Broken Frame on a RAM 3500

valhalla360 wrote:
Does RAM provide a separate weight rating for truck campers?

I know Ford does. On my 2008 F250, the payload capacity is 2700lb on the door jam but per the Ford towing guideline document, I'm limited to just over 2200lb with a truck camper.

I believe they do. Although I could be confusing with Ford. But no matter traditionally the TC ratings are downgraded from the over all Ccc based on the gvw. Couple reasons I surmise.
1. Because campers generally only load the rear axle without any significant weight on the front, sometimes negative which increases the bending moment in the direction of that failure.
2. There is probably an algorithm designed for the lawyers taking into account a typical higher load center and the cantilever weight past the rear axle.

Also the added weight to the front of that truck over stock was plainly evident. It has a welded steel bumper with welded brush guard at a minimum. Can’t see if it has a winch too.
Avg weight of those bumpers is around 250lbs. Avg weight of the foldable tin can OE bumper, maybe 30 lbs. I just r and r the bumpers on my 4th gen. Rear weighs about as much as 2 sacks of groceries. Front is worth maybe 3 bags. If one has bread and chips in it.

I’m not the weight cops either. And I would consider hauling a camper that size on a new dually, likely without issue. But I just wouldn’t be so ignorant as to assume and publicly state and publish that the truck wasn’t overloaded! Lol.
And just like my overloaded trip to Alaska, if the roads in Meh hee co were similar, I’d be doin my flat best to not tear the truck up on them.
Bottom line not the trucks fault. Not the roads fault. This one lands firmly in the lap of an owner who just learned an expensive lesson.
But hey, I participate in activities where if you’re not breaking stuff you ain’t trying, as well.
I’ve just gotten smarter about breaking less stuff less often as I’ve become a bit wiser. I predict this guy will too.
I snapped the rear skid in half on my snobike last year. About 15 miles from the truck with a big climb to get out. I should have known better but I pushed an inferior design that I was aware of because “it hadn’t broken yet”. Bit different scenario as I wasn’t overloading anything. But totally the same as I knew I was pushing my luck. I should have been wiser.
But the one thing I didn’t do was get on the internet and complain about it. I got on the internet and ordered new parts!