Now wondering if I have the right truck, could use some advice

[Squiggy]

I am new to TDR, but not to Dodge. I will try to make this short and need advice

I had a 95' 5. 9 and loved it. We bought a 2012 Dutchman Voltage 3200 RV Toy hauler.

I, at this time, I had a 1999 Ford F250 Power stroke which could pull the Voltage RV, but I was ALL over the road and the wife said "Buy a truck".

I then bought a 2011 6. 7 ltr Dodge Ram 3500 650 foot pounds of torque, Dually. We love this truck!

Here is my question.

The trucks tow rating is 13500 lbs which seems low but it has 3. 73 gears. The bed can carry about 5000 lbs

The RV dry is 11600 lbs, max load is 16500 lbs and once evrything is loaded, starting from the Dry Weight:

900 lb for ATC

500 lb for water - 50 gallons, but it does hold 162 gallons which we only fill to about 50 gallons on the road.

650 lb for 4 adults and stuff in the cab.

200 lbs for Gear and Food

100 lbs for misc

Fifth wheel hitch is about 3000 lbs

I am roughly towing a 14000 trailer. Legally, I guess I am over weight with the RV. I do not push or hot rod the truck.

I had to help a friend get a trailer across town that wieghted in at 17000 lbs and the truck did not even miss a beat.

The question is:

1. Am I hurting anything by pulling a RV that is 1000 or even 1500 lbs over the limit.

2. Do I need a gauges? The Dealship says no ... but I had them on a Ford F250 super Duty

The Dodge does squat, but only to level and does not ride on the helper springs

I have not brought the Rig to the scales, but will do that in the coming weeks.

Any advice or recomendations would be appricated.



Chris

 

[HBarlow]

Chris,

Welcome to TDR.

Your truck doesn't have to comply with gross combined weight ratings or tow limits established by the manufacturer. Those numbers are guidelines not legal limits. DOT has no idea and no concern what the factory ratings are. As long as you don't exceed axle/tire limits on truck or trailer axles you're legal if registered and properly licensed in your state for that weight. You are a private RVer, not hauling commercial.

4. 10 gears would have been a better choice for frequent towing but 3. 73 gears will do okay.

Gauges are not required on a stock unmolested engine but many/most of us have gauges. Many who do not believe they are useful. I've had gauges on all three of my Dodges. Sometimes gauges will allow you to identify a developing or actual problem.

All Gen III trucks squat excessively under load. The springs are biased in favor of soft ride instead of carrying capacity. Look under the rear of a 3500 cab and chassis to see wha it uses for rear springs and you'll see what is needed for the load but not for smooth comfort.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am new to TDR, but not to Dodge. I will try to make this short and need advice
I had a 95' 5. 9 and loved it. We bought a 2012 Dutchman Voltage 3200 RV Toy hauler.
I, at this time, I had a 1999 Ford F250 Power stroke which could pull the Voltage RV, but I was ALL over the road and the wife said "Buy a truck".
I then bought a 2011 6. 7 ltr Dodge Ram 3500 650 foot pounds of torque, Dually. We love this truck!
Here is my question.
The trucks tow rating is 13500 lbs which seems low but it has 3. 73 gears. The bed can carry about 5000 lbs
The RV dry is 11600 lbs, max load is 16500 lbs and once evrything is loaded, starting from the Dry Weight:
900 lb for ATC
500 lb for water - 50 gallons, but it does hold 162 gallons which we only fill to about 50 gallons on the road.
650 lb for 4 adults and stuff in the cab.
200 lbs for Gear and Food
100 lbs for misc
Fifth wheel hitch is about 3000 lbs
I am roughly towing a 14000 trailer. Legally, I guess I am over weight with the RV. I do not push or hot rod the truck.
I had to help a friend get a trailer across town that wieghted in at 17000 lbs and the truck did not even miss a beat.
The question is:
1. Am I hurting anything by pulling a RV that is 1000 or even 1500 lbs over the limit.
2. Do I need a gauges? The Dealship says no ... but I had them on a Ford F250 super Duty
The Dodge does squat, but only to level and does not ride on the helper springs
I have not brought the Rig to the scales, but will do that in the coming weeks.
Any advice or recomendations would be appricated.

Chris

I carry more weight than you but I am within my axle ratings by a lot. I have 3:42 gears and I pull the entire I-5 corridor at 55 or more. My combined is 28,240# and have 13,940 sitting on the 6 tires. I have 4,500" pin weight and the truck sits level and does not need air bags. I did add them for smoothing out the bumps and only air to 25psi and does not change ride height.

So have fun and drive the hell out of it!

 

[MelvinPierce]

I have a 2004 Ram Dually, a 2500 converted to dually. I pull a Voltage 3600. With toys, water, etc, I gross out at near 28,000#. I have added air bag helpers to the rear axle. I have 3. 73's. The truck handles it fine. Have fun.

As HBarlow said, you are NOT legally over weight. You are over the suggested weight limit of the mfg, NOT over any LEGAL limit. The sticker weights have NO legal implications from the DOT.

 

[MChrist]

Squiggy, you are fine. Enjoy your truck and welcome to TDR!! You bought the right truck! No worries.

 

[Bug Out]

Take my word for it, I had a 2005 3500 5. 9 CTD 4dr dually 6 spd 4x4 with 4:10's that was only rated to GCVWR 23K. I now have a 2013 2500 short box auto with 3:42 rear axle gears that pulls a 17K trailer. . Its GCVWR is 25K... . Your truck is MORE then enough for that trailer... Enjoy .

 

[Shadrach]

I talked with a fellow last night who has an 03 Dually,4X4, 4:10 gears and a 6 speed. He hauls a 42' triple axle commercial trailer and grosses out at 42k loaded.

Welcome Chris

Shad

 

[S.Morris]

Chris

The 3500 are designed tail high and if you are not sitting on the helper set, it should ride fine. The 14000 or so you are pulling is just a nice working weight and with the dually it will never feel overloaded or over taxed on most any road. It will be a comfortable and non tiring rig to drive.



Like has already been stated, DOT only cares that you are not over any axle or tire weight rating and that you are licensed for the total

weight you are moving on the road.



Enjoy the truck... ... . and welcome