2015 Ram 1500 a Contender? Not.

[Kampfirekid]

I posted in another thread my finding the payload on a 2015 EcoDiesel being only 1200 pounds. That was per the sales guide at the dealership.
Well, tonight I happened by a Dodge/Ford dealership and found a new 1500 Longhorn EcoDiesel. Beautiful truck. I took it for a spin and was very surprised by the average 26 mpg being reported on the dash. But that couldn't come remotely close to the surprise when I looked at its payload. Total of occupants and cargo shall not exceed... Sit down... Wait for it... 847 pounds! Really? I went into the showroom to find the same truck with the Hemi, and it revealed 950. Is Ram serious? That's not even close to respectable for a few guys to head north for a hunting trip!
The interesting part was sitting in the delivery bay were two 2015 F150 Platinum trucks with 3.5L EcoBoosts. Both showed payloads of 1547. That is more like it.
I really was interested in the Ram, but there is no way $58,000 and 850# of payload is practical. Just imagine a family of four going camping. You couldn't even set the hitch on the ball and you'd be close to overweight. Interesting, but sad how many don't even know the reality. As I left, the salesman I spoke with had two others on their knees bent over looking at the sticker on the B-pillar. They just couldn't believe it. The Chrysler 300 sitting next had a higher payload I'll bet.

[TomHaycraft]

Okay, part of the equation to understand tow rating are the changes in design and goals for MPG. As someone else mentioned, to get better MPG, something has to go.

The other item to take into account, is the gradual adaptation of SAE J2807, which should be a good thing when comparing across truck makers. A lot out there on J2807, much of it dated. What seems to be a good summary of applying the new standard across the truck makers for 2015 models is on Cars by Overstock.com. According to this (please chime in if you know differently), only RAM adheres to the new standard across all models from 1/2 to 1 ton. Would like to see something in a "truck" publication and one that didn't close with the statement, "But I'm not a truck guy." What the heck?

[APT]

Loaded up crew cab 4WD Ram 1500's have had this problem since 2009. It's a great truck, but that payload isn't enough for my needs.

[2012Coleman]

Calicajun wrote:
Plus if you get the Air Ride, four point air bags, version the truck can tell if you carried more than the max cargo weight.
I have a RAM 1500 EcoDiesel Laramie Limit and like everything about the truck except the cargo weight rating. I plan to add rear air shocks with coil helper springs in place of the factory shocks. That should increase the payload weight rating and keep the truck from receiving an overload cargo weight weight reading to the computer.

My MPG in town is about 18-19 mpg and highway is 26.5 mpg.

Hey - why don't you remove the bumpstops too? Thta will also increase your payload!!!

LOL!

[RobertRyan]

Calicajun wrote:
Plus if you get the Air Ride, four point air bags, version the truck can tell if you carried more than the max cargo weight.
I have a RAM 1500 EcoDiesel Laramie Limit and like everything about the truck except the cargo weight rating. I plan to add rear air shocks with coil helper springs in place of the factory shocks. That should increase the payload weight rating and keep the truck from receiving an overload cargo weight weight reading to the computer.

My MPG in town is about 18-19 mpg and highway is 26.5 mpg.

That is ridiculous . Minimum Payload for a Global 3 litre DualCab, is 2,100-2, 500lb, a SingleCab , 3000-3200lb. So who has tthe 1/2 ton?
Mazda BT 50 towing a Cruise RV, no big deal

[ChooChooMan74]

This is one of the reasons why the Ram 1500 diesel is now my #2 since Nissan introduced their Titan XD. Of course, there are only 2 contenders.

As others have said, there is lots of wiggle room between axle ratings and GVW. Not saying to exceed GVW, but you get my drift.

There have been people loading up their 1500s with the air suspension with 2000 lbs in the bed. Not sure if it records hat you did it, but it will handle it.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

🙂 Hi, I recently bought a brand new 2014 F-150. I searched and studied a lot before buying it. I saw a new F-150 Platinum on the show room floor; It had a pitiful 1,065 lbs payload. Mine has 1745 lbs payload. According to the book mine should be 1,900 lbs, but 155 lbs is lost due to the Off Road Package that my truck came with. Basically, the more toys you want, the lower payload you will get.

[Mesteve]

Kampfirekid wrote:
A 950 payload in a 1/2 ton is still wrong.

1 ton = 2000 pounds; 950/2000 = .475, thats pretty close to 1/2 ton to me...

[TurnThePage]

Just an observation, but it looks like Ram leaves a LOT of room between their gvwr and gawr. Like 900lbs. Plenty of wiggle room.

[Kampfirekid]

Yeah, I guess you give up something. I guess the bed can haul bulk, not weight.

It makes me wonder what payload an F150 would have with a diesel in it.

[byronlj]

To get 26 mpg you have to give up something.
Dave

[Kampfirekid]

mtofell1 wrote:

You might want to change the title of the thread as it's not at all accurate as to what you are talking about with the Eco-diesel being a fraction of the Ram 1500 line.

No, based upon my findings of the same truck with the Hemi, the payload still stinks... Thus the 1500 title. A 950 payload in a 1/2 ton is still wrong.

[audio1der]

Calicajun wrote:
Plus if you get the Air Ride, four point air bags, version the truck can tell if you carried more than the max cargo weight.
I have a RAM 1500 EcoDiesel Laramie Limit and like everything about the truck except the cargo weight rating. I plan to add rear air shocks with coil helper springs in place of the factory shocks. That should increase the payload weight rating and keep the truck from receiving an overload cargo weight weight reading to the computer.

My MPG in town is about 18-19 mpg and highway is 26.5 mpg.

Unless you get your changes recertified by the Gov't, you can't change your payload rating. The truck may become more capable, but it will still be rated at whatever it left the factory with. There are more parts to the equation than springs and shocks, such as the rear axle and tires.

[mtofell1]

This is old news.... like about 2 years old news. This was beaten to death when the truck was first designed and introduced. Yes, it's terribly low payload but the mpg are unheard of for a full size pickup so it may not work for everyone. It's especially bad as a tow vehicle - hence the commenting on this board.

You might want to change the title of the thread as it's not at all accurate as to what you are talking about with the Eco-diesel being a fraction of the Ram 1500 line.

[Calicajun]

Plus if you get the Air Ride, four point air bags, version the truck can tell if you carried more than the max cargo weight.
I have a RAM 1500 EcoDiesel Laramie Limit and like everything about the truck except the cargo weight rating. I plan to add rear air shocks with coil helper springs in place of the factory shocks. That should increase the payload weight rating and keep the truck from receiving an overload cargo weight weight reading to the computer.

My MPG in town is about 18-19 mpg and highway is 26.5 mpg.