Payload for 2016 Ram 2500?? What am I missing??

[rcp123]

Help??

I am in the process of upgrading my 2011 F250 gas 6.2L

We are thinking of getting a 5er and I want to make sure my truck will haul it comfortably. I am basing my 5er weight on 13000-13500lbs loaded. (11000-12000 dry)

I am looking at a 2016 Ram 2500 SRW 4x4 Diesel

All the numbers look good, except the payload.

It is listed as 2210lbs, Unless I am completely missing something (which could very well be the case), this will be the limiting factor.

If I assume 20-25% pin weight, then I will automatically be over payload once I put the DW and 2 kids in the truck. Is this true?

I feel that there is something I am not seeing and it is frustrating me.

Can some one point out what I am missing?

Note: I have also looked at the 2016 F250, and GMC/Chevy, but the Ram still has better overall numbers. But would still consider any of the bid 3, if the numbers worked out.

Looking forward to getting educated from the group on this topic.

Cheers,

Ryan
(I also posted this in the tow vehicle forum)

[GordonThree]

Yes, it had the little Hemi in it.

[IdaD]

GordonThree wrote:
I thought the 2500 would give me a lot more cargo capacity, in case I wanted to swap to a larger trailer.

I guess the Ram 2500 is a heavy grocery getter. Technically, the capacity is a full ton, for the 3/4 ton - so can't complain exactly. But it costs A LOT more than the 1500, and only 500 lbs difference between the two? What gives

Here's some stickers from a '16 Ram 2500 Tradesmen with (yech) 20" low profile tires / rims





Album link in case the pictures don't show up

Interesting axle ratings. With the 18" tire you get 6000/6500 lb axle ratings and I thought the 20" tires were the same.

Edit - Just noticed the 9000 lb GVWR. This must be a base 5.7 gasser?

[dave17352]

Read up on the cp4 pump thing just google it. That is what I have in my truck and have had no problems. But its a easy 10 grand if it goes. Or you can replace it like some do right off the bat. But that ends up costing 4 grand. For the money I am just going to keep using my additive as I have sense day one and hope for the best. Its a small percentage of trucks that grenade their fuel pump but something to consider. From what I have read or diesel here doesn't really have enough lubricity. I do love the ride of my Chevy, My wife like's the Chevy ride better than the Ford and so do I. But that may have changed in the past 5 years. I would as others said definitely go with the 1 ton. I have a 4k payload with my SRW Chevy 3500. I haven't driven a Dodge lately so no opinion on those. But they don't have that cheesy fuel pump!

[GordonThree]

I thought the 2500 would give me a lot more cargo capacity, in case I wanted to swap to a larger trailer.

I guess the Ram 2500 is a heavy grocery getter. Technically, the capacity is a full ton, for the 3/4 ton - so can't complain exactly. But it costs A LOT more than the 1500, and only 500 lbs difference between the two? What gives

Here's some stickers from a '16 Ram 2500 Tradesmen with (yech) 20" low profile tires / rims





Album link in case the pictures don't show up

[mikeh449]

my 15 2500 weight no trailer rear axle 3440 axle rating 6500 still have 3100 to use with trailer rear 5100

[csamayfield55x]

When I purchased my 1 ton a few years ago the difference in price for the 1T was only about 500.00. Not even a factor when spending almost 40K in 2008. By the time I was done negotiating the price was withing 1K of a 3/4 ton with less upgrades and a manual (wish I had the manual now).

Chris

[rhagfo]

rcp123 wrote:
I never really thought of 3500 (1 ton) as an option. I always assumed that it would cost substantially more. I guess I have some homework to do.

I am glad to know that I was not missing anything, but it does seem quite odd that with a 2500, it is not even designed to haul a "normal" weight 5er.

The RV dealer, as well as the TV dealer, all seemed to eager to state that it would be the ideal TV.

Yes, it will pull the 5er, but it will be over the numbers, and I am not a big fan of that.

Here is another "loaded" question. Any thoughts on Ram vs F250 vs GMC/Chevy? Now that I am looking at 1 ton, I want to go back and start the review process all overnight again, looking at the big 3.

Any advice is welcomed. Thanks,

Well take DW along and test drive all three, which ever one she is most comfortable
In, that is the one!

[IdaD]

rcp123 wrote:

IdaD wrote:
If you already own the 3/4 ton, spend a couple hundred bucks on bags or timbrens and load it up to the equivalent year 1 ton SRW rating for your truck assuming the wheels and tires are also the same.

Yes I do own my current 3/4 ton and have kept very good care of it. I never thought of doing upgrades to it.

As this is new to me, what would you recommend I look at adding to get my current F250 to better standards? It has a payload limit of 3250. By adding upgrades, would I be able to push this higher? (I don't think so, but again I may be missing something)

Thanks for your help. I just want to make sure my TV (current or new) is capable to pulling the 5er. If I need to get a new TV, then I think now would be the time, before I start to rack up major miles on my current F250.

A gas 3/4 ton is a little different animal because it doesn't have the same weight issues that limit the diesels with respect to payload. Some F250s are no different than F350s depending on the packages it came with from the factory, though. I think if it has an overload spring that means it has the same rear suspension as the F350 but maybe a Ford guy can correct me. My guess is with a 13-13.5k fifth wheel you wouldn't be happy with the pulling power of the gas engine, though.

If it's in the budget you'd love any of the diesels. I picked the Ram but they're all good choices. We just got back from a trip from Idaho down to Disneyland in LA and back with the family and I couldn't believe how well the truck handled the trailer whether it was a freeway at sea level in the city or at 8k+ feet going through Nevada and California. The power is fantastic and the control you get with the exhaust brake is even more impressive on descents.

[rcp123]

IdaD wrote:
If you already own the 3/4 ton, spend a couple hundred bucks on bags or timbrens and load it up to the equivalent year 1 ton SRW rating for your truck assuming the wheels and tires are also the same.

Yes I do own my current 3/4 ton and have kept very good care of it. I never thought of doing upgrades to it.

As this is new to me, what would you recommend I look at adding to get my current F250 to better standards? It has a payload limit of 3250. By adding upgrades, would I be able to push this higher? (I don't think so, but again I may be missing something)

Thanks for your help. I just want to make sure my TV (current or new) is capable to pulling the 5er. If I need to get a new TV, then I think now would be the time, before I start to rack up major miles on my current F250.

[IdaD]

rcp123 wrote:
I never really thought of 3500 (1 ton) as an option. I always assumed that it would cost substantially more. I guess I have some homework to do.

I am glad to know that I was not missing anything, but it does seem quite odd that with a 2500, it is not even designed to haul a "normal" weight 5er.

The RV dealer, as well as the TV dealer, all seemed to eager to state that it would be the ideal TV.

Yes, it will pull the 5er, but it will be over the numbers, and I am not a big fan of that.

Here is another "loaded" question. Any thoughts on Ram vs F250 vs GMC/Chevy? Now that I am looking at 1 ton, I want to go back and start the review process all over again, looking at the big 3.

Any advice is welcomed. Thanks,

Do some research and make sure you're comfortable with the CP4 injection pump issues in the diesel GM and Ford. Not likely to be an issue but it was a factor that swayed me towards the Ram and Cummins. If you're comfortable with the CP4 issue you can't go wrong with any of the three - they're all towing beasts. Drive them all and pick your favorite.

[MFL]

Above is correct. Unless you are limited to class 2 10,000 rating, due to insurance or license fees, you just need to get the 35 series truck. In some cases the 25 series will have the same suspension, axle, tires, brakes, frame, etc. as the 35 series. No matter, it will still have 10,000 GVWR, with a lower payload.

Will the 2500 work? In most cases yes, but you will have to ignore some of the ratings.

Jerry

[rcp123]

I never really thought of 3500 (1 ton) as an option. I always assumed that it would cost substantially more. I guess I have some homework to do.

I am glad to know that I was not missing anything, but it does seem quite odd that with a 2500, it is not even designed to haul a "normal" weight 5er.

The RV dealer, as well as the TV dealer, all seemed to eager to state that it would be the ideal TV.

Yes, it will pull the 5er, but it will be over the numbers, and I am not a big fan of that.

Here is another "loaded" question. Any thoughts on Ram vs F250 vs GMC/Chevy? Now that I am looking at 1 ton, I want to go back and start the review process all over again, looking at the big 3.

Any advice is welcomed. Thanks,

[IdaD]

Payload ratings on diesel 3/4 tons are low due to high curb weight and the 10k max class restriction on that series of trucks (for lower registration, avoiding DOT hoops if commercial, etc. - nothing related to capability).

My take on this issue is if buying new and planning on a fifth wheel, buy a one ton. If you already own the 3/4 ton, spend a couple hundred bucks on bags or timbrens and load it up to the equivalent year 1 ton SRW rating for your truck assuming the wheels and tires are also the same.

[greatwhitenort1]

You need a 3500 srw minimum to haul a trailer of that size if you want to stay within the payload.

[rhagfo]

You are not missing anything, the payload is mostly limited by the Class 2 GVWR max of 10,000#!
You really have two options;

#1. Ignore the GVWR, and go by the rear GAWR, which gives you about an additional 1,000#.

#2. Far better if buying new, just get a 3500 SRW! You get about 1,500# additional pounds of payload, and you will be within all your ratings.