Thinking of getting a fifth wheel..

Thank you.what ever it is will be outdoorrv or northwood,even if it means no fifth wheel and just going up in size from our current trailer. So lots of thinking to do between now and retirement

Dave_DianT wrote:
Thanks ,looks like thats what we will do once weather improves in our area

Be sure and get the trucks separate front and rear axle weights. A single gross weight doesn't tell a truck operator how much load is on the trucks axles/tires.
The '06 drw/srw and the 2500 all use the same AAM 11.5" rear axle with a 10800 lb rating from AAM. Dodge derates it with 3100-3200 lb rated tires wheels and rear springs pack. Your not going to overload or hurt the 11.5" AAM axle.

allen8106 wrote:

Dave_DianT wrote:
Confused about how much truck can carry.i got these off door jams,hoping they would help.we are looking a between 30 to 34 ft.
2006 dodge ram 3500,i6,srw,sb.deisel,5.9 4x4
Just 2 people an ice chest and two bikes for cargo.
Gvwr 09900
Gawr front 5200
Gawr rear 6200

Other says combined weight of cargo and occupants not to exceed 2858

That GVWR seems awfully low for a Dodge 3500.

2006 3500 Shortbed SRW 4X4....9900# GVWR is correct
GVWR for 3500 SRWs go between 9900 and 10100 depending on trim level

Dave_DianT wrote:
Confused about how much truck can carry.i got these off door jams,hoping they would help.we are looking a between 30 to 34 ft.
2006 dodge ram 3500,i6,srw,sb.deisel,5.9 4x4
Just 2 people an ice chest and two bikes for cargo.
Gvwr 09900
Gawr front 5200
Gawr rear 6200

Other says combined weight of cargo and occupants not to exceed 2858

That GVWR seems awfully low for a Dodge 3500.

Your right im sure.we need to realize its an older truck,and move on from there.maybe to a 'lite' fifth wheel.

Dave_DianT wrote:
Thank you everyone that really gives us a place to start.numbers on tags seem low for a 1 ton:h

If the numbers given of a 2858 carry capasity are correct isn't that more than 1 ton? You have a 2006 there have been many improvements in the last 12 years of engins, frames, transmissions and brakes all of which have improved the carry capasity which my '17' F350 DRW 4x4 has a carry capasity of 5603#.

Here is my actual set up

2007 Dodge 3500 SRW Quad Cab Longbed 5.9L CTD 48re auto trans with 4:10 gearing
GVWR 10,100#
GCVWR 22,500#
FAWR 5200#
RAWR 6200#

2007 5th wheel...13,873# Scaled weight

3090# total 5vr pin weight (2940# on rear axle and 150# on front axle...hitch set 2" froward of rear axle center line)

Puts me right at RAWR of 6200#
Puts me under Rear Tire Max Load Ratings of 3195#/Each----6390# Total
Puts me under GCVWR of 22,500# (21,858# scaled weight)

Puts me over GVWR 10,100#
Puts me over payload

I am not concerned with being over GVWR or payload numbers
Reason......
Payload is based on GVWR and GVWR is a warranty/registration issue.....nothing more
I could register my truck for 12,000# if I wanted to pay higher registration fees

Your 2006 has same Axle Ratings.

As suggested, scale your truck with a full tank of fuel and the maximum amount of passengers you plan to carry. If you have a fifth wheel hitch make sure that is loaded in the bed. If not, add 200 pounds to the rear axle weight to compensate for the hitch. Once you have this data then you can calculate the remainder allowances the truck can handle.

Another important thing to factor in is the load carrying capacity of the rear tires on the truck. This is often overlooked. Basically, you need to find the "weakest link" in the system and not exceed the load rating of that item, whether it is the rear axle carrying capacity, rear tires, etc. Don't exceed the weakest link.

Thank you everyone that really gives us a place to start.numbers on tags seem low for a 1 ton:h

You have not given us your true, actual as scaled weights. So there is no way we can give any honest answers. But to partially answer your question, scaled rear axle weight subtracted from the listed GAWR. That is how much load you can drop on the read end. 150 pounds from that for a regular hitch. The remainder is the maximum you have before exceeding the mfg numbers.