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Old 05-10-2021, 02:37 PM   #81
sourdough
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Originally Posted by marine9007 View Post
I loaded up my 5th wheel last weekend and put the hitch scale on and the max weight was 1900lbs. Adding 100# for the hitch + 30# for additional driver weight over 150# (per GM) and 100# for tools, the total was 2100# - under the 2700# max. It towed like there was nothing attached and braking was quite effortless (with the Exhaust brake on).

I feel confident and safe towing with my 2500 Silverado....

You might want to check that hitch scale - real quick. I have a 331RL as well. My trailer weighs on avg. 12,7xx give or take (maybe a little more once I throw in another 80lbs of wood pellets ). My pin comes in at 21% generally; 2650-2700lbs. If "loaded up" you will be getting close to that if not over - if you're really "loaded" (I use approx. 1/2 of my carrying capacity) you will really be over. Heck, the DRY pin weight published by Keystone for the trailer is 2265 lbs. !!! Find a scale....and I'd be thinking about another truck; I refused to even look at the 331RL when I had a 2500....with a 3100 payload, not 2700.
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Old 05-11-2021, 06:41 AM   #82
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The Sherline scale should be close to the actuals. I am not sure why it would be off by that much.
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Old 05-11-2021, 07:06 AM   #83
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The Sherline scale should be close to the actuals. I am not sure why it would be off by that much.
Best way to check that is with a weigh slip at the scales. I also use a SherLine tongue scale (travel trailer not fiver) which I verified by comparing it to a CAT scale reading. A CAT scale, or other certified scale is accepted by the DOT and States because it's certified to be accurate within the parameters dictated by the governing bodies. Takes all the "should bes", "I thinks", and calculating out of the discussion.
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Old 05-11-2021, 07:17 AM   #84
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The Sherline scale should be close to the actuals. I am not sure why it would be off by that much.

I don't know why it would be off that much either....that's a lot. We may load differently, and I doubt you carry 3 cooking devices (griddle/smoker/bbq grill) up front. Probably not impossible but I would sure want to check it.
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Old 05-11-2021, 07:18 AM   #85
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The Sherline scale should be close to the actuals. I am not sure why it would be off by that much.


Big truck big rv channel, he had a hard time getting consistent accuracy
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Old 05-11-2021, 07:43 AM   #86
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Big truck big rv channel, he had a hard time getting consistent accuracy
Interesting but sounds like he may have a bad one. The model I have is the original so it's different and it's been accurate for the 8 -9 years that I've had it. I would place no confidence in his testing by using a fork lift. That's not a stable platform with hydraulics supporting lift and tilt of the forks and the compression of the tires. That's like placing your bathroom scale on a rug and weighing yourself.
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Old 05-25-2021, 09:56 AM   #87
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GVWR Payload Calc

Hey Guys.

I am new here as well. I purchased the same truck as Redbull. I found this Excel spreadsheet that you can play with the numbers.

https://www.keepyourdaydream.com/payload/

Based on the numbers from the "Cougar Half-Ton 32BHS" and "2021 Ram 2500 Tradesman 6.4L 3.73", The math works.

I can see by adjusting the numbers how close you are to overload.
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Old 05-25-2021, 11:18 AM   #88
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Originally Posted by r9brian View Post
Hey Guys.

I am new here as well. I purchased the same truck as Redbull. I found this Excel spreadsheet that you can play with the numbers.

https://www.keepyourdaydream.com/payload/

Based on the numbers from the "Cougar Half-Ton 32BHS" and "2021 Ram 2500 Tradesman 6.4L 3.73", The math works.

I can see by adjusting the numbers how close you are to overload.
I'm possibly just reading the spreadsheet wrong but you have the truck payload at 3030. Is that from the sticker?

The reason I'm asking is that your payload is GVWR - curb weight (10,000 - 7,236). That would make the actual usable payload at 2,764.
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Old 05-25-2021, 11:56 AM   #89
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My Stickers

Actually, my door sticker says not to exceed 3345lbs.

Are the new HEMI engines that much lighter than the Cummins?
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Old 05-25-2021, 12:30 PM   #90
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Updated Spreadsheet

If I use 3345lbs as my payload... that would mean the truck only weighs 6655lbs.

So. the newer 3/4 ton RAMs are getting lighter from the factory? Cheaper parts and less metal where is should be?
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Old 05-25-2021, 01:47 PM   #91
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On a trip a few weeks ago I came up behind a travel trailer that was traveling on the interstate, (I-40), well under the speed limit. It was a windy day, and the tail was waggin' the dog. When I passed them I noticed it was being towed by a new Ford Ranger. The trailer was a smaller tandem axle. My first thought was, "that truck can't possibly be rated for that much weight". When I got home I looked up the specs., and found it is rated for a 7500lb trailer, and 1400-1800lbs payload. The truck weighs approximately 4150lbs. This truck seemed to me, and looked very overloaded, even though it was likely within the "numbers" the factory rated it for. This setup doesn't seem safe to me. I would much rather have a 2500/250 loaded near the "numbers", than to travel with that unit. I have found a fifth wheel to be much more stable, even when loaded near max payload, than any travel trailer of similar size, that is bumper pull, even if it is well below the factory specs. JMHO
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Old 05-25-2021, 01:54 PM   #92
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Originally Posted by r9brian View Post
If I use 3345lbs as my payload... that would mean the truck only weighs 6655lbs.

So. the newer 3/4 ton RAMs are getting lighter from the factory? Cheaper parts and less metal where is should be?
I think your towable numbers are backwards also. Unloaded weight should be lower than GVW of the trailer. GVW of the trailer looks to be12,500. Real hitch weight will be about 2800lbs.
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Old 05-25-2021, 02:42 PM   #93
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Originally Posted by r9brian View Post
If I use 3345lbs as my payload... that would mean the truck only weighs 6655lbs.

So. the newer 3/4 ton RAMs are getting lighter from the factory? Cheaper parts and less metal where is should be?
Your numbers aren't adding up.....

First, your unloaded trailer weight is 12300 and your trailer GVWR (max weight) is 12500. That means you can only have 200 pounds of cargo ??

Then, on the left side, if the truck GVW is 9505 and the trailer weighs 12500, that adds up to 22005. If the GCWR (max combined weight) is 21500, then you're 505 over the max with a trailer with 200 pounds of cargo ?? If your trailer loaded weight is 12300 and the truck weighs 9505, then the total is 21805, still 305 over the combined maximum rating. If the 12300 is the "loaded trailer (with your cargo included) then the pin weight would be around 2705 (22%) not 2000 pounds (16.7%)

Then, If you have a truck payload of 3345 and load 850 pounds of cargo/passengers into the truck, that leaves 2495 for the hitch and the trailer pin. Most hitches weigh between 150-300 pounds and are not included in the 20-25% of trailer weight (most people use 22% to calculate weights), so with a trailer of 12500, 22% for pin weight would be 2750. Add the hitch weight (let's use 150 for a "low end non sliding hitch) would be 2900 pounds for the trailer and hitch... So, with 2495 of remaining payload and adding 2900 pounds of trailer pin/hitch, you're going to be 405 overloaded.

All of these numbers "don't add up to what is on your spreadsheet"...

That is why "guessing" is not a good way to spend money on trucks or trailers"... Using brochure weights to calculate "best guess" works well for the sales staff at most dealerships, but doesn't work well for a new owner who finally gets a chance to drag his newly purchased trailer over a CAT scale... That's usually the "sad moment when reality sinks in"...

In summary, I think your proposed figures are flawed. The trailer unloaded weight and maximum weight rating can't be correct, the truck payload of 3345 was "as it left the factory" so anything you've added will be deducted from that figure. Things like a bed liner, the fifth wheel hitch, the 2" receiver ball you stuck in the receiver, the running boards, maps, gloves, pressure gauge, even the TPMS receiver and the rear camera monitor need to be considered. Anything (and EVERYTHING) you've added to the truck since you bought it need to be deducted from the "yellow sticker maximum cargo"....
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Old 05-25-2021, 05:19 PM   #94
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Originally Posted by r9brian View Post
If I use 3345lbs as my payload... that would mean the truck only weighs 6655lbs.

So. the newer 3/4 ton RAMs are getting lighter from the factory? Cheaper parts and less metal where is should be?
The issue with the way that spreadsheet is constructed is it allows you to free enter your payload (presumably people will do this from the sticker). This is great IF you don't know your current curb weight and are flat out estimating, but if you do know the current weight of your vehicle (because you've scaled it) it, your payload should be calculated as the posted GVWR (in your case 10K) minus the known curb weight.

The sticker payload on a truck is obtained when your truck rolled off the assembly line, with a full tank of fuel factored in. After that, all bets are off. If you add a tonneau cover, put in a toolbox, add some heavier floor mats, your payload changes (decreases). Payload is a fluid number and is always what your vehicle weighs at any given time SUBTRACTED from the vehicles known (and never changing) GVWR.
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Old 05-26-2021, 11:10 AM   #95
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Could it be that Brian's truck is 10,500? Or that being a Tradesman it is stripped down such that it only weighs 6,655? Bench seats and a short bed? Maybe a 3/4 cab? I don't know if Dodge makes a 3/4 but I guess it's possible.
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Old 05-26-2021, 12:37 PM   #96
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Could it be that Brian's truck is 10,500? Or that being a Tradesman it is stripped down such that it only weighs 6,655? Bench seats and a short bed? Maybe a 3/4 cab? I don't know if Dodge makes a 3/4 but I guess it's possible.
My guess is the dealer filled his tires with helium by mistake!
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