TRUCK TOWING CAPACITY

jarobinson1000 wrote:

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.

...

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?

My only comment is regarding your estimated weights of passengers and cargo. Obviously, I don't know what you weigh, but the 233 pounds of cargo seems extremely light. Your hitch alone is going to eat up quite a chunk of that. Then there's the things you add to the truck (bed cover, bed mat, tools, etc.). And anything you put into the truck (cooler of snacks, drinks, food, electronics, maps, books, guides, etc.). It adds up quick.

Otherwise, you have a tremendous handle on the truck ratings and how to compare the numbers.

As for being overly-cautious. Lots of people tow lots of things with 3/4-ton trucks. And lots of people report, "it pulls just fine". I'm shocked at what some people are pulling my camper with (42', 14k-15k weight and 2,500 pounds of pin weight). But, there's not death and destruction all around us.

For most, people who aren't educated about weights it is- "it's a truck, therefore I can".

Personally, I want to be within all of my ratings. So that when I incredibly bugger up my parking of the camper and sink it's tires 9" into the mud and my truck tires in 6"-7" of mud that I still have the power + capability to recover from my eff-up.