surveyorjp wrote:




Well the thing is, in many cases the weight ratings that Dodge places on its vehicles is purely for a performance standpoint, not a safety one. I can give you two examples to back this up.

Here is a quote from the OP's post......

"The GCW was 18800#. This is 2800# over GCWR for my 2002 Dodge/Cummins automatic, but would be 1200# under GCWR for the same truck equipped with a 5 or 6 speed stick with the same engine. I guess the auto trans is the limiting factor there. Mine is still working great despite the extra power I've added, and the heavy loads."

See, the same truck equipped with the manual transmission has a higher GCWR. The ONLY factor is performance and perhaps longevity because the truck whether auto or stick has the same size brakes, axles, suspensions, etc. It can haul the higher load safely, but perhaps not as fast or not as long without a breakdown of the weak point which is the transmission.

Another example, on a 2004 Dodge Dakota. A truck equipped with a 3.92 rear axle ratio has around 1000 lbs higher tow rating than the exact same truck with a 3.55 ratio. The brakes and suspensions are the same, the engine is the same and other than the gears, the axles are the same. So obviously, a 3.55 truck can safely haul the same as a 3.92 equipped truck, but may not perform as well as the other.

There are many other cases where some of the Dodge ratings are questionable. If you take the rating of each component and add it up, the truck can haul more than they claim. I think they like to play it very safe with the weight ratings perhaps to void warranty issues on heavily loaded vehicles or maybe for other reasons that we are unaware of.

I am sure there are examples of this with other manufacturers as well.

LarryJM wrote:



Not only is the trailer over it's GVWR according to the specs for the 2004 model year the 301BHS came with 222R75x15"C" rated tires. These should be rated at 2150lbs each for a total of 8600. It you got the "D" rated that take 65psi vice 50 then the capacity is 10,160. Also, you need to make sure your not over the FAWR or RAWR on the plate on the front drivers side front of the trailer.

Larry

MikeRP wrote:

You are within your axle weight ratings on the truck so why are you concerned? You went through some demanding terrain with no problem. I'd quit worry"in.

And if you are worried about your new MegaCab.....don't. Dodge has way underrated their trucks. As long as you don't exceed your rear tire ratings - and their is a fix for that on a SRW - you can haul amazing weights with these trucks. With an exhaust brake, 19.5 inch wheels and maybe some upgrades to the brakes, I think you could easily see a GCVWR of 26000 lbs.

Mike