CAT scale results Ram 3500 and EagleHT 29.5 BHDS

[Sledgehammer]

I have a Ram 3500 and a 2014 Eagle HT 29.5 BHDS. I've pulled thousands of loads before, never been across a scale in any of them. If it pulled good, stopped good, and the tires weren't about to pop, should be good right ? No really, I always knew real close to what I was pulling weighed.

Anyway, We have an extended trip coming up in a month. I knew my truck would be way under weight, but I had no idea on the trailer weight. I was quite surprised to find the trailer so close to max GVWR loaded at what I thought was ''light''. We returned today from a 4 day stay, so on the way home I stopped by the CAT scale that's about 20 miles from home. Hopefully the numbers might be beneficial to others.

OK on to the numbers.
Truck is a 2013 model DRW 3500 4x4 laramie diesel. From the door panel, the Front GAWR is 6000lbs, Rear GAWR is 9750lbs, and GVWR is 14000lbs. The GCVWR is like 27000lbs I believe.

The Trailer is a 2014 29.5BHDS. It had all the options in 2014. It has 4400lb axles. I upgraded it to 16'' wheels and 10 ply LT Michelin XPS RIBS tires.
The GVWR is 9950 according to the yellow sticker. All tanks were dry and propane full.

Truck only
Steer 5320lb
Drive 4040lb
Gross 9360lb


Truck and trailer
Steer 5320lb
Drive 5840lb
Trailer 8020lb
Gross 19180lb

That puts my pin weight at 1800lbs and a shade over 18%.

I thought I was in good shape for loading more stuff for my extended stay at first, my trailer axles had 8020lbs on them and they are rated for 8800lbs combined, but after figuring my trailer gross Im at 9820lbs of the 9950lbs allowed. So I have 130lbs left on the gross rating, and 780lbs left on the axles rating. I don't need the 780lbs, but I was hoping for at least a few hundred pounds for extra clothes and stuff.

Do you guys figure using the gross trailer rating, or axle rating? If I use the axle rating I will still be under weight. If I use the Gross I will be over a couple hundred pounds, but I really can't see that much being an issue. I figure the weak link was the factory tires, and that has been eliminated.
I guess I could put some belongings in the truck to stay under the Trailer gross, but I hate to crowd the kids on a long trip.

Any other input?

[norty1]

I would think the gross trailer rating would be the benchmark with some extra in the axles and tires.

Don't forget to disallow the pin weight when computing the weight on the axles and tires.

[Paintinfool3]

i wouldn't worry too much about loading the trailer if the axles would hold it better pack rearward ... if the truck would add the extra to the front ...4400 pound axles seems light to me

[Paintinfool3]

the brochure has dry pin weight at 1730 but it also states cargo capacity at 1935 and unloaded weight or a touch over 8000 so I am guessing you aren't needing to add the pin weight to your cargo capacity

[norty1]

Actually you are in great shape. I would not fret about carrying 150 more lbs of clothes on occasion.

[Cdash]

That just confirms what I've thought all along: The concern for having the ability to market "half ton table" hurts the rest of us in having nearly insufficient carrying capacity!

With the upgrade to 16's, I wouldn't worry if you're a couple or few hundred pounds over.

[Sledgehammer]

Originally Posted by Paintinfool3

i wouldn't worry too much about loading the trailer if the axles would hold it better pack rearward ... if the truck would add the extra to the front ...4400 pound axles seems light to me

Originally Posted by Paintinfool3

the brochure has dry pin weight at 1730 but it also states cargo capacity at 1935 and unloaded weight or a touch over 8000 so I am guessing you aren't needing to add the pin weight to your cargo capacity

The truck has plenty left.
4400lb axles does sound light...but if the gross trailer was 10000lbs with 15% being on the truck, that leaves 8500lbs on the axles. Seems like every manufacturer cuts the weights so close....probably for legal reasons.

You must be looking at a newer model brochure....I dont have my 2014 info in front of me, but those numbers sounds a fuzz high and I'm pretty sure my yellow sticker was 8500 empty.....but at either rate its close enough.

[Sledgehammer]

Originally Posted by norty1

Actually you are in great shape. I would not fret about carrying 150 more lbs of clothes on occasion.

Thats kinda what I was thinking too...

[Sledgehammer]

Originally Posted by Cdash

That just confirms what I've thought all along: The concern for having the ability to market "half ton table" hurts the rest of us in having nearly insufficient carrying capacity!

With the upgrade to 16's, I wouldn't worry if you're a couple or few hundred pounds over.

Yeap, I believe your exactly right...and I also think thats the reason for 4400lb axles and a 9950 GWR.

I really don't think Id ever have a problem. I believe the tires were the weakest link. If the axles or springs fail at 200lbs over, they would have failed at their rating.

[Cdash]

I agree. I figure axles likely aren't an issue. I expect that the components on it can take much higher loads. They are rated for what Jayco ordered.

The springs are my only worry. But they are easy to keep an eye on and easy to replace if it becomes necessary. That's my plan. Try it and upgrade if necessary.

If only they offered a "capacity upgrade" opt-in from the factory for those that aren't trying to tie with a half ton.....

[Sledgehammer]

I guess I've addressed the spring issue too. When I got my Ram, damn thing was WAY higher than my F-250....and the DRW Rams are the lowest of the heavy duty Rams. I wanted to try another option before getting the torch and welder out and going directly to a subframe. So, I bought some heavier 5-leaf springs from Northern tool. I took the factory 4-leaf springs apart and the NT springs apart and built a new leaf spring pack with a combination of the 2 springs to get my lift, just like the front leaf spring lift kits for vehicles.
While its not totally level, its close enough and I have heavier springs now too...at a cheaper and easier option than a subframe.