Warning: Don't believe the salesman or the literature

[talk2cpu]

Just purchased a 2014 RAM 1500 crew 4x4 6.5' RamBox with 3.21 axle. RAM's literature shows this truck by VIN has a payload rating or 1260 or 1360 or 1409 lbs. Unsure why the 150 lb difference, could be the RamBox. We tow a 2011 Passport 250bh with max loaded weight of 6200lbs and we currently are running only about 5500-5600 with a hitch weight of about 650lbs.

Where I run into the problem ( I know, my fault I didn't check it) is the door post sticker says max payload with cargo and passengers is 1060lbs. WTH? That is 200-350lbs less than any published specs I can find for this exact truck.

So I am stuck with the truck and only hope the WD hitch and possibly some air lift bags in the springs will get the ride as we hoped. This will be our travel package for 6 months of the year. Just hope we don't get checked and they go by the sticker on the door post.

SO REMEMBER, don't use any of the literature, read the info posted on the truck.
Tom

[x96mnn]

The weights in the leitiuture and websites list max payload for that style truck with no options. Add stereo, power options, upgraded seats, floor mats, bed liner tow hooks, skid plates trailer hitch, trailer tow break and so on, all weigh something and take payload away.

[GaryWT]

The rambox seems like it would weight more than a standard bed which is most likely what is in print. Have heard that Dodge /Ram has a lower payload than other trucks. Will make things tight for sure nut that number on the door is the one to go by. Be sure to keep everything in the trailer and limit the truck to just passengers.

[talk2cpu]

The weights in the leitiuture and websites list max payload for that style truck with no options. Add stereo, power options, upgraded seats, floor mats, bed liner tow hooks, skid plates trailer hitch, trailer tow break and so on, all weigh something and take payload away.

Still can't figure out why the VIN lookup got it wrong. There were no "dealer options" just straight from the factory.

Anyone know if the 20" wheels lower the payload?

[x96mnn]

Not sure if the 20" tires lower the payload but they do drop the tow capacity by 200pds.

[wahoonc]

Not sure if the 20" tires lower the payload but they do drop the tow capacity by 200pds.

They do on the Fords with them, not sure why though...

Aaron:cool:

[Hercules1978]

My '11 Silverado has a lower payload capacity due to the 20" rims. This was described to me by the dealer as due to having a lower profile tire with a smaller "air cushion" to support the load

[audio1der]

The RAM payloads are determined by trim level,so if the 20"s decrease capacity, it would be "buried" inside that calculation. I've read a lot of charts and literature (RAM) and have never heard that before.
All that matters is the door sticker. It's unfortunate and strange that theVIN lookup differs on your truck.
Do yourself a favor and decide whether a set of Airlift bags or upgraded springs are better suited for ridding yourself of towing sag. We're very pleased with our Airlifts but now that ours is 100% towing duty only I would rather have stiffer coils and not worry about pressure or leaks.
The ride quality of a RAM when empty, is second to none though; enjoy it.:)

[talk2cpu]

How was it to install the AirLift system? Did you opt for the remote fill?

The RAM payloads are determined by trim level,so if the 20"s decrease capacity, it would be "buried" inside that calculation. I've read a lot of charts and literature (RAM) and have never heard that before.
All that matters is the door sticker. It's unfortunate and strange that theVIN lookup differs on your truck.
Do yourself a favor and decide whether a set of Airlift bags or upgraded springs are better suited for ridding yourself of towing sag. We're very pleased with our Airlifts but now that ours is 100% towing duty only I would rather have stiffer coils and not worry about pressure or leaks.
The ride quality of a RAM when empty, is second to none though; enjoy it.:)

[sourdough]

talk2cpu

I installed the Airlift 1000s on my 2012 Ram 1500. It took a couple of hours. You need to be able to lift your truck to extend the springs then insert the bags into the springs...the hardest part but not extremely difficult. This time of year you would want the bags warm to make them more pliable. I did not install the auto fill w/pump. I just ran the airline out the back thru the plastic above the bumper. I aired up using a small, heavy duty portable air compressor (12 V). When aired down you have the OE ride of the 1500 which is unbeatable and something I didn't want to lose (until I bought my 2500:( .

[natedog_37]

The Ram box take away the load you can care. You will be fine. and man why the 3.21 gears. Way to low to tow in my mind. My 3:55 suck in my mind.

My Mods
http://tuftruck.com/products/dodge
BullyDog tuner
http://www.truckspring.com/suspension-parts/fixed-load-support/timbren-kit.aspx Bump stop helpers
Rancho 9500 rear 10 way shocks
Rancho quicklift with 9500 shocks.
Slotted Front and rear rotors
better pads

etc etc. Above is a good start. problem with 2012 and up are the front diff is welded so you can't change gearing..

I pull my trail level even with the 2 1/2 lift in front, and tow my 35 foot in closed car trailer full loaded with no issues

[sourdough]

natedog is correct on the 3.21 gearing. The air bags will help with sag and sway but there's not much you can do with such low gearing. Definitely not conducive to pulling 6000 lbs. Be sure and use tow/haul mode and just lock the tranny in 4th (you may actually have to go to 3rd). One of my trucks had the 3.55 (which is still a little tall) and it ran in 4th most of the time pulling my 8000lb+ trailer.

[talk2cpu]

Even though it is the 3.21 it does have the 8 speed which should make up for the axle somewhat. I will keep in tow/haul mode and we historically only drive 55-65. No need to get there and wait.

natedog is correct on the 3.21 gearing. The air bags will help with sag and sway but there's not much you can do with such low gearing. Definitely not conducive to pulling 6000 lbs. Be sure and use tow/haul mode and just lock the tranny in 4th (you may actually have to go to 3rd). One of my trucks had the 3.55 (which is still a little tall) and it ran in 4th most of the time pulling my 8000lb+ trailer.

[sourdough]

I have not had the pleasure of owning the 8 speed (I think it will be great). It will also help with the towing but you will still need to be in a lower gear although I don't know which. Pick one that will have your truck spinning 2500 rpm or so if possible on flat ground (my thoughts). The 3.21 will want to downshift very quickly with a headwind or a slight hill.

[natedog_37]

The 8 speed is nice but like the 6 speed it likes to hunt for gears. When i towed the popup the truck stayed in 5th most of the time.

What I do like is when in tow mode the truck uses the engine to help break. It will allow you to stay in the gear and use the engine as a brake to help. Problem is when taking off it like to stay in 3rd gear way way to long. Tuner helped me fix that.

Airbags, and bump stop helpers both will work.

Better shocks and struts alone made a huge different on my truck. Normal driving I am at 5 front 5 rear rides better than stock.

Towing I move to 5 front, 10 rear and it is night and day. I test both settings on the same part of the highway. 5/5 the trailer was moving everywhere.

5/10 steady no issues.

The hemis are monsters, and I have yet to have a issue 70,000 on my 2012. and I tow a ton in the summer just keep up with the plugs they need changed every 30,000 miles.

[notanlines]

Nathan, what would make you think that plugs need to be changed every 30K? That is simply unheard of in 2015, I don't care what truck you drive.

[Ram189]

Nathan, what would make you think that plugs need to be changed every 30K? That is simply unheard of in 2015, I don't care what truck you drive.

The Hemis are every 30k. Have been forever. I think the Fiat 1.4T is every 30k also on plugs.

[x96mnn]

The Hemis are every 30k. Have been forever. I think the Fiat 1.4T is every 30k also on plugs.

+2 on this, that is what Ram and the dealer told me, they stated it was in the manual. i never looked but was taken back cause the sales guy told me 100k KMs.

Not sure if the 6.4 is the same, know they run on 87 octane fuel not 89 like the 5.7 so they may be different.

[bobbecky]

I think I would be looking for another set of wheels and tires to use when towing. I would also consider temp gauges for the tranny and the differential. Using a half ton truck to pull those loads will develop a lot of heat in the gears which will degrade the lubricants and destroy the metal if not monitored. Might also make sure high grade synthetic fluids are used.

[natedog_37]

Nathan, what would make you think that plugs need to be changed every 30K? That is simply unheard of in 2015, I don't care what truck you drive.

As other have said manual and dealers all say change plugs. At around 25K my truck started to run ruff, Changed all 16 plugs and she was running great.

There not hard to do and dealer charge for the work isn't bad if you don't want to. Hemi are all this way.

Also I use my tuner for all the gauge info. It sees everything the ECU sees and can display it. The dash can only display one thing at a time.