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Ram Payloads- Seriously|||

dougk53
Explorer
Explorer
Just for giggles on a rainy day while camping went to look at Ram 2500's. Presently have the combination in my signature and it does very well. After a detailed explanation of my requirements the salesman proceeds to bring out trucks that have no bearing on what I was interested in. While the trucks were out I took a look at payloads and was blown away. A 6.4 Hemi Power wagon had a payload of 1700# and a Cummins Laramie had a payload of 1450#. I am well aware of optioning affecting payload and other factors but I am having a hard time understanding anyone purchasing a $66k diesel truck and not being able to do anything with it but carry some 2x4's and plywood. People earn their money and can spend it how they wish but personally I have difficulty seeing a burgeoning market for such vehicles But I am more then likely wrong. Also I am aware of RAWR being a consideration and that the Cummins will pull but seeing numbers that don't even equal my F150 left me at a loss.

Doug
2017 Ram 2500 Crew Cab 6.4 Hemi
2015 Flagstaff 27RLWS
2005 Road King
Doug,Virginia
5 Grandkids, Brianna,Frankie,Tyler,Tori,Jocelyn
Furkids, Buster,Samantha
91 REPLIES 91

mtofell1
Explorer
Explorer
Me Again wrote:
Again, the question remains, if you are buy new and towing heavy, why not opt for a SRW 3500 vs a 2500. The only people I see defending Ram 2500's as just as capable are people that own one.


I think someone nailed the largest reason.... availability. Every lot has about 10X as many 2500s. If ordering, sure get the 3500. If impatient and wanting a truck now you don't always have a choice.

Me_Again
Explorer II
Explorer II
Again, the question remains, if you are buy new and towing heavy, why not opt for a SRW 3500 vs a 2500. The only people I see defending Ram 2500's as just as capable are people that own one.
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
IdaD wrote:
ShinerBock wrote:
While I will not say that a new Ram 2500 is just as capable as a new 3500 SRW. I will say that it is not too far behind it with what it can actually handle and it can definitely handle a lot more than its payload regulated rating. Although Ram does think that a diesel 2500 can tow just as much as a 3500 SRW since they both have the same 17k tow rating. It is just the payload that is the big difference due to the GVWR restrictions of each vehicle class.


Yep. Most overblown topic on this site, imo. The real world difference is very minor and can be more than rectified with a couple hundred bucks spent on timbrens or bags. But for those looking to overcompensate on this site I guess it's a big deal.


Yeah but half the active topics would disappear if the "experts" (those that know how to read a door sticker, but have little knowledge about vehicles/trucks, or just simply are antagonists/pessimists) quit bickering with those that don't care about every minuscule regulation and actually run their lives with knowledge and common sense!
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

IdaD
Explorer
Explorer
ShinerBock wrote:
While I will not say that a new Ram 2500 is just as capable as a new 3500 SRW. I will say that it is not too far behind it with what it can actually handle and it can definitely handle a lot more than its payload regulated rating. Although Ram does think that a diesel 2500 can tow just as much as a 3500 SRW since they both have the same 17k tow rating. It is just the payload that is the big difference due to the GVWR restrictions of each vehicle class.


Yep. Most overblown topic on this site, imo. The real world difference is very minor and can be more than rectified with a couple hundred bucks spent on timbrens or bags. But for those looking to overcompensate on this site I guess it's a big deal.
2015 Cummins Ram 4wd CC/SB

davisenvy
Explorer
Explorer
I just replaced my 2006 2500 Duramax Crew with a 2016 Ram 2500 Crew diesel. According to the sticker the Duramax had 200 lb more payload than my new truck does. I towed with my new Ram for the first time this last week to a destination in FL that I have made many times before in my 2006 Duramax (same FW on all of the trips). I never knew my FW could tow so nice and secure. My new truck makes my old truck feel dangerous.
2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT,4x4,Crew, Duramax EFI Live
2013 StarCraft Autumn Ridge

ShinerBock
Explorer
Explorer
Me Again wrote:


People will say the RAM 2500 is just as capable, and to that I say, RAM does not think so. If buying new get a 3500.



While I will not say that a new Ram 2500 is just as capable as a new 3500 SRW. I will say that it is not too far behind it with what it can actually handle and it can definitely handle a lot more than its payload regulated rating. Although Ram does think that a diesel 2500 can tow just as much as a 3500 SRW since they both have the same 17k tow rating. It is just the payload that is the big difference due to the GVWR restrictions of each vehicle class.

I am of a different frame of mind. I don't ever plan on or want to tow something that is more than 14k so there is no use in me paying the extra money in taxes/registration each year for a 3500(10k+ GVWR trucks more than double the registration fees of 6k to 10k here) when the 2500 will do the job just as well. If I needed to tow more than 14k often then I would just get a DRW, but since I hate driving DRW trucks the possibility of that happening is very very slim. I would rather lower the weight I needed to tow then drive a DRW.
2014 Ram 2500 6.7L CTD
2016 BMW 2.0L diesel (work and back car)
2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 3.0L Ecodiesel

Highland Ridge Silverstar 378RBS

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Me Again wrote:
Yesterday, my wife and I were talking about her son wanting his Old Travel Supreme 5th wheel moved for Eastern Washington to Marysville in Western Washington. She said how come I said I could not move it up from Oregon a few years ago with Old Blue our 2001.5 RAM, and am now saying that the newer 2015 RAM can move it now.

So I had to explain that the new truck is a completely different animal vs the old one.

We towed a 12,400 lb 5th wheel with Old Blue and it did quite well with over 6K on the rear axle a lot. Like Russ it came with tires rated to 3415 each vs 3042. It was a good rig, however it was not in the league of the newer SRW 3500's.

People will say the RAM 2500 is just as capable, and to that I say, RAM does not think so. If buying new get a 3500.


Chris, could not agree with you more on buying new! I did a recent test drive of a new Ram 3500 CC long bed Tradesman, nice driving truck would do the job nicely, I might consider a 3500 with hips also, just for capacity.
Currently the good old 2500 with 300,000 miles does the job just fine, all the toys on the inside and outside still work so not in a hurry to replace.
The reason I test drove a Tradesman was to see what all came on a basic truck nowadays, when I do go to buy likely will go for a Bighorn.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

Me_Again
Explorer II
Explorer II
Yesterday, my wife and I were talking about her son wanting his Old Travel Supreme 5th wheel moved for Eastern Washington to Marysville in Western Washington. She said how come I said I could not move it up from Oregon a few years ago with Old Blue our 2001.5 RAM, and am now saying that the newer 2015 RAM can move it now.

So I had to explain that the new truck is a completely different animal vs the old one.

We towed a 12,400 lb 5th wheel with Old Blue and it did quite well with over 6K on the rear axle a lot. Like Russ it came with tires rated to 3415 each vs 3042. It was a good rig, however it was not in the league of the newer SRW 3500's.

People will say the RAM 2500 is just as capable, and to that I say, RAM does not think so. If buying new get a 3500.
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
rhagfo wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"They believe you need a DRW one ton to tow 12,000#. "

You don't??? :B


Well I currently carry and pull 11,500# with the 2001 Ram 2500, still under the 6,084# stock rear GAWR. No bags or Timbier's.

So I think the answer would be NO.



I used to tow 20,500# combined with my 98 2500 RAM. It handled the load well and sat level as your truck does. BUT I felt I was at my safe limit.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"They believe you need a DRW one ton to tow 12,000#. "

You don't??? :B


Well I currently carry and pull 11,500# with the 2001 Ram 2500, still under the 6,084# stock rear GAWR. No bags or Timbier's.

So I think the answer would be NO.

Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
"They believe you need a DRW one ton to tow 12,000#. "

You don't??? :B
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
whjco wrote:
Took a look at the chart for the 2015 Ram 2500 and the LOWEST payload was 2470 pounds, over 1000 more than the OP claims.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2015_ram_2500_towing_charts.pdf

When I got ready to sell my Excursion, I was reluctant to purchase a HD pickup because, generally, the ride is so harsh. In 2015 Ram started putting rear coil springs in the 2500 series which makes for a much more comfortable ride. I've been extremely happy with mine and it rides as good as my Excursion used to.

Just remember that if you're contemplating getting a 3500 vs a 2500 for capacity you may never use, you'll be sacrificing ride and comfort.


3500 with Factory Rear Air Ride is NICE!!!! No "sacrifice".
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
goducks10 wrote:
You only get in trouble towing overweight by the RV.net forum weight police.


No, they are also alive and well on the Keystone. They believe you need a DRW one ton to tow 12,000#.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

Jimmie2
Explorer
Explorer
MudChucker wrote:
Around these parts if the tires dont rub you are good to go...trouble with heavy loads is the beer tilts in the cup holder and spills a little so you find yourself guzzling the top 2 inches every time you crack a fresh one.


Now that there is funny!!! :B :B :B

transamz9
Explorer
Explorer
whjco wrote:
Took a look at the chart for the 2015 Ram 2500 and the LOWEST payload was 2470 pounds, over 1000 more than the OP claims.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2015_ram_2500_towing_charts.pdf

When I got ready to sell my Excursion, I was reluctant to purchase a HD pickup because, generally, the ride is so harsh. In 2015 Ram started putting rear coil springs in the 2500 series which makes for a much more comfortable ride. I've been extremely happy with mine and it rides as good as my Excursion used to.

Just remember that if you're contemplating getting a 3500 vs a 2500 for capacity you may never use, you'll be sacrificing ride and comfort.


That's actually funny. I test drove a 2500 with factory air before I bought my 3500 and thought it was more harsh.
2016 Ram 3500 Mega Cab Limited/2013 Ram 3500 SRW Cummins(sold)/2005 RAM 2500 Cummins/2011 Sandpiper 345 RET (sold) 2015 Sanibel 3601/2008 Nitro Z9 Mercury 250 PRO XS the best motor made.