Nicely done. Years ago, magazines like Trailer Life would routinely and repetitively educate RVers on this topic. That’s back in the dinosaur days. Thanks for the write up.
Inadequate payload numbers, to handle a fifth wheel safely, and yet, RAM includes the fifth wheel prep package, from the factory! You can't make this stuff up!
Great job with some challenging material. I've run these numbers on my '21 RAM Mega Cab Limited over and over, while looking at upgrading to a fifth wheel from my Airstream. My assessment is that the RAM 2500 Limited Mega Cab is a great Cowboy Cadillac (I love my interior and it is a beautiful truck!) and quite capable of towing some heavier trailers but not great for fifth wheels. I'm looking at Duallies now and the prices are great at this time! Good luck JB!
Ram only rates 2500 trucks at a max 10K payload, Ford and GM are rating 3/4 ton trucks over 11K now. On top of that both Ford and GM make extensive use of aluminum in the body and engines of their diesel trucks. Lower vehicle weight with a higher GVWR means a higher payload. Note that the GCAWR rating for the Ram 2500s are right around 12K. The truck has the running gear and capability to haul more payload, it’s primarily a matter of how Ram wants to classify 2500s in certain states for registration and insurance purposes. Does that mean you should exceed payload by 1500 lbs? No, but I wouldn’t sweat a few hundred pounds over.
I tow a 13,000 lb fifth wheel with my ram 2500 6.7 Cummins and zero issues. I will upgrade to a one ton , but I have no problem pulling this RV now. My truck says it’s rated to tow 17,980 lbs. if I’m under that and something happens, that’s all on ram. I also see ram 3500’s pulling 25 000lbs or more without the H.O. . I love your videos but this is the first time I’ve disagreed.
My neighbor has a much larger rig than that he's been hauling around for a couple of years. I thought it was a 3500 RAM extended cab single wheel, but no. It's a 2500 diesel. Same truck I have (except I don't have the super cab). I haul my 8000 pound airstream around like it's nothing. No big deal here in Florida, but when we were out in Arizona, Utah and Colorado it still pulled like a champ. I'm not interested in operating a rig that exceeds the specs by such a huge amount.
It's not about the pulling power, most HD engines will easily pull these trailers. It's about brakes, axle strength, transmission abuse and the rear suspension. Oh your neighbor will he fine for a while, but eventually things will probably start failing, for him, or the next owner.
You do realize there is very little difference between a 3/4 and 1 ton SRW truck don't you?Most 3/4 trucks have the same power plant, brakes, axles ect... Rear springs are usually the difference in the trucks. Payload is a regulatory rating. That said, I believe anyone towing that size of equipment should use a dually.
I was led to believe the formula to get the payload uses a regulatory number meant more for registration/DOT purposes than actual vehicle capabilities (the GVWR). That being said, i would think the GAWR is more indicative of what the vehicle can handle, weight wise? 🤔
@@hularock2705 majority of consumers out there that tow fifth wheels with a 3/4 ton are over the GVWR and definitely payload. They have no business towing what they are towing.
I'd be leery of any fifth wheel that is light enough to be 1/2 ton towable. It means they saved weight by using cheaper and thinner materials. These things take a beating going down the road. If you ever watched a video of the inside of a trailer as it's going down the road, you should be amazed at the fact that all the cupboards stay mounted to the walls. I have a triple axle seismic. I like that it's heavy, it stays planted, but it still does a lot of rocking and rolling.
business or private, either way, its really not worth it to be over the numbers. Not only can you be sued in civil court in an accident (at fault or not), insurance can use that against you as well to not cover you.
not true, insurance will cover you, they may cancel you afterwards. If your statement is true then they would reject all those DUI accidents. You can be sued in civil court even if your truck is in limits. By your logic a jacked up mall cruiser is perfectly fine towing a toy hauler because the payload sticker says so? All that said, I am a firm believer that most 5th wheels and large travel trailers should be towed with a dually.
@@jimedwards2511 dont read much eh? I stated "CAN" not "will". thats the beauty of insurance, they get to make that decision to cover you or not...and yes, if that jacked up mall cruiser is within limits, then yes, he can LEGALLY tow, doesnt mean its safe.....
Most of those Ram 3/4 tons have coil spring rear suspension, thus the low payload numbers. Ford/GM don't use that type of setup, thus their 3/4 ton ratings are much higher. Upgrade to a ram 3500 and you get the leaf spring with much higher payload.
Wow, I see a lot of and I mean a lot of 3/4 ton towing way more the allowable size 5th wheel, I have been education my wife traveling cross country how they shouldn't be towing that, I explain to her about payload and she was amaze how so many people towing over there limit, but hey, who I'm I, and if you confront them on it, which I will never do that they will tell you it can tow. I like to be safe and this is why I bought a dually to tow my North Point, could I get by with a single wheel, I probably can but I choose to not do that, anyway I wish people would watch this video.
I've always wondered why people buy 3/4 ton trucks and try to tow heavy with them. Varies by state, but it seems to usually come down to government regulation. In my state, if you have a 1 ton+ you have to have a CDL if the truck is used for any commercial purpose. As a result of that regulation what you end up seeing is a lot of overloaded 3/4 ton trucks towing way, WAY over weight because they'll never (at least here) get a ticket for driving over weight but they'll for sure get in deep for driving without a CDL. A very common sight here is a 3/4 ton truck towing a trailer with heavy equipment that really should be behind a dually -- clearly riding the bump-stops, sometimes bumper pulling it in which case saying they have dangerously low levels of contact on the front tires would be a gross understatement. There's also special taxes and fees regulated, exemptions, etc - I'm sure you know this - it's just a mess like most government regulation. Anyway, years ago I was looking for a new truck when there was a shortage and I looked at a Ram 2500 megacab and when I saw the payload I was shocked to see it was just a couple hundred pounds more than my 1500. Even though it would have certainly been a better tow vehicle than what I had, we were looking to go from a 10klb bumper pull to a larger 5th wheel and my first thought was that just wasn't even a possibility with such low payload. Video here confirms my thoughts there. I'm sure there's a 5th wheel you can tow with a 3/4 ton, legally, but seems like a waste unless you have to do it for regulatory reasons. That said, I've read forum posts of guys who bought Ford SD Tremor's because the F250 Tremor (was?) is just a de-rated and re-badged F350 Tremor. So they'd be technically over weight from a legal perspective but from the truck's actual capability not. Not advising anyone do that, but I somewhat understand why they'd do it - though I'd never go that route, risk of liability and all that.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Nicely done. Years ago, magazines like Trailer Life would routinely and repetitively educate RVers on this topic. That’s back in the dinosaur days. Thanks for the write up.
Inadequate payload numbers, to handle a fifth wheel safely, and yet, RAM includes the fifth wheel prep package, from the factory! You can't make this stuff up!
5th wheel prep is also gooseneck prep.
WTF is that payload????!!😂😂😂
Great job with some challenging material. I've run these numbers on my '21 RAM Mega Cab Limited over and over, while looking at upgrading to a fifth wheel from my Airstream. My assessment is that the RAM 2500 Limited Mega Cab is a great Cowboy Cadillac (I love my interior and it is a beautiful truck!) and quite capable of towing some heavier trailers but not great for fifth wheels. I'm looking at Duallies now and the prices are great at this time! Good luck JB!
Ram only rates 2500 trucks at a max 10K payload, Ford and GM are rating 3/4 ton trucks over 11K now.
On top of that both Ford and GM make extensive use of aluminum in the body and engines of their diesel trucks. Lower vehicle weight with a higher GVWR means a higher payload.
Note that the GCAWR rating for the Ram 2500s are right around 12K. The truck has the running gear and capability to haul more payload, it’s primarily a matter of how Ram wants to classify 2500s in certain states for registration and insurance purposes. Does that mean you should exceed payload by 1500 lbs? No, but I wouldn’t sweat a few hundred pounds over.
I have a RAM 2500 Rebel 6.4 with sunroof, level 2, etc.. and the payload is 2970.
My ram 2500 with bags pull my 3 axle toy with toy just fine thank you!
1800 lb of payload on HD is comical 😂😂😂 weak!
Can you share this spreadsheet?
Better to have too much truck for your trailer than too much trailer for your truck.
Yes bring back weight watchers
Love the video. 👍
I tow a 13,000 lb fifth wheel with my ram 2500 6.7 Cummins and zero issues. I will upgrade to a one ton , but I have no problem pulling this RV now. My truck says it’s rated to tow 17,980 lbs. if I’m under that and something happens, that’s all on ram. I also see ram 3500’s pulling 25 000lbs or more without the H.O. . I love your videos but this is the first time I’ve disagreed.
That bedroom lip is from the steel framing. Rhino box frames remove that steel beam across the bed.
JB you ommitted the 5th wheel hitch weight, subtract another 150-200#.
I pull a forest river 335lrle 5th wheel with my 2500 3/4 6.5ft bed,no issues.
Good info buddy
My neighbor has a much larger rig than that he's been hauling around for a couple of years. I thought it was a 3500 RAM extended cab single wheel, but no. It's a 2500 diesel. Same truck I have (except I don't have the super cab). I haul my 8000 pound airstream around like it's nothing. No big deal here in Florida, but when we were out in Arizona, Utah and Colorado it still pulled like a champ. I'm not interested in operating a rig that exceeds the specs by such a huge amount.
It's not about the pulling power, most HD engines will easily pull these trailers. It's about brakes, axle strength, transmission abuse and the rear suspension.
Oh your neighbor will he fine for a while, but eventually things will probably start failing, for him, or the next owner.
JB do you have that spreadsheet for the towing numbers that you can share
You fail to mention that this is a mega cab ram 2500 with 4x4 which has a much lower payload than a crew cab 2x4
Yeah it's basically a trophy truck. Lol Id love to have one, I don't haul anything. I'm an oilfield contactor.
What spreadsheet are you using need it
I see 3/4 ton trucks towing 35 - 40 foot fifth wheels everywhere, because they don’t know what they’re doing
I’ve pulled a 43 footer with my 2500 and know exactly what I’m doing
You do realize there is very little difference between a 3/4 and 1 ton SRW truck don't you?Most 3/4 trucks have the same power plant, brakes, axles ect... Rear springs are usually the difference in the trucks. Payload is a regulatory rating. That said, I believe anyone towing that size of equipment should use a dually.
My chev 2500 diesel LT has over 3200lbs payload
@Byron88
Well all new chevy 2500s are 1 ton trucks.
ruclips.net/video/qwFLOBrADBs/видео.htmlsi=ewkW8_TMUvMax3F9
That payload is embarrassing
I was led to believe the formula to get the payload uses a regulatory number meant more for registration/DOT purposes than actual vehicle capabilities (the GVWR). That being said, i would think the GAWR is more indicative of what the vehicle can handle, weight wise? 🤔
Mega cabs have a horrible payload number. What 5th wheel size and weight can you pull with a regular 2500?
Awesome video
If you ever been to Glammis...anyone driving a 2500 gives zero cares about the payload the door sticker!
3/4 ton trucks are basically for groceries and homeowner handyman
disagree, my 3/4 ton gasser has a payload of 3959 and would easily handle those 5th wheel towing numers
@@hularock2705but not the GCWR
@@EA288-VW How do you figure? I have a GCVWR of 17,700
@@hularock2705 majority of consumers out there that tow fifth wheels with a 3/4 ton are over the GVWR and definitely payload. They have no business towing what they are towing.
@@EA288-VW I 100% agree, I was referencing the 5th wheel in the video.
I'd be leery of any fifth wheel that is light enough to be 1/2 ton towable. It means they saved weight by using cheaper and thinner materials. These things take a beating going down the road. If you ever watched a video of the inside of a trailer as it's going down the road, you should be amazed at the fact that all the cupboards stay mounted to the walls.
I have a triple axle seismic. I like that it's heavy, it stays planted, but it still does a lot of rocking and rolling.
The truck derated , it can tow a lot more, remember it is just a Sticker.
business or private, either way, its really not worth it to be over the numbers. Not only can you be sued in civil court in an accident (at fault or not), insurance can use that against you as well to not cover you.
not true, insurance will cover you, they may cancel you afterwards. If your statement is true then they would reject all those DUI accidents. You can be sued in civil court even if your truck is in limits. By your logic a jacked up mall cruiser is perfectly fine towing a toy hauler because the payload sticker says so? All that said, I am a firm believer that most 5th wheels and large travel trailers should be towed with a dually.
@@jimedwards2511 dont read much eh? I stated "CAN" not "will". thats the beauty of insurance, they get to make that decision to cover you or not...and yes, if that jacked up mall cruiser is within limits, then yes, he can LEGALLY tow, doesnt mean its safe.....
@@nunyobizkneez I do read, that's why I commented on your post. The insurance company WILL cover the accident.
Most of those Ram 3/4 tons have coil spring rear suspension, thus the low payload numbers. Ford/GM don't use that type of setup, thus their 3/4 ton ratings are much higher. Upgrade to a ram 3500 and you get the leaf spring with much higher payload.
coil springs have nothing to do with the payload rating. Ford has 3/4 trucks with leaf springs rated at 10000 too. Payload is a regulatory rating.
GM max tow 3/4 is the way to go.
The real question is how much can a Ram tow before it breaks down or breaks in half?
Limited by the small payload of the 2500 CTD
A ram 2500 diesel doesn't make any sense. The 6.4 has more payload by a significant amount and with 4:10 can tow just as much. Thank you for the video
Very different power curve, a turbo diesel will give you much more instant tq then a gas vehicle, especially when you have a inline 6 like the Cummins
Makes perfect sense for some people. I would rather have the Cummins all day long vs. that 6.4L.
The amount of people that you're over capacity is insane. Uhual will even put hitches on small sedans which should be a crime 😂
Wow, I see a lot of and I mean a lot of 3/4 ton towing way more the allowable size 5th wheel, I have been education my wife traveling cross country how they shouldn't be towing that, I explain to her about payload and she was amaze how so many people towing over there limit, but hey, who I'm I, and if you confront them on it, which I will never do that they will tell you it can tow. I like to be safe and this is why I bought a dually to tow my North Point, could I get by with a single wheel, I probably can but I choose to not do that, anyway I wish people would watch this video.
My 2008 dodge ram 1500 with the 4.7l single cab 4x4 has 1,390 payload that’s odd
That Ram will immediately snap in half if you try to pull that fifth wheel 😂…👀
Properly equipped 3/4 can be around 3k. But that's still not towing anything but small fivers
I tow 22k with my swr 3500😂
That truck should be able to handle 16k easy.
payload is a regulatory rating. GAWR is what you should be concerned about and a truck like this has over a 3000 GAWR rating.
Why would you even buy a 2500 of you want to tow a 5th wheel? 3500 is like only 1K more in price.
I've always wondered why people buy 3/4 ton trucks and try to tow heavy with them. Varies by state, but it seems to usually come down to government regulation. In my state, if you have a 1 ton+ you have to have a CDL if the truck is used for any commercial purpose. As a result of that regulation what you end up seeing is a lot of overloaded 3/4 ton trucks towing way, WAY over weight because they'll never (at least here) get a ticket for driving over weight but they'll for sure get in deep for driving without a CDL.
A very common sight here is a 3/4 ton truck towing a trailer with heavy equipment that really should be behind a dually -- clearly riding the bump-stops, sometimes bumper pulling it in which case saying they have dangerously low levels of contact on the front tires would be a gross understatement.
There's also special taxes and fees regulated, exemptions, etc - I'm sure you know this - it's just a mess like most government regulation.
Anyway, years ago I was looking for a new truck when there was a shortage and I looked at a Ram 2500 megacab and when I saw the payload I was shocked to see it was just a couple hundred pounds more than my 1500. Even though it would have certainly been a better tow vehicle than what I had, we were looking to go from a 10klb bumper pull to a larger 5th wheel and my first thought was that just wasn't even a possibility with such low payload. Video here confirms my thoughts there. I'm sure there's a 5th wheel you can tow with a 3/4 ton, legally, but seems like a waste unless you have to do it for regulatory reasons.
That said, I've read forum posts of guys who bought Ford SD Tremor's because the F250 Tremor (was?) is just a de-rated and re-badged F350 Tremor. So they'd be technically over weight from a legal perspective but from the truck's actual capability not. Not advising anyone do that, but I somewhat understand why they'd do it - though I'd never go that route, risk of liability and all that.
There is nothing illegal in all 50 states about exceeding a regulatory payload rating. GAWR is what you should be concerned with.
You lost me on the trailer interior and features walk thru
These comments.🤦🏻♂️
Tomorrow’s video.. GMC can do it better. 😂😅😊
only a girl buys a shortbed, and id be pissed if i bought a new truck and you already ran it hard to just make a youtube video