minex
Colorado
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bdougt wrote:
I find, from the website, that the payload is 2100 lbs.
Is that for a Megacab? I get 2100 for Quad Cabs. For a 2008 RAM 2500 SLT, 4x4, Mega Cab, 6.25 Ft, 6.7-Liter Cummins® Turbo Diesel Engine, 6-Speed Manual Transmission, I get 1535 for the payload. Anyway, as mkirsch mentioned, it doesn't really matter. I bet any 2500 build will be overweight.
2007 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT QC 4WD 5.9 6-Speed Manual CTD
2004 Keystone Hornet 27B TT
"Our country's founders cherished liberty, not democracy."
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minex
Colorado
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double post
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Fishing Bear
Mission Viejo, CA
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OK, can someone explain to me what the difference really is between the 2500 and the 3500? It sounds as though I can install Timbrens or airbags (and definately an air brake) to help tow. What do the timbrens do? Do they raise the towing capacity? I have been searching all day for different trailers and having a hard time getting the GVWR and pin weight to both be under the recommended. What do you do? Are the vehicles you tow BOTH under the recommended? I appreciate any help as safety is important and I don't have the cash to get another truck right now! 
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MikeRP
Circleville OH
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The only difference between a CTD Dodge 2500 and 3500 is the overload springs on the rear. You could have dealer put those on or airbags or timbrens.Some have preferences for each type. I like airbags. So what I was suggesting is that you look up the towing tables for your 2500 and an EXACT model 3500. For instance my 2008 2500 Mega CTD has a payload of 1595 lbs, GVWR is 9000 lbs. GCVWR is 20000 lbs. Now the same 3500 is approx 2800 payload, 10100 GVWR and 21000 GCVWR. I use these weight ratings for the truck. One couldn't hardly haul anything in a 2500 CTD if you did't understand the above.
Research your truck so that you understand its capabilities for yourself. To me that starts with a trip to a dealer. I happen to have a dealer that sells a lots of trucks used for towing. The thing he worries about is the tire ratings. My rear tires are good for 6400 lbs. The truck weighs 2900 lbs on the rear empty. That leaves a 3500 lb difference right? Well not with a safety factor. That's why I wouldn't put more than 2800 lbs on the rear axle. If I were looking for a new fiver, I would stay with one that has a pin weight of no more than 1900 to 2100 lbs. Add in the slider weight and room for loading the fiver up and your going to be pushing 2800 lbs.
To go above 2800 payload, you will need 19.5 inch tires and rims which would take your payload up approx 1600 lbs from 2800 lbs to 4400 lbs. As I said before this step needs to be combined with an exhaust brake and/ or brake upgrades and maybe some rear suspension upgrades. Still cheaper than a new truck.
But you need a qualified dealer to guide you so you will be safe in all conditions. In my mind, these Dodges are one hell of a truck. However, if you are going to tow really heavy you need to understnad what you are getting into. To me when your loaded trailer weight goes over 12500 lbs or your payload nears 2800 lbs, you need expert help.
* This post was
edited 07/15/08 06:46am by MikeRP *
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bdougt
Now Louisiana, Eventually Michigan
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minex wrote:bdougt wrote:
I find, from the website, that the payload is 2100 lbs.
Is that for a Megacab? I get 2100 for Quad Cabs. For a 2008 RAM 2500 SLT, 4x4, Mega Cab, 6.25 Ft, 6.7-Liter Cummins® Turbo Diesel Engine, 6-Speed Manual Transmission, I get 1535 for the payload. Anyway, as mkirsch mentioned, it doesn't really matter. I bet any 2500 build will be overweight.
This is my truck - I think OP said he had a 2006 Diesel2006 2500 CTD
Brian, Donna, and Ted the dog.
2006 Dodge MegaCab 2500 Laramie 4x2 CTD 48RE 3.73 gears
Firestone AirBags - 16K Reese with Slider
2006 River Canyon 34KSTSO - TrailAir Pin - XPS RIBS 245/75/16
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Fishing Bear wrote:OK, can someone explain to me what the difference really is between the 2500 and the 3500? It sounds as though I can install Timbrens or airbags (and definately an air brake) to help tow. What do the timbrens do? Do they raise the towing capacity? I have been searching all day for different trailers and having a hard time getting the GVWR and pin weight to both be under the recommended. What do you do? Are the vehicles you tow BOTH under the recommended? I appreciate any help as safety is important and I don't have the cash to get another truck right now!
The only ones that can accurately answer that question is the company that built the truck. People make lots of speculations and it still does not matter. They likely did not design, build or certify that truck so there opinion is worthless. There is nothing you can do to change the numbers that the factory certified and placed on the truck. Yes, you in many instances can go out and license any truck for any weight that you choose. That still does not change the facts, the truck is certified and assigned a weight rating by the factory. There is NOTHING you can do to change those numbers!
Donn
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Texroth
Corpus Christi, Texas
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You might need to enhance your rear suspension. I added a leaf to both sides of my 2003 GMC 2500HD for $175 which beats the prices of most bolt on after-market products. I have a Duramax and tow nearly 14,000 with no problems. In fct I just came back from Colorado where we went over Wolf Creek and La Vita passes which are both over 10,000. Good luck.
TV - 2003 GMC Duramax Diesel, Edge performance chip with Attitude, 4 inch exhaust and cold air box.
RV - Mobile Suite, 36CKT3
Retired Master Chief Petty Officer,U.S. Navy
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Camper G
Pennsylvania
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Fishing Bear wrote:OK, can someone explain to me what the difference really is between the 2500 and the 3500? It sounds as though I can install Timbrens or airbags (and definately an air brake) to help tow. What do the timbrens do? Do they raise the towing capacity? I have been searching all day for different trailers and having a hard time getting the GVWR and pin weight to both be under the recommended. What do you do? Are the vehicles you tow BOTH under the recommended? I appreciate any help as safety is important and I don't have the cash to get another truck right now!
I mean no disrespect at all, but if you don't have the money to purchase another truck right now, then do not buy that trailer. A large 5th wheel with 4 slides is going to put you overweight on most SRW - Single Rear Wheel (non-dual wheel) trucks. I would be most interested in the pin weight of this trailer and what your rear axle is rated to carry.
Either way, I would not feel safe with that much weight behind a 2500 series truck. Unless your stated 11K pounds is the GROSS weight, then you may be OK, but I doubt that is the case.
Just my .02.
1997 DODGE RAM 4x4, 2500 SERIES, , Reg. cab, 5.9L V8, AT, 4.10 gears. Prodigy Electric Brake Control
1995 BOOMER (Skyline) Model 2223
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Slapshot1
Allentown, PA
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Just a thought. I am in the painful process of finding out exactly how much my 2006 Dodge Diesel, Short Bed, with a 5.9 Cummins engine can pull safely regarding a fifth wheel. NOBODY, not the dealer nor Dodge Corporation, can tell me about towing a fifth wheel. They all go back to the same towing number of 13,000 lbs (From there book). This is the same for conventional towing. All the competitors such as Ford and Chevy give a fifth wheel tow rating which is usally more.
One would think you could pull more just from using simple physics. Something riding on the axle can handle pulling more weight compared to pulling from directly behind. The question is how much more.
I know your fustration and if I knew this when I bought my Dodge I would have bought a Ford instead. I could have pulled a fifth wheel with a rating of 15,000 pounds.
I have actually seen Dodge 2500 Mega Cabs with the 5.9 Diesel engine, Short Bed pulling fifth wheels more than the 13,000 pounds. In fact, I spoke to a gentleman last year in Myrtle Beach who was pulling a 14,500 pound (GVWR) fifth wheel with his 2006 2500 Mega Cab Diesel, Short Bed, Single Wheel. He said it pulled like a charm and never had a problem. He also told me he set the cruise control at about 70.
Another problem you must consider in this day and age with going over the rate (pounds) that is stated in the manufacturers literature is liability. If you are in an accident and it is a serious one, the police will be weighing your vehicles, both your tow vehicle and trailer. If they find that you are over the limits you can be charged criminal if someone is seriously hurt along with being sued.
Anyway, I thiink I am on the way out to buy my dually. If anybody wants a 2006, garage kept, Dodge 2500 Diesel with only 20,000 on it. It does pull nicely. Let me know!!!!!
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jmramiller
Dallas
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Joined: 01/24/2006
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Slapshot1 wrote:
If you are in an accident and it is a serious one, the police will be weighing your vehicles, both your tow vehicle and trailer. If they find that you are over the limits you can be charged criminal if someone is seriously hurt along with being sued.
Yes and no. You could be charged if you exceed the legal limits. However it is very unlikely that you will exceed the legal limit of 20K lbs per axle towing your RV or any of the other formulas used to calculate legal weights.
If you are referring to the door sticker weight limits, these are not legally binding and you can not be charged with a crime for exceeding them. Now you could get a ticket for exceeding your registered weight but the worst that could cost you is a couple of hundred dollars.
2006 2500HD CC SB 4X4 Duramax/Allison
Prodigy/16K Reese/265E Tires/Bilstein Shocks
RM Active Suspension/RDS 60gal Toolbox combo
2008 Big Country 3490BHS by Heartland
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