2005 2500 Dodge capabilities for a fifth wheel

[shadows4]

I am trying to help out a friend who is thinking of making the switch from a TT to a 5er. His truck is paid for with about 112,000 miles on it so he doesn't want to buy a new truck. I believe the door sticker said the GVWR was 9000 lbs. His truck is a four door short bed.(Quad Cab?) I think with what I have found on here it should weigh about 7000-7200 lbs full of fuel, hitch, him and his wife. What he is asking is for a ballpark figure as to how big a 5er to look for. I was thinking around 11-12,000 lb GVWR for a 5er. He might be over GVWR but should be able to stay under the GVAWR. Since I know there are few (LOL) Dodge boys on here I thought I would ask you guys. Thanks, John

Forgot to add, it is a 4 X 4 and a diesel. Thanks for all the replies guys.

[TXiceman]

As you see, the problem with a 3/4 ton truck is the limited GVWR and rear GAWR. You will reach these two limits well before you reach the GCWR or the manufacturers MAXIMUM tow rating.

The place to start is to load the truck up with passengers, cargo and full fuel. Get it weighed and add 150# for the 5er hitch.

GCWR - loaded truck = maximum loaded trailer weight.

GVWR - loaded truck = maximum loaded trailer pin weight.

Have fun.

Ken

[Golden_HVAC]

Sure he can tow 'just about anything' but to stay below 9,000 GVWR that the factory says is safe, then he should take the truck to a scale with a full tank of fuel. Then he will know that the base weight is really 7,000 or 7,400 pounds with 4 wheel drive. Or whatever the actual weight is.

Then find a travel trailer with a 1,000 pound hitch weight and stay below the 9,000 pound capacity. Taking the truck to 10,500 pounds 'Just because it does not sag much' is not really safe or recommended! Just because he did not exceed the rear axle rating (7,500 pounds in most 3/4 ton trucks and even the dually's) or tire ratings (3,042 per tire in 16" rims and a lot more with 17 or 18" E rated rims) does not make the 9,000 GVWR go up a pound. Being a little overweight might not get you in trouble, but a crash, the lawyers get involved, and your insurance company can dis-own you if they find out that your truck weight was well into the 10,000 pound range while only rated at 9,000 pounds.

Good luck!

Fred.

[rhagfo]

Diesel or Hemi? with our 2001 we pull a 12,360# GVWR 5er with a listed dry weight of 9,820#. Loaded we run at about 11,000#+/- and about 2,000# pin. Yep, over TV GVWR, but well with in tire and axle ratings. This TV has Tow and Camper Packages from the factory (3500 springs and rear sway bar)tow this without any need for suspension enhancements.

[wandering1]

Get the truck towing specs from the manufacturer and read them. Forget about personal opinions you are legally responsible for having and adequate tow vehicle.

[Me_Again]

He will be quite a bit over the trucks GVWR if it is a 4x4 diesel and will have to watch the RGAWR carefully with a 12K 5th wheel. He may need air bags to handle rear end sag. If he is going to tow in the mountains then an exhaust brake is in order, as the Cummins has little hold back on hills without one.

The only difference between the 2005 2500 and 3500 SRW was the rear spring pact(lack of overloads), badges and GVWR.

The tires installed OEM set the low RGAWR.

Chris

[JIMNLIN]

My same as '03 2500 Dodge has a 13350 lb tow rating. Our 2500 Dodge trucks come with a 9000 lb GVWR and 6000 lb RAWR.

My 11200 lb (actual gross weight) 5th wheel trailer adds about 2200 lbs sitting on top of the trucks rear axle which brings the rear axle/tire loads to around 5000-5400 lbs depending on how much stuff we load in the truck and trailer for a long or short stay.

Keep under those RAWR/tire load ratings on a short bed truck as its carrying all the pin weight.

The 3500 SRW has up to a 16xxx lb tow rating. The 3500 has a heavier rear spring pack/tires and wheels for carrying more payload. Both trucks share the same chassis/engine/trannies/front axles/rear axles. Watch those tire/axle load rating as its gonna' be the biggest safety numbers

[ScottG]

Your friends tow rating is about 14K give or take a few hundred pounds. He'll be fine at that level but his problem will be payload.

[Old-Biscuit]

Have your friend stick with a 5vr that is no more than 12,000# GVWR MAX

[Dandy_Dan]

I have the Dodge Quad Cab long bed 4WD with Hemi. I am pulling the Open Range shown in my signature. It is about 34' with triple slides. The GVW rating is 10700. I have pulled this 5er over 25000 miles without problem. This company makes some light weight 5ers. I am in the 6th year with it. The cable system on the slides makes a big difference in the weight. Much lighter than either the gear driven or the hydraulic systems. Check their website and you should find something that will work for your friend.