Max tow with a 2500 aev prospector xl

[AH64ID]

It sounds like I have to. How does ram say the tow rating is 19k+ but doesn’t specify how that’s accomplished?

It does specify, that's where the 1800/17000 rating comes from with anything higher being 5th wheel/GN.

This is out of the 2019 Towing guide on the Ram website. The same guide that lists the max tongue weight at 1800 lbs.

Fifth-wheel Hitch Requirement Chrysler Group LLC requires that for warranty coverage, vehicles towing trailers with a weight rating of 17,000 pounds or more must be equipped with a fifth-wheel, gooseneck or pintle hitch.

 

[lpennock]

Changing topic to tires for a minute. I looked at the AEV wheels and they are 17" but for towing especially with a taller tire you may want to consider going to a 18, 20 or 19.5 rim. Less side wall will make for a more controlled ride while towing. In addition TRA limited the load rating of 17" tires to 3195lb while you can get over 4K in the other rim sizes. (There are grandfathered tires that exceed 3195LB though.) For instance the LT285/75-18 (34.8"), LT295/70-18(34.3") or LT295/65-20(35.1") are rated for 4080lb@80psi.

 

[AEdelheit]

Changing topic to tires for a minute. I looked at the AEV wheels and they are 17" but for towing especially with a taller tire you may want to consider going to a 18, 20 or 19.5 rim. Less side wall will make for a more controlled ride while towing. In addition TRA limited the load rating of 17" tires to 3195lb while you can get over 4K in the other rim sizes. (There are grandfathered tires that exceed 3195LB though.) For instance the LT285/75-18 (34.8"), LT295/70-18(34.3") or LT295/65-20(35.1") are rated for 4080lb@80psi.

37x13.5x17 Toyo MTs are still rated at 4300lb tow rating and have stiff sidewalls so tow very well for the size of tire.

I would use air bags or Sumo Springs to handle the added weight and side to side stability, but there I no way I would feel confident towing that much weight with the rear 4 link setup and poor rear track bar design, I think you will have a lot of uncomfortable movement from the rear.

 

[Hoefler]

Just because the hitch is rated for it does not mean the truck is rated for it on the bumper

 

[josh richter]

Just because the hitch is rated for it does not mean the truck is rated for it on the bumper

Understood. I found the ram towing guide for 2020 but still can’t find the part that limits tongue weight to 1800 and bumper pull to 17000.

 

[AH64ID]

I'm finding some conflicting info. The towing basics guide states 1800/17000, but the 2019 owners manual says 2000/20000 for 2500's. I'd go with the manual.

There is a typo in the owners manual for the GN and 5th wheel pin weights thou, it sure doesn't give a lot of confidence in the manuals info.

So you should be good, hitch wise.

 

[MtnRider]

We are splitting hairs with tow/hitch ratings at this point. Those numbers are for a "stock truck" and you plan on heavily modifying it so to me those number are out the window. Don't care what it says on paper it is not going to like towing that kind of weight with the lift and tires. It's going to be hard on the transmission, less stable towing, and harder to find a good hitch solution, etc. etc.. You want a truck to do 2 very different tasks and there has to be compromise on one end or the other (or there will be consequences).

I love a nice lifted truck and big tires but doing that and trying to tow at max weight is a probably a bad idea.


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[AH64ID]

We are splitting hairs with tow/hitch ratings at this point. Those numbers are for a "stock truck" and you plan on heavily modifying it so to me those number are out the window. Don't care what it says on paper it is not going to like towing that kind of weight with the lift and tires. It's going to be hard on the transmission, less stable towing, and harder to find a good hitch solution, etc. etc.. You want a truck to do 2 very different tasks and there has to be compromise on one end or the other (or there will be consequences).

I love a nice lifted truck and big tires but doing that and trying to tow at max weight is a probably a bad idea.


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Yes, I agree.. The performance change on even 35's is noticeable, let alone 37's or 40's and 20K lbs.

 

[R.Taylor]

Here's a AEV XL rig I saw at Home Depot one day.... It's a gasser Power Wagon... Everything AEV except the snorkel... Same set-up you'd get for a Cummins Ram. Honestly.... I wouldn't tow heavy with this setup. Looks cool (if you put it to use).

 

[cerberusiam]

40's would be a bit high for the hitch but that depends on the trailer and how the hitch was setup on it. With 40's definitely would need 4.56's and probably some help in the anti-sway department. With a ball or pintle hitch and the trailer loaded correctly it should be doable as long as the hitch weight doesn't exceed the suspensions ability to control the sway, that will be the question.

There is not a substantial penalty to upsizing the tires if you also regear to the correct gear ratio in the diffs. The leverage ratio will stay consistent, about the only difference will be the added weight of the tires, that is not as critical as getting the gearing correct. 4.10's with 36" tires is lacking over 4.30's or 4.56's that really feel solid as far as power transfer goes, you lose roadability but usually someone dropping the coin on the lift and tires is not counting mpg as a critical factor.

 

[josh richter]

40's would be a bit high for the hitch but that depends on the trailer and how the hitch was setup on it. With 40's definitely would need 4.56's and probably some help in the anti-sway department. With a ball or pintle hitch and the trailer loaded correctly it should be doable as long as the hitch weight doesn't exceed the suspensions ability to control the sway, that will be the question.

There is not a substantial penalty to upsizing the tires if you also regear to the correct gear ratio in the diffs. The leverage ratio will stay consistent, about the only difference will be the added weight of the tires, that is not as critical as getting the gearing correct. 4.10's with 36" tires is lacking over 4.30's or 4.56's that really feel solid as far as power transfer goes, you lose roadability but usually someone dropping the coin on the lift and tires is not counting mpg as a critical factor.

Understood. Thanks for all the valuable feedback on this site!