SRW v. DRW

[Ducky69]

So I do now own a Ram 3500 Longhorn Mega cab diesel. I'm currently using it to tow my travel trailer. Want to move to a Heartland Gateway 3650bh which grosses at 15500, dry at 13025 and pin weight at 2020. I know the truck can both handle towing weight and payload (hitch) weight.

My only concern is safety for my family in the truck. Can I tow this camper safely? Mostly being used for destinations, but do at least once want to travel the U.S. with it.

Thanks

[Old-Biscuit]

ramgunner wrote:

Ducky69 wrote:
Thank you all. My tire load ratings at 3640#. The payload at just under 4k. This is my commuter so dually has to be ruled out.

This is a 2015 ram 3500 longhorn mega cab. Cummins turbo SRW.

I commute every day in my signature truck (DRW) into a parking lot with pretty narrow badge-controlled gate access. Having the carrying capacity and extra stability of the DRW more than offsets the times when it's less convenient parking it.

BUT OP already has a SRW that is more than adequate to safely/properly tow his trailer.

Not everyone wants/needs a dually.

YES.....SRWs are quite capable of towing w/o drama

[RustyJC]

GrumpyandGrandma wrote:
Did everybody miss this sentence:

However, FMVSS No. 110 applies only to passenger cars and, under that standard, manufacturers are required to provide a car's load carrying capacity on a label.

"Passenger Cars"

Keep reading:

However, FMVSS No. 110 applies only to passenger cars and, under that standard, manufacturers are required to provide a car's load carrying capacity on a label. Therefore, when modifying a passenger car, the modifier has the load carrying capacity available. For vans, SUVs and pickups, many of the vehicle manufacturers provide the same sort of label, even though it is not required. If the load carrying capacity is not provided for these vehicles, the modifier must calculate the load carrying capacity as previously described.

Sorta says if it has a door sticker, the sticker governs, doesn't it?

I think the message is that not just any Joe Blow can throw some air shocks onto a vehicle and recertify GVWRs and GAWRs on the door sticker.

Rusty

[ramgunner]

Ducky69 wrote:
Thank you all. My tire load ratings at 3640#. The payload at just under 4k. This is my commuter so dually has to be ruled out.

This is a 2015 ram 3500 longhorn mega cab. Cummins turbo SRW.

I commute every day in my signature truck (DRW) into a parking lot with pretty narrow badge-controlled gate access. Having the carrying capacity and extra stability of the DRW more than offsets the times when it's less convenient parking it.

[GrumpyandGrandm]

Did everybody miss this sentence:

However, FMVSS No. 110 applies only to passenger cars and, under that standard, manufacturers are required to provide a car's load carrying capacity on a label.

"Passenger Cars"

[JIMNLIN]

Ducky69 wrote:
Thank you all. My tire load ratings at 3640#. The payload at just under 4k. This is my commuter so dually has to be ruled out.

This is a 2015 ram 3500 longhorn mega cab. Cummins turbo SRW.

Thanks for the update before the weight police crowd hyjack and get your thread closed.
The new '13 and up SRW Rams have 4000-4500 lb payloads....very impressive and will safely handle that size trailer.
Great combo

[RustyJC]

redhooker wrote:

RustyJC wrote:

Coach-man wrote:
I was a little over on payload, I had extra leafs put in and the shop certified the new pay load rating,( I have a new sticker in the door with their name on it)!

Hmmmm.....interesting. You might want to read the Issues Pertaining to Load Carrying Capacity in this document.

Rusty

Sorry-new poster here. I read that document and it supports coachman's statement, particularly here:

Did you get the part that the "alterer" must be registered with NHTSA?

Rusty

[AH64ID]

redhooker wrote:

RustyJC wrote:

Coach-man wrote:
I was a little over on payload, I had extra leafs put in and the shop certified the new pay load rating,( I have a new sticker in the door with their name on it)!

Hmmmm.....interesting. You might want to read the Issues Pertaining to Load Carrying Capacity in this document.

Rusty

Sorry-new poster here. I read that document and it supports coachman's statement, particularly here:

What is the Gross Axle Weight Rating?

The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum weight that the designated axle system is designed to carry. It is set by the OEM and noted on the vehicle's original certification label. Alterers must determine whether their modifications affect the manufacturer's stated GVWR or GAWR. If they do, the alterer must specify the new GVWR or GAWR on the alterer's certification label (see 49 CFR 567.7). Note: A modifier or dealer should never accept an altered vehicle that does not have an alterer's certification label.

I was not aware that aftermarket shops could recert GVWRs, but apparently they can. In Florida, if your truck is registered under 8000lbs (7999 or less) they are powerless to enforce any weight restrictions on you. My friend and neighbor works for the state at one of the largest weigh stations on I-95. He says they get dually pickups pulling car haulers in excess of 25k lbs and they have no authority to do anything about it.

Back before the internet told us we couldn't do it, my dad pulled a 30 ft TT with an Olds Toronado across half the country with 4 kids in the back seat. That was the 70s for ya 🙂

My state doesn't put a lot of legal bearing on the door sticker, but I wonder what the requirement are to alter the OEM specs? Can it be done by an individual?

[Old-Biscuit]

rhagfo wrote:

Ducky69 wrote:
Thank you all. My tire load ratings at 3640#. The payload at just under 4k. This is my commuter so dually has to be ruled out.

This is a 2015 ram 3500 longhorn mega cab. Cummins turbo SRW.

Just because it is your Commuter doesn't rule out a dually! You will not suffer a large loss in fuel mileage, and you will soon get use to the slightly added width. Unless you have a small parking garage about the only real reason.

Not everyone wants/needs a dually

OPs SRW is more than adequate with payload/axle rating and tire load ratings AND he already has the SRW.

[redhooker]

RustyJC wrote:

Coach-man wrote:
I was a little over on payload, I had extra leafs put in and the shop certified the new pay load rating,( I have a new sticker in the door with their name on it)!

Hmmmm.....interesting. You might want to read the Issues Pertaining to Load Carrying Capacity in this document.

Rusty

Sorry-new poster here. I read that document and it supports coachman's statement, particularly here:

What is the Gross Axle Weight Rating?

The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum weight that the designated axle system is designed to carry. It is set by the OEM and noted on the vehicle's original certification label. Alterers must determine whether their modifications affect the manufacturer's stated GVWR or GAWR. If they do, the alterer must specify the new GVWR or GAWR on the alterer's certification label (see 49 CFR 567.7). Note: A modifier or dealer should never accept an altered vehicle that does not have an alterer's certification label.

I was not aware that aftermarket shops could recert GVWRs, but apparently they can. In Florida, if your truck is registered under 8000lbs (7999 or less) they are powerless to enforce any weight restrictions on you. My friend and neighbor works for the state at one of the largest weigh stations on I-95. He says they get dually pickups pulling car haulers in excess of 25k lbs and they have no authority to do anything about it.

Back before the internet told us we couldn't do it, my dad pulled a 30 ft TT with an Olds Toronado across half the country with 4 kids in the back seat. That was the 70s for ya 🙂

[rhagfo]

Ducky69 wrote:
Thank you all. My tire load ratings at 3640#. The payload at just under 4k. This is my commuter so dually has to be ruled out.

This is a 2015 ram 3500 longhorn mega cab. Cummins turbo SRW.

Just because it is your Commuter doesn't rule out a dually! You will not suffer a large loss in fuel mileage, and you will soon get use to the slightly added width. Unless you have a small parking garage about the only real reason.

[Ducky69]

Thank you all. My tire load ratings at 3640#. The payload at just under 4k. This is my commuter so dually has to be ruled out.

This is a 2015 ram 3500 longhorn mega cab. Cummins turbo SRW.

[gtsum]

My 2014 Ram 3500 Megacab SRW has 4074lbs payload...my new fiver has pin weight of 3200 ready to camp...with weight of hitch and family and the pin weight, I am about 100lbs under the 7k axle and 320 under the tire ratings and under all other weight ratings

Dually would certainly give you a lot more cushion. FYI, dry weight of my rig was 13510, scaled weight ready to camp is 14535, 16500 GVWR...

[motorcycle_jack]

The weight your truck can handle depends not only on the truck but also on the weight on the rear tires. That depends on the type of tires and inflation pressure. So weigh your rear end then add the pin weight divide by 2. Then check the pressure chart for you tires and make sure your not over. If you are then a dually is called for.

[retirediaffcamp]

I feel you will be OK. I have a 2013 Ram 2500 Megacab diesel single rear axle. I tow a CedarCreek38ck with no problem. The real answer is just drive safely and don't speed. I usually set my cruise on long stretches for 62-63 mph. Very competent tow vehicle.

[TXiceman]

Yep any one with a printer and Microsoft Word can make really dandy official looking sticker. Does not make it legal.

Ken