How much can I tow

[MOConnor]

I have a 2500 03 HO auto long bed 4x4 SW 3. 73 rear. My Question is how much weight can this truck tow using a 5th wheel set up. My book say that I can tow 12. 900 lbs but I think that is from the hitch under the rear bumper. There is nothing in there about a 5th-wheel. I tow a 5th-wheel now that is about 9. 000 lbs,but am looking to get a bigger one . Thanks mike

 

[EricBu12]

Heres a link I found showing the weights



http://www-5.dodge.com/vehiclecompa...B555200/appId/Compare/UpdateCompareMatrix.jam





This site is a little confusing but I assume that it will be close to my 01. I have a 20K GCVWR. the truck weighs 8000 with full fuel and ready to go. I have a shell and tools and such so I have an 11,500 # trailer (TT) and the GVW is a little over at 9300 but I am under 20,000 GCVWR.



As a 3/4 ton, and 4X4, you are limited in weight. So your 12,900# is about right.

 

[bulabula]

Mike here's some quick math if you want to keep your truck within Dodges GVWR:



Your truck probably weighs around 7500 sitting in the driveway fully fueled and nobody in it. Its GVWR is 9000, that leaves you 1500 lb margin for you, passengers, tools/camping junk and pin weight of your trailer.



If you use a 20% pin weight for your current trailer (9000 * . 2); that translates to 1,800 pounds. Since this 1800 exceeds the 1500 figure from above by 300, your situation could be termed overloaded right now - and you haven't even loaded the truck or gotten into it to drive it.



The problem with 2500's is that the trucks are limited by GVWR way before the GCWR comes into play.



Will it tow it? Yeah, easily. Will it tow even more weight easily? Yeah, sure. Lotsa people do.



Will you tow it? Its your call. And now you're looking at a bigger/heavier trailer? Some folks will say that you need a bigger truck for a bigger trailer.

 

[BigMike]

Bulubula is absolutely correct. Lots of folks, including myself, are pulling fairly large 5ers around with 2500's. However, I am over my GVWR by about 800lbs. There's been lots of debate in this forum over this issue. If you believe your weight ratings are absolutely accurate and meaningful, then you probably shouldn't buy a larger 5er. I personally believe you'll be just fine. I know my truck pulls my 5er with absolutely no problem. Stopping is not a problem, power is not a problem. I don't have any problems!!

 

[ksadz]

Goodness...read some of these

some cool pics in there of a guy pulling a load up a really steep snow covered hill.



http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42619&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

 

[SFranzer]

Whether or not you exceed your GVWR is up to you. I'm 200 pound over and my truck pulls fine. I think the 8800 rating on my truck is very conservative. If you choose to go over be sure to keep your tire load rating and GAWR in your cross-check.

 

[y-knot]

There seems to be a big difference between "What can your truck tow" and "What should your truck tow". The bottom line is your going to do what your going to do, so don't try and ****t anyone. The Dodge book states pretty clear that any trailer over 10,000lbs should be a fifth wheel or goose neck type. And that is also the maximum limit of the factory hitch with load control . The 20% is a good average number to go by, but often isn't realistic, any one that pulls a trailer should start with the basics which include knowing your trailers weight. Any large truck stop will have a scale you can use. Many on this and other forums regularly run there trucks overloaded. That is there decision, the law is pretty clear on the subject and the truck is clearly marked as to it's limits. Then again so are the highways we travel, all have speed limits and all are interpreted by the drivers differently. To you the 65 might really mean you can go 70, to someone else maybe 75? But to the cop, it means you can go 65, anything more is subject to fine. Now I am not saying I don't speed,cause I do. But then again if and when I get caught, I'm not going to wine or try and worm my way out, just give a the ticket and get on with it. You run the speed you want to run, and pull the weight you want to pull, just don't complain when something goes wrong.

 

[Sarge]

How much should you tow??

Y-knot is absolutely correct. I towed about #800 over on my 01' 2500, and never had an issue. The fiver weighed about #11500. But just because I did it and had no issues, does not make it right, or safe. Most likely the only way it would ever come into play is if someone cuts you off and brakes some day, and you hit them. Then the weight of your rig will be a big issue. Will it happen? Probably not. Can it happen? Sure. Let you conscience and your co-pilot be your guide... ... ... Sarge

 

[BigMike]

I am always interested in this debate. What I am waiting for, out of the thousands of TDR posts, is the first one that claims being marginally overweight caused any kind of problem. Has anyone had an accident? Has anyone been cited? I am not trying to be argumentative. I just keep hearing about all the potential problems assosiated with being overweight, but have yet to read a post where one of those problems was actually experienced by someone. I'm not suggesting that someone should go crazy with extra weight. One difference between the speed limit and weight is: the speed limit is very precise and measurable. Weight, IMHO, is purely guesswork and is very imprecise. My owners manual didn't even have the GCVWR for my truck.

 

[jimnance]

Filled the fiver with water and discovered that one of the water tanks (65 gallons - 130 total) is forward of the axles. What a difference 130 gallons of water makes. 2,000 lbs over GVWR, 300 lbs over rear GAWR, and right at the tire limit. Oops!! I'm normally over GVWR, but not by this much!



Didn't even realize how heavy I was until I hit the scales. The truck was riding level, braking action seemed normal, plenty of power, and the ride was stable.



These trucks are pretty amazing.

 

[Sarge]

Well Mike, you probably won't hear about it on the TDR if and when it happens to someone. After 22 years in law enforcement, I can tell you that someone getting sued is not likely to post on a public forum that they were running over weight. Trust me, it happens to truckers all the time. There is always some moron wanting to point the finger of guilt at someone else for their dumb mistake. RVers are just usually a more careful crowd. After all, WE are the ones that own the rig we are pulling, and if we break it, then WE suffer. I just hope it never happens to anyone on this board... ... . Sarge

 

[jimnance]

Sarge, the point is well taken. Fortunately, as you point out, as owners of our rigs we tend to be more careful. Life is risky, and all we can do is manage the risk.



Some of us will be more cautious while others may take more risk. As a pilot and small aircraft owner, I realize there is a risk every time I take off. Compared to that risk I find that the risk associated with being marginally overweight is acceptable. I try to manage the risk by driving cautiously.



I wouldn't knock anyone on this forum that is reluctant to travel overweight. It's their truck, and their life.

 

[Sherman]

Originally posted by jimnance AS long as there is LAWYERS breathing someone will be sued for something including over weight,it's just an easy way to an easy settlement!Place your bets and take your chances!

Sarge, the point is well taken. Fortunately, as you point out, as owners of our rigs we tend to be more careful. Life is risky, and all we can do is manage the risk.



Some of us will be more cautious while others may take more risk. As a pilot and small aircraft owner, I realize there is a risk every time I take off. Compared to that risk I find that the risk associated with being marginally overweight is acceptable. I try to manage the risk by driving cautiously.



I wouldn't knock anyone on this forum that is reluctant to travel overweight. It's their truck, and their life.

 

[y-knot]

You are right, their will always be lawyers and people to sue. That is exactly why everyone should pay attention to the amount of weight they tow or haul. I think continually running overloaded is just plain stupid, kind of Russian roulette with a truck. Yes the truck might have no trouble getting you there, but that does not excuse the fact that you are running illegal. I am not a lawyer, but even I could pick a defense apart in a court case involving someone on this forum running over weight and resulting in an accident. The laws are very clear, and the ignorance plea won't get it. Times have changed and in our political correctness age, intentionally breaking the law with no regard for others will not wear well with a jury. Actually, everyone that subscribes to forums like this and chooses to view their opinion, can and will be held to your word. The first thing the lawyers would do is screen past post looking for evidence that you new and boosted about being over loaded. Now days the computer is the best friend of a lawyer or officer looking to find evidence on someone. Everything you say (type) is stored and is also retrievable. There is no better evidence then that of which you wrote yourself, willingly and in your own words. The computers are wonderful tools, and now days everyone has to have one in order to communicate and transact, but that same computer can be used to UN-ravel a persons past.

 

[klenger]

For any lawyers lurking here, now or in the future, I am 500 under my GVWR when I'm towing. I'll be sure to repost this once a month to make sure they see it.



I do disagree that the laws are "very clear". I have yet to ever hear a law quoted that says anything about over weight recreational towing. For commercial vehicles, it's gross weight vs. tire foot print, which by the way we could never exceed with a pickup. If you are referring to vehicle ratings, they do not constitute law. If my owner's manual says to change the oil every 7500 miles, and I never change it, I am not breaking the law.



Please don't get me wrong, I am not advocating running over weight, I'm just saying the IMHO, the laws are far from clear.

 

[DPelletier]

Ken,

Depends where you're from. Up here, there is no differentiation between commercial and recreational vehicles as far as the law is concerned. Over GVWR or GCVWR means illegal. Once upon a time 5 or 6 years ago a certain jurisdiction near the BC/Alberta border decided to have a mobile scale set-up to catch all the bad overweight people (thier rigs, not the actual people ). Well they did, lots of fines and lots of really PO'd RV'ers. One RV association took it as far as having thier local MLA take it to the Provincial gov't. The result was that the RCMP were quietly told to focus thier efforts elsewhere and the public was informed that although overweight RV's are illegal, the RCMP and Commercial Vehicle Inspectors will not be inspecting recreational vehicles unless they clearly appear to be significantly overweight or represent a threat to public safety.



Cheers

Dave

 

[Big-D]

Let it be known... . My three horse trailer never exceeds the GCVWR. For all my lawyer friends.

H&K

Dave

 

[BigMike]

Back when I was really concerned about weight, I looked in my owners manual and there was no GCVWR listed for my truck. Didn't list the 5spd with 3. 54. So I called DC, gave them my VIN# and they told me it was 20,000 lbs. I asked them to send that to me in writing. Said they would, but never did. Now I'm pretty sure they're wrong, but that's what they told me. Reality is, I don't know. I'm right at about 20,000lbs towing and about 800lbs over my GVWR. Been that way for years and have absolutely no problems. Stops good, plenty of power, sits very nice on my truck with my airbags. Truck handles beautifully. As I ride down the road admiring other 5ers, and being fairly knowledgable about weight rating for different trucks, I would bet that over 50% of rigs on the road are over their weight ratings worse than I am. Even 3500's. Saw one yesterday pulling a triple axle King of the Road that was at least 37'. Now that's a load.

 

[RustyJC]

[sarcasm on]



Wow, this has been a very educational thread. I'm glad to learn that manufacturer's ratings mean absolutely nothing. Excuse me, I've got to go sell my dually. I'll use the proceeds to buy a clapped out 1993 4-cylinder automatic Ford Ranger, and then take the extra money along with the proceeds from the sale of our current 5th wheel and have a 43' 22,000 lb Teton 5th wheel custom-built for us. Hey, since ratings don't mean anything, I'm sure nobody will pay any attention at all to my new rig!



[sarcasm off]



The above is intended to illustrate an extreme situation. For those of you who think running overloaded is OK, I would ask if (as in my illustration above) there is some point where it ceases to be OK? If so, what is that point? What would you tell a newbie with that Ford Ranger when he wants to know how large a 5th wheel RV he can tow with his wife and kids on board? Would your recommendation change if you knew you and your family would be meeting them head-on on a rainy, slick 2-lane road with the newbie's rig coming down an 8% grade?



Rusty

 

[BigMike]

Rusty, I don't think anyone is suggesting anything as extreme as you indicate. I believe common sense should prevail. I don't know where the line is. If one understands tire ratings, axle ratings etc, and are well within those, I think they're below the line. Exceed them and you're playing with fire!!