300lbs....Really?

[Firewall]

So I went to look at a 2015 Silverado 3500HD today at a dealer. I am searching because I know I am at or near my current 2500's capacity. My current truck has a payload capacity of 2853lbs, it's a 6.0 with 4:10's. The truck pulls and handles my new 5th wheel with no issues at all. The "dry" pin weight being 1980lbs so I am guessing with me and the DW in the truck and the 5'er ready for camping I am most likely pretty close to the limits.

Here is the strange part, the 3500 had a payload of only 3104lbs and to boot it was a work truck, nothing fancy on it at all. I just could not pull the trigger on it (besides the fact that I did not like the color) knowing I am gaining almost nothing. I'm beginning to think these stickers don't really mean too much!

[Javi]

By any chance was the 3500 a diesel...???

[Firewall]

No, that's the surprising thing! 6.0 gasser!

[Laredo Tugger]

Well I think your 4:10 helps with the tow part but not sure if it increases payload.
I am impressed with your pin weight for a 36 ft. 5er. I did not know a trailer that large could have a pin weight that low. Good for you and your 2500.
As for what stickers mean,well that came up in another thread. And essentially they are a guide (as I understood),but if things go south on the road and really bad things happen it was debated whether you could expect contact from the other parties attorney to check your VIN and weight and have your insurance company ignore your claim. But in such a case I imagine those "stickers" will have their say.
I went from a F250 gasser to a Ram 3500 SRW CTD Aisin Trans. and 5er tow package for a pin weight of 2085. And have had feedback that my payload may not be enough or real close, Just another guy on the road pushing limits I guess. At least I am well above the numbers on the gasser.

[Badbart56]

This is what came back on the Ford VIN decoder for my 2011 6.7 Diesel F350:

Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.
21300 lbs

Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.
5325 lbs

Gross Combined Wt Rating
30000 lbs

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap
13000

I'm thinking that the truck you are looking at is limited due to it being a gas engine. The diesel engines basically have twice the torque that the gas engines have.

[Badbart56]

Granted, mine is a dually.

[fjr vfr]

Strangely the trucks gross vehicle weight will be the same whether gas or diesel. This means the gas truck will have a few hundred pounds more payload since it will weigh less empty. This also applies to whether it's a 4x2 or 4x4. The 4x2 will have a slightly higher payload and combined number due to it weighing less than the 4x4 empty.

However the combined gross weight will be higher for the diesel due to it's added torque. Final gear ratio is also a factor in combined weight.
All this applies when comparing apples to apples. In other words the same year model and brand with the different configurations.
One other note, the capacities keep going up every few years. In very many cases a 2017 2500 will have a higher rating than say a 2008 3500, etc.
So good luck finding the right truck.

[JRTJH]

First, we need to know that we're comparing apples to apples. What I mean by that is this: All manufacturers offer specific GVW packages for the 350/3500 class trucks. You can order it with a 10k GVW up to a 11.5K GVW.

If you find one truck that's GVW is 11,000 pounds, an "identically equipped truck with a GVW of 11,400 and a third with a GVW of 10,500, then all three trucks, even though they are identically equipped, will have different yellow stickers because of the GVW.

That said, don't believe any of the brochure/internet data regarding a specific truck. As was posted yesterday, the RAM VIN payload site does not provide specific vehicle information, but rather uses the VIN to "drill down to specific model only"... Any optional equipment added to the truck will not be deducted from that website payload data, so it's a "best guess". ALWAYS CHECK THE SPECIFIC TRUCK DECAL ON THE DOOR POST.....

I think there may be some GVW differences in the OP's truck that he looked at. That would alter the payload and may be the reason he only sees 300 pounds of increased payload.

Just a guess on my part, but something to consider as an explanation.

[Ken / Claudia]

I am guessing here since it has been awhile when I went through different GVWRs on 250s/350s and even 150s. With the first 2 you need to compare the same trim package, engine, transmission, cab, bed and drivetrain. Than you come up with the real difference in payload etc. Looking back on Fords as a example they made 250/350s packages with different tires and wheels, some more sporty vs payload. That in itself will made a big difference on the final numbers.

[fjr vfr]

First, we need to know that we're comparing apples to apples. What I mean by that is this: All manufacturers offer specific GVW packages for the 350/3500 class trucks. You can order it with a 10k GVW up to a 11.5K GVW.

I think there may be some GVW differences in the OP's truck that he looked at. That would alter the payload and may be the reason he only sees 300 pounds of increased payload.

Just a guess on my part, but something to consider as an explanation.


Yeah, there's a lot of missing information here for sure.
I guess my "apples to apples" was a little vague? I was just saying you need to compare the same year and model truck if you expect predictable numbers. When you compare different years, brands and models the results can vary quite a bit.

[CWSWine]

It's been 2 years since I shopped for trucks but the last time I was shopping you couldn't get a gas 1 ton Ford or GMC with 11,500 GVWR. GMC gas in 2016 topped out at 10,900 GVWR.

[sourdough]

It's been 2 years since I shopped for trucks but the last time I was shopping you couldn't get a gas 1 ton Ford or GMC with 11,500 GVWR. GMC gas in 2016 topped out at 10,900 GVWR.

Just looked at the build and price for a Silverado 3500 and the gas engine has a 10,800 gvwr and the diesel is 11,500.

[CWSWine]

Been a few years it may have been 10,800. If you think about an F250 GAS with a 10,000 GVWR and F350 Gas with 10,800 GVWR with the same options would be around 800 pounds more payload in the F350. Throw in options in F350 and it could easily be 300 or 400 pounds difference.

[Javi]

Last time I looked a F250/2500 was either 9600 or 10,000 and a F350/3500 was 10,000 or 11,500

My XL F250 2WD 6.7 was 10K with 2662 if I remember correctly..

[Firewall]

It was 10K GVW my current truck is 9500. And the axle was 7K my current truck is 6200 which was a big factor, just not enough at this point. Does anybody think that buying in the spring is better then this time of year?

Thanks for all of your replies!

[rhagfo]

So I went to look at a 2015 Silverado 3500HD today at a dealer. I am searching because I know I am at or near my current 2500's capacity. My current truck has a payload capacity of 2853lbs, it's a 6.0 with 4:10's. The truck pulls and handles my new 5th wheel with no issues at all. The "dry" pin weight being 1980lbs so I am guessing with me and the DW in the truck and the 5'er ready for camping I am most likely pretty close to the limits.

Here is the strange part, the 3500 had a payload of only 3104lbs and to boot it was a work truck, nothing fancy on it at all. I just could not pull the trigger on it (besides the fact that I did not like the color) knowing I am gaining almost nothing. I'm beginning to think these stickers don't really mean too much!

Well with a 5er with a GVWR of just shy of 14,000# and a listed Dry weight of 11,575# do you really want to tow that with a gas engine?
If I were you I would be looking at a DRW with diesel.
You can do it but not going to be fun.

[bscid]

My 2014 Silverado Crew diesel 2500 SRW GVW = 11,690
My 2015 Silverado Crew diesel 3500 DRW GVW = 13,025

Curb weight, fuel, tools, hitch, 2 people, 2 dogs, wife's purse = 9000
Camper is 14,710 and pin is 20% of that so = 3100(actual)
9000 + 3100 = 12,100 so about a 1000# to spare

(Escapee RV Smart Scale was used to gather info)

[Kevinc2011]

My 2017 Ram 3500 max tow, Aisin trans equipped drw has gvwr of 14,000 and a GCVWR of 39,100 lbs. rated to tow a 30,000 lb fifth wheel. I pull a 21K Dynamax Residential with ease, and I believe the full rated tow cap that was published. My curb weight with hitch, etc was 9K total, and rawr is 9750, with unloaded being around 2500 lbs. the air suspension puts it back perfectly level when I hook up, but I am only running about 3200 lbs of pin weight.