2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Towing, Now I am really confused

[GCurrie]

I purchased my Truck with the intention of hauling horses with it.



Recently on this site I read a very long thread that talked about towing and legal towing weight. That prompted me to do a search, but I still have yet to find an answer. I think it is around 20,000 lbs combined but not sure.



I understand the part about the Gross vechicle Weight and axle load limits, but what I can't find is how much I can actually tow and still be legal and do these limits apply to a trailer that has it's own intergrated braking system.



I read that there are all sorts of opinions out there about why these limits are in place, and how some routinely tow overloaded for various reasons, but what I am really interested in is what is in writing from the manufacturer.



Thanks All

 

[nps]

Look on your door plate for the mfg ratings. You will find 2:

GVW - total weight of truck, cargo, fuel, passengers, and any trailer tongue load.

GCVW - total weight of the truck plus the trailer.



Yes - these ratings assume the trailer has brakes.

 

[ndurbin]

Subtract the vehicle weight (full tank of fuel, you and anybody else that might go along, and all gear carried in the truck ready to go on the trip). This well give you the max. tongue weight you can carry and be within the GVW. Then check that weight against individual axle and tire ratings to be sure your within those. To find the actual amount you can tow subtract the truck weight from the GCWR.



http://www.klenger.net/dodge/2nd-gen-reference/towing-charts.html This well give a general idea of what the weights are. But well be different for your individual pick-up.



Nathan

 

[MPerez]

I thought the owners manual for your specific model had the best definitions of what your truck can tow, though you need to know what axles/springs your truck has which is on the door plate.



The real question is not how much can I tow regardless of the manual statements, but how can I increase the capacity of my truck to safely tow the amount I want/need to tow?



As I understand it, the limits are based upon the spring capacity, the strength of the differential and axles in your truck and the total weight of your truck (which may/may not match up to what the book says, cause we all outfit our trucks differently). I suspect the limits are more in the spring capacity than the axle/diff strength as my 3/4 ton manual seems to use the same axle as the one ton, though without dual wheels. And my total capacity is more than a similar one ton... Why?? Is it because the dual rear wheels add so much weight?



My guess is that most people are technically overloaded while still being safe. Unless you are a professional driver, I don't believe there is a legal issue in overweight - especially if you've added capacity enhancing mods to the truck. Things like air springs and an exhaust brake, perhaps even stronger axles...



I know I've seen people towing 5th wheels that were 16K dry and I suspect they had their own added possessions along with the rig itself. And as far as I know the mega cab is the first one to tow that much weight out the door. Not that I know everything about these trucks yet...

 

[nps]

Unless you are a professional driver, I don't believe there is a legal issue in overweight - especially if you've added capacity enhancing mods to the truck. Things like air springs and an exhaust brake, perhaps even stronger axles...

Not true. If you are involved in an accident, many states will investigate and some will actually weigh the wreckage to see if you were overweight. If so, your vehicle insurance might say goodbye, and plan to be sued in civil court by the other vehicle's owner - even if its not your fault.



Enhancements may improve safety overall, but will not alter the certified mfg ratings unless you can get a reputable outfit to recertify the vehicle with the enhancements. I am unaware of any such outfit that offers this service.

 

[SnoKing]

GCWR is not in the door jam. Only GVWR, front and rear GAWR. Rear tires on the 2500 are the limiting thing for the rear GAWR, the front Dana 60 minus axle is the limiting thing for the front GAWR. 5th wheel trailers will easily put 2500's over their GVWR without exceeding the rear GAWR or the GCWR. Ask me how I know? My door sticker list ratings for 245 tires, but it came with 265 tires. Rear axle is rated at 6084 or twice the 3042 rating of the 245 tires. My truck like many other 2nd gens came with the camper package. Overloads and sway bar. Did DC raise the rating when they put on the camper package and the larger tires? NO! Rating is the same as the base truck at 8800Lbs. So I say I have the SRW 1TON!!!! LOL SNOKING

 

[MPerez]

Well I've not heard of anyone getting any issues from an accident with a towed rig such as you've mentioned. And I am a long time Good Sam reader, a publication that would probably jump all over any such issue. But I suppose it can happen. The owners book is still the bible of the GCWR for your truck, and I believe that the tire capacity is indeed the limit to the rear axle based upon the load carrying ability of the tires. I hadn't considered the tires limitation since my truck came to me with 285's all the way around it instead of 245's.

 

[JPoindexter]

SNOKING, so dc says all 2500 ram diesels are 8800, then dc modifies certain 2500 ram diesel trucks (from the factory) to haul more weight than a standard 2500 by adding overload springs and rear swaybar and larger tires. ? does this leave the people with these trucks in legal limbo, or does it put dc in a twist because they modified the truck and sold it and there sales staff advertised it as a 2500 that can haul all but the heaviest loads in that configuration ?. interesting.

 

[GCurrie]

My problem is that both door sticker are missing. I have the one on the inside of the door jam, but that only tells me GVWR and GAWR, Nothing on the GCWR.



I have the Service Manual but the truck didn't come with the Owners Manual. I also have the Camper package. But I guess that doesn't mean much then.



Thanks for the help guys. Still confused but not quite a bad.

 

[SnoKing]

My problem is that both door sticker are missing. I have the one on the inside of the door jam, but that only tells me GVWR and GAWR, Nothing on the GCWR.



I have the Service Manual but the truck didn't come with the Owners Manual. I also have the Camper package. But I guess that doesn't mean much then.



Thanks for the help guys. Still confused but not quite a bad.

As I said, the door jam sticker does not include GCWR. That was in the owners manual and towing guide for that model year. It could have been 16K or 18K. In late 2001 they came out with a tow guide that upped all 2500's to 20K. I lost my copy of that over the years. My 2001. 5 with auto states 18K and with 6 speed it was 20K, earlier models were less. GCWR has no legal standing and it is questionable if GVWR and GAWR have legal standing. Tire ratings are DOT compliant and I would not go over them. SNOKING

 

[GCurrie]

Thanks SNOKING



That was the answer that I was looking for. Sounds like it doesn't take much to get overweight.

 

[SnoKing]

Thanks SNOKING



That was the answer that I was looking for. Sounds like it doesn't take much to get overweight.

Yeap, my truck weighs 7 k with me in it ready to tow. Add 2250 lbs of pin weight and my wife, and I am North of the 8800 GVWR and combined is about 18250K. Truck sets still a tad tail high with that pin weight. Handles the 11,250 lb 5er fine.



SNOKING

 

[PC12Driver]

FWIW, I'm in the middle of getting our company pickups legal, and according to the state trooper and the DOT inspectors I've talked to, they legally only care about how the vehicle is plated. As long as the actual vehicle weighs less than what it's registered at, you're legal. I asked them specifically about the door jam sticker ratings and I was told that they don't matter. "If you're over that weight, it just means your truck will wear out quicker" was the quote.



But that probably only applies to overweight fines. If an accident occurs and can be connected to being overweight, you've probably just assumed liability.