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Beau_Bo's avatar
Beau_Bo
Explorer
Aug 08, 2015

help with weight calcs

Hi - I'm retiring soon and shopping for a new truck/truck camper for my wife and myself to use during our free time.

For a truck I'm looking at a new RAM 3500 Crew Cab, Long Box, DRW, Cumins/Aisin, 4x4. The attached RAM towing guide lists the following specs:

GVWR - 14000
Payload - 5830
Base Weight
Total - 8172
Front - 4680
Rear - 3313
GAWR
Front - 6000
Rear - 9750


The camper I'm looking at is a Adventurer 116DS

From the build your own tab it calculated the wet weight with all options, full water, propane and battery to be 4995. On top of that I will be occasionally be towing my Jeep on a flatbed - tongue weight about 700lbs. This brings the total weight to 5595 which doesn't include personal stuff. I figure dog and stuff to be about 600 for a total of about 6200 or about 400 over listed capacity.

Most of the time I would be traveling without the Jeep which puts me under listed capacity but for those times when I'm taking it I would like to know what{if anything} I would need do do to ensure a safe journey. Thanks...

http://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2016_ram_3500_towing_charts.pdf
Tow Vehicles
  • The_Mad_Norsky's avatar
    The_Mad_Norsky
    Explorer
    Aug 09, 2015
    I'll add my thanks as well.

    I have the same truck/2014 Ram, and we have been looking at getting an 1172 Lance AND also towing around a jeep on trailer.

    Back to the drawing boards.
  • Beau_Bo's avatar
    Beau_Bo
    Explorer
    Aug 09, 2015
    Thanks for the replies, guess I'll have to downsize the TC sizes I'm considering...
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Aug 08, 2015
    The 3500 DRW Ram gives you a 9750 RAWR for carrying a heavy truck camper.
    These trucks rear axle may weigh 3500 +lbs which leaves you with around 6200 lb before exceeding the 9750 RAWR.
    Your loads will max the one ton DRW out if not over.

    The 4500 Ram cab and chassis has those big 12000 lb rawr with 8xxx lb payloads.

    The 5500 Ram cab and chassis has even more rear axle capacity at 13500 rawr with 10k-12k lb payloads
  • Peg_Leg's avatar
    Peg_Leg
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2015
    The GAWR Rear - 9750. Looks a bit low for a dually. I'd double check the specs.
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2015
    If you could flat tow the Jeep 4 down eliminating the tongue weight, you would probably be fine.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Aug 08, 2015
    You will be pushing the payload capacity of your rear tires on a 3500. You may want to check out the chassis cabs that have better payload capacity. I currently have a 4000 lb TC (when loaded with gear and water) and tow an 8000 lb enclosed behind my Ram 5500. Once we save some more, we are looking at the Host or Eagle Cap triple slides.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Aug 08, 2015
    Truck is sig and below pic towing a combined 32,500# with ease. Be sure to get the 4:10's! I also recommend the factory rear air!

  • trop-a-cal's avatar
    trop-a-cal
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2015
    The calculation is done static (level not moving). That is not going to be the Dynamic, (going down the road), max load which constantly shifts. The height of the camper and the Jeep, up on the flatbed, will act as a pendulum, extenuating the loads even more. This then requires assumptions that can be done, but probably would be best for you to go to an expert, in custom buildups for rigs like Heavy duty emergency or military trucks. Probably higher rated springs, sway bars and tires are needed, maybe even brakes.
  • Slowmover's avatar
    Slowmover
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2015
    You're going to get more/better advice in the TC forum.

    I'd look to see who was bright enough to get an adjusted empty weight on a comparable truck. That would be full fuel, driver, and truck-only permanent gear aboard. Scale weight that shows axles individually.

    Same with camper. Someone with same camper but different truck might have the "true" weight of one of those.

    From this one can start to make better guesses.

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