How do you like your 2019 RAM 1500?

Jvandererlip wrote:
I have a 2019 Laramie with the 5.7 hemi, 3.92 axle and air suspension. I have the panoramic sunroof and 12 display. All these bells and whistles give me a payload of only 1352lbs. It's truly a luxury vehicle. It replaces an Infiniti Qx56. The entire family agrees that the RAM is more comfortable. The comfortable, reclining rear seats were a must for me since I'll have my two teenagers in the back.
I haven't towed yet. It will be towing my 26bh. (dry 5000lbs,gvwr 7000 lbs) With the tongue weight, family of four, 100lb generator and a few bikes I expect to be at or slightly above on my payload. GCVWR is 17,000 lbs and tow rating is over 11,000 lbs so I am well below those.
The 12 inch screen is amazing. Apple carplay, Android auto and the built in navigation all work very well. The Harman Kardon sounds great too. The air suspension is very cool. Came in really handy in a low clearance parking garage. I had to drop it down to entry/exit height to squeeze under some signs. I expect it to be a great tow vehicle.

I think you may be more than slightly over payload.

Lets split diff between dry and GVWR for your trailer and call it 6000 lbs loaded to camp. Probably will be more, for family of 4, but for illustration purposes, 6000 works. Assume 14% Tongue weight, and 840lbs of your payload will be associated with tongue weight of TT.

100 lbs for generator + 100lbs for WD hitch + 840 lb tongue weight = 1040 lbs

Few bikes, lets say 4 for family of 4 = Maybe 150-200lbs? Lets go 150. Now you are at 1190 not counting people weight.

Two adults - lets say 350lbs. two kids - lets say 200lbs. 550 plus 1190 = 1790

Im not weight police necessarily, but don't kid yourself that you will be "at or slightly above" payload. You will likely be 4-500 lbs over payload. I don't consider that slightly above, but maybe you do.

Good luck and let us know how it handles.

Mike

I think you're being a bit aggressive on the tongue weight. I figured about 700 on the tongue and the bikes are 100 lbs. The WD hitch should put a bit back on the trailer axle. Axle weights on the truck are higher combined (4100 RAWR and 3800 FAWR 7100 GVW) I definitely won't exceed the axle rating either. I figure maybe 200 over on the GVW but well below in every other category.

Aren't you forgetin about the SAE J2807 towing specification, which most trucks (Ford Ram, Toyota, Chevy and GMC...not sure about Nissan) are designed to meet? The spec includes 300 lbs for the Driver and Passenger (I know its not enough but its something) and 100 lbs for aftermarket WD hitch. So in your example above you should remove 300 lbs for the driver and skinny passenger and you should remover the 100 lbs for the hitch because its already included in the numbers. So technically he's got an extra 400 lbs of payload and should be fine. I also think your estimate of the tongue weight may be a tad high too and its something that he can control by properly distributing his weight.

Fortunately the bikes are folding bikes and can fit in the aft cargo bay further reducing tongue weight. I'll load it with the bikes in the bed initially and get weighed. The suspension will error out if I overload too much. I think I'll be good. I'm pretty sure I can avoid buying a 2500 since my Infiniti towed this beautifully.

For those considering the RAM 1500, don't let my low payload numbers scare you off. That's about as low as they get. There are a lot out there with better numbers. Just not as well equipped.

Jvandererlip wrote:
For those considering the RAM 1500, don't let my low payload numbers scare you off. That's about as low as they get. There are a lot out there with better numbers. Just not as well equipped.

I agree.

My 2018 F150 has a lower payload than the 2019 Ram I was looking at. By 250lbs or so. And neither are stripper trucks. Lariat vs Laramie, both have pano roof. Laramie didnt have 4 corner air suspension. Regular coils.

Jvandererlip wrote:
I think you're being a bit aggressive on the tongue weight. I figured about 700 on the tongue and the bikes are 100 lbs. The WD hitch should put a bit back on the trailer axle. Axle weights on the truck are higher combined (4100 RAWR and 3800 FAWR 7100 GVW) I definitely won't exceed the axle rating either. I figure maybe 200 over on the GVW but well below in every other category.

Careful, truck will most certainly explode and cause mass carnage on the highway.

/weight police

I found this interesting thread in another forum. It's about the 2017 eco diesel RAM air suspension. A guy tested his to see when the air suspension would start throwing error messages.
Couldn't get off road 2 at 600 lbs over and it wasn't until 850 lbs over before it quit leveling.

https://www.ram1500diesel.com/forum/ram-1500-diesel-suspension-chassis/2481-air-suspension-limits.html#/topics/2481?page=3

It's my understanding (albeit I could be wrong) that J2807 is a testing standard that tests towing capacity and GCWR. I do not believe it replaces the calculated payload, but the test ensures the test vehicles are loaded to payload capacity.

"In a nutshell, SAE J2807 requires the vehicle manufacturer to use a vehicle equipped with the popular options found on at least 33 percent of the vehicles sold for that model; they also must run the test procedures with the equivalent of a 150-pound driver and passenger. The truck is hitched in a specific manner to a trailer that meets SAE specs and puts the tow vehicle (the pickup truck) at its maximum gross combined weight rating, meaning the combined weight of the pickup, its maximum payload, full fuel tank and the weight of the trailer."

Now, I agree in the total calculation to test to the standard, it takes into consideration the items you mention, but I do NOT believe the payload calculation assumes 300 lbs for passenger/driver and the hitch. In fact the payload sticker clearly states combined weight of all occupants and cargo should not exceed "x"

I may be a tad agressive on the 14% TW calculation, but I also made an assumption that TT is midway between dry and GVWR. May or may not be a valid estimate.

That being said, Im not one to quibble. It's worth knowing your weights and how they affect your setup. At least then you can make informed decisions on how to adjust accordingly.

Mike

I believe that you are correct. The payload assumes an empty vehicle with the exception of fluids which includes a full tank of gas.