1999 vs 2002 GCVWR

[BigMike]

For my '99 Ram, the GCWR is listed at 18000lbs with a maximum trailer weight of 11450lbs. On an 01 Ram, with same transmission and axle, the GCWR is 20000lbs with a maximum trailer weight of 13400. What is different about the 01? Am I ok to ignore the rating for mine and reach for the 20000lbs? Makes a big difference in what I can consider buying. I know there are lots of rigs out on the road just like mine that are "overloaded". How big a deal is it to be a bit overloaded?

 

[Ramboy]

I just towed my 40' Alfa Gold over 3,000 miles with a GCW of over 24,000 lbs. with no problems. I did recognize the need for an aux. fuel tank and an E-brake and will be adding both before towing again. I can't count the number of "overloaded" trucks that I saw towing trailers just like mine.

Phil

 

[Matt S]

Don't the 01's have rear disc brakes?

 

[Thomas]

BigMike,



The 1999 sales brochure shows the GCWR with your configuration as 20,000 lbs. , unless first sold in California—then it's 18,000 with the 4. 10 rear end and 16,000 with 3. 54's.



The 2000 sales brochure has an incomplete GCWR table.



The 2001 sales brochure shows the GCWR with your configuration as 20,000 lbs.



My model year 2000 Ram 2500 with the same configuration as yours and a 3. 54 rear axle had a window sticker showing 16,000 lbs. A few calls to DC got me a letter stating the correct GCWR for my truck is 20,000 lbs.



There doesn't seem to be a lot of logic in the GCWR figures from DC. It's as though numbers are pulled out of the air, some for the brochure, some for the window sticker.





MattS - The rear disc brakes showed up on the 2001. 5 trucks.

 

[Mschevey]

If you look at the door sticker there is no GCVWR (combined weight rating) given. Also if you look the GVW is said to be 8,800# while the front axle weight rating is 5,000# and the rear axle weight rating is 6,250#. DC's great math ability agian.



Here is what I was told. The GVW of 8,800# is a DC thing. We in PA can register the truck as anything up to the combined axle rating 11,250# LEAGALLY. They say that the 8,800# rating is only for DC warrenty stuff. If you register it over that and something is damaged then DC can deny warrenty. If they look into it that hard.



Acording to the Federal Motor Vehical Safety Administration rules and regulations, when no combined wight rating is given on the door plate then the combined weight limit is the sum of all axle weight ratings. BUT they list a braking capability table if trailer is over 10,000#. The table lists a minimum required deceleration, and maximum stopping distances for specific test speeds. Also the tire ratings can be the limiting factor.



Again this is a DC issue. They can put whatever they want in the brochures or even in the owners manual. But acording to the DOT that dosen't matter only what is on the DOOR plate.



Example a 2500 RAM can be registered at 11,250# and pull a trailer registered at 14,000#. For federal purposes the GCVWR is 25,250#. Provided you can stop in X nuber of feet from a speed of X MPH. And no CDL is required because the combined rating is still less than 26,001#.



NOTE if DC starts putting a GCVWR on the door plate then this loop-hole is gone. Also would I want to hook to a 26,000# combination with my 3/4 ton pick-up and try to run cross country, NOT really.



Mike

 

[BigMike]

I finally waded through the menu on the 800 number to DC and got an answer on my truck. The sticker (16000lbs)was wrong! The owners manual was wrong (18000lbs). After waiting on hold for 10 minutes, they told me my GCVW is 20000lbs. They are going to send me something that states that. Now I have the right information to make an educated decision on a 5th wheel.



Thanks for all your help.