k 1t dually (or more)

If you are locked into a TV already learn it's capabilities then you can look for a trailer. If you find one you really like check the GVWR and see if it fits. If it does then more checking is needed to verify weights on that particular RV.

There's no future in having a 3/4t and looking at a 18k toy hauler. Just ain't gonna work.

Can someone check my math?

TV 7060 fuel full, 2 pax
frt 4200/gawr 4750
rear 2860/gawr 6010

5ver 2000 Alumascape 27ft
nada guide shows 7530
pin wt 1506

So hooked up should be:
TV rear 2860 +200 hitch, +1506 pin
= 4566 (under rr gawr 1444, under gvwr 234)
Gcwr 14790

So, i could look for a bigger 5th as long as the pin wt doesnt go up more than 234 lbs, or can use available wt to add gear.

Ive got the factory steel wheels with the chrome covering, that should be good, now, just need a hitch and tires. Going to hook up to the bosses race trailer to check the brake controller. Its a Tekonsha Voyager.

good.
My previous 2nd gen '01 2500 Dodge/Cummins had the upper aux overload spring pack. I've had 6800 lbs GN hitch weight over the axle on the '01 and had no sag.

My 3rd gen '03 has no upper aux overload springs and sags with 1500 lbs over the axles. Hell the wifes 1500 chevy crew cab 4x4 Z71 will carry 1600 lb of redi mix bags over its small axle and doesn't sag anything like my 3rd gen '03 2500 truck.

I've gone to Supersprings on my '03 2500. Supersprings are just like the spring in your picture other than its a flat spring but does the same thing. Lots of aftermarket products out here to help a pickup trucks soft riding suspension ability to carry more weight.

If your interested in rear suspension mods higher ratyed wheels and tires check out our TC (truck camper) forum. Those guys safely carry 3k-4k-5k TC's on 250/2500 and 350/3500 SRW trucks.

Is that good or bad lol

NorthwestBound wrote:

That looks like just what it is a helper spring, it doesn't look like any overload OEM spring that I've seen . It appears to be a Hellwig aftermarket helper spring

JIMNLIN wrote:
Most LT E have a 2 ply poly fabric carcass with 2 steel belts under the Dodge has used the same AAM 11.5" axle in the 2500/3500 SRW and DRW trucks since '03. This axle is rated around 11000 lb from AAM.
The difference in rear suspension is the 3500 SRW has a aux overload spring pack which the 2500 doesn't have and maybe higher rated wheels and tires. Some 2500 trucks come with the same wheels and tires (option) as a 3500 SRW truck as mine did.

Best pic i could get at the time, is this the helper spring they used on the 1 ton?

JIMNLIN wrote:
Most LT E have a 2 ply poly fabric carcass with 2 steel belts under the tread and maybe a fabric overlay.
Tires like the commercial grade 16" Bridgestone R250 and the Michelin XPS Rib have a one ply all steel carcass with two steel belts under the tread.

I drive a big truck for a living so got that covered, and, when i registered the puckup i also splurged for the 24klb plates.

Then you understand about not exceeding the trucks steer/drive axles and trailer axle and any registered weight number your state requires.

The truck makers door tag GVWR isn't used for a over loaded vehicle. Same with a GCWR which you won't find it plated on the truck as the feds don't require it to be. Some folks use them ...others do not.

I have a '03 2500 Dodge/Cummins quad cab short bed 6000 RAWR. This truck also has a scaled 2860 lb rear axle weight which leaves me with a 3140 lb payload.
Dodge has used the same AAM 11.5" axle in the 2500/3500 SRW and DRW trucks since '03. This axle is rated around 11000 lb from AAM.
The difference in rear suspension is the 3500 SRW has a aux overload spring pack which the 2500 doesn't have and maybe higher rated wheels and tires. Some 2500 trucks come with the same wheels and tires (option) as a 3500 SRW truck as mine did.

The trailer may have a 13xxx GVWR but that doesn't mean it will weigh that much. It all depends on how much CCC the mfg gave it and its dry weight. Even at max GVWR means a 2600-2700 lb pin weight.
The truck won't have any problems pulling this size trailer nor will the truck have any problems carrying a 2500 lb pin weight plus other weight added to the truck.

I agree , the deciding factor for me would be the tires ,and wheels. If it has E rated @ 3640 thats even better, and probably what I would upgrade to with that size fifth wheel.

Not to familiar on OEM wheels ,and tires on the older dodge cummins ,but my OEM on my 99 Ford was 3750#. My new Ram has the same rating on the tires 3750#

Here is a good resource for 5th wheel towing and weighing. They also have an app for that.
Fifth Wheel Safe Towing

And that is my previous truck pictured in the lower right corner of that page.