Maximum Payload - Did I miss something?

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The main justification I used on my wife for getting a dually was that it was the only thing that can carry a full-size slide-in camper and still pull our jeep. I swear I remembber spending hours gazing at the Dodge Sales Brochure and drooling over the payload numbers of 4,900-lbs and thinking that this has got to be enough. Now that we are purchasing a Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 (dry weight = 2,900-lbs), I finally decided to dig up the old "Consumer Information Truck-Camper Loading" printout from the glovebox: 2,772-lbs. Cargo Weight Rating. Hold the <darn> phone! What am I missing here? Did the leather interior really knock down the capacity by that much? This is a 3500 with the camper prep. Who's camper are we talking about? I would be indebted to anyone who can clear up this simple misunderstanding.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
"Diesel, it's not just for breakfast!"

[This message has been edited by dresslered (edited 07-29-2000). ]

 

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dresslered,
If it is like the PSD the high number quoted in the sales brochure is for the the lightest 3500. Your truck has a GVW of around 10,800lbs. It will weigh close to 7500lbs empty. Fill the 35 gallon tank and add a driver and you are close to 8K leaving around 3K for a camper... . hence the low rating of around 2800lbs. My PSD came with a cert of 3225lbs. It is also a DRW 4X4 CREWCAB. It's gross is 11,200lbs. I had it weighed with the 5th wheel two days ago coming back from CO. Boy was I surprized..... front axle 5120, rear 6020, and trailer 8335. I could not believe the truck was only 60lbs from its GVW. A heavy truck leaves little cargo capacity. A DRW 4X2 regular cab with a stick is likely the 4900lb version. Ford states 5400lbs for that configuration. I don't believe I have ever even seen that configuration going down the road in either brand... CJ


99. 5 F350 CC DRW 4X4 LARIAT , AUTO/4. 10LS HOT CHIP , BANKS 3. 5 & BHA,
4”EXH. , RANCHO LIFT, 255/85/16 BFG’s, ARE SHELL , MAG HYTEC, TRIPLE
GUAGES, PHOTOS AT http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=950434&a=7098479

 

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Dresslered,
According to the Dodge brochure, a 3500, Quad Cab, 4x4 has a GVWR of 11000 lbs, and a max payload of 4900 lbs. Now, extras (like the heavy Cummins) reduces this amount. Look at my signature, I have the camper loading sheet the says the allowable payload weight is about 4100 lbs. If your truck is similar, you should have the same rating. 2700 lbs payload is ridiculous for a dually.

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2001, 3500, SLT, 5sp, 3. 54LS, camper/tow package, 4x4, freed turbo silencer, 165 watt backup lights and lookin for more.

 

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The brochure I have said 4,900 specificly with the QC 4x4 3500 with the cummins. So the weight of the engine should be figured in there.

 

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bumble-
I'm assuming that you have the Cummins and the Quad Cab. The only difference should be that I have the 6-speed which should only add 300-lbs. Something still doesn't add up. My GVWR sticker in the door says 11,000-lbs. This seems to state that my truck must weigh in at 8228-lbs. Will I be kicked out of Canada?

What are the legal ramifications if the truck is pulled over at a weigh station or involved in an accident? I would imagine that I am not the first person who is thinking of going over the limit.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
"Diesel, it's not just for breakfast!"

[This message has been edited by dresslered (edited 07-25-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Dresslered at least your better off than I am as I ordered the camper package for my 2500 and when I pulled out the "Consumer information truck-camper loading" printout and it stated that my truck is NOT RECOMMENDED for use with a camper, so I am thinking to myself what is the camper package for. My truck weights about 6821 with a GVW rating of 8800, so I figure my payload should be about 2000 lbs.

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2001 2500HD Quad Cab SLT SB 4x4, HO Cummins, 6-speed, 3. 55 gears, LSD, brightwhite/driftwood, air dam, 4w ABS, camper and trailer tow packages, fog lamps, CD/cassette, HD transfer case, snow plow prep, travel convenience group, cab lights, Isspro Boost and Pyrometer gauges mounted on A-pillar, PowerEdge, 4" JRE exhaust.
12500 miles as of 7/26/00.

1980 CJ-5, Modified for off-road use, bobbed fenders, 350 TBI, NP435 trans, 4. 56 gears, Dana 300, Dana 44 front, Dana 60 reverse-cut rear axle, ARB air lockers front and rear, 15/35/15 Super Swamper TSL on 10X15 steel rims, Cobra CB, Warn 9000I winch, nerf bars, 1/4" steel rock crawler bumper front and rear, jerri can/spare tire rack, custom roll cage.

 

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Page 43 in the Technical Specifications supplied to the dealer for the Ram Pickups lists 3 different payload capacities for the 3500 4X4 Quad Cab. The 360 gas engine is 4,820, the V10 is 4,370, and the monster is 4,170. The sales brochure appears to be only showing the higher number. The rear axle rating across the board is 7500lbs. All three engine choices carry different ratings according to the technical info supplied to the dealer. With a listed GVW of 11,000 for all three configurations, the Cummins configuration must weigh 6,830 bone dry without anything or anyone in it. Fill her up with number 2 and load her up and the carrying capacity falls as fast as you put stuff in it. Some things are not as they appear... . the PSD plays the same games in the eyewash literature the public receives... . they only list the highest possible number with absolutely nothing in the truck... . CJ


99. 5 F350 CC DRW 4X4 LARIAT , AUTO/4. 10LS HOT CHIP , BANKS 3. 5 & BHA,
4”EXH. , RANCHO LIFT, 255/85/16 BFG’s, ARE SHELL , MAG HYTEC, TRIPLE
GUAGES, PHOTOS AT http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=950434&a=7098479

 

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COBRAJET, I find it hard to believe that the only people running around with these big "loads" are driving the smaller gas engines. Are you concerned at all driving at the "edge" of GVW? In addition to the camper, I was hoping to keep some beer in the 'fridge!


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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 55 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
"Diesel, it's not just for breakfast!"

 

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Add my name to the list of those frustrated at finding a "certification label" that says "slide in campers not recommended" after I paid extra for the "camper special" package. If you're going to tell me you don't recommend hauling a camper, then rename this option the "rear suspension upgrade" or something halfway accurate. As to the #'s, I think we're seeing the reason behind the legal disclaimers in all sales brochures "specifications subject to change without notice... " This way we can't file a lawsuit just because some poor cubicle prisoner failed to proofread the copy one last time, or didn't have access to the correct and latest information.

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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, Leer Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, Psychotty Air

 

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dresslered,
Yes, except for the 6 vs 5 speed, we have the same trucks. Have you tried getting a printout from your dealer showing the payload capacity of each truck configuration (2500, 3500, gas, diesel, 4x2, 4x4, etc)? Mine shows around 4100 lbs payload. If you had one of those printouts, and get inspected, you should be fine (as long as your not over the specified rating). Maybe the sheet you have right now is for a 2500 (w/o camper package) instead of a 3500?

If you really only have a 2772 lb payload capacity, maybe you recieved a prototype truck, you know, some new type of truck with 2 Cummins in it, one for the front axle and one for the back axle?

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2001, 3500, SLT, 5sp, 3. 54LS, camper/tow package, 4x4, freed turbo silencer, 165 watt backup lights and lookin for more.

 

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David lets jump this one out of engine and drivetrain and over the cyber wall to the 2nd Generation Ram Forum (no engine and drivetrain)
And it would be interesting to see what DC says about this!

 

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I have the same problem. I've been told the snow plow prep package makes the truck unsuitable for campers. Does anyone know if this is so?

 

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I'm also a bit disturbed by the weight ratings issue. I started another topic in this area called "Axle Weight Ratings" to discuss the same basic thing. The rear axle rating is 7500#, yet I'm at 8120# with my current setup. I'm 800# under up front, and if I could come up with a way to equalize that, I'd be golden. However, my weight-dist hitch is already equalizing as much as it's going to.

The only two ideas I can try are to go ahead and run the full 100 psi in the air springs, and move the car on my open trailer rearward another 12-18" to try to balance things out a bit more.

Thing is, I see a LOT of RAM 3500s and Ford F350s running around with even bigger campers (mine is also a 10'11, but a Lance) and towing. So it must be working. #ad


Rob

 

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Rob, weren't we talking at the last Ramrunner's meeting? Anyway, I saw your web site and you have the exact Lance that I was going to get, however, I just came across a great deal on a Bigfoot 3000 10. 11. It is rated to -40 degrees and is actually larger (wider) than the Lance which gives it a full-size RV shower and dining area. The bottom line is that it puts me over the posted GVWR. I think that your truck is the 4x2 so you have a little more room to play, but do you feel that the truck is overloaded? Additionally, do you feel that the rear bumper is strong enough to hold the mounts? Bigfoot actually recommends a bar that runs under the frame of the truck for the front mount and an extension bar on the receiver for the rear mounts. Where do you get your truck weighed?

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 55 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
"Diesel, it's not just for breakfast!"

 

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dresslered - Do yourself a favor and don't hook the mounts to the bumper. I took some 2" tubing and stuffed into the side of the trailer hitch and ran it out pass the fender/bumper and welded the mounts to it. The Tork Lift system is very similar to what I did for the rear. Used Happi-Jac with the added front bar for large campers or 4x4 which you can make yourself as well.

 

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David:

Wasn't me at that meeting; I've never been to one. #ad


My truck handles exceptionally well with the camper on it. My only complaint is my Bilstein shocks aren't quite up to the task, so I think I'm switching to Ranchos.

I specifically went out of my way to prep the truck for the weight, such as upgrading to the Rickson Truck 19. 5" wheels, the air springs, and the PacBrake (still have to do the exhaust valvespring upgrade soon, something I don't look forward to).

The air springs help a LOT, as does the large Hellwig rear swaybar, which I added late last year (and was worth every cent).

As for the tie-downs, I will replace the existing ones eventually, but for now they'll have to do. I don't trust the rear bumper that much, but I think with the tiedowns snug, it should be okay for the time being. I'm actually more concerned about the ones at the front of the bed.

A guy on our turbodiesel mailing list (on f-body.org) modified his RAM with some really nice tiedowns. If I could remember the URL where I put the pix, I'd post it here. Perhaps later. But he made a bar that runs under the hitch receiver and is held on by four U-bolts, and for the front, he fabbed some L-shaped brackets out of C-Channel steel and bolted them to the frame. Now it appears that his front tie-downs run to the running boards, when in fact they run to an eye hook that goes through teh box boards to this new beefy C-channel steel.

I weighed my truck at a truck stop off the Monterey Rd. exit in Gilroy, CA. They have a semi truck scale that weighs the individual axles. Cost was $7. I know that my truck beforehand weighed about 6500 lbs with the 19. 5" wheels and the 60 gal fuel tank.

Rob

 

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David, your truck GVWR is at least 11,000 lbs or more I know thats what mine is. Now subtract the weight of your truck from that and thats what you can carry legally. My truck is about 7400 lbs so legally I can put 3600 lbs in the bed. The sticker in your door sill says at least 11,000 lbs or more, and until you load it WAY passed that there really isn't much of a problem for you. The truck will handle it no problem. Some states require a commercial tag for any vehicle that carries more weight than a passenger car plate will allow. That is why some people get stopped, their tag is a dead give-away. Around here if you pay the big bucks for the commercial tag your are pretty much left alone. Regards Pete

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99'3500,quad cab,4X4,a/t
3:54,all the right packages!PROPER VALVEMENT

 

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David
The weight doesn't bother me at all. My factory two leaf front springs have been replaced with 8 leaf Rancho's. Even with the 6000lbs on the rear the truck hardly sits down at all. It does not even settle the overload spring on the pad. It does bounce off the pad while driving. The front has 4 Rancho 9000's and the rear has 2. They made an incredible difference over the stock shocks. For some unknown reason the Dana 80 in the Ford application carries a 8250lb rating versus the 7500. That must be the hybrid Dana 80 that Dodge speaks of. It wouldn't bother me one bit to load your camper on my truck or yours... they are both plenty capable of hauling it around. The fine print in most Insurance policies state that operating the vehicle beyond its rated capacities can void a claim... I have read it in mine. This could possibly open you up to a lawsuit. That would be the only concern. The same problem is found in the 3/4 ton trucks towing large 5th wheels. With a GVW of 8800lbs for both brands it is virtually impossible to tow even a medium size (30-32) foot trailer and stay within the guidelines. Most will sit between 9500-10,000 lbs with a trailer hooked to them. This is counting fuel, a couple of passengers and a little gear in the truck. I sure see a ton of them doing it. Going over your GVW could get you a ticket in a lot states if you are not paying additional license fees. Most states base part of the fees on your weight. There have been cases of private vehicles and trailers being weighed... Texas has been doing it lately... . CJ


99. 5 F350 CC DRW 4X4 LARIAT , AUTO/4. 10LS HOT CHIP , BANKS 3. 5 & BHA,
4”EXH. , RANCHO LIFT, 255/85/16 BFG’s, ARE SHELL , MAG HYTEC, TRIPLE
GUAGES, PHOTOS AT http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=950434&a=7098479

 

[Archive]

Thanks for the great info guys. I've got the Happi-Jac's with the added front bar for the front tie downs and I think I'm going to throw the bumper mounts in the garbage. The Tork Lift looks like a great rear mount (as this is how Bigfoot does it). My GVWR is posted as 11,000-lbs. so I guess the first step is to get the truck weighed. I'm sticking with the comercial plates as the only way to remove them here is by permanently mounting a shell on the truck.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel (ETH), 6-Speed HD Manual (DEE), SLT+, 3. 55 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, AND functional Halo light!
"Diesel, it's not just for breakfast!"

 

[Archive]

I think I figured this "camper weight" number. If you read the F**d Literature for campers, it includes a 150LB deduction for each place there is a seat that an adult can sit. If you get the dodge camper book which lists every single dodge truck and configs, you will notice on a 3500 4x4 quad cab diesel loaded, it lists the camper max weight at 2811 lbs. Now if you delete the rear seat, it lists the weight at 3335. Now is someone going to tell me that the rear seat weighs 524 lbs!!! I bet that is 3 people (avg 150lbs each) 450 lbs and 74 pounds for the seat and other stuff. I have the book here if anyone has questions. Oh and go see the thread I started about "just ordered 4000+ lb camper" you will get an eye full!!!!Someone tell me if I'm wrong, but it's the only way to get the camper weight to add up to useful payload, which as someone mentioned with the diesel quad is 4120.

[This message has been edited by Altexp (edited 07-26-2000). ]