Need a bit more payload on Ram 2500.

[tcamper]

Needing advice from the pros. I am about to purchase a new Ram 2500 with the 6.7 Cummins. For 2015 the best payload I can get (according to the documentation) is about 2600 lbs. The towing capacity is 17K lbs. and that is more than enough.

We are also considering a new 5er later in the year, and the models on our short list have hitch weight of 2000 – 2400lbs.

With the Ram 2500 I will be cutting in very close on payload. I’ve looked at the Kelderman air system as an after-market add-on.

Will an after-market air system actually allow me a bit more payload?

Are there any suggestions for a particular brand or model?

[TXiceman]

tcamper wrote:
Ok guys, OP’er is still here. I’ve wanted to comment several times but just get so turned off by so many A-hole comments.

I have to mention my favorite…..

“You have to love the new guys who make up their minds and then come on here and try to get people with years and years (and miles and miles) of experience to justify what they have already decided to do!”

Thanks v10superduty for your reply. I just suggest to this poster to take a look at the member info on the left….duh!!!!

I really did not have my mind made, and I really did want advice and debate. Like I said….I talked to 3 people at Dodge, 2 people in the Air bag/lift business…1 total stranger at a Dodge dealership and 2 of my friends that are 3 & 7 years into using the air bag systems to assist with their towing endeavors. This was certainly enough to cause me to PONDER!!

After weeding through all the crap…..I say thanks to all the guys who had good, non-judgmental, non-pompous comments and suggestions.

I appreciate the guys who have enough passion to understand and really try to help as opposed to the bullies who just have to show their rear ends.

That being said ……. I have decided to purchase a 2015 Ram 3500 SRW Laramie Longhorn – 6’4” box - Crew Cab – 6.7 diesel – 6 speed auto tranny.

Now I just need to figure out where the pot of gold is buried.

I understand the frustration of some of the comments, but it does not follow that you get to call the other forum members names simply because you do not agree with them.

The moderators should have at least toned this post down.

Ken

[Dman1]

I was facing the same dilemma this past December...2500 or 3500. My wife wanted the smoother ride as well, but wanted a huge fifth wheel as well. She was even willing to go with a smaller fifth wheel to make the 2500 work. The ride on the new 2500 and 3500 trucks are not as different as they once were. When we test drove them, the ride difference was not drastic enough to steer us away from the 3500. So on December 30th, we ordered a 2015 Ram 3500 Laramie 4x4 SRW 6.5' box truck with the air ride, fifth wheel prep, and a bunch of other goodies. We were told 8 to 14 weeks. And it is due to arrive next Tuesday....eight weeks to the day after we ordered it. Looking forward to getting in it and trying it out. The. The fun will begin to select a hitch and a new fifth wheel...likely the Sabre 34TBOK. We're moving up from a Rockwood Roo 19 hybrid and a Toyota Highlander. Let the fun begin.

[Cummins12V98]

tcamper wrote:
I haven’t officially placed the order yet. I’m still pricing between 2 dealers. Hopefully will make the deposit soon. Going to take 8-12 weeks (per the dealer)

As far as the hitch……I plan to just go with the standard hitch with bed rails. I’ve been using this set-up for all of my 5er towing years, and the rails have never gotten in my way. As a matter of fact, I like having them, I've used them many times as tie down points. Plus I have a hoist installed in my garage, so I just back up to the hoist, lift it, drive out and then lower it onto a push cart. I never touch anything except the pins and the button on the hoist control. And I can save the $$ on the 5th wheel prep kit.

Air suspension option….I believe I’m going to skip this as well. With what I understand about this option, it is only a benefit when leveling with a load. It does not really aid in ride comfort when traveling with-out a load.

With the 3500 SRW and our future 5er plans, I’ll have plenty of tow and payload capacity. I don’t think I’ll need the added air suspension.

I was told 6-8 weeks on my order. It will be nearly 13 weeks!

Your truck but for $340 the prep kit is a steel. Modern truck why not a modern B&W RVK3600 hitch?

Air ride is an improved empty ride. The payload is the same with or without air.

[tcamper]

I haven’t officially placed the order yet. I’m still pricing between 2 dealers. Hopefully will make the deposit soon. Going to take 8-12 weeks (per the dealer)

As far as the hitch……I plan to just go with the standard hitch with bed rails. I’ve been using this set-up for all of my 5er towing years, and the rails have never gotten in my way. As a matter of fact, I like having them, I've used them many times as tie down points. Plus I have a hoist installed in my garage, so I just back up to the hoist, lift it, drive out and then lower it onto a push cart. I never touch anything except the pins and the button on the hoist control. And I can save the $$ on the 5th wheel prep kit.

Air suspension option….I believe I’m going to skip this as well. With what I understand about this option, it is only a benefit when leveling with a load. It does not really aid in ride comfort when traveling with-out a load.

With the 3500 SRW and our future 5er plans, I’ll have plenty of tow and payload capacity. I don’t think I’ll need the added air suspension.

[crcr]

tcamper wrote:
Ok guys, OP’er is still here. I’ve wanted to comment several times but just get so turned off by so many A-hole comments.

I have to mention my favorite…..

“You have to love the new guys who make up their minds and then come on here and try to get people with years and years (and miles and miles) of experience to justify what they have already decided to do!”

Thanks v10superduty for your reply. I just suggest to this poster to take a look at the member info on the left….duh!!!!

I really did not have my mind made, and I really did want advice and debate. Like I said….I talked to 3 people at Dodge, 2 people in the Air bag/lift business…1 total stranger at a Dodge dealership and 2 of my friends that are 3 & 7 years into using the air bag systems to assist with their towing endeavors. This was certainly enough to cause me to PONDER!!

After weeding through all the crap…..I say thanks to all the guys who had good, non-judgmental, non-pompous comments and suggestions.

I appreciate the guys who have enough passion to understand and really try to help as opposed to the bullies who just have to show their rear ends.

That being said ……. I have decided to purchase a 2015 Ram 3500 SRW Laramie Longhorn – 6’4” box - Crew Cab – 6.7 diesel – 6 speed auto tranny.

Now I just need to figure out where the pot of gold is buried.

Great choice! Did you order it with the air suspension option someone mentioned.

[rhagfo]

JIMNLIN wrote:
well said tcamper.

Good choice and your gonna' like the Cummins power/towing performance.
And good luck on the pot of gold.....sure wish I could find one.

X2
I am not quick enough to catch up to the end of the Rainbow!:S

Great choice on the Ram 3500 SRW, it should fit your need great.

You increased the Payload of the 2500 correctly stepping up to the 3500 SRW.

[JIMNLIN]

well said tcamper.

Good choice and your gonna' like the Cummins power/towing performance.
And good luck on the pot of gold.....sure wish I could find one.

[Hvyhauler]

tcamper... great choice with the Dodge Ram 3500.You will have miles of smiles pulling with it.

[jerem0621]

Great Choice OP! It's a georgeous truck..and you haven't even got it yet!

The Laramie seats are very Comfy!!

Are you going to get the fifth wheel prep package or go with rails or maybe a B&W turnover ball and a Companion hitch?

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Cummins12V98]

tcamper

Good call on the RAM

[tcamper]

Ok guys, OP’er is still here. I’ve wanted to comment several times but just get so turned off by so many A-hole comments.

I have to mention my favorite…..

“You have to love the new guys who make up their minds and then come on here and try to get people with years and years (and miles and miles) of experience to justify what they have already decided to do!”

Thanks v10superduty for your reply. I just suggest to this poster to take a look at the member info on the left….duh!!!!

I really did not have my mind made, and I really did want advice and debate. Like I said….I talked to 3 people at Dodge, 2 people in the Air bag/lift business…1 total stranger at a Dodge dealership and 2 of my friends that are 3 & 7 years into using the air bag systems to assist with their towing endeavors. This was certainly enough to cause me to PONDER!!

After weeding through all the crap…..I say thanks to all the guys who had good, non-judgmental, non-pompous comments and suggestions.

I appreciate the guys who have enough passion to understand and really try to help as opposed to the bullies who just have to show their rear ends.

That being said ……. I have decided to purchase a 2015 Ram 3500 SRW Laramie Longhorn – 6’4” box - Crew Cab – 6.7 diesel – 6 speed auto tranny.

Now I just need to figure out where the pot of gold is buried.

[Cummins12V98]

Yes the stock EB is awesome! I hold 6% grades in 3rd with 3:42 gears no problem. With the new truck and 4:10's it will be even better and will probably be in 4th.

[rhagfo]

jerem0621 wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

psuce wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

When I towed with my 98 RAM 2500 4X4 similar to your at 20,500# combined I knew I was at my limit!

I have put many miles on my old 97 Ram 2500 running around that combined weight with a gooseneck equipment trailer. Only smoked the brakes once. :E

I had a PacBrake and it made it nice coming down the 6% grades.

Ditto!!

I had enough brakes before add the PacBrake, but now almost never use the service brakes!! The sweet rumble of the Pacbrake coming down long grades is comforting to know I still have cold service brakes if needed.

Is there a limit to the amount an exhaust brake can hold back on a grade? Please forgive my inexperience with diesel...but with a gas motor you gear down and let the motor rev effectively using engine braking to keep the speed stable going down hill...

Even doing this..sometimes you can gain a little too much speed and have to stab the brakes. Does the Exhaust brake work the same way on a diesel?

Thanks!

Jeremiah

I find I can hold moderate grades in 5th (5 speed manual), steeper I drop to 4th. PacBrake works very well even at low RPM. Keep in mind I am at a GCW of 19,000# to 19,500# most of the time.
I am sure Cummins stock EB also works well with the extra 10,000# he has over me.

[v10superduty]

Allworth wrote:
You have to love the new guys who make up their minds and then come on here and try to get people with years and years (and miles and miles) of experience to justify what they have already decided to do!

Nine out of ten say get a bigger truck, but you can go ahead and beef up the 2500 and then say "The guys on RV.net said it is OK." by quoting the tenth one.

The OP is not a "new" guy.
He joined this forum 2 years before you.

He got the debate he wanted but has stayed out of it. :@