Train weight query?

[JohnMcIntyre]

GCWR weight query?

Over here in Europe, the "road presence" of my Dually occasionally warrants a little more attention from the Highway Patrol, mostly from curiosity on slow days. ( A small price to pay for the privilege of driving my Dodge CTD in Europe). The most recent question however, concerned the "overall train weight" capability, in other words, the maximum, safe, combined weight of truck, trailer and load.



Thanks to Ray Torresdal fedback (see below) , this is also known as the GCWR, Gross Combination Weight Rating. Does anybody know why the stock value is so conservative?



According to the factory sticker on the pillar adjacent to the driver's, my 1 ton dually has a GVWR of 11,000 pounds but it has since been upgraded with 19. 5 inch Rixon wheels and a class 5 receiver style hitch.



According to which version of hype you read, there are various figures thrown around regarding what the overall train weight capability is, so my question is:



What is the "overall train weight" rating for a completely stock, 1 ton dually and more importantly, what are the significant factors in the calculation? Then when the Class 5 hitch and Rixon wheels/tires are factored in, what does the maximum train weight change to?



I want to make sure I have all the right answers to hand, the next time I'm pulled over, here in Europe... ... ... ... ... .

 

[Ray Torresdal]

weight rating

I think the number you are looking for is referred to in your owner's manual as the GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating). The ratings are so conservative as to be a joke, in my opinion. A new Toyota has about as much payload capacity as a 2500 4X4 if the GVW means anything!



Ray

 

[RAMalama]

"TRAIN WEIGHT"

I have a 3500 dually with the 4:10 rear end. DC says my truck's Gross Combined Weight Rating is 21,500lbs. My truck weighs 7300lbs so that leaves me with 14200 for the trailer. My trailer (5th wheel) weighs exactly that when loaded.



No reason for this info not to be compareable to your truck.



R/ Ian.

 

[Thomas]

The only CTD Ram with a GCWR of 21,500 pounds that I'm aware of is the 1-ton ETH/DEE. All other manual transmission trucks seem to have a GCWR of 20,000 pounds. In 1999 and 2000 the GCWR of A/T equipped trucks was less that 20,000 pounds—I don't know about 2001 A/T's.



Discussions here in the past have never really answered this question—What is the significance of the GCWR anyway?

 

[KevinK]

My 3500, with an auto and 3. 55 gears, is rated at a pathetic 16,000lbs. GCWR. The 4. 10 gearing bumps the rating up to about 18,000lbs. If I were to buy another truck, I would go manual, but probably stick with 3. 55s.



Kevin

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Thanks....

... ... for the feedback everyone!!





JMc