2016 Ram 2500 - Improving Payload

AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
My neighbor is a good guy and went out and bought a 2016 Ram 2500 CTD with the 8' foot bed about a year or so back. It is a nice truck. Now that he has started looking at what he may be hauling he will likely exceed the payload sticker on the door. However, the good news is this is a 2500 with the artificially low GVWR of 10,000 so I expect he has room to maneuver with the understanding the 2500 is a de-rated 3500 SRW with softer rear springs and somewhat lighter axles. Using the specs from the 2016 Ram trailering guide I see the following numbers. I have asked him to get it on a scale but have estimated actual weight for his truck at 5k on the front axle and 3k on the rear axle unloaded.

2016 Ram 2500 from towing guide, crew cab, 4x4 long box, CTD
GVWR 10,000
Payload 2200
Front Axle 5,700 (estimated actual ~5000)
Rear Axle 6,000 (estimated actual ~3000)

2016 Ram 3500 SRW from towing guide, crew cab, 4x4 long box, CTD
GVWR 12,300
Payload 4,330
Front Axle 6,000
Rear Axle 7,000

Am I correct in thinking there are three differences between these trucks:
1) Heavier axles on 3500 (by 300 lbs front, 1000 lbs rear)
2) Heavier rear suspension
3) Badge
Assuming the wheels / tires are the same.

If this is correct and the chassis and front suspension is the same then his combined axle ratings yield a GVWR of 11,700. With an unloaded truck weight of 8,000 that leaves 3,700 payload. To be conservative we will knock off another 700 and call it a GVWR of 11,000 so he can haul 3,000 and be well within the capability of the truck. He would need to stiffen the rear springs.

Can anyone with direct knowledge of the Ram 2500/3500 SRW differences or experience hauling heavy with a 2500 share your thoughts? I would like to help him make a good decision on how to beef up the rear suspension (thinking Timbrens) and to keep it at a manageable weight.

Appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Stu

Assuming no air on either, the difference is rear coils in the 2500 versus rear leafs on 3500. With the CTD he's going to have the same 18" or 20" tires/wheels as the 3500, and the axles, brakes, etc. are all the same. I have Timbrens on mine and really like them, but others prefer bags. Either way it makes up for the 500 lb lower stock RAWR - 6500 on the 2500 versus 7000 on the 3500. The Ram towing guide you cited above has numbers from base trucks (17" tires) so the actual numbers are a little higher. You can verify this on the driver's door sticker (the front axle is also higher at 6,000 lbs, so the combined is 12,500).

Disclaimer - I gave the actual real world answer, not the rv.net answer.