A new question. And I'm bored

Dso66 wrote:
Think I found a floor plan I really like. The fifth wheel info states it is under 10,000 lbs. would a ram 2500 be big enough to pull it comfortably?

I'd have to say a definite, maybe. My '01 Ram 2500 wouldn't have a lick of trouble. However, I have the 8800 pound chassis package. It was a commercial farm truck before I got it.

How is your truck equiped? I'm running the 5.9 gas and automatic with 4X4. Do you have drums or discs in the rear? Gas or diesel? Automatic or manual?

If you have an automatic and don't already have a transmission cooler, have one put in. Run the transmission fluid through the radiator like stock and then the auxilliary cooler. Your transmission will thank you for it. Otherwise, the determining factor will be your suspension. A coworker claims he can haul as much load as I can. I looked under his truck once and his springs are about 1/3 of mine. Like I said, mine was a commercial farm truck before I got it. I've seen 3/4 ton trucks pulling 5th wheels but a lot of them have dual rear wheels. This isn't so much as extra capacity (although it helps) but for stability. The wider stance keeps cross winds from blowing you around.

Hey bikendan, just trying to get some conversation going here. You seem like a great dude thanks. Everyone else, thanks for pointing a nube in the right direction!

I will try to give a useful answer. Some of these experienced guys are not to tactful in their answers.

The weight that you should be looking at is the gross weight of the trailer. gross weight is the maximum the manufacturer is willing to stand behind. Fully loaded ready to camp
You also need to know the pin weight of the trailer. That is the weight resting in the bed of your truck.
you then need to know the payload capacity of the 2500 There will be a yellow sticker on the door jamb, reading something to the effect of "total weight of passengers and cargo shall not exceed .." The figure given will be as the truck left the factory,everything else from aftermarket equipment, to your MIL to the hitch to the chicken McNugget under the seat counts against the do not exceed figure.
Gather all these figures and go from there.

wow! wants to know if he can pull it, but provides virtually no info.

The answer is E... unable to answer question without further information. 10,000 lbs isn't too much for a 2500, but the question is PIN WEIGHT. What is your pin weight (loaded, ready to camp) and what is your payload? I've seem 2500's with over 3000 lbs of payload. I've also seen 2500's with less then 2000 lbs of payload.

Anybody that tries to answer this question without those numbers is likely a fool...

Basic rule of thumb (mine) GVWR

1/2 ton......10,000# 5vr
3/4 ton......12,000# 5vr
1 ton SRW....14,000# 5vr
1 ton DRW....19,000# 5vr

Provided 'actual' payload is capable of 20% GVWR pin weight

It depends upon a lot of unsaid variables.

Later model 2500 can tow and handle more payload than older ones.

It also depends upon how said 2500 is equipped.

What does your truck owners manual say? That's the ultimate resource. Don't believe anything the RV dealer says. He'll have you dragging a 30,000# rig behind a Ford Ranger. :R

Brochure claims are generally dry. So I would say NO. Based on the total lack of information