Towing a Sprinter 324FWBHS-WB with RAM

[Khunt]

OK so we are looking to pull the Sprinter 324FWBHS with a 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 Tradesman with the 6.4 liter V8 Hemi 4x4 (4.10 axle ratio) Dodge site says max towing is 16,300. Shipping weight of 5ver is 10407 and carrying capacity is 3043..............On paper it says no problem but......

Just want to know that we will be able to tow with no problem from those who really know!!!

Thanks!!
Kim

[therink]

You are ok as far as weight of the trailer. You will have no problem with the 6.4 and 4:10 axle combo. The only concern or thing to confirm is available payload iin the truck for the pin weight once you havethe truck loaded for camping with passengers, hitch, gear, etc.
Once you load the trailer (say 1500 lbs gear and options), the trailer will likely weigh about 12k. The pin will weigh around 20 percent of the loaded trailer weight, or around 2400 lbs.
Check the sticker in the drivers door jamb. It should indicate how many lbs cargo you can load in the truck (payload). Rough Example of how the truck will be loaded when hitched : 2400 lb pin + 500 lbs passengers + 150 lb hitch + 300 lbs misc in bed = 3350 lbs. With this scenario, you will want the payload rating (sticker) of the truck to be equal to or greater than 3350 lbs.
Fifth wheel rvs carry 20 percent of their weight on the pin/hitch, whereas travel trailers (tow behind) carry about 13 percent of their weight on the pin.
While today's 3/4 ton trucks have huge Towing capacities (in your case 16,300), they are limited on payload capabilities (hitch weight). My guess is that you will be ok. To be sure, load the truck as if camping (passengers, 300 lbs of stuff in bed, full fuel) and weigh the truck at a scale. This will tell you how many lbs are available for pin weight before you exceed the truck payload capacity.

[GaryWT]

X2, hopefully you have the payload.

[Khunt]

Thank you therink!!!! You are full of great info! So glad you are here to help us newbies know what we are doing!! There is a lot more to think about then you think when you start getting into all this!!

On paper it says this trucks' payload is 3972.

Kim

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Khunt

Thank you therink!!!! You are full of great info! So glad you are here to help us newbies know what we are doing!! There is a lot more to think about then you think when you start getting into all this!!

On paper it says this trucks' payload is 3972.

Kim

Kim,

If "on paper" you mean what's advertised in the brochure or what is listed in the specifications section of the Chrysler webpage, That's the "maximum payload" for the model series base truck. What that means is the "lightest truck in the series with no options". It's an advertising gimmick used by all the manufacturers to stay "one up" on the competition.

As models of that truck add options, the payload goes down. One significant option is gas/diesel power. Most diesels weigh about 800 lbs more than a comparable gas engine, so that's a HUGE chunk of payload that's reduced. Also, consider things like "electric seats, electric windows, upgrade carpet, leather seats, consoles, navigation systems, running boards, bed inserts/sprayon bed liners, chrome package, fifth wheel prep package, sunroof, and the list goes on and on. Each of those options reduces the "payload on paper" and some "luxury models" can have 1500 or 2000 pounds less payload than advertised.

The only real way to determine a specific truck's payload capacity is to look at the yellow sticker on the driver's doorjamb. Remember, if the dealer (or previous owner) has added extra "stuff" after the truck left the factory, that payload sticker is no longer accurate. Then, the only way to know for sure is to weigh the truck with a full fuel tank and subtract that weight from the GVW. Once you get that value, then start reducing for any cargo/passengers you add to the "mix"... Yes, it can get complicated and there's no "real sure way" to get the information unless the truck is sitting in front of you. What you see in the advertising literature is "an estimate" at best and can be "significantly wrong" depending on "real world circumstances"......

[gtsum2]

I would be shocked if the real payload (door Sticker) is anything over 2600 or so...let alone almost 4000...which is where my ram 3500 is

[Khunt]

Originally Posted by gtsum2

I would be shocked if the real payload (door Sticker) is anything over 2600 or so...let alone almost 4000...which is where my ram 3500 is

gtsum2

The load information sticker on the truck door itself says 3040 lbs payload
and 15470 lbs tow rating! This is with the 4.1 axle ratio.

[Hoojs12840]

My 2014 cougar 330 rbk FULLY loaded. (And we take a crap ton of stuff) has a 2700lb pin weight. dry weight from factory was 9870, it weighed 9895 with full propane and battery. weighed once full and it was 11200. So about 24% was pin weight.

The sprinter your looking at is similar so I would expect those numbers to be close. Take your dodge and weight it with fuel and see what the weights are and do the math.

I suspect you will be fine.


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[jjboyz1]

You have a Ram it will toy with no problems. I tow a 2013 Raptor 395 with my 2013 2500 Ram Cumins, not one problem at all. Added airbags and she pulls like a dream and that Raptor weight 15000 dry 18000 loaded.

[gtsum2]

Originally Posted by Khunt

gtsum2

The load information sticker on the truck door itself says 3040 lbs payload
and 15470 lbs tow rating! This is with the 4.1 axle ratio.

That's. Ore than I would have guessed and a long way from the paper capacity. Pretty good payload for a ram 2500 though. You won't like the mpg with that rig, but u should be good to go otherwise. Good luck!

[gtsum2]

Originally Posted by jjboyz1

You have a Ram it will toy with no problems. I tow a 2013 Raptor 395 with my 2013 2500 Ram Cumins, not one problem at all. Added airbags and she pulls like a dream and that Raptor weight 15000 dry 18000 loaded.

You sir have a very nice th!! That being said, I have a 2014 ram 3500 cummins with 4076lbs payload per door sticker and I wouldn't be towing that 395. That is firmly in dually territory IMO, but best of luck to u.