WEIGHT QUESTION for GMC 2500

IH_Fan wrote:
Hi folks,

I’ve been watching/reading the weight posts with interest and have seen the difference of opinions and approach.

I’ll throw in that government regulations and manufacturer’s desire to maximize profits by creating commonality in parts adds to the debate (or confusion!).

Here’s my thinking on the issue and I’ll use my 2013 Ram 2500 CTD Longhorn as an example.

The GVWR on my truck is 10,000 lbs. That falls directly under the wire of the next class of vehicle of 10,000 lbs per DOT regs. This is where manufacturers have the ¾ ton trucks built under. Over 10,001 lbs is 1 ton + territory and with that comes increased licensing and registration fees. In other words a Government imposed threshold.

This same truck shows a GAWR rear of 6,200 lbs and front of 5,500 lbs. Add these 2 together and the GVWR is in fact 11,700…….not 10,000. Did Ram (or the other manufacturers) do this on purpose? No. What they did do is standardize parts in a narrow truck market. Lots of ½ tons are sold, but far fewer ¾ or 1 tons. The best way to maximize profits is to keep as many parts between these two models the same. That is why for all RAM model years (except the 2013 Ram when the ¾ and 1 ton had different frames transitioning to the new K50 frame) the ONLY difference between the 2 was/is an added leaf spring and different tires. To be sure, Ram has made the Aisin transmission an option in the 1 ton. Personally, I think you’ll see the 68RFE will be phased out in future (a maximized design) with all ¾ and 1 tons with the Aisin as the torque and HP wars continue, but I digress……

The rear tires on my Ram are maxed to 6,390 lbs (Firestone Transforce AT)…….Ram used a tire that is higher rated than the rear axle. Yet this is the EXACT same axle as found on the 1 ton….

Based on this, my recommendation to anyone researching is this:

The big number to be mindful of is the rear axle, followed by the tire rating. The payload argument has validity and perhaps more so in some earlier model years. But in the newer trucks, payload is becoming more and more of a false start in the ¾ vs 1 ton argument, only because of Government regulations and manufacturers trying to maximize profits are not aligned with each other.

Yes, you need to be safe…..Yes, you need to drive wise and to changing road conditions…..Yes, you can only buy a set up you can afford….

But – this argument is a bit more complicated than on the surface of things. No, this is not justification to pull a 40’ trailer with a 1986 K-car!!! This is about common sense…….