rhagfo wrote:
Second Chance wrote:
Use 23% of a fifth wheel's GVWR to estimate loaded pin weight. If you have a family and are planning on a fifth wheel and carrying everyone in a crew cab, forget any 3/4-ton truck and go straight for a 1-ton SRW minimum. There are lots of folks out there who are members of the "Two-Timers' Club" - those who didn't buy enough truck the first time around and had to eat the depreciation and upgrade.
Rob
X2 to this!
Sure the HD 2500 will pull the 5er, and likely be under rear axle rating. The thing is you are adding the front and rear axle ratings, with a 5er you typically only add a few pounds to the front axle, what you look at is the rear axle rating.
In addition you are making some pretty tight numbers to get a 2500 to work for you.
You describe the difference in Payload between 2500 and 3500 SRW as " The 3500 SRW increases payload but not much more." Well GVWR difference is 2,300# and you will gain most of that in Payload. I would consider that a lot more.
You have a family of five, at least three of those members will gain weight over the next several years, have you accounted for that?
Unless you buy a 2019 Ram 2500, you only have get a 3.42 differential, with a 3500 SRW you can get a 3.42, or 3.73. I think 4.10 is DRW only before 2019.
Then if you chose to get a larger 5er!
I am not a Weight Cop, I towed a 12,500# 5er with a 2001 Ram 2500, by axle rating did fine. What ate at me was I was 1,700# over the trucks GVWR. If not at fault, a hungry lawyer might drag me into civil court for being at least a percentage at fault for being over weight.
Now days I have 1,300# of spare payload!!!
Exactly, which is why I went with a 3500 RAM and no regrets. i wanted all the towing goodies and all the extra payload “just in case.” What if I want to switch to a truck camper in a few years? Or a bigger trailer? Going to a 3500 doesn’t cost that much more; the ride is just fine to me. I get the air level suspension, engine brake, tow/haul mode, tow mirrors, integrated trailer brake, etc. Worth it.
