Greetings all;It's been a while since I have been out on the forum....but I do have a new issue which I would like to get some advice on.I have a pretty new RAM 2500 Diesel, automatic, 4X4, short bed 3.42 gears The truck has a max towing capacity of 17K+ and a payload rating of 2450# We just put a deposit on a new fifth wheel, 14K max weight (7K axles) with a listed pin weight of 3100. I'm about 600# short on the payload based upon the numbers. I was thinking about adding a set of airbag levelers but am concerned about the overall listed truck axle rating of 6500#..Has anyone been in this situation and will just adding the airbags be a workable solution?Thx,Joel

The payload is limited due to the 10k GVWR limit of the class that the 2500 is in, and there for the payload is also capped. The rear suspension and rest of the truck can handle considerably more than the rating. Only 500 lbs separate the rear GAWR's of the 3500 and 2500 and the rest of the truck is identical, however, the 3500 is not capped at 10k GVWR like the 2500 is. Not saying the 2500 can handle as much as the 3500, but what it can safely and reliably handle is pretty darn close from my experiences. I have had over 3k back there and it handled like any 3500 and only squated enough to make the truck level.

If 14K max weight (GVWR), and the 3100 is dry pin wt, your numbers seem incorrect. In any case, if dry pin (listed pin) is already at 3,100, it will be much more when loaded, and yes, likely over RAWR of truck. If a TH, it may have an unusually high pin percentage dry, but I'd recheck the numbers.Jerry

BTW, my old RV was 14k loaded and this is how my truck looked under it. Pulled it the 160 miles trek back and fourth from Rockport for several years. Although this was before I leveled my truck and I don't have any air bags or helper springs. Rear suspension is 100% stock.

If your 2500 Ram is 2014 or newer, it'll have coil springs in the rear as opposed to the leaf springs in a 3500. Still a very robust set up. I towed a 14k 5er with mine once as a test and it squatted to about level. I don't think you'll have any issues, though you will be over the rated payload and GVWR.

To OP, you will be over the RGAWR of 6500, and depending on loading may be over the 7280 tire capacity.

Ram 2500 Payload | Good Sam Community

40 Replies

IdaD
Explorer
May 08, 2019
ShinerBock wrote:
BTW, my old RV was 14k loaded and this is how my truck looked under it. Pulled it the 160 miles trek back and fourth from Rockport for several years. Although this was before I leveled my truck and I don't have any air bags or helper springs. Rear suspension is 100% stock.

What kind of steps are those? I'm generally not a fan of steps but my wife and kids have been on me about them since I bought this truck, and those look like pretty good ones. I like the third step back by the bed.
ShinerBock
Explorer
May 08, 2019
Oh, I thought 14k was max GVWR and everything from what the OP said. If is is over 14.1k dry then that changes things. 14k total is about the most I would go on a SRW of any class unless I was towing it on very few occasions for short distances.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 08, 2019
2019 Vanleigh 370GB
DRY weight 14,100#
DRY pin 3100# (based on dry weight)

GVWR 16,000#

Get your deposit back......nothing you can to that 2500 to make it 'carry' the actual pin weight of that overweight TH

14,000# MAX is what your truck is capable to 'carry' w/o exceeding RAWR
But you would still be over trucks GVWR/Payload

Sorry...just a little to heavy of a 5th wheel/TH
ShinerBock
Explorer
May 08, 2019
The rear weight of a Ram 2500 diesel is a little under 3k. With a 3.1k pin weight, he would still be under the 6.5k rear GAWR.
IdaD
Explorer
May 08, 2019
If it's the trailer in your sig the GVWR is actually 16k lbs and it's a 39' long trailer. Probably better off with a dually if you're going to tow very many miles.
Me_Again
Explorer III
May 08, 2019
To OP, you will be over the RGAWR of 6500, and depending on loading may be over the 7280 tire capacity.
ib516
Explorer II
May 08, 2019
If your 2500 Ram is 2014 or newer, it'll have coil springs in the rear as opposed to the leaf springs in a 3500. Still a very robust set up. I towed a 14k 5er with mine once as a test and it squatted to about level. I don't think you'll have any issues, though you will be over the rated payload and GVWR.
ShinerBock
Explorer
May 08, 2019
BTW, my old RV was 14k loaded and this is how my truck looked under it. Pulled it the 160 miles trek back and fourth from Rockport for several years. Although this was before I leveled my truck and I don't have any air bags or helper springs. Rear suspension is 100% stock.
MFL
Nomad II
May 08, 2019
If 14K max weight (GVWR), and the 3100 is dry pin wt, your numbers seem incorrect. In any case, if dry pin (listed pin) is already at 3,100, it will be much more when loaded, and yes, likely over RAWR of truck. If a TH, it may have an unusually high pin percentage dry, but I'd recheck the numbers.

Jerry
ShinerBock
Explorer
May 08, 2019
The payload is limited due to the 10k GVWR limit of the class that the 2500 is in, and there for the payload is also capped. The rear suspension and rest of the truck can handle considerably more than the rating. Only 500 lbs separate the rear GAWR's of the 3500 and 2500 and the rest of the truck is identical, however, the 3500 is not capped at 10k GVWR like the 2500 is.

Not saying the 2500 can handle as much as the 3500, but what it can safely and reliably handle is pretty darn close from my experiences. I have had over 3k back there and it handled like any 3500 and only squated enough to make the truck level.

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Ram 2500 Payload

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