2500 QC 4x4 SB, What will it tow safely?

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Just started looking at trailers.

I've read about the limits in the GCVW ratings, but would like some comments/suggestions from the "real world".

It has plenty of pulling power, but will it stop, turn, and will I be able to keep it straight in the wind, or when a tire blows?

If you were going to stay with this truck, what trailer would YOU buy next?
Thanks in advance.


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Y2k, 22k miles, QC, 4x, 6sp, 3. 54,285/75r16 bfg/at.

[This message has been edited by Shortshift (edited 10-21-2000). ]

 

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Can I even tow a 5th wheeler with a shortbed? I've read that you can.

 

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SS,

I too own a 2000 2500 Ram. Mine is a 5-speed long-wheelbase 4x4 quad cab. If you have the window sticker I am interested in the GCWR printed on the sticker. Mine shows 16,000 lbs.

When I ordered my truck the 2000 brochure had not been printed. I now have the sales brochures from 1999, 2000, and 2001. I have yet to find any LOGIC for the 16,000 lb. rating on my truck. Information from the brochures follows:

1999:
All Cummins 5-speed GCWR=20,000lbs
All Cummins auto w/4. 10 GCWR=18,000lbs
All Cummins auto w/3. 54 GCWR=16,000lbs
All Magnum V10 GCWR=19,000lbs

2000:
All Cummins EXCEPT 2500 4X4 QUAD CAB GCWR=20,000lbs
Cummins 2500 4X4 QUAD CAB W/4. 10 GCWR=18,000lbs
All Magnum V10 GCWR=19,000lbs

2001:
All non-HO Cummins GCWR=20,000lbs
All Magnum V10 GCWR=19,000lbs


I find the 16,000 lbs. printed on my window sticker inconsistant with the published data copied above, especially when my configuration is the only one not listed in the 2000 brochure. Three calls to the useless 800 number have given me three different stories. I'd be interested in knowing if other owners of the limited edition 2000 have noticed/resolved this inconsistancy.

 

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My window sticker is still right here on my desk.

2001 ETH/DEE QC LB 3. 54 axle

Payload 2010
GVWR 8800
Trailer Weight 13050
GCWR 20000

Shelby

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2001 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH, DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Took delivery on 10-06-00. Coming soon: E-Brake and a custom aluminum work body / flat bed.

 

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I think they come to these numbers because of the weight of the truck.
A 4x4 will weigh more than a 2wd, thus can pull a heavier load, etc. etc.
Non QC will weigh less than a QC blah blah blah.
I wouldnt worry too much about it. If you can go, and stop, pull it!!
Just remember, you ARE pulling something (amazing how people want the truck to go and stop like it's empty) and should exercise caution. Common sence, extra stopping distance is needed, etc.
I had my own class 8 for about 10 yrs. The "four wheelers" see a "lot of tires" and think you can stop on a dime. Never underestimate the stupidity of this crew.

FYI when I bought my 98, the dealer told me that I cant put a plow on the front!!! Can you believe it ??

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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock except for a "properly adjusted" AFC. Uniden HR 2510, Texas Star 1200 amp. 55,000 Mi as of 8/21/00.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.

 

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SS, stopping and pulling power shouldn't be a problem. Two things to look out for.

With your 4x4 and the 285's, the bed rails on your truck must be quite high. To get the 6 inches or so of clearance required between the trailer and the bed, you will probably have to flip the axles on the trailer, and depending on the trailer, that still might not give you enough clearance.

Shortbeds can tow a 5er fine but a special hitch is needed that slides back as you turn so the trailer doesn't hit the cab. These are very pricey compared to a regular 5er hitch.

Lastly, RV sales people are just like car salesmen, some of them will say anything to close the deal.

Sam


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2001. 5 2500 QC HO 6sp LB 3. 54LS everything except leather, white/agate

 

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2K 3500 QC 4x4

Payload 4020lb
Trailer Weight 12850lb
GVWR 11,000lb
GCWR 20,000lb

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2000 3500QC 4x4, 6-speed, 3. 54, Patriot Blue, SLT+, Rancho 9K's, Mag-Hytec, Hot PE, 275's, 4" exhuast.

 

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Thomas,

I think mine also showed 16,000 lbs on the sticker. The dealer dumped the sticker before I took delivery. It kinda ticked me off. I hope they didnt stick it on another truck after mine.

The truck only shows the 8800 gvw on the door. Yea, I don't know why we only have 16,000 (I've got the 6 speed, Dana 80, HD txfr case, etc. ), and are shown up to 4,000 lbs less than other 2500's. Maybe its the 2wd vs 4wd.

Chaw,
Dang nice lookin' truck dude!

I sure would like to know WHAT SIZE trailers you guys are pulling, & how does the truck handle it?

[This message has been edited by Shortshift (edited 10-21-2000). ]

 

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Shortshift,

I imagine that your sticker did show 16,000 lbs. The whole point of my first reply was to indicate how out-of-place the 2000 Ram 2500 4x4 quad cab GCWR is. All of the other GCWR's that I listed seem reasonable to me. It's as though some technical writer at DC was using the cut&paste and edit functions of their word processor while updating 1999 specs to 2000 specs and screwed up, and due to the screw-up, there are a number of us with the 16,000 lb. figure.

I don't question the ability of our trucks to stand up to the strains imposed by a gross combined weight of 20,000 pounds. I wonder about warranty and liability issues if a 2000 Ram 2500 4x4 quad cab over the 16,000 pound limit breaks or crashes. I am hoping to hear from another model year 2000 owner who can guide us down the path to documentation for a 20,000 lb. GCWR for our 2000 Ram 2500 4x4 quad cabs.

I pull a 24 foot TT so my truck is overkill. I think the only physical problem you might face with the short box would be clearance issues using a fifth-wheel hitch.

 

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OK folks, been there, done that, got the letter!

The window sticker ratings for most 2000 2500 4x4,QC,TD,6spd's are wrong. And so is the owners manual. My window sticker also said

GVWR: 8,800
GCWR: 16,000
Payload: 2,110
Trailer wt: 9,150

I knew that wasn't right. Called DC, got a tech advisor on the phone, gave him my VIN and asked "waz up???" He said that was a mistake. I said put it in writing, so he sent me a letter on DC letterhead confirming these weights:

GVWR: 8,800
GCWR: 20,000
Payload: 2,100
Trailer wt: 13,150

So, pick up the phone, call 1-800-922-1997 and ask for Paul Cameron (or any other tech advisor), give him your VIN and ask for your letter.

Now, back to shortshifts question. Even though the numbers support a 13,000+ lb trailer, in reality the GVWR does not. With two people, full fuel, hitch, and some payload in the jump seat you'll only have about 1500 lbs payload left and most 13,000 5er kingpins are well over 2,000 lbs. If you load your trailer tail first, you might be able to reduce that weight to 1500 lbs. but then you'll only have 11. 5% trailer weight on the kingpin and that's marginally acceptable.

So, when shopping for a 5er, look at the GAWR's of the trailer. Subtract that from it's GVWR and if it's more then 1500 lbs. look for a lighter trailer because on paper (wink, wink) the 2500 can't handle it.


Ron.

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'00,2500,4x4,QC,LB,6spd,3. 54,4wABS,Camper-Trailer packs,BD Brake w/ECM ctrl,Pullrite 20. 5K 5hitch,Tekonsha EnvoySV,12K# Damon Escaper, CobraCB,Flame Red/Silver.

 

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I tow a 26' Prowler TT. Weighs about 6000lbs. about 560lb. hitch weight. Don't even hardly notice it's behind me, except on a big hill! It has brakes so there is no problem stopping it. Real Overkill. If I would have bought the truck before the camper, I would have went with a bigger 5'er.

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Y2K 2500 4X4, Quad Cab SLT, SB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 55 Axle, LSD, 6-Spd. , Camper & Trailer tow packages, Travel convenience group, Cab lights, Geno's Combo gauges mounted in dash hole, DD I injectors, K&N Replacement Filter,Mopar aluminum tube steps, Mopar bedliner, Aluminum toolbox, Black bed rail caps, GTS Bug guard and fender guards.
Tow 1999 Prowler 24J Travel trailer.
"DODGE MAKES IT AND CUMMINS SHAKES IT!!"

 

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See my sig- I love the towing abiltiy of my 5spd shortbed. I've also towed with my buddy's 2000 dually with all the banks goodies, 6-speed, gear vendors and a big gooseneck with all grossing 23000 ish. I saw or felt no big advantage and I've got a lot of seat time towing(Though I did like the six speed and the extra gear on top). presently have a 30 ft 7700 lb (empty)5'r and I tow my jeep tandem behind it grossing about 19,500 down the road. I too was confused by Chryslers specs but was able to get them to fax me a spreadsheet showing my truck rated at 20K gross. Many 5'rs have extended pin boxes so you don't need the sliding hitch someone referred to. Also, my hitch weight is only 1150 so that's not a big concern. With regard to 8800 lb gross truck weight violations I personally am not concerned with exceeding it. It is well published that our trucks have the same frames, drivetrain, brakes and springs as the dually's. Stay within the limits for your tires and you are safe. As far as litigation is concerned it is not difficult to prove that one made a sound engineering decision and that Chryslers rating is not based on the safe capabilities of the truck- perhaps commercial reasons and or in avoidance of the hassle of different ratings for the non- diesel 2500s. It's up to your own comfort level but that's my engineering and legal logic.

I easily move with traffic on all but the steepest of long grades and even then I can leave most big rigs in my wake. If I drove often in large mountains i'd invest in an ex brake but otherwise am tickled.

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01 2500 4x4,SB, QC, black sport, 5 speed, BFG All Terrains, leather, 3. 54, anti-spin, camper package,241HD,RBW 15k 5er hitch, tow package, tonneau, Xenon flares, Westin nerf bars, custom rubber flaps. Ordered 1/14/00, delivered 2/20/00- one day before 2000 mile 19k gross trip to Las Cruces- breakin it in right. 14000 miles. Amsoil synthetics and their oil bypass system, Greddy turbo timer. PS boost module on the way.

Bombed- gages and DD1's, former PMAX2

Toys- 84 coilsprung CJ-7 with 5. 2 magnum auto transmission, Go2Guy Engineering transfer case clocking adapter (Dana 300) and all the big dog jeep goodies.

Tige 2100i inboard ski boat w/ tower

30'Tahoe 5er with slide, soon to be modded with a rear deck and extra axle to haul the jeep!

 

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I have a 2001 ETH shortbed and I pulled my
31 foot 5ver that weighs in about 12000 loaded and has around 2000lbs hitch weight
from the texas panhandle to Destin Fl.
with out a minutes trouble. It handled great
and my truck sat fairly level. This truck is
a 4x4 and my trailer has an extended kingpin.

 

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Hey guys, I really appreciate ALL the input. Dang I want a 5er!!

Well, it looks like I should be plenty ok with a 28 footer & exhaust brake. Would probably dump the overloads & spacer, and add some airbags for stability.

That would be perfect for the wife & I. Tnx again.

 

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Any of you Turbo Heads ever consider reading the owner's manual?
The Owner,s Manual more than likely has been quality checked (proof read), The window sticker probably doesn't even get looked at once.
Oh yes the GCWR is in the Owner's manaul under "starting and operating" sub trailer towing and campers, all the info you never wanted to know.
Have fun reasding!

 

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MM,

As a matter of fact I have read the Owner's Manual that came with my 2000 RAM. It's goofier than the sales brochure - it shows the GCWR for ALL 2500 and 3500 Cummins Rams equipped with automatic transmission and 3:54 gears as 16,000 lbs. , and it does agree with the window on my 5-speed 2500 - 16,000 lbs.

The information that I've found useful on this thread came from RonVB - I made my fourth call to DC regarding the GCWR issue last week and spoke with Kerry who spoke with Paul Cameron. I was told that there were errors published with regards to my GCWR and I was told how to obtain the letter that RonVB mentioned.

Thanks RonVB

 

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Thomas,

Do you have the phone number handy that you called to get the info?

I tried calling the 800 number above, but I only get a message saying that it is not a valid number. Thanks.

 

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Heck, my 95 2500 stopped better with the 40' 3-axle goose ON it! Just make sure youve got an E brake of some kind. Never a problem making a Cummins GO, its tough to get a Dodge to slow down!

 

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Shortshift,

Check your e-mail.

 

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Add my name to the list of 2000 Ram 2500 owner's who have extracted a letter from Chrysler Corporation correcting the published GCWR.


The window sticker and owner's manual show 16,000 pounds. The letter, on company letterhead, shows 20,000 pounds.


Mine is a 5-speed long-wheelbase 4x4 quad cab with a 3. 54 limited slip rear-end.