My truck has a max payload of 2400 and 12,650 max towing rating per the Vin# at the Ram website. We are looking at FW with the dry hitch weight of 2212lbs and dry sticker weight of 11,700 lbs. What are your thoughts is this to heavy for my truck. I was thinking of beefing up the rear suspension with either airbags or leaf springs. Any help is appreciated. DVR2012 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Diesel 4- door short bed

The payload sounds about right for the diesel, but the towing should be more than 12,650. You will likely need air bags to level the load. You would have to weigh the truck full of fuel passengers, gear, to see what you have left on your RAWR/max tire rating.The loaded trailer could have a pin wt near 3,000 lbs, plus hitch wt about 200. If loaded rear axle weighed 3,000, you'd have to subtract that from your RAWR. Jerry

Until you weigh your RAM (fully loaded) you'll not know it's actual capacities such as remaining payload, and remaining GCWR.

Well once again the Catch 22 of a 250/2500!You are asking a question that in reality only you can answer, the question is do I feel comfortable towing beyond my trucks 10,000# class restricted GVWR and go by the trucks rear GAWR.No matter how you answer that question you first need to fill your fuel tank load up the family and head for the scales to find out what you have for payloads(s).I stated payloads one is based on the 10,000# class restricted GVWR. The other on the difference between what the truck scales and the VIN sticker listed rear GAWR.The 12,650# towing limit is a rating based on power and rear gears. Not sure if Ram still has the placard in the glove box with the trucks gear ratio. if it is like 3.42 that could be the reason for the low max trailer weight.Keep in mind was the last year before RAM got aggressive with towing numbers. If you have an automatic transmission I would be careful, chipping, be safer putting in either 3.73 or 4.10's But once again Your Choice your money.

well it's not too hard to figure that you'll be over every tow rating with that 5er. If you use the RAWR and throw some bags and higher rated tires then you'll cover the pin weight. But you never cover the tow rating. One thing to think about is that your 2500 is a 3500 with just a different spring pack. If you use the 3500 as a bench mark then you'd be close but good.I know with my 12 Ram 2500 CTD that the tow rating jumps 1000lbs by going to the same model 3500.I think Ram rates their trucks on cooling as well as frame and suspension. if you look at a 13 2500 I believe the only thing they did to the suspension was add the 3500 springs. But they improved the cooling and some other mechanical things and the tow rating really jumps. So IMO it's more about how hard you want to push the truck rather than can the truck handle the 5th wheel.Interesting to note that the 13 2500 tow rating jumped to 17,300 with the standard 3.42 gears. That alone tells me Ram reworked the cooling big time.

That tow capacity just doesn't make sense to me. It should be better than mine but that's well below it. Clearly it doesn't have much to do with power, gearing, GVWR or cooling capacity - which on the 2500 2012 are all superior to my 03 3500.

2012 Ram Diesel 6.7 Tow Capicity | Good Sam Community

Me_Again
Explorer III
Mar 03, 2017
djgodden wrote:

- Changing tires from LT265/70R17 to LT285/70R17

17" are now the unwanted stepchild. Even the LT285/70R17 are only rated at 3197.

To truly add capability OP would need to switch to 18, 20 or 19.5 rims and tires.
Racine96
Explorer
Mar 03, 2017
My 3500 SRW diesel has a payload of 4,070 by the yellow sticker. That is over 1,000 more than any 2500 RAM diesel. It makes a big difference.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Mar 02, 2017
djgodden wrote:
Asking a question like that will bring out the weight gestapo in droves. If you want to stick to the letter of the law, go by what your stickers and the MFR show and get your rig weighted (CORRECTLY). Stay within those limits. For my 2012 Longhorn Crewcab SRW my numbers are:
GVWR: 9600
Payload: 2170
Base Weight: 7429
Base Weight Front: 4554
Base Weight Rear: 2875
GAWR Front: 5500
GAWR Rear: 6010
Max Trailer: 12400

If you want to increase the safety factor (vice increase overall capacity, because that's not wise to suggest even though that's exactly what you'd be doing) consider doing this:
- Changing tires from LT265/70R17 to LT285/70R17
- Add Load Lifter 5000 bags
- Change to Severe Duty Brake pads and discs

Additionally, educate yourself on the difference between a 2500 SRW and a 3500 SRW Ram. I did and was a bit shocked at the minor differences which resulted in capability.

If you want the build sheet for the truck it's hereRAM Build Sheet Look-up

Wow, never realized that Ram stayed so far out of the Payload capacity race as what your numbers state.
Our 2001 Ram 2500 has the following numbers;
GVWR 8,800#
Front axle 5,200#
Rear axle 6,084#
Max Trailer 12,000#
djgodden
Explorer
Mar 02, 2017
Asking a question like that will bring out the weight gestapo in droves. If you want to stick to the letter of the law, go by what your stickers and the MFR show and get your rig weighted (CORRECTLY). Stay within those limits. For my 2012 Longhorn Crewcab SRW my numbers are:
GVWR: 9600
Payload: 2170
Base Weight: 7429
Base Weight Front: 4554
Base Weight Rear: 2875
GAWR Front: 5500
GAWR Rear: 6010
Max Trailer: 12400

If you want to increase the safety factor (vice increase overall capacity, because that's not wise to suggest even though that's exactly what you'd be doing) consider doing this:
- Changing tires from LT265/70R17 to LT285/70R17
- Add Load Lifter 5000 bags
- Change to Severe Duty Brake pads and discs

Additionally, educate yourself on the difference between a 2500 SRW and a 3500 SRW Ram. I did and was a bit shocked at the minor differences which resulted in capability.

If you want the build sheet for the truck it's hereRAM Build Sheet Look-up
lrodio
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
WE do have the exhaust brake, we are looking at a smaller version the 33ik
Njmurvin
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
lrodio wrote:
Thanks for the info, we are going to look into a lighter unit! Will update soon

I think this is a smart plan. My older 3500 has a cargo capacity of just over 3000lbs. My trailer's GVWR is 12000 and I wouldn't feel safe pulling anything heavier. Do you have an exhaust brake? If not, consider getting one installed. I will never tow again without one.
Racine96
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
Yours might have coils springs on the rear instead of leaf springs. It makes a difference. I think you need to think about the FW GVWR an not dry weight. I don't think you have enough truck.
lrodio
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
Thanks for the info, we are going to look into a lighter unit! Will update soon
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 23, 2017
"Payload" and "Tow Rating" has NOTHING to do with what 5er you can tow!!! With a 5er you NEVER will use the front axle capacity that is available. Most important is what is your RAWR??? It's most likely the combined MAX load capacity of your rear tires. Go to the scales with your truck FULLY loaded with bodies, tools, fuel, camping gear, tool box, hitch etc. What does your REAR axle weigh??? Subtract that from your RAWR. Take that number x 5. That is the GVWR of a 5er you can tow if a weekend warrior allowing 20 percent pin. If fulltiming I guarantee you will be closer to 25 percent so take that number and x 4 to see your RV's GVWR.
ScottG
Nomad
Feb 23, 2017
That tow capacity just doesn't make sense to me. It should be better than mine but that's well below it. Clearly it doesn't have much to do with power, gearing, GVWR or cooling capacity - which on the 2500 2012 are all superior to my 03 3500.