Weighed my 2013 Ram today....

[Paulx213]

Playing around on the Dodge website the numbers do seem correct. If the base empty weight is 5555 lbs then you are only starting with 1245 lbs of payload and then you have to subtract everything that isn't included. Gas will weigh over 100 lbs and likely the class IV hitch does too. There are a number of options that can be added to the Laramie and they add up as do the cover and the sidesteps. My family of 4 weighs about 500lbs combined and that has the payload down to under 500 lbs right there.

I never thought about it much before but it really shows how you have to check all the numbers and know what you're going to use your truck for before you buy it. My friend with the F150 I mentioned earlier bought a used 1200lb camper to put in his truck. On his first trip his truck sagged seriously so when he got back he weighed it empty to make sure he wasn't over the limit. With only a driver aboard he only had 900 lbs of payload available. Now he has to decide what to do with either the truck or the camper.

[Camping Couple]

Has anyone ever seen or put together a spreadsheet to print off and fill in the blanks to figure out all the numbers for towing capacity? Just a thought....I have never seen one around.

[Paulx213]

Perhaps automakers could steal an idea from RV manufactures. My Jay Feather has an empty weight on the web site of 4020 lbs base. As shipped with options it has a handy door sticker that shows 4420lbs. 400lbs of my payload is already used up and I need 400lbs more towing capacity but at least I know that when I buy it.

If automakers could include the shipped weight on the window sticker you could do the math right there and know if it would meet your needs.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Camping Couple

Has anyone ever seen or put together a spreadsheet to print off and fill in the blanks to figure out all the numbers for towing capacity? Just a thought....I have never seen one around.

Yes, I've thought an Excel Spreadsheet would be easy enough to put together for this purpose, just having to much fun to sit down and work on it :-)

Someday we should be able to have this resource.

Best regards,
Doug

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Camping Couple

Has anyone ever seen or put together a spreadsheet to print off and fill in the blanks to figure out all the numbers for towing capacity?.....snip

Yes, I've run across a few but never put them to the test for accuracy. The one thing that seems to be missing in these worksheets is the ability to account for the weight the WDH transfers to the TT axles, and impact of on the TV's GVWR.

Excel weight worksheet example: http://www.popupexplorer.com/files/T...yWorksheet.xls

Bob

[kiwaon]

Originally Posted by Paulx213

If automakers could include the shipped weight on the window sticker you could do the math right there and know if it would meet your needs.

When I was looking for my last tow vehicle, a Silverado 2500 HD, the GM dealer printed off a 'factsheet' for the specific vehicle I was looking at. The factsheet included the VIN with all the pertinent information such as options and the various weights . The weights were broken down into Steer axle, Drive axle , Gross Vehicle Weight, and Payload. Both the Weight Ratings and Actual Weights were included on the fact sheet.

[Nighthawk 96]

My Tundra has a little sticker on the driver door jamb reducing the GVWR by 44# for options added. My turck weighs 5700# with me @180 and a full tank of gas, giving a remaining 1200# to my 6900 GVWR. Put dw and some stuff in the truck and and we have 900# remaining.
Tongue adds another 720# so we have less than 200# left over. If you have 4wd you just lost another 200#

It gets me that Jayco advertises its lite weight 5ers for 1/2 ton trucks. The pin weight will probably exceed most 1/2 tons by at least 500# No problem with the 16000# GCVWR, big problem with the GVWR!

[mikmurphy]

I've noted this before on the forum, I too was very surprised to learn my 1/2 ton 2011 Silverado, with a GVWR of 7000 lbs., weighed 6620 lbs with me, a passenger, full tank of gas and NOTHING in the bed. Putting 975 lbs tongue weight of our TT put the truck over capacity by 600 lbs, not counting any other stuff in the truck bed. Hence my decision to trade for a 3/4 ton, which I have just finished putting 5500 miles on towing our trailer to the Pacific Ocean and back since Aug. 8. Going over multiple mountain passes certainly made me happy to have upgraded to the 3/4 ton. ... AND, if I were to be making this kind of trip regularly, the diesel engine would be the way to go!

[gtsum2]

Marketing as its best I guess? I am going to rectify the situation by going to a 2013 1 ton diesel and not worry about payload issues. Looking at the jayco eagle 5ers now.....seem to be nice for the price.

[Freshcutfrys]

Your truck weight is gvwr... You have sticker inside drivers door panel. If you load up with people, tiny bit of cargo, you will come to your manufactures limit. Don't forget to allow tongue weight of trailer when connected. You can find that from trailer manufacturer. Now my 2013 F150 super crew shortbed with v6 ecoboost with weight distributing hitch can legally pull a 11,500 pound trailer with up to 1,100 pounds of tongue weight. Just give vin number to a dealer of your choice to look up your towing capabilities . I bought and can tow legally a 27' whitehawk 27DSRL. Just get accurate info and buy your new TT. Mine has more power than it needs to pull. Just don't look at the gas gauge. LoL. Just remember, not that you will have to worry , but CDL LICENSE is required if you tow greater than ( don't quote me ) 12,500.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by gtsum2

snip.......I am going to rectify the situation by going to a 2013 1 ton diesel and not worry about payload issues......snip

I think you would be a happy camper

I'd love to tow my Jayco Eagle into a campground with one of these..........,



But reality is a 1 ton diesel will be my next TV...., but for now my 2500HD gets the job done.

Bob

Bob

[G Bush]

I have a question about these ratings.

I had an '03 F350 with a GCWR of 26k with 4.30 gears.

With the 3.73 gears it was a lot less, like 19k or so.

This was with tow packages etc on both. No other differences. I built the truck online and ordered it. My trailer was 15k so I needed the capacity.

Is it possible that a lower geared 1/2 ton would do what you want? Be rated higher?

[gtsum2]

Originally Posted by G Bush

I have a question about these ratings.

I had an '03 F350 with a GCWR of 26k with 4.30 gears.

With the 3.73 gears it was a lot less, like 19k or so.

This was with tow packages etc on both. No other differences. I built the truck online and ordered it. My trailer was 15k so I needed the capacity.

Is it possible that a lower geared 1/2 ton would do what you want? Be rated higher?

I have 3.55 gears and my GCWR is 14k I think...the 3.92 gears have a GCWR that is higher. My issue isnt the pulling power...it is the payload capacity of the truck itself. I broke the news to the wife that we were going to skip the 3/4 ton and go straight to the 1 ton...she thinks I am crazy, but at least I wont have to worry about the payload...although I did start looking at toy haulers (I go to WV several times a year to ride ATV's and my 6 year old son rides the local trails with me)....the Seismic's are nice, but are even a bit much for a 1 ton single...even pushing it with a dually on some of them..but man, are they nice!

[Pitch1]

That Laramie must be a weighty package. MY 13 Sport Quad cab 4x4 Hemi has a cargo capacity of 1487# according to the VIN specific "Vehicle Capability Sheet" from Ram

[clubhouse]

Originally Posted by Pitch1

That Laramie must be a weighty package. MY 13 Sport Quad cab 4x4 Hemi has a cargo capacity of 1487# according to the VIN specific "Vehicle Capability Sheet" from Ram

Well the real test is to go weight your truck and subtract that from the GVWR and see how accurate the "Vehicle Capability Sheet" is. I think my Duramax's GM published spec is ~3300 lbs payload, door sticker is ~2200 and GVWR - actual weight = 2100 lbs.

The only real way to know is weight and subtract from GVWR.

[Pitch1]

Why would they print a sheet specifying a particular VIN with all standard and optional installed equipment listed and have the information provided be wrong? Lawyers would have a field day with Chrysler Corporation if I was within the specified limits on their document and disaster struck. If there is error I would think that it would be on the conservative side.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Pitch1

Why would they print a sheet specifying a particular VIN with all standard and optional installed equipment listed and have the information provided be wrong?.......snip

For clarification, I would look at confirming if the Chrysler VIN "Vehicle Capability Sheet" is based starting with the "Curb Weight" (includes 150lb driver and all fluids filled including fuel).

Also, CAT scales have a plus/minus 40lb weight tolerance, weight of driver over 150lbs, etc., can play into some weight difference at the CAT scale.

Bob

[clubhouse]

Originally Posted by Pitch1

Why would they print a sheet specifying a particular VIN with all standard and optional installed equipment listed and have the information provided be wrong? Lawyers would have a field day with Chrysler Corporation if I was within the specified limits on their document and disaster struck. If there is error I would think that it would be on the conservative side.

I wish I could answer that question. It's why I stopped thinking published specs relating to tow rating and cago capacity were gospel. You'll notice the OP weighed his truck with the family loaded. Their weight directly reduces the cargo capacity. In my situation, my family of 5 plus car seats/booster seats is easily 300lbs more than the 150 driver GM allows for in their published specs.

I tried looking up your truck on Dodges site, it shows curb weight + 150 driver leaves 1388 payload remaining. Slightly less than you reference, but not an enormous difference.

I still would be interested in knowing you trucks actual CAT scale weight with driver and passengers typical when camping + the hitch and see truly how much cargo weight is remaining. It's the extras that manufactures can't factor in, VIN specific or not.

[Teristar]

We have a 2011 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi 1500 that we just got last February. We are looking at this trailer and LOVE it! We have heard SO many different stories about towing and just getting more confused about it. We were told today that if we have special springs built for our truck we can pull it. We are only going 72-75 miles and we leave it up at the campground all summer and then tow it home in September. What do you guys think?

Thanks for your input!
Teri

[msturtz]

Originally Posted by Teristar

We have a 2011 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi 1500 that we just got last February. We are looking at this trailer and LOVE it! We have heard SO many different stories about towing and just getting more confused about it. We were told today that if we have special springs built for our truck we can pull it. We are only going 72-75 miles and we leave it up at the campground all summer and then tow it home in September. What do you guys think?

Thanks for your input!
Teri

Technically, you cannot increase your GVWR or GCWR by add on springs or anything else you add to your TV. That said, you can do some upgrades that could make a difference. You can add overload springs i.e. Air bags or helper springs, change your tires from D to E rating, and change your ring gears to 4.10 rather than what you have now.