2500's/GVWR trailering a 5er

[SnoKing]

Well I just bought a new Cardinal 29WBLX 5er and now the weight police will be looking for me. As I traveled to the ocean and back these weekend I see that there are alot of others towing heavy with 2500's.



Here are my weights



Front 4060

Rear 5160

Truck 9220

Trailer 9020

Combined 18240

Pin around 2200.



So Dodge added the Camper and Trailer packages, larger 265 tires and shipped the truck with 8800 GVWR stickers the same as trucks with 245 and no overloads or sway bar. If Chevy was able to tag the HD2500 with 9200 what is wrong with Dodge.



Wife says no new truck in my future!



SNOKING

 

[klenger]

So you are 420 lbs over on an 8800 lb truck, which is about 5%. I think you are also under the GCWR.



When I had my 01. 5, I was about 300 lbs over and had no problems and felt perfectly safe. When I replaced my 01. 5 with the 04. 5, I opted for the 350 SRW to get the 9900 lb GVRW.



The bottom line is, it is your decision to tow with the combo you have, but I don't think you will have any problems. You are not grossly (no pun intended) overloaded. Other members will offer advice much different than mine.



You can find the weight ratings for the 2001 trucks at http://www.klenger.net/dodge/2nd-gen-reference/towing-charts.html

 

[RHamner]

Ken I value your opinion. As an old retired RVer I must keep on with the 2500 I have I'm (extra tank and tools) about 700# over gvwr, and 2000# under gcvwr. With 80000 mi deep into

Mex and Canada I've never had a bad feeling. I just go to 4 on the Ranchos, and back to 1 and drop to 40# (rear tires) empty.



I would choose the 3500 single rear if I could buy new, but how is the ride empty. We get to an area and drive for weeks or months empty. What can you tell me now that you have used yours?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

If Chevy was able to tag the HD2500 with 9200 what is wrong with Dodge.



Apples/oranges, since what your Dodge is rated at is NOT in any way dependent on GM ratings for their trucks!



For the record, ONE reason GM is rated higher is not neccesarily because their supension is better - but because their overall TRUCK is LIGHTER!



Every pound you REMOVE from the basic truck due to thinner metal, less of it, or other measures, potentially INCREASES the GVWR, all other suspension items being equal. Do you want to start tossing stuff outta the Dodge, or use more plastic to increase that weight rating? *I* sure don't!



As Ken says, even tho' you have plenty of Gross COMBINED Weight Rating left, you are at the limit for the truck's GWR.



I'm in the same boat with my 7,000 lb 5er with it's loaded 1200 lb hitch weight - I have 5000 lbs of COMBINED weight rating left - but am pushing what my truck is rated for in GWR - and that's just the way it is, regardless of Ford or GM...

 

[SnoKing]

Gary - KJ6Q



Gary, you are really confused. Lighter would mean more carrying capacity and have very little to do with GVWR. Which is based on brakes, suspension, tires, axles and whim of the manufacture. SNOKING

 

[klenger]

The 3rd Gen 3500's ride the same as the 2500's. The only significant difference is the overloads on the 3500, which are not even close to making contact when empty. My 04. 5 3500 rides much better than my 01. 5 2500.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gary, you are really confused. Lighter would mean more carrying capacity



UMMmmm - I *thought that was what I SAID...



For the record, ONE reason GM is rated higher is not neccesarily because their supension is better - but because their overall TRUCK is LIGHTER!



But yer RIGHT, ONE of us IS confused!

 

[NIsaacs]

Having a lighter vehicle doesen't necesarily give it a higher GVWR, however it can give it a higher pay load capacity.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Having a lighter vehicle doesen't necesarily give it a higher GVWR, however it can give it a higher pay load capacity.



And LOAD CARRYING ability was what the basic discussion is about - or at least the part MY comments were aimed at, unfortunately, I worded it poorly...



A lighter truck with the SAME suspension as a heavier one will be rated to carry a heavier payload - sorta like earlier (not sure about the current stuff) 3500 trucks had LESS payload capacity than the 2500's - even tho' the suspension and GVWR was much the same - the extra wheels and tires REDUCED payload - and if it was a 4x4 compared to a 2500 2x4, it was even worse! (sure hope I got that correct!)



As a manufacturer, make the TRUCK lighter - all other elements remaining the same - and what you LOSE in vehicle weight, you GAIN in payload - the GVWR remains the same...



But the real question is, HOW do you (as a manufacturer) LIGHTEN your product without sacrificing strength and durability?

 

[kluther]

i am looking at getting a 3500 due to being over 2500 lbs over my gvwr when towing my fver. full of fuel 4 people ,fver hitch ,rhino liner,toolbox. i feel fine towing and stopping but legal reasons have me looking,a Friend is in some legal problems from an accident not his fault but a person got real hurt. ken

 

[DPelletier]

Close Gary!



Earlier 3500's still had more PAYLOAD capacity than any 2500 despite their higher curb weight. A function of the higher GVWR rating. You're right if you're referring to the towing capacity since with the same GCWR, the 3500's tow rating would theoretically be less by the difference in curb weights. I say theoretically because the 2500 usually is over GVWR before it gets close to GCWR. You're right about the 2x4 vs. 4x4 thing and I understand what you are saying about a lighter truck with the same GVWR having more payload due to a lighter curb weight. You're 3500 example was wrong, is all!



Bottom line, I agree. Hello, my name is Dave and my truck weighs 8300 lbs and I'm proud of it! (cheering in the background)



Cheers

Dave

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Snoking, I don't see anything wrong with your figures dependings on what your tire ratings are.



You could add overload springs and a sway bar from the camper package and even get load range F (your truck has 16" wheels/tires, right?) and then you would be well under the ratings.

 

[SnoKing]

Truck has both Camper and Trailer Options, along with the 265 tires. GAWR is not the issue. It is GVWR. SNOKING

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

You're right about the 2x4 vs. 4x4 thing and I understand what you are saying about a lighter truck with the same GVWR having more payload due to a lighter curb weight. You're 3500 example was wrong, is all!



Jeeze - any more if I can manage to be HALF right, it's a 50% improvement!

 

[DPelletier]

LOL



'night

Dave

 

[Dean Upson]

Given the weight of our HD trucks, it would make sense to me, at least, to stop making the 2500 series altogether. It sure would cut down the confusion and give everyone a higher gvw without sacrificing the ride. Just a thought, I have nothing against 2500s.



Dean

 

[tgrfan2]

2500

You could probably trade to a new F150 and get some cash back. I have not checked the ad lately, but I think they are at 9500# now! I don't think you will have any trouble at all. I am grossing 20K and 2670# pin wgt with 6K trouble free miles. A friend has a 2003 HO 3500 SRW pulling a fiver with 2700# pin wgt. It does not get completely down on the overloads so it is a little harsh on some bumps on the rebound. It rides great empty, but I would dump the overloads for airbags which would level the rig better too.