Weight Question Jayco Eagle 2500 Ram

[ODA095]

We recently purchased a Jayco Eagle 317RLOK and pull with our 2015 Ram 2500 Cummins. All the numbers looked good for pulling. We were a little surprised when we weighed everything and found we’re a little over our GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) by 200 pounds (10200). After researching I found they label all 3/4 ton truck at 10000 lbs. What’s confusing is I’m significantly under my axle rating (6000 front/6500 rear axle =12500). Everything else I’m way under to include max towing by 6000 pounds. It pulls perfectly and is totally level. I also read that this is a common problem that many are not aware of. Has anyone had the same experience? Any information would be helpful. Thank, Steve

 

[kayakterp]

If your GVWR is over-loaded, I'm guessing your Payload (Cargo Carrying Capacity) is WAY OVER??? What does the sticker say inside the truck door jam. Those are the real numbers your truck is rated for.
For what it's worth, salesman (RV & Auto) will tell you whatever it takes to make the sale.
It might pull fine while you're going straight on a flat road, but once you get into the hills and mountains it will be a different story. Seems as if you are maxing out your tow vehicle and under those conditions it won't last as long as it could?

 

[goducks14]

I towed exactly the same 200 lbs over GVWR for 5 seasons with a 2012 Ram 2500 CTD GVWR of 9600. In Oregon we have scales scattered all over that are always ON. I would pull in every once in a while just for giggles. My GVWR was almost always 9800 lbs.
I was under the RAWR by 1100-1200 lbs, under the tow rating by 3200 lbs and under the GCVWR by several 1000 lbs.
Towed like a dream. Never once did I ever feel over loaded. I installed Timbrens, not for weight but for a little more side roll stability.
I have since bought a 2018 Ram 2500 6.4 and even with some bags it doesn't feel as planted and solid as the 12 2500 CTD did. Both trucks are CC LB 4x4.

JMO but I would not worry about 200 lbs under or over.

 

[Camper_bob]

People will argue that the 10,000 GVWR is for tax and registration purposes and that the truck is actually capable of much more than that.

To be clear, I'm not making that argument, or suggesting anything, I'm just telling you what I've read. FWIW my father dealt with commercial fleets for years and we had many discussions about rated weights and the legal ramifications of those weights in the commercial truck world. That's in TX though. Private rigs are not required to cross a scale, but commercial rigs ARE required to scale often. Our state troopers also carry portable scales and will weigh a commercial rig right on the side of a road if they think it's overloaded.

IMO, I am not comfortable exceeding the GVWR of a vehicle, but if I do, I make certain I do not exceed the GAWR.

 

[goducks14]

I wonder whats safer? Towing at GVWR and maxed on GCVWR or 200 over GVWR and way way under GCVWR?
I can say I would never want to tow my max tow rating of 15,700 IIRC. Even maxed out on the GVWR with a pin weight at 18%-19%. I'd be and was perfectly comfortable at 200 lbs over GVWR and well under my RAWR, GCVWR and tire rating.

 

[ALJO]

The engineers at Chrysler must have a good heart as the increased the specifications for the 2019 models (because the competition did). Maybe they put heavier springs in the rear, but I looked up the axle specifications are the same. If it drives comfortable for you why worry about 300 lbs. more or less. If the backend goes down to much install timbres or an air-lift system. In this forum you will get a lot of answers from rookie experts who will sell you a one ton diesel. If you are pulling a RV over 50% of the time, you might considering. But if its is your daily driver and only pull a couple trips in a year just do simple upgrades for better comfort.

 

[rfredward]

I have a 2014 Ram Cummins. My payload is somewhere around 2300 lb. Payload is the GVWR minus your vehicle curb weight. So, for this reason I purchased a 2018 293 RKDS, which is no longer available, but has a dry pin weight of 1,900 lbs. Also why I bought the super light Anderson hitch. All that said, and even towing with empty tanks, I’m probably 100-200 lbs over on my GVWR by the time my wife, dog, and gear are loaded. I can live with that. Now, after wintering in FL the last 2 years, I’ll make this statement. At least 80% of the 3/4 ton diesel trucks are well above their GVWR when hitched to anything but the newer lightweight 5’ers. I see them in every campground and some are pulling 38-40 ft 5’ers. I wouldn’t do it, but the point is your truck can do it, but you’ll have to judge whether being a little overweight is an issue. Also, I should add, I have the factory air shocks.

 

[Camper_bob]

I think it's also worth noting that the diesel costs a lot of payload. The same truck with the gas engine will have the same GVWR, but will have nearly 1,000 lbs more payload capacity.

I tend to agree that if I'm well under my GAWR and GCVWR, I'm a little less concerned about being at or slightly over GVWR. Especially given the fact that GVWR 10,001 and up is a different level of tax in many places. In fact, I was just poking around, and it looks like according to AZ, if you have a personal vehicle you use in a hobby that has GVWR of greater than 10,000, you need a DOT number.

https://www.azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/VehicleServices/commercial-vehicle-registration

 

[rfredward]

I’m pretty confident that when you’re talking newer 3/4 ton diesels and 5’ers, the 1st line you’ll cross, regardless of truck brand is GVWR. Like I said, I think I’m a little over , even though I’m well under on GVAR and GVCWR. In all the research I did on 5’ers, typically I soon realized anything over 35’ was going to be to much pin weight. Based on what I know now and how my truck has performed pulling over 7,000 miles I wouldn’t be as concerned with pin weight as I was. I’d probably look at units with a dry pin weight of up to 2,300 lbs.

 

[Rustic Eagle]

Steve,

Welcome to JOF

snip......... After researching I found they label all 3/4 ton truck at 10000 lbs. What’s confusing is I’m significantly under my axle rating (6000 front/6500 rear axle =12500)........snip

You're correct, when comparing a TV's GVWR to it's combined specified GAWR's can be confusing...., but at the end of the day the scaled "combined" TV gross axle weights are still limited by the TV's GVWR.

Bob

 

[AKRUEBBE]

The 2019 RAM 3500 diesel engine HP is up to 400 and torque with the Aisin is up to 1,000 ft lbs and 30 pounds lighter. But it appears the Tow Capacity remains at 35,100 lbs. That's based on a DRW.

 

[Shall36]

GVWR for class 2 trucks is set at or below 10,000 for classification and registration purposes. While the 2500 has a different rear end spring setup than the 3500, you are no where near exceeding axle or tire capacity.

What the truck can safely do and how the truck was classified by RAM are two different things in this case. The reason manufacturers will rate 2500s at A GVWR of 10,000 or under is to avoid pushing the truck into the class III category, which has implications for the cost of registration, licensure, and insurance in certain states.

There is no issue with regard to safety or capability here. The issue is about paying the tax man what he wants. If that bothers you, go register your vehicle with a higher GVWR. You can do that in some states.

This comes up so often, I thought I would post a link to a picture to help people see what this is about.

https://https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/fact-707-december-26-2011-illustration-truck-classes


For more information see the Wikipedia page. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truck_classification

 

[Big1]

My registration is setup in my state WA state for 12,000 lbs.

 

[Flyrotor-JAY]

We recently purchased a Jayco Eagle 317RLOK and pull with our 2015 Ram 2500 Cummins. All the numbers looked good for pulling. We were a little surprised when we weighed everything and found we’re a little over our GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) by 200 pounds (10200). After researching I found they label all 3/4 ton truck at 10000 lbs. What’s confusing is I’m significantly under my axle rating (6000 front/6500 rear axle =12500). Everything else I’m way under to include max towing by 6000 pounds. It pulls perfectly and is totally level. I also read that this is a common problem that many are not aware of. Has anyone had the same experience? Any information would be helpful. Thank, Steve

My 2011 RAM 2500 Cummins diesel, fully loaded as shown in the picture (3 kayaks, 2 generators, 2 bikes and some firewood), trailer has 80 gallons of fresh water, loaded with all gear/food for a 7 day camp trip.

Scaled weights are as follows:
Front axle = 4660
Rear axle = 5340 Total truck = 10,000
Trailer axles = 6760

Total combined = 16,760

Truck suspension is stock, no timbrens or airbags, no squat, WDH has 1,000# bars

 

[Jim Smyth]

Some of the info here is good and some is not so good. Everything has a weight limit on it and theres a reason for that. Tires are rated for what they can haul weight wise. The manufacturer builds the truck and puts the weight limits down.



While it may or may not be safe to go over any of those weights regardless of what a specific State has for weight tax purposes is up to you. Its the same as having a few beers and driving home at night. Everything is great till something happens.



For me I use all those numbers as a good guide and try to stay well below those numbers at all costs. We all know theres plenty of distractions out on the road and plenty of drivers not paying attention with there cell phones. It may not even be your fault so IMO you better hedge on the side of safety and have the deck stacked in your favor. YMMV

 

[Shall36]

Some of the info here is good and some is not so good. Everything has a weight limit on it and theres a reason for that. Tires are rated for what they can haul weight wise. The manufacturer builds the truck and puts the weight limits down.



While it may or may not be safe to go over any of those weights regardless of what a specific State has for weight tax purposes is up to you. Its the same as having a few beers and driving home at night. Everything is great till something happens.



For me I use all those numbers as a good guide and try to stay well below those numbers at all costs. We all know theres plenty of distractions out on the road and plenty of drivers not paying attention with there cell phones. It may not even be your fault so IMO you better hedge on the side of safety and have the deck stacked in your favor. YMMV

I give up.

 

[Big1]

Yep, these posts are always interesting that's why I stay out of these but he safe everyone.

 

[txloser]

So, lets follow the logic I see here so often. My wife fell in love with another Jayco FW. I'd be over GVWR with my fairly new 2500 diesel. With my HT FW loaded I'm right at 10K, and occasionally a hair over. With the wife's new love I'd easily be 700 over. Probably(Definitely) more, but let's call it 700 for this.

A couple days ago I rented a ragged out 250 gasser at the big orange store because I was too lazy to pull my FW hitch to haul some stuff home. Yellow sticker read 3000lbs. 700 over my own truck's payload. Following the logic in these threads, it would be safer to haul that shiny new fiver through the mountains with the ragged out rental gasser because that extra 700lbs of payload may keep it at 10K lbs or less. I really doubt that. Not that the gasser would be a danger. Just that it wouldn't be safer due to payload.

 

[11ncounting]

You might want to verify your weight numbers. Here's a link to a pdf for 2015 dodge 2500 trucks. https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2015_ram_2500_towing_charts.pdf

 

[nynethead]

weights

you can't go by max towing capacity, not really accurate.

need to look at payload. your trailers dry pin weight is 1983 lbs. so if you add Propane, some things in your under belly and anything in your front bedroom that number rises. Not sure which model 2500 ram you have but with the diesel with the front and rear weight you included your main post, payload max is either 1930 or 1990 lbs depending on your transmission. This means your over weight in the bed of the truck, Not a big deal a set of bags helps that.