Overweight RAM 2500

[Cobra]

I fear that I may have a big problem. I recently purchased a 2001 RAM 2500 4x4 QC Turbodiesel. Purpose of the turck is to haul a slidein camper. I did explain to the salesman that I wanted to buy the biggest truck camper that Coachmen makes. Told him that I was looking at one that weighed in at 3,000 lbs. I preferred not to buy a duallie.
He along with the Coachmen dealer told me that a 2500 heavy duty, camper specail, towing package and oversized wheels and tires would sufice. I bought the truck then I bought the camper. A Coachmen Ranger 115.
When the dealer loaded the camper they said no problem. However, I had the unit weighed and it came in at a whopping 10,400 lbs. That is 1600 lbs. over wt. I returned to the dealer and spoke to the salesman. He compared my truck with a 3500. Frame, brakes, springs, shocks are the same and my tires LT265/75R16E are actually bigger. He admitted that I was illegal (I knew that) but that I was safe. Safety was my may concern, I know that I am illegal but my may concern is with safety. I also installed air lift 1000 air springs in the rear. I know that there is no fix for this problem, but I guess I am looking for comments both good and bad. I don't need to be told how stupid I am, believe me I really know that. Hoping to hear from LEE WEBER with the Lance 820. PS Thanks for all the replies on the oil filter. I replaced the Penzoil filter with one from the dealer.
Bill Kute

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Bill Kute

 

[Big Bry]

Well your not stupid. We all do things that aren't quite right but we get by. As far as being overloaded, you did put helpers on and that will help. All I can say is to take it easy while driving and remember that the old Dodge is a lot more top heavy now. Just remember, they give guide lines on how you should treat your vehicle and that the ratings are not always the max it can hold but in turn it is what is recommended. Now remember, when you are pushing your vehicle to the max (or beyond) that the components will wear out faster than normal. Extra load means more frequent servicing. Be careful and don't treat it like a baja truck and you should do fine.

Bryan

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Bryan De Boer
I L-O-V-E MY D-O-D-G-E
White 2000 Ram 2500 Quad s/b With a Banks Power Pack

 

[WyoJim]

Bill,
I have a 2500 4X4 without the camper package and a 3500# S&S slide in. On 245/75R16's. It has been all over this United States. 50,000 miles mostly with the camper on. It is stable, level (without any air bags), handles the wind great.
A friend of mine followed it with a fire bird on some twisty PA roads at faster than sane speeds. He said it didn't even lean on the corners. Of course he eventually had to pass me, but I expected that.
I'll put 10,000 miles on it this summer and next summer it is going to Alaska. I hope, I hope. I couldn't imagine any thing doing a better job.

 

[Whitmore]

Bill, DC recomends the use of synthetic gear lube in your rear differential for those kind of loads,If I were you I would purchace an after-market diff cover and go with synthetic lube. my o2 Kevin

 

[EMDDIESEL]

An exhaust brake would help too. Thats alot of weight. I see people with monster slide in campers towing cars or boats behind them alot too. I would not be too worried. Like eveybody else said, just keep up on the maintance. Good luck

 

[Cobra]

Thanks for the replies. Wyoming Jim you really made me feel better. EMDDIESEL which exhaust brake do you reccomend? thanks again Bill

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Bill Kute

 

[EagleEye]

Just remember that we live in a 'sue happy' world... if an accident occurs, you can bet that the other guy's insurance can and WILL hold you liable for exceeding GVWR, even if it can be proven that the accident wasn't your fault. Liability for overweight can outweigh alot of circumstances... so be careful and aware. Trust me, in my business I've seen alot of things get twisted in court/arbitration by rat-******* lawyers!!!
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[Pete Peterson]

Most of the logic behind the GVWR from the manufacturer is for warranty. I think if you tagged your truck for say 12,000lbs then legally you have satisfied all requirements... . Pete

 

[Charley]

Bill:

EagleEye and Pete are both right. You are illegal but not in danger. You can register your truck for more GVW than the maker specifies and a lot of us that tow anything should do that. I have a 97 2500, std cab, lwb, 4X4, Cummins (will be an 01 Monday) with three heavy tool boxes in the back. My gross without me in truck and half tank fuel is 7,000#. When I hook up to my 15,000# fifth wheel with 2,500# plus weight in bed, I'm way over GVW on the 8,800# truck and GCVW on combo. I believe you will be safe with the E rated tires and as others have said just ease into it and see how she feels. Have fun in the process.

Charley

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Charles F. Juckes

 

[RankRam]

Hey Bill just a little advice from an ex cabover camper owner (a total of two months and 50 miles) I suggest that you weigh each axle not just the gross weight. The reason I recommend this is I weighed my rig and the rear axle was way over what I felt was safe.

Front 4215#
Rear 6280#
These weights are dry weight and no gear!
This camper was an Elkhorn 8r made for a shortbed 3/4 ton truck! All I can figure is it was made for a shortbed dually! OK I'M GONNA GO NOW JUST THINKING ABOUT THIS IS MAKING ME JUST A LITTLE P****D OFF.

I do wish you the best of luck with your setup.

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99 2500 QC SB 4x4 5sp 3. 54 LSD 285/75/16 Rancho 9000s A. R. E. Camper Shell etc. etc.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

In regards to the exhaust brake. I dont even have one myself since i have an automatic. But from what i have read on here, and what 3 of my friends are running, i would go with the BD exhaust brake. But like i said, i cant speak from expierience. Make it a new topic on this site of what brand to get, i am sure that will give you the answers you need.

 

[DennyDay]

EagleEye is right on the money, the weight rating from the manufacturer is the one that counts in civil court, registered weight only counts in traffic court!

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Denny
'99 2500 4X4 White short Q cab to much added to put here
On Order- Mom's Ram 2001 Qcab CTD with auto trans and all the bells and whistles

 

[brobeson]

I have a 98. 5 2500 and tow a large 5er. While I know this is not the same as the Camper, I can tell you that for almost 50K miles I have towed this 5er and it is way over loaded.

My truck with 4 people and 1/2 tank of fuel weighs 7700#, and my tongue weight of my 5er is close to 3000#. For a total of 10700# on the truck that is Rated at 8800#.

Plus I have a CGVW of 22000#, while the rating for the 98 is only 18000#. My truck is 100% stock and an auto.

IMHO, while you have exceeded the DC rating of the truck, you have not exceeded the capabilities of the truck.

I have ordered a new 3500 just because I want the added safety and capabilities of the 3500. While the 3500 might have been a better choice while you are hauling the camper, I feel you will like the 2500 better while not hauling the camper, back to that trade off thing.

Remember there is a brake proportional valve in these Dodges, and adding those air springs to the rear will/may move almost all your baking to the font, wearing the front pads out very fast, unbalancing your braking, rendering your Anti locks useless and other dangers. Be careful, seek advice.

E-brakes sure sounds good.

Good luck and enjoy your rig, you will find it very capable.

Bob


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1998. 5, 2500, SLT, Red over Driftwood, 24V, 4X4, Auto, 4. 10, Light Group, Camper Special group, Convenience Group, Travel Group, Trailer Group, Keyless entry, 5 band EQ and 6 disk changer, towing 35ft. Travel EZE 5er

On Order, due end of April, early May. 2001 3500, SLT+, Green/Tan leather, Duel Power Seats, HO, 6 speed, 4X4, 4. 10, Towing Package, Trailer Tow Mirrors, Camper Package, Sliding rear Window, Jacob’s E-brakes (Dodge), Electric Steps (Dodge), Mud Flaps on all 4s (Dodge) Every option offered by dodge except the snowplow, even has the front Air Dam.