how much weight can we have?
Truck 2003 Dodge ram 2500 heavy duty 4x4 inside the door this is what it says GVWR 8800 GAWR 5200 front 6000 rear
Forum Discussion
The manufacturer's rear axle rating is based on the weakest link of the truck configuration as it left the factory. It was accurate at that one point in time.
The payload capacity from the manufacturer is based on an estimated average passenger weight of 150 lbs. so a truck with a cab that holds 5 passengers will have a 600 lb. lower payload rating than a regular cab.
Most Dodge heavy duty trucks have a rear axle and wheel bearings that are load rated to 8,900 lbs. and this is likely to be true for your truck. If the truck with the bed empty is weighed at the scales and is at say 3000 lbs., that leaves 5900 lbs. of potential payload. Next you need to check the load rating for the rear rims and rear tires.
With the factory configuration it is likely that the rims are rated at 3800 lbs. or less and the tires are 3200 lbs. or less so taking the lower of the two and figuring on two tires the wheels can handle 6400 lbs. less the 3000 lbs. of the truck for a possible payload of 3400 lbs. though rims and tires are easily changed and this is often done. 19.5 rims and tires are available that are rated for loads of 4800 lbs. per wheel or 9600 lbs. at the rear axle for the pair.
For safe handling the factory shocks should be upgraded and you may need to add leaf springs or Supersprings, and may want a heavy duty rear anti-sway bar. Most people make modifications to their stock trucks to handle the weight of the camper and to provide safe handling when this top heavy weight is in the bed.
The payload capacity from the manufacturer is based on an estimated average passenger weight of 150 lbs. so a truck with a cab that holds 5 passengers will have a 600 lb. lower payload rating than a regular cab.
Most Dodge heavy duty trucks have a rear axle and wheel bearings that are load rated to 8,900 lbs. and this is likely to be true for your truck. If the truck with the bed empty is weighed at the scales and is at say 3000 lbs., that leaves 5900 lbs. of potential payload. Next you need to check the load rating for the rear rims and rear tires.
With the factory configuration it is likely that the rims are rated at 3800 lbs. or less and the tires are 3200 lbs. or less so taking the lower of the two and figuring on two tires the wheels can handle 6400 lbs. less the 3000 lbs. of the truck for a possible payload of 3400 lbs. though rims and tires are easily changed and this is often done. 19.5 rims and tires are available that are rated for loads of 4800 lbs. per wheel or 9600 lbs. at the rear axle for the pair.
For safe handling the factory shocks should be upgraded and you may need to add leaf springs or Supersprings, and may want a heavy duty rear anti-sway bar. Most people make modifications to their stock trucks to handle the weight of the camper and to provide safe handling when this top heavy weight is in the bed.
