3/4 ton versus 1 ton

[KJcachers]

Originally Posted by scuba0331

Just ordered a 2014 Ram 3500 Diesel! Going from the Ram 1500 to this should be night and day when I pull the camper. My current rig is a Keystone Outback 26RLS. I should have no towing issues with this truck!



We plan on a 5th wheel in the next few years so now we have the truck to pull it.



Great thread by the way!

Our plan too once we pay off some credit card debt. the ram 1500 pulls the bullet 246rbs just fine for now. Hemi rules!

[jonbiker]

The following URL has the latest info and hitch manufacturers plans for the in bed hitch prep setup:

http://www.ramgunner.com/ram5thwheel.htm

I called Husky to ask if they had plans to retrofit their hitches ( I have a 16K W) and they are working on it.

From the 2014 RAM Pickups Brochure: 3500 SRW LB Crew Cab 4x4 Diesel 3.42 rear 68FRE tranny shows 4500# payload capacity and 17,030 # gross trailer weight. This may be optimistic coming from their brochure. The very first thing I will do when my truck comes into the dealer is check the payload sticker on the driver's door pillar.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by scuba0331

Just ordered a 2014 Ram 3500 Diesel! Going from the Ram 1500 to this should be night and day when I pull the camper. My current rig is a Keystone Outback 26RLS. I should have no towing issues with this truck!

We plan on a 5th wheel in the next few years so now we have the truck to pull it.

Great thread by the way!

The only issue will be checking the mirrors to be sure it is still attached!!!

[Povo]

I'm in a 2500 now (see first post in this thread)) and going to the 3500. Yeah, I think you'll see a huge difference. By the way, is there much scuba in Ohio? I'm in Central Oregon and it's mostly high altitude lakes (cold - werre talking drysuit). Going oiut next Saturday.

[Tonto256]

I have a 2013 F250 diesel crewcab 4x4 and have been wondering (hoping) that my truck was adequate for my new 2013 Raptor 279SE (36' 5th wheel toy hauler). Well, it's not unfortunately. I really wished I had bought a 350 when I bough the 250. With just me in the truck and a tank of fuel, and very little in the camper (no water), I was 180 lbs over my rear axle weight and 1,110 lbs over my GVWR (which is 10K on my truck). I was pretty disappointed (in myself for not researching this prior) and in denial thinking there was a way to make this work, but I just don't see how without buying a bigger truck.
So I'll take it in the shorts and trade it for a F350 SRW with a GVWR of 11,300 and a rear axle of 7100. A dually would be the sure fire way to go, but I really don't want one.
For what ever it's worth for anyone still questioning it, you will only know if you are legal by weighing your truck and trailer. My pin weight (2900lbs) was 500 lbs more than what was on my trailer paperwork, and I was about 1400lbs heaver on the trailer than what they claimed as empty weight 10,590 claimed).
It is a tough (and $$$) pill to swallow and yes I'm sure I would be fine with the 250 as it handled it fine I thought, but there is no question I was over weight.
I never would have thought that a 250 would not be enough truck for a two axle 5th wheel. I was way wrong.

[JRTJH]

Tonto,

You're right, that's a bitter pill to swallow. On your comment about a 3/4 ton not being enough truck for a tandem axle fiver, we've got one member with a 3/4 ton truck who tows a "half ton capable" Cougar 28SGS. It has an "advertised pin weight of 1410 lbs and a much heavier actual weight. When he weighed his truck without his DW, he was at his truck's GVW. By the time he loaded her and filled the fuel tank, he was overloaded (per the stickers). And that's with a "half ton towable" and a 3/4 ton truck. Sure it's an extreme example, but it does illustrate what you've found with your truck/RV combination. You can never put a lot of credibility in the manufacturer's advertised weights.

My F250 has a GVW of 10,000 lbs, a "Ford advertised max payload" of 3360 and an actual payload of 2680. That's with a gas engine. Add a heavier diesel and other options and you'll see the payload go down even more. It's not unusual to see a 3/4 ton diesel with a GVW of 10K and a payload of less than 2500 lbs.

One consolation for you, when you load "toys" in the back, the pin weight will go down some.

[unyalli]

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

Ford as been same as what you state that Dodge does. I checked the spes. several times. I did also find some 3/4 had 8 plys but all 1 tons have 10ply tires. So, anyone having a 3/4 ton could have a 1 ton by adding a spring and maybe heaver duty tires. Most I have know just get air bags for the rear.

When the 2011 Superduty's came out a ford mechanic who participates in the ford trucks forum ran the specs and the only difference in the F250 and F350 is a rear over load spring and the F250/F350 badge. I installed a set of Airlift Loadlifter 5000's on my F250 and it's now an F350.

Jeff

[Charli]

If you get pulled over you will still have a 250 and be judged accordingly. Is it likely you will get pulled over, probably not. I had a 2008 Ram 2500, CTD and a Cougar XLite 26sab and when I went to the scales last summer we were over the 9000# GVWR by 500#. I was surprised at how quickly the Payload on a 3/4T disappears once you add the hitch, DW and other stuff and of course that heavy CTD.
We are planning on going to a bigger 5th wheel so I had to rethink our TV. Lots of people pull the trailers we are looking at with 3/4T but I decided on upgrading to an F350. Now I'm waiting for my Weight Police badge to arrive . ��

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by Charli

Now I'm waiting for my Weight Police badge to arrive . ��

Charli -
We have received your application for the Keystone Forum Weight Police badge. After processing, it will be mailed out to you. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

[Tonto256]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Tonto,

You're right, that's a bitter pill to swallow. On your comment about a 3/4 ton not being enough truck for a tandem axle fiver, we've got one member with a 3/4 ton truck who tows a "half ton capable" Cougar 28SGS. It has an "advertised pin weight of 1410 lbs and a much heavier actual weight. When he weighed his truck without his DW, he was at his truck's GVW. By the time he loaded her and filled the fuel tank, he was overloaded (per the stickers). And that's with a "half ton towable" and a 3/4 ton truck. Sure it's an extreme example, but it does illustrate what you've found with your truck/RV combination. You can never put a lot of credibility in the manufacturer's advertised weights.

My F250 has a GVW of 10,000 lbs, a "Ford advertised max payload" of 3360 and an actual payload of 2680. That's with a gas engine. Add a heavier diesel and other options and you'll see the payload go down even more. It's not unusual to see a 3/4 ton diesel with a GVW of 10K and a payload of less than 2500 lbs.

One consolation for you, when you load "toys" in the back, the pin weight will go down some.

Very interesting about the 1/2 ton capable almost maxing out a 3/4 ton. Knowing what I do now, I'm not surprised. I know the toy haulers have heavy pin weights by design and I appreciate the comment on the toys in back lowering the pin weight. Even when I get the 350 I will be glad to lower some of the pin weight.
Thanks for your comments. I know I'm not the first guy to have buy a bigger truck. Personally I'll sleep better knowing I'm legal and safe.

[jonbiker]

I now have the VIN # for my 2014 3500 SRW. Truck will be delivered to dealer on 3/2/14 from Mexico. I checked the VIN on the Tow Capacities section of the RAM Owner's Center login and my payload capacity will be over 4,200# pulling a 12,000# 5er. This really solves my problem of the 2500 having only 2,070# payload. First tow will be at the end of April when we get back to TN.

[therink]

Loaded up, you should have at least 500 lbs of payload to spare. Congratulations.

[PARAPTOR]

Surprised to still read comments from some thinking they are going to change the manufactures GVWR by adding equipment. As stated by others it is what it is, unless recertified and registered as such. I have not seen any comments/concerns as to what the insurance companies view point would be if you were overweight and involved in an accident. Are you giving them an opportunity to just walk away because you thought your enhancements increased your TV capacity over listed manufacture ratings. Can we put a value on that? We all have a big investments in our camper and TV.
Be Safe

[SAD]

Originally Posted by PARAPTOR

....I have not seen any comments/concerns as to what the insurance companies view point would be if you were overweight and involved in an accident....

What would insurance companies do? They would pay the claim. Thats what they do. They cover your own personal negligence.

Please don't muddy these waters by shifting the conversation from available payload/GVWR to a speculative conversation about insurance and the law.

[SAABDOCTOR]

jonbiker When i picked my truck up from my dealer (it too came from mexico) they put a sneaker hanging from the wheel well and some one shot tequela bottels in the ash tray and glove box. That was god for a few laughs ps your gonna love that truck

[jje1960]

Originally Posted by unyalli

When the 2011 Superduty's came out a ford mechanic who participates in the ford trucks forum ran the specs and the only difference in the F250 and F350 is a rear over load spring and the F250/F350 badge. I installed a set of Airlift Loadlifter 5000's on my F250 and it's now an F350.

Jeff

Love your setup, very nice. We have similar, have been very happy.

[unyalli]

Originally Posted by jje1960

Love your setup, very nice. We have similar, have been very happy.

That's too funny, I call mine the Beast as well. Nice looking setup, what rear end gear you running?

Jeff

[jje1960]

Originally Posted by unyalli

That's too funny, I call mine the Beast as well. Nice looking setup, what rear end gear you running?

Jeff

I think it's 3.73. Actually, what-ever is standard with all the tow packages. We were really skimmpy with the factory order, I wanted all the beef without the very $ extras. We did not even order with carpet, I put full length floor mats. Only regret has been not getting the rapid heat, block heater. Other than that, this Beast is exactly what we wanted, I also had the LINE-X added. We paid like $50K, only owe like $5K now and it only has 32K Miles so far.

[Povo]

Halfway home from Kellogg to Bend in the new rig. Have to say - then I'll stop so it doesn't sund like a brag, it's an amazing rig. Every bell & whistle - including Dave Smith being able to on a days notice install my Retrax tonneau cover - Getting to break it in on a 500+ drive home. Will totally be up to hauling the new 327RES (once I get the B&W & Companion hitch installed). Good to get used to the rig, nav system, uconnect, etc. Can't wait to hook up the 5ver later in April & get on the road... Sorry - I'm totally phyched about this rig...

[JRTJH]

Povo,

Will the hitch sit low enough in the bed to clear the tonneau cover? I had some issues with a couple of brands before I finally found one that fits and clears the hitch plate. Not sure if you've considered that aspect or not.