FGAWR 5200 lbs QC, HO, 6spd,drw

[pstillo]

If the Front axle is rated at 5200 lbs max (Plowing charts). The specs on the dodge web site states that a 3500 OC, HO, 4wd ,6spd ,DRW is at 4508 without any passengers. So that leaves you with 692 lbs for Drivers and passengers and equipment.

 

[Rosco]

Most of your added weight goes over the rear axle and as you add weight to the rear I belive you actually lighten the front axle. Thats why overloaded pickup's steer so lousy, they have no weight over the front tires.

 

[jimnance]

Rosco, the weight of passengers will be split fairly evenly between the front and rear axles. That gives you about 1300 lbs to play with. That's some pretty big guys.



If your fifth wheel hitch is installed forward of the centerline of the rear axle you could get into trouble with a heavy fifth wheel and a load of passengers. I've been at 5400 lbs a couple of times on the front. Rear has been at 5800 lbs. No problem at all. Getting pretty close to the tire weight carrying limitation, and wouldn't want to run an overloaded axle on a really rough road.



Dodge seems to over-engineer their trucks. Especially the frame and driveline. It shows in the weight of a Dodge compared to a comparable Ferd.

 

[jimnance]

You won't start to lift weight off the front axle until you place weight aft of the rear axle. This is a common problem with pull trailers especially without a weight distributing hitch.



My problem is the five passengers, a load of firewood and gasoline loaded in the front of the bed.



I'd have to say I'm truly maxed out. I wouldn't want to get any heavier on the truck weight.



The fifth wheel is pretty well loaded down too. Six, yeah count

'em six ATV's in the Toybox, tools, compressor, food, etc.



Glad I got my '03. Sure feel and use the extra HP when I'm towing.