We just lost our 6 month-old Outback 316RL TT in a fire at our covered storage facility started by an arson...totally destroyed down to the frame. I'm looking to replace it and was considering going to a FW. We have a 2012 Ram Laramie Crew Cab 2500 diesel with a 3.73 rear axle. After looking at several "light" FW's, had gotten excited over the Keystone Montana High Country 318 RE. I started checking out the specs and everything worked until I got to the payload issue on my truck. Back when we first bought the TT I had the truck weighed with full fuel. It came in at 7,500 lbs....4560 front axle and 2940 on the rear. After adding 420 lbs. for passengers and assuming 150 lbs. for a FW hitch it would total 8,070 lbs. The GVWR for my truck is 9,600 lbs., leaving only 1,530 for FW hitch weight. The FW we were looking at has an unloaded hitch weight of 1930 lbs. So before we add any weight to the FW we're already 400 lbs. over payload. I was shocked and disappointed and was left wondering how all these FW's I've seen pulled by 3/4 ton P/Ups do it. We are well within the limits for GCWR and our rear axle GAWR is 6,010 lbs. so no problem there. But the payload is way over being acceptable.I'm not going to a 3500, and the FW size we'd need to be within payload limits is way to small for our needs.Guess we'll scrap the FW idea and look for a TT replacement instead. Am I missing something here? I can't believe how many large FW's I see pulled by 250/2500 trucks.If I'm wrong somewhere in my calculations please let me know. Thanks.

The difference between your 2500 and a 3500 is the rear spring pack. Tires, brakes, axle all else is the same. This argument will go on here forever. Just buy the trailer, hitch up and go on your way. I've put over 20,000 miles on my 2500 pulling the same amount of weight. I don't worry about getting sued, getting any overweight tickets, the sky falling, what others have to say about it. I'm one of those thousands of 2500s you see on the road pulling a fifth wheel...It works just fine..B.O.

We have a 2012 Ram 2500 diesel. Just bought a new FW (Jayco 26.5 RLS) and the truck tows beautifully with the FW. DH says he doesn't even feel the weight.

The weight police will be along shortly.......

Before the WP step in with "input", which FW is it that your heart is set on? Is there nothing else in FW market that might fit your needs and come in a tad lighter for your peace of mind? If not, I agree with previous - hook it up and go wheelin'!Cheers!Mike

Many 3/4 ton trucks, especially the ones with the heavy diesel, are over their payload hauling FWs. Some people just let them sag, lights up in the sky and go.IMO, your late model truck could handle a fair size FW, maybe even the one you mentioned. You may have to add to the suspension, by way of additional spring, or the more popular air bags.Just do a little research, talk with your truck dealer etc.A FW should work for you.Jerry

FW limitations for my Ram 2500 | Good Sam Community

Water-Bug
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
john&bet wrote:
I pull a 32' Montana with my 2500 '04.5 Dodge with a gvw of only 9000. My trailer has a gvw of 12,100. Believe it of not, but I am not over loaded on any factory spec. when we load up for a two or three week trip. But the last time I checked on current Montana specs. they no longer have a 5er model as light as mine. JMHO.

Montana makes 5 models in the High Country line with dry weights under 10, 000 lbs. They call it "Helium Technology" but there's no balloons involved. :)
Water-Bug
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
I pull a 2013 Montana High Country 325RL with my 2012 Ram Crewcab Cummins with no problems. My DW is trying to load the 5er with its full 2300 lb cargo capacity and it still rides level. If it didn't, I'd have no issues with adding a rear leaf or airbags. Think of it as a 3500 with weak rear springs, because that's what it is.
ependydad
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
Well, there ya go - lots of guys who can and do tow over their ratings. Lots do it. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that a majority of 3/4-ton truck owners are over GVWR but under others. Each person that does it has a reason and justification for why that's OK.

IMO, a truck has ratings and none of them should be exceeded. I don't know enough about trucks to claim that I know better than Chrysler (in my case); therefore I bought a 1-ton dually to pull the camper that I wanted to be able to pull. I can tell you that I'm under all ratings of my truck, hitch and tires.

To each their own, of course.
john_bet
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2013
I pull a 32' Montana with my 2500 '04.5 Dodge with a gvw of only 9000. My trailer has a gvw of 12,100. Believe it of not, but I am not over loaded on any factory spec. when we load up for a two or three week trip. But the last time I checked on current Montana specs. they no longer have a 5er model as light as mine. JMHO.
Dandy_Dan
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
I pull our 35' 5er with the 2500 Hemi and 3.73 gears. Have towed it over 25000 miles. I wouldn't thin twice with the diesel. Good Luck and Happy Camping.
jalichty
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
We towed a Jayco Eagle SuperLite HT 26.5 RLS with a 2011 Ram Diesel Crew Cab long-bed and a 3.42 rear end. Was not happy with the lack of "oomph" but the truck pulled it fine. Decided, for various reasons to get a different truck so went with a 2012 GMC D/A crew cab short-bed with 3.73 rear end gears and there was a world of difference towing the FW. While you might be a bit over the "optimum" pin weight, I would say go for it. The auto and 3.73 in your Ram will do a great job pulling that FW and you shouldn't have a problem at all as you probably don't have the de-rated diesel Ram I had, due to the six-speed manual transmission.
webslave
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
B.O. Plenty wrote:
The difference between your 2500 and a 3500 is the rear spring pack. Tires, brakes, axle all else is the same. This argument will go on here forever. Just buy the trailer, hitch up and go on your way. I've put over 20,000 miles on my 2500 pulling the same amount of weight. I don't worry about getting sued, getting any overweight tickets, the sky falling, what others have to say about it. I'm one of those thousands of 2500s you see on the road pulling a fifth wheel...It works just fine..

B.O.

X2

Rig is in signature. Am I over GVWR? Yep, but, not enough to cause me to worry. I'm well under all the other weight ratings, and, yes, the only thing different on my truck from the 3500 is one extra leaf spring in the pack. I added Timbrens as opposed to the extra spring (rides better empty; the Timbrens only come into play when loaded). Pay most attention to rear axle and tire weight capabilities. You'll be fine. I bought the truck and 5er to be a "matched" pair and its been cross country (about 30k miles now) several times with no angst or issues.
outdoorlovers
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
Look at the Jayco Eagle HT fifth wheels. They're designed for half ton pickups. We just bought one to tow with our Ram 2500 diesel. They're well built and come with a two year warranty and have special insulation similar to a four seasons, but not quite.
GRHTX
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
First off, thanks for all the responses to my post. I guess I'm being a little too anal about this, but never having towed a FW I was trying to do what I thought was the "right thing". I appreciate your suggestions re: air bags/additional springs. I'll look into that and looks like I'm back in the market for a FW.

Thanks!
goducks10
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
I tow a 5'er that puts my 2012 Ram 2500 over it's GVW by 100-200lbs. Obviously not much at all. I prefer to use the trucks RAWR as a base. On the 12 2500 the spring pack is the only difference. Ironically the 2500 has 5 leafs (thinner)and the 3500 has 4 leafs (thicker). Even when moving to a DRW the drive train is the same. Only the rear axle and leafs are changed. I'm not suggesting you tow way over the GVW, stay under the trucks RAWR and you should be fine.
Look for dry pin weights near 1500 and you should be good. By the time you add 150lbs for the 5th hitch and load the front of the 5'er up you'll be around 20-2200lbs. Which would put you in the 10,000lb loaded 5th wheel range.

FWIW I drop 2" in the rear with 17-1800lb loaded pin weight. Guessing you'll need air bags for the 318HC.

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