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

joebedford
Nomad II
Jul 31, 2013
Congratulations! That's the best analysis of towing requirements by a newbie that I've ever seen. Welcome to the forum.
Norskeman
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
The 3500 is the only way to go - dually may be the best in your case - give some margin on the GVWR.

Another item to consider - In New York state with that RV and truck I would need a class R license - another road exam with the truck and RV. The class R license would allow me drive/tow with a total GVWR (truck and trailer) greater than 26,000 lbs.
lakeside013104
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
NC hauler is right on the money. With your 5er weight, an F-350/3500 SRW or DRW is the best option for your tow vehicle (TV). Buy enough truck the FIRST time and you won't be sorry later. Happy camping.

Lakeside
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
As stated by most of the above, with a GVW of 16,540, you're looking at a pin weight of possibly 3300# or so...My 5er has a GVW of 16,950# and loaded it's now at almost 16,000# with a pin weight of a little over 3300#....Forget "dry" or "empty" weights, nor realistic.

Forget 1/2 ton, forget 3/4 ton, even with their "new" and "higher" GVWR and GCWR ratings. At the very least your're looking at a 1 ton SRW truck.....Don't know where you tow, but I tow in the mountains on curvy, mountainous roads and I prefer the dually for it's stability when towing. Having towed the same 5er with both SRW and DRW trucks on the same roads, I can say from my experience that the dually offers a more stable towing experience.

You asked and a lot of us will tell you from experience...if you're going to buy a heavy 5er, make sure you have "enough truck" to tow with and one that you will end up being glad you got....if you don't want a 3500 SRW truck or a 3500 DRW, then you may want to consider a lighter 5er.

IF later on you decide to purchase an even heavier 5er later on and you purchase a 3500 SRW or 3500 Dually, you will at least, at that time, possibly already have the truck to do it with.

The 2013 Ram 3500 SRW trucks and 3500 Dually's have new frames, medium duty tranny option and much higher GVWR and GCWR ratings then they did in 12'..

"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."

Your colleagues don't sound very "rv savvy"..IF it were realistic, I'd like to see one of them hook that 5er up to a 2013 1/2 ton Ram truck, meet me at the bottom of I26, from TN into NC...I'll be waiting a the top, and they can tell me how that worked out for them...(didn't even put them on some secondary very mountainous curvy roads in WV:))

Hey, it's YOUR money, YOUR 5er, YOUR truck...YOUR call...most are just trying to tell you what kind of towing experience to expect with that amount of weight and what truck would probably make you the happiest when towing....

If one is going to purchase a 16,500# GVW 5er and knows they're going to have to pay for a truck to tow it...at some point, diesel fuel WILL figure in...it is what it is...IF YOU WANT to save money "at the pump", buy a 1/2 ton gasser and a pop-up...it is what it is...I need a 1 ton dually because the wife and I WANT our 5th wheel, so we know it's going to cost more to tow it...BUT that is what we WANT, we don't want to downsize and with that will come some sacrifice to have and enjoy the camping experience we want...

..........at the VERY least, I'd want a 1 ton 3500 SRW truck, if you opt for a "mega cab", I'd go dually...Mega eats up some of it's own GVWR as opposed to the crew cab...
Javi1
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
Sorry, you're in dually country with that trailer.
greende
Explorer II
Jul 31, 2013
IMO, you need a 350/3500. SRW or DRW, It's your call. My opinion, I would get a DRW.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
The loaded hitch weight is only 350 pounds below the truck GVWR with passengers, WITHOUT a hitch installed, or firewood, generator, couple bottles of water, any other options not on the standard truck.

So that truck is also out.

Try a dually, or go by the Ford dealership, and pick up a brochure on the F-350 towing capacity. It might do the job with single rear wheels, but also might require a dually to take care of the weight of that trailer.

Fred.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2013
GVWR of trailer......16540#

20% of GVWR..........33080# (pin weight)

Payload Capacities:
1500......1191# (Nope)
2500......2017# (Nope)
3500......4142# (YEP)

Forum Discussion

TRUCK TOWING CAPACITY

38 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Ram 1500 Towing Capacity

Truck camper towing a boat

Towing capacity

Towing Capacity

Truck camper match