Gooseneck towing capability

[SpectatorRacing]

What is the towing capability of the 2500 CTD compared to the bumper pull?



My understanding is that I can pull a larger load in a gooseneck/5th wheel but I don't see specs for that.



My max trailer GVW as my truck sits is 13,450 according to Dodge. I want to pull a 16,000 lb goosneck. Truck specs in signature below.



Thanks!

 

[HBarlow]

I don't remember ever seeing written guidelines for estimating pin weight of a gooseneck. The RV industry publishes figures suggesting that hitch ball weight of a conventional travel trailer should be between 10% and 15% of trailer weight. Likewise, fifth wheels should have 15% to 20%, even as much as 25% with some fifth wheels with large generator sets in the front storage compartment.

The gooseneck dump trailer I own and others that I have pulled or seen have the axles set well back which places a higher percentage of their gross weight on the kingpin.

I'm going to estimate that a 16,000# gooseneck is going to put around 4,000# on the kingpin, maybe more depending on load and load distribution.

What is the GAWR (gross rear axle weight rating of your truck? What does the rear axle of of your truck weigh when full of fuel but not carrying a load? Those two figures will tell you whether you can safely and legally tow the gooseneck you have in mind.

 

[HBarlow]

After thought: As a general rule of thumb never pay any attention to the manufacturer's brochure when trying to determine what you can tow. The 13,xxx figure you quoted is for a Ram 2500 with no optional equipment, not tools, a 150# driver, and probably without fuel. Not realistic numbers.

The idea that a truck can tow a heavier fifth wheel or gooseneck than conventional travel trailer is based on the premise that the truck can carry a heavy load over the rear axle much better than hanging on a lever six feet behind the axle.

 

[rjrkihap]

Isn't the key figure to use GCVW, which represents the maximum your truck and trailer can weigh. Most Gooseneck hitches are rated in excess of 25,000lbs although you probably would not want to approach that weight with your trailer. I believe our Dodge factory hitches are rated at 5,000lbs and 10,000lbs with a weight distributing hitch. Even at 10,000lbs, that is below the GCVW rating on 4Gen trucks. If you go by your factory rating of 13xxxlbs, then that should represent the heaviest any trailer you tow should weigh (assuming HBarlow's example). The truck itself, will certainly tow the 16,000lbs Gooseneck trailer, however it might not be legal.



Just my 2cents.



Ron

 

[SpectatorRacing]

According to the Ram brochure, my specific truck can handle a payload of 2500 lbs and a GCVW of 20,000 lbs. So I need to confirm that the pin weight is 2500 or less and the trailer weight is roughly the same or less than the number above. I'll have to weigh the truck full of gas and gear and see where it ends up...



Thanks, gents. Although I must say I was hoping that the rules were different for a goose. Who wants to swap me a 3500 DRW for a 2500?

 

[HBarlow]

You'll have to confirm that the trailers weight is FAR less than the 20,000 lb. GCWR you quoted. GCWR is for truck AND trailer.

Subtract the loaded travel weight of your truck determined by a scale from the GCWR. The remainder is the maximum trailer weight your truck is rated by Dodge to pull.