The Dodge / Ram 5500 numbers are impressive and have quite a bit of latitude with configuration selection if you really need a heavy hauler. Naturally the actual capacities will come down when you fully load up the truck with a bed of your choice, etc. But, as Terry notes, it does require the OEM rated tires for these weights as all trucks would.
For example:
Crew Cab / 4- wheel Drive / 60” Cab to Axle (8’ foot) bed – 4.88 rear end
The published numbers are:
GCWR – 37,500
GWVR – 18,750
Max Trailer Weight – 28,750
Rear Axle Weight Rating – 13,500
Front Axle Weight Rating – 7,000
If you don’t want 4 wheel drive the Max Trailer Weight goes up to 29,100 with all other numbers remaining the same.
For those that don’t have that big a trailer but still want 4 wheel drive you can drop down to a 4.44 rear end and the Max Trailer Weight drops down to 23,750 and the GCWR goes down to 32,500 with all the other numbers listed above remaining the same.
The 8 page published chart has many different configurations so it is good to review.But the terribly interesting thing is the axle ratings are very stout to say the least. Regardless, DRW trucks are required for most 5ers and are much safer regardless.
The Ram bears close consideration. I’ve seen one - a 3500HD..They are a very pretty truck as well with a full-up interior. Linda spotted one in service at a truck stop and said, “Come look at this.”The Professional Driver said the Exhaust Brake was “awesome.”He had 15,000+ on this 2013 with a big goose neck hauler on the back.
Very interesting - time will tell.
Bill
Edited to clarify the configuration -- Edited by Bill and Linda on Wednesday 23rd of October 2013 02:32:54 PM
-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Wednesday 23rd of October 2013 02:44:26 PM
WendysPhotos said
05:28 PM Oct 23, 2013
Hello,
Alrighty, heard about the new dodge with the 30,000 pound tow capacity. So went to ramtrucks.com. to look. Can someone explain to me why a Dually would have less tow capacity than a single rear set. I would think the weight would be better distributed on duallies. Also if we wanted a quad or crew cab the tow capacity drops dramatically also.
Personally the smaller truck is a plus to get in and out of places, but would still like a quad cab like our current 2500 has.
OOPs was looking at the dually without the super awesome tow package on it Dually has same tow capacity. But still if you get a bigger cab or 4 x4 you can't pull but about 17,000 pounds.
Terry and Jo said
06:13 PM Oct 23, 2013
You've discovered one of the "oddities" that come with the roll-out of new models. In order to get the higher rating for the truck, they had to limit it to one that is not likely one that most RV'ers would want to have. The 30,000 lb "towing capacity" is one that should not be considered when choosing a truck. I think that almost all truck have a "tow capacity" that confuses folks on choosing a truck to match a trailer. One wants to look at the truck's GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicular Weight) instead of towing weight. Then one wants to know the gross weight of the truck with all fuels, cargo, and passengers in it and add that gross weight to the GVWR of the trailer of interest and make sure that the total of those two numbers don't exceed the truck's GCVW.
I have a 2008 Ford F450 with a GCVW of 33,000 lbs. It is "tow rated" at 24,600 lbs, and I can guarantee that if I was towing a trailer that weighed 24,600 lbs, I'd be well over on the truck's GCVW. While my F450 would not likely be loaded to its GVWR of 14,500 lbs, if I were to add that weight to our trailer's GVWR of 18,500 lbs, the weight of both would be right at the truck's GCVW of 33,000 lbs.
So, pay more attention to GCVW, GVWR, and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) when choosing a truck. Also, make sure the tires are capable of the weight the truck would likely be carrying.
The Dodge / Ram 5500 numbers are impressive and have quite a bit of latitude with configuration selection if you really need a heavy hauler. Naturally the actual capacities will come down when you fully load up the truck with a bed of your choice, etc. But, as Terry notes, it does require the OEM rated tires for these weights as all trucks would.
For example:
Crew Cab / 4- wheel Drive / 60” Cab to Axle (8’ foot) bed – 4.88 rear end
The published numbers are:
GCWR – 37,500
GWVR – 18,750
Max Trailer Weight – 28,750
Rear Axle Weight Rating – 13,500
Front Axle Weight Rating – 7,000
If you don’t want 4 wheel drive the Max Trailer Weight goes up to 29,100 with all other numbers remaining the same.
For those that don’t have that big a trailer but still want 4 wheel drive you can drop down to a 4.44 rear end and the Max Trailer Weight drops down to 23,750 and the GCWR goes down to 32,500 with all the other numbers listed above remaining the same.
The 8 page published chart has many different configurations so it is good to review. But the terribly interesting thing is the axle ratings are very stout to say the least. Regardless, DRW trucks are required for most 5ers and are much safer regardless.
The Ram bears close consideration. I’ve seen one - a 3500HD.. They are a very pretty truck as well with a full-up interior. Linda spotted one in service at a truck stop and said, “Come look at this.” The Professional Driver said the Exhaust Brake was “awesome.” He had 15,000+ on this 2013 with a big goose neck hauler on the back.
Very interesting - time will tell.
Bill
Edited to clarify the configuration
-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Wednesday 23rd of October 2013 02:32:54 PM
-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Wednesday 23rd of October 2013 02:44:26 PM
Hello,
Alrighty, heard about the new dodge with the 30,000 pound tow capacity. So went to ramtrucks.com. to look. Can someone explain to me why a Dually would have less tow capacity than a single rear set. I would think the weight would be better distributed on duallies. Also if we wanted a quad or crew cab the tow capacity drops dramatically also.
Personally the smaller truck is a plus to get in and out of places, but would still like a quad cab like our current 2500 has.
http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/
Wendy
You've discovered one of the "oddities" that come with the roll-out of new models. In order to get the higher rating for the truck, they had to limit it to one that is not likely one that most RV'ers would want to have. The 30,000 lb "towing capacity" is one that should not be considered when choosing a truck. I think that almost all truck have a "tow capacity" that confuses folks on choosing a truck to match a trailer. One wants to look at the truck's GCVW (Gross Combined Vehicular Weight) instead of towing weight. Then one wants to know the gross weight of the truck with all fuels, cargo, and passengers in it and add that gross weight to the GVWR of the trailer of interest and make sure that the total of those two numbers don't exceed the truck's GCVW.
I have a 2008 Ford F450 with a GCVW of 33,000 lbs. It is "tow rated" at 24,600 lbs, and I can guarantee that if I was towing a trailer that weighed 24,600 lbs, I'd be well over on the truck's GCVW. While my F450 would not likely be loaded to its GVWR of 14,500 lbs, if I were to add that weight to our trailer's GVWR of 18,500 lbs, the weight of both would be right at the truck's GCVW of 33,000 lbs.
So, pay more attention to GCVW, GVWR, and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) when choosing a truck. Also, make sure the tires are capable of the weight the truck would likely be carrying.
Terry