not enough hitch weight capability

Road Phantom wrote:
I just bought a 2018 ram 2500 diesel 4x4 crew cab with a 2400lb rating for carrying capacity and 17,000 tow limit. My hitch weight is 1950lbs. By the time I add up fuel, my wife, (she's only 140lbs) the hitch itself, there's nothing left for the front storage of the fifth wheel. Air bags won't increase my GVWR.
I plan to move the portable gen and tools inside over the trailer axle and anything else that's heavy. I've seen a lot of rigs in the campground with similar setups and many running much heavier loads than my 9000lb empty trailer. Any solutions besides those mentioned would be appreciated short of asking me to buy a one ton for a few hundred pounds overweight on the hitch. Thanks for your constructive help.

First off, weigh your truck and trailer at a proper CAT scale with your current setup, to get all axle weights. Then, check those #s with your placard and see how close you are to your RAWR and tire ratings. If you're over on your GVW, but under on your axle and tires, tow it and have fun. You =can= physically increase your GVW some by using an add-a-leaf type upgrade. Not sure your state registers by weight, so you could, technically, have a 1t truck with 2500 badges on it. Up to you whether you "declare" it. :B

FWIW, my '02 D'max is supposed to have 245 tires, which puts my tire rating =below= my axle. It had 265s on it when I got it, and that's what I've put on since then. Now, I'm several hundred =over= my axle.

Lyle

Road Phantom wrote:
I just bought a 2018 ram 2500 diesel 4x4 crew cab with a 2400lb rating for carrying capacity and 17,000 tow limit. My hitch weight is 1950lbs. By the time I add up fuel, my wife, (she's only 140lbs) the hitch itself, there's nothing left for the front storage of the fifth wheel. Air bags won't increase my GVWR.
I plan to move the portable gen and tools inside over the trailer axle and anything else that's heavy. I've seen a lot of rigs in the campground with similar setups and many running much heavier loads than my 9000lb empty trailer. Any solutions besides those mentioned would be appreciated short of asking me to buy a one ton for a few hundred pounds overweight on the hitch. Thanks for your constructive help.

GVWR on 3/4 tons is class maxed at 10k lbs and is meaningless on a diesel truck. You have 6500 lbs or RAWR and with bags I wouldn't hesitate to run that up to the 7000 lb rating on the same year 3500. You've got plenty of truck to load up your trailer and not worry about it.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Rear axle/Tires carry the Wet Pin weight

Don't exceed those ratings.

Old debate over GVWR/Payload
Mfg. sets the GVWR and Payload is based on that number

Many States allow you to register the truck at a higher GVW just pay the higher fees....so even many States do not recognize the MFGs GVWR

MANY will scream/holler but one just has to think for themselves and make an informed decision on what is OK for them

Hang on....it's going to get bumpy :B

I saw something Monday I thought was odd but I guess legal as stated above. A road that goes across interstate 49 I cross everyday was under construction and there was a GMC 2500 pickup sitting there from Manhattan Road & Bridge. Under their logo was the following "GVW 18,000". Could not see what state plate it had and I did not have time to get a pic but I know what I saw. Must be one bad a$$ 2500.

Like you stated there is not much else you can do that will increase your payload, you have plenty of truck that a few hundred pounds more or less should not be a deal killer. Take her out for a run, I think you will find the towing experience acceptable. My old Chevy HD gasser has nearly 1K# more payload but it sure would not be able to haul anything near a 17K# 5er.

My truck has about 2450# payload and when I went to the scales with loaded 5ver in tow and wife in truck I was #280 over the weight limit of the truck but 660# under my rear axle rating. I'm happy as long as I'm not over my axle or tire ratings.

Dan

Rear axle/Tires carry the Wet Pin weight

Don't exceed those ratings.

Old debate over GVWR/Payload
Mfg. sets the GVWR and Payload is based on that number

Many States allow you to register the truck at a higher GVW just pay the higher fees....so even many States do not recognize the MFGs GVWR

MANY will scream/holler but one just has to think for themselves and make an informed decision on what is OK for them

Hang on....it's going to get bumpy :B