TRUCK TOWING CAPACITY

I am considering purchasing a 5th wheeler in the next couple of years and I am trying to decide which pick-up truck will work for me. Here are the particulars of the trailer (all weights in pounds):

Forest River Cedar Creek 38RE
GVWR 16540
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 12920
Cargo Carrying Capacity 3620
Dry Hitch Weight 2540
Loaded Hitch Weight 3251

I decided to look at only Dodge RAM trucks for now but I would think that most truck manufacturers would have similar capacities.

RAM 1500

I knew that the RAM 1500 would be too small but let's start there:

2013 RAM 1500, Quad Cab RAMBOX, 4x4, Laramie, 6'4" Box, 5.7L Hemi V8 Gas, 6S Auto Transmission

GVWR 6800
Base Weight 5609
Front Axle 3196
Rear Axle 2414
Payload Capacity 1191
GAWR (Front) 3900
GAWR (Rear) 3900
GCWR 15650
Maximum Trailer Weight 9850

I assumed that the truck would be loaded with 2 "standard" passengers at 154 lbs each (although they seem very light) plus 233 lbs of cargo for a total loaded weight for the truck of 6150 lbs.

The first problem is that the loaded weight of the truck (6150 lbs) plus the loaded hitch weight of the trailer (3251 lbs) totals 9401 lbs which exceeds the truck GVWR of 6800 lbs by almost 2600 lbs.

The second problem is that the truck rear axle load (2414 lbs) plus the loaded hitch weight of the trailer (3251 lbs) totals 5665 lbs which exceeds the truck rear GAWR of 3900 lbs by 1765 lbs.

The RAM 1500 is clearly not enough truck.

RAM 2500

Surely the RAM 2500 would be enough:

2013 RAM 2500, Mega Cab RAMBOX, 4x4, Longhorn, 6.7L Diesel V6, 6S Auto Transmission

GVWR 10000
Base Weight 7983
Front Axle 4778
Rear Axle 3205
Payload Capacity 2017
GAWR (Front) 5500
GAWR (Rear) 6200
GCWR 25000
Maximum Trailer Weight 16850

Again, I assumed that the truck would be loaded with 2 "standard" passengers at 154 lbs each plus 234 lbs of cargo for a total loaded weight for the truck of 8525 lbs.

Again, the first problem is that the loaded weight of the truck (8525 lbs) plus the loaded hitch weight of the trailer (3251 lbs) totals 11776 lbs which exceeds the truck GVWR of 10000 lbs by 1776 lbs.

And again, the second problem is that the truck rear axle load (3205 lbs) plus the loaded hitch weight of the trailer (3251) totals 6456 lbs which exceeds the truck rear GAWR of 6200 lbs by 256 lbs.

This is closer but it would seem that even the RAM 2500 is not enough truck.

RAM 3500

Wow, do I really need to go this big!

2013 RAM 3500, Mega Cab RAMBOX, 4x4, Longhorn SRW, 6.7L Diesel V6, 6S Auto Transmission

GVWR 12400
Base Weight 8258
Front Axle 4972
Rear Axle 3287
Payload Capacity 4142
GAWR (Front) 6000
GAWR (Rear) 7000
GCWR 25000
Maximum Trailer Weight 16570

Again, I assumed that the truck would be loaded with 2 "standard" passengers at 154 lbs each plus 234 lbs of cargo for a total loaded weight for the truck of 8800 lbs.

So, the loaded weight of the truck (8800 lbs) plus the loaded hitch weight of the trailer (3251) totals 12051 lbs which is just shy of the truck GVWR of 12400 lbs by about 350 lbs. Yeah!

Next, the truck rear axle load (3287 lbs) plus the loaded hitch weight of the trailer (3251) totals 6538 lbs which is just shy of the truck rear GAWR of 7000 lbs by 462 lbs. Again, yeah!

Finally! the RAM 3500 seems to be the "smallest" Dodge RAM that would not be overloaded.

Am I being too conservative? My colleagues at work all tell me I am being WAY too conservative, that even the 1/2 ton RAM 1500 would pull this 5th wheeler but "for sure" the 3/4 ton RAM 2500 would. The only thing they say I would be gaining by buying the RAM 3500 is a lighter wallet and more trips to the diesel pumps.

Any sage advice out there?

Tow Vehicles

38 Replies

jarobinson1000
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
Everyone:

I figured I would toss out this subject, check back in a few days and see if I got any hits. Wow, 25 of you answered. Thanks!

The overhelming opinion is that I will need the Chrysler/Ford/GM 1 ton and I should really, really consider going dually. Man, I just went from maybe a RAM 2500 to a 3500 dually. Quite the leap.

You have all given me a lot to consider. Thanks for all your advice
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013
4x4ord wrote:
Even those of us who dislike the size and awkwardness of a dually recognize that the trailer you are describing is approaching the limits of a SRW 1 ton. Personally I would stay with a SRW for that trailer if going Ford. With GM or Ram the duals don't dictate the axle ratio so if the truck was primarily going to be used for towing I would recommend duals. The axle ratio would be 3.73 with Chevy and in the case of the Ram it would be 3.42.

You very well may be right, looking at the 2013 Ram 3500 SRW which got the same upgraded frame as did the 3500 DRW trucks, with 3:42 gearing has a GVWR rating of 12,300# (what my 2012 Dually had), and has a GCWR of 25,000#, payload of 4120....

One difference is rear axle...on the 3500 SRW truck it is rated at 7,000#, on the dually, axle weight rating is 9750#.

BUT, believe 4X4ord could be right....I still like the dually for stability, BUT if towing where one is going to tow and it's not on mountainous, curvy roads....just "flat land" driving, SRW should suffice......
4x4ord
Explorer III
Aug 01, 2013
Even those of us who dislike the size and awkwardness of a dually recognize that the trailer you are describing is approaching the limits of a SRW 1 ton. Personally I would stay with a SRW for that trailer if going Ford. With GM or Ram the duals don't dictate the axle ratio so if the truck was primarily going to be used for towing I would recommend duals. The axle ratio would be 3.73 with Chevy and in the case of the Ram it would be 3.42.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013
Javi1 wrote:
Same price as Class C $25 good for 6 years. and yes it's easy to pass the written and driving provided you can safely tow a trailer of that size. They will inspect both the trailer and the tow vehicle to make sure they are legal.

THX:)
Javi1
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013
Same price as Class C $25 good for 6 years. and yes it's easy to pass the written and driving provided you can safely tow a trailer of that size. They will inspect both the trailer and the tow vehicle to make sure they are legal.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013
Javi1 wrote:
To OP...

Make note:

The law has change in Texas on class of license needed to pull a trailer.. Class C is no longer good to 26001 GCWR unless the trailer is under 10K GCWR.

Class C Driver License
A Class C driver license permits a person to drive:
1. A single vehicle or combination of vehicles that are not included in Class A or Class B; and
2. A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 lbs. towing a trailer
not to exceed 10,000 lbs. GVWR or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 lbs.

Question on #2 point. So someone could tow a (just using an example), 19,950# farm trailer with a truck that has a GVWR up to 26,000# and do it on a Class C drivers license, (total combined weight of 45,950#),but someone who has a vehicle that only has a GVWR of 14,000# and is going to tow a 5er with a GVWR of 16,500# has to have a "special license"?(combined weight 30,500#). Doesn't seem fair, but some of these state laws are just to make money for road and bridge repairs... SO, You could have a truck with a GVWR of 12,300# and tow a 5er with a GVW of 10,500# which, both COMBINED would only weigh 22,800# and you would have to get a "special license" to do that with? Does it cost any more for the other license? I did understand someone state that it was easy to pass/get.

Even with ALL that, I still would recommend to the OP to, at the very least, get a 3500 SRW truck, unless going to tow in the mountains, then the stability of the dually is best for that, as is the extra payload.

I certainly wouldn't back off on a truck or the 5er I want just because of needing a special license...
Glad I live in NC...
Javi1
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013
To OP...

Make note:

The law has change in Texas on class of license needed to pull a trailer.. Class C is no longer good to 26001 GCWR unless the trailer is under 10K GCWR.

Class C Driver License
A Class C driver license permits a person to drive:
1. A single vehicle or combination of vehicles that are not included in Class A or Class B; and
2. A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 26,001 lbs. towing a trailer
not to exceed 10,000 lbs. GVWR or a farm trailer with a GVWR that does not exceed 20,000 lbs.
Sundance07
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013
MTPockets1 wrote:
mpierce wrote:
3500 SRW is minimum for what you need. It will do it OK. If you plan on a lot of towing, or mountain areas, I would seriously consider the DRW.
. Speaking from actual experience, that trailer fully loaded will exceed the payload of a SRW. No question you are in DRW territory.

To the OP

Please consider the good advise of the members here. The 5er you are considering is definately in dually territory. The ability to carry the pin weight of approx 20-25% of your 5er GVW is key.

Glad you are considering the tow vehicle before your 5er purchase.
rayford118
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013
NC Hauler wrote:
rayford118 wrote:
why are some of yall telling him to get the quad cab DRW. He may not need the Mega cab but surely he should go anything less than the crew cab. still plenty of room back there even though its not a Mega. Quad cabs are tight in the back seats.

If talking brand new, Ram doesn't make a Quad cab any more...it's reg cab, crew cab or Mega cab...don't really care what configuration they want, just recommend a dually for what he's going to tow.

thats what i thought that they didnt even offer the quad in DRW anymore. no point to
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013
rayford118 wrote:
why are some of yall telling him to get the quad cab DRW. He may not need the Mega cab but surely he should go anything less than the crew cab. still plenty of room back there even though its not a Mega. Quad cabs are tight in the back seats.

If talking brand new, Ram doesn't make a Quad cab any more...it's reg cab, crew cab or Mega cab...don't really care what configuration they want, just recommend a dually for what he's going to tow.

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TRUCK TOWING CAPACITY

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