I suspect Dodge may be starting to figure out that they're probably losing sales to GM/Ford due to the inadequate GCWR weight rating of the Ram in comparison to the competition. This is a tough market right now and they need to be considering all aspects of what a prospective truck buyer needs. I'm not going to pay $50 grand or so for a truck that is not rated by it's manufacturer to do what I need it to... ... ... Why should I shoulder the risk of a mechanical failure that the manufacturer may deny warranty coverage for because I was over their imposed weight limit ? They need to step up to the plate and stand behind their buyers,,,,in writing,,,,by increasing the max GCWR. I've owned a Ram CTD since 1995 and I'm well aware of what the truck is capable of... I also believe the manufacturer weight limit (GCWR) is too restrictive,,,,,,,,,it needs to be increased. It's no secret that these trucks are routinely operated greatly over the GCWR everyday of the year on highways all over the country. I regularly observe hotshot operators pulling trailers that unloaded (big and long, heavy duty goosenecks) probably have the truck close to or over the GCWR. I also regularly see 3/4 ton Rams headed west in the summertime pulling 35' to 40' toyhaulers and fifthwheels (not counting the contents of what may be in them) that put them over GCWR and in all probability well over the GAWR and GVW ratings. Heck, I saw 2 Rams double-towing west towards Colorado last summer pulling 35 and 38 foot multiple slide fifthwheels with 18 foot bassboats going up 287. They were both 2500 4x4's and one of 'em had what was at least a toolbox in the bed (may have been an aux fuel tank). No doubt in my mind they were over all the weight ratings ! I think it's safe to say we all know the trucks will do it, why won't Dodge rate them that way ? I understand the axle and GVW weight ratings but the GCWR I think is more an issue of them (Ram) not wanting to upgrade their transmissions or pay for failures for the few of us that intend to use their trucks at or over the limits of their trucks weight ratings.
It's safe to say that there is probably a direct correlation of increasing failures that results in increased warranty costs for the trucks operated at weights nearing or over the rated GCWR's. If the manufacturer thinks they're money ahead by not engineering the trucks to reliably accomodate those higher weights without losing money fixing broken trucks under warranty, what is the likelyhood of them spending the money for upgraded designs/parts ? In other words, the manufacturer has an acceptable loss rate... ... The cost of the warranty repairs is less than the cost of simply building all the trucks with the upgraded parts that would more reliably withstand the heavier duty cycle. We all benefit (new truck buyers) with increases in the manufacturer weight ratings. Most of the major components on our trucks have been "overengineered" in comparison to the "intended" use of the truck and we as buyers have benefited by that design philosophy. I would like to see that relationship and design/manufacturing philosophy continue, because it results in a more reliable and long lived product. Competition is good because it requires a competitive response in order to survive. I'm biased towards the Ram CTD but in my opinion,,,,,they need to upgrade their product... ... ... . I welcome any increases in the weight limits of our trucks, particularly GCWR, but only to 25,400 ??
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
