First Post - 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie - What can I pull??

Grit dog wrote:
^I’m glad you’re happy with your current choice. In the end, that’s what matters.

But no conspiracy theories on my part, I just happen to understand vehicles a bit better than the average person, it seems, and try to help those who don’t, who are receiving “advice” from those who don’t.
Cheers!

Sorry - but your just one of those internet guys that thinks he knows more about whatever the current topic is, can't stand input from anyone who has a different opinion, and constantly pushes his own opinions ("advice") on people new to this forum willing to ask to the point of frustrating them so much that they leave and don't come back.

Like I said - lots of chaff on here....

I didn't read every comment on here but have you weighed your truck at a scale? You will probably find that you have less payload available than what's on the door. I once had a 1/2 ton Laramie and was in the same boat. My 8000# trailer had a 750# tongue weight according to the spec sheet. Actual tongue weight was 1200#. Your WDH is approximately 80# added to that. You are already over payload capacity and you haven't sat in the driver's seat yet.

Nope, just springs. But thanks for the input.

Someone who understands trucks would readily see that a 3/4 ton truck and a 1 ton truck are very similar with very similar costs; however, the 1 ton is more suitable for a heavier load. Typically the springs are stronger and often wheels and tires are upgraded to a higher load capacity.

^I’m glad you’re happy with your current choice. In the end, that’s what matters.

But no conspiracy theories on my part, I just happen to understand vehicles a bit better than the average person, it seems, and try to help those who don’t, who are receiving “advice” from those who don’t.
Cheers!

Grit dog wrote:


Another example of complete lack of understanding with some tall tales about how you justified to yourself trading up your perfectly good 3/4 ton gasser for a 1 ton diesel.
Your story is buyers remorse over buying a gasser.
Nothing to do with payload, in your case.

Awww - so sorry the OP didn't lap up your conspiracy theories and take your advise. Some people do have brains.

I'm not sure how getting what I wanted equates to a lack of understanding on my part. Of course my 2500 gasser was adequate to do the job - I stated that. But since I wanted something better - and went out and got it - that somehow hurts your feelings??? :?

Another one bites the dust - but that's what some people prefer.

Here - read this again:

th3_fix3r wrote:
Well... this has been fun. Loads of fun. I'm buying a diesel. 25-3500 Ram. Maybe i'll meet some good folks when i get out there so i don't have to ask my newbie questions here and sort through 7 pages of contradicting arguments. To those of you who have truly just tried and successfully provided information and not been jerks: thank you a ton for your input!

2012Coleman wrote:

th3_fix3r wrote:
Well... this has been fun. Loads of fun. I'm buying a diesel. 25-3500 Ram. Maybe i'll meet some good folks when i get out there so i don't have to ask my newbie questions here and sort through 7 pages of contradicting arguments. To those of you who have truly just tried and successfully provided information and not been jerks: thank you a ton for your input!

I've read through this thread and unfortunately, - well you said it....

Just remember the few who did state the importance of payload - the number from the doorjamb sticker, over towing capacity. Your current truck as you stated lists 1180 lbs.

Payload is how much your truck can carry - you can't increase it by adding stuff like airbags or believing conspiracy theories about manufacturers fudging the numbers for devious reasons.

To figure out what your payload is, you either have to load up everything and go to a scale or calculate it.

To calculate, first you need to know tongue weight - which most agree is calculating the TT's GVWR by 13%. In your case the Jayco your interested in has a gross weight of 6000 and 1310 cargo capacity. So 7310 x .13 = 950. Subtract that from your available payload of 1180, and you only have 230 left. Then it's usually a given that for calculation purposes, you take another 100 lbs off for WDH weight. So now you have 130 left - you can see where this is going.

Fully optioned trucks have less payload then minimally optioned trucks - those accessories weigh a lot. Is the engine in your truck able to tow that weight - it certainly is, but is the platform it sits on able to carry it? you could go even deeper, but why? It can or it can't. Is it ok to push the limit because as every armchair engineer out there knows, they built in extra capacity - just in case...

So going to a larger truck - lets talk about the 2500. I have a 12 fifth wheel, and started off with a Ram 2500 6.4 hemi - had the coil springs. Don't remember the exact payload, but if was over 3k - because of the gas engine. Put the Cummings in there and payload goes down - because the engine is heavier. So my Ram 2500 truck was perfectly suited to pull my camper - it didn't squat, and it pulled my previous TT which was 5k like nothing was back there. But I didn't like the revving from the gas engine required to make the power to pull it - I mentioned this here and to someone, that meant I was scared of it - LOL.

so if you go to the diesel, just be sure your ok on payload for any future TT you may decide on.

In my case, I bit the bullet and bought a SRW Ram 3500 CTD and am like a pig in mud. People will say they aren't daily drivers - I drive mine daily - to work and back. The ride isn't that much different than the 2500. The towing experience is awesome - I drove one handed on a 6 hour trip recently. I have the dealership do the maintenance when time to change oil/fuel filters - yea it costs more, but I sock away a few extra bucks in a special savings account at bill paying time - but oil changes are not as frequent. The dealer told me to rely on the computer readout which tells you what percentage life you have left for oil and filters. It's a great truck - I'm very happy with it, but the only downside is that the OEM Firestone tires really suck!

Sorry your experience on this forum was what it was. I learned a lot when I first started posting here, but now, because of what you have to go through to get a simple question answered, I don't ask a lot of questions - you do/did get some good advice, but there's often an overwhelming amount of chaff you have to blow through to get to the wheat.

Good luck to you - hopefully whatever you decide to do will make your camping enjoyable for you and your family.

Another example of complete lack of understanding with some tall tales about how you justified to yourself trading up your perfectly good 3/4 ton gasser for a 1 ton diesel.
Your story is buyers remorse over buying a gasser.
Nothing to do with payload, in your case.

Jimk NY, I can again confidently say that there is no substantial improvement in capability ,apples to apples, between your leaf spring 2500 CTD truck and a 3500 srw.
There may be other creature comforts or improvements in power or improvements in a newer model, but apples to apples everything in between the “2500” fender badges and south of the radiator grille and north of the back bumper is the SAME save for an extra leaf spring!
Why are some people so adamant about expressing their wrongness?
And no I don’t expect you to try to explain what these meaningful differences are, you won’t, because there are none.

2012Coleman wrote:


In my case, I bit the bullet and bought a SRW Ram 3500 CTD and am like a pig in mud.

It's a great truck - I'm very happy with it, but the only downside is that the OEM Firestone tires really suck!

You post matches my experience except my previous truck was a 2010 Ram CTD 2500 with leaf springs that I upgraded to carry my 4000# truck camper.

Moving to the 3500 was a big jump. There is only a minimal cost difference between a 2500 and 3500 but there is a substantial improvement in capability with no downsides that I can see.

Moving to the CTD is a whole other issue and a costly one. I would not want a gasser for my uses but I can certainly understand why some would avoid the cost and just don't need that extra power.

I am also disappointed in the Firestone tires. At 15000 miles the rear tires are more than half worn out. I moved them to the front but I am sure I will need 4 new tires in another 15000 miles or less. I already did the research. Unless something new and better comes along, I plan on going with the Michelin Agilis.

th3_fix3r wrote:
Well... this has been fun. Loads of fun. I'm buying a diesel. 25-3500 Ram. Maybe i'll meet some good folks when i get out there so i don't have to ask my newbie questions here and sort through 7 pages of contradicting arguments. To those of you who have truly just tried and successfully provided information and not been jerks: thank you a ton for your input!

I've read through this thread and unfortunately, - well you said it....

Just remember the few who did state the importance of payload - the number from the doorjamb sticker, over towing capacity. Your current truck as you stated lists 1180 lbs.

Payload is how much your truck can carry - you can't increase it by adding stuff like airbags or believing conspiracy theories about manufacturers fudging the numbers for devious reasons.

To figure out what your payload is, you either have to load up everything and go to a scale or calculate it.

To calculate, first you need to know tongue weight - which most agree is calculating the TT's GVWR by 13%. In your case the Jayco your interested in has a gross weight of 6000 and 1310 cargo capacity. So 7310 x .13 = 950. Subtract that from your available payload of 1180, and you only have 230 left. Then it's usually a given that for calculation purposes, you take another 100 lbs off for WDH weight. So now you have 130 left - you can see where this is going.

Fully optioned trucks have less payload then minimally optioned trucks - those accessories weigh a lot. Is the engine in your truck able to tow that weight - it certainly is, but is the platform it sits on able to carry it? you could go even deeper, but why? It can or it can't. Is it ok to push the limit because as every armchair engineer out there knows, they built in extra capacity - just in case...

So going to a larger truck - lets talk about the 2500. I have a 12 fifth wheel, and started off with a Ram 2500 6.4 hemi - had the coil springs. Don't remember the exact payload, but if was over 3k - because of the gas engine. Put the Cummings in there and payload goes down - because the engine is heavier. So my Ram 2500 truck was perfectly suited to pull my camper - it didn't squat, and it pulled my previous TT which was 5k like nothing was back there. But I didn't like the revving from the gas engine required to make the power to pull it - I mentioned this here and to someone, that meant I was scared of it - LOL.

so if you go to the diesel, just be sure your ok on payload for any future TT you may decide on.

In my case, I bit the bullet and bought a SRW Ram 3500 CTD and am like a pig in mud. People will say they aren't daily drivers - I drive mine daily - to work and back. The ride isn't that much different than the 2500. The towing experience is awesome - I drove one handed on a 6 hour trip recently. I have the dealership do the maintenance when time to change oil/fuel filters - yea it costs more, but I sock away a few extra bucks in a special savings account at bill paying time - but oil changes are not as frequent. The dealer told me to rely on the computer readout which tells you what percentage life you have left for oil and filters. It's a great truck - I'm very happy with it, but the only downside is that the OEM Firestone tires really suck!

Sorry your experience on this forum was what it was. I learned a lot when I first started posting here, but now, because of what you have to go through to get a simple question answered, I don't ask a lot of questions - you do/did get some good advice, but there's often an overwhelming amount of chaff you have to blow through to get to the wheat.

Good luck to you - hopefully whatever you decide to do will make your camping enjoyable for you and your family.