Where are you getting this information from? My 1500 tows 300 lbs less than that.




Something is off here, you should be closer to 13k for a low optioned 2500 gasser

 

No, none of that sounds right to me either. A 2500 with the 5.7 can tow more than 7000lbs.
But that might not be the biggest part of your problem; once you get up into 16,000 lb 5th wheel territory, you really are solidly in 3500 territory also. Especially if the 16K is the dry weight rating.
In addition to the rated towing capability, it's not difficult to exceed the payload capacity of a 2500 when you combine the pin weight of a big fully loaded 5th wheel with the weight of the truck occupants and assorted cargo.

 

When I throw my VIN in over at:
https://rv.campingworld.com/towguide
They're saying I'm good to tow 8500 lbs.
I've seen a handful of Dodge sources say I can do 8800lbs.
On the main dodge site, it says that the 2010 Ram 2500 5.7 can go "up to 11400lbs when properly configured."

So it's not that I'm really questioning that my RAM is the wrong one for the job...I guess I'm just bugged at myself for not figuring out what we wanted *before* buying the truck. HA!

Live and learn.


So my real question becomes: is there a non-dually 3500 that can tow up to, say, 18000lbs?

I love what the dually is capable of, but I feel like I could still call a 3500 my daily (when not on motorbike, that is) driver, if it's not a dually.

 

So my real question becomes: is there a non-dually 3500 that can tow up to, say, 18000lbs?

I could be wrong, but I don't think so, no.
And once you get up above 16K lbs, you're pretty solidly into Cummins diesel territory too, if you want to tow a lot and have enough leeway to be halfway comfortable doing it.
An 18K lb fiver is going to have maybe 3600 lb pin weight if not more when fully loaded with your stuff and water, propane etc etc.
That's not going to leave you with much, if any, wiggle room in the payload department in a SRW truck, depending on options etc.

 

Holy crap.
So...there are some semi-local places that rent trucks daily\weekly\etc. If I can just rent a truck when I need to move the 5th wheel...GOLDEN!

 

Towing guides are not that much help in the real world. You need to weigh you tow-ready truck. Tow-ready is a fully configured truck and all passengers and cargo are on board as if you are ready to hook up the trailer and go. If you don't have a fifth wheel hitch installed, add 250 pounds. There are lots of helpful info at FifthWheelStreet.com.

 

Well sure, that's indisputable if what you're after is ultimate accuracy for any given journey.
However , that's pretty close to useless advice for someone, like the OP in this thread, who has neither the truck nor the trailer they'll very likely end up with, and is casting around for guidance about what they will need.


Are you sure your primary interest isn't in simply promoting your website and app, rather than giving helpful suggestions to someone who is not in a position, at least not yet, to comply with your advice?

 

put your Vin number into here and get the specs from Dodge. https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html
9thousandfeet.....love your reply.

 

Thanks! I threw my VIN in there and it's telling me I'm 8500lbs max towing. Haha!

That's ok. I've actually found a couple of rental places (semi-locally) that will rent out a 3500 dually by the day\week\etc. So where I'm looking to not move the trailer more than ~2 times a year...a rental makes a LOT of sense.

Thanks!:smileup:

 

I wouldn't even think about using a 2500 with a 5.7 to tow that kind of trailer, go to a dually 3500 with the cummins. I have a 2500 6.4 Hemi and wouldn't want to tow the trailer your looking at around here in Oregon. Get a bigger truck and also one with a engine brake for that size trailer.
good luck Carol.

 

Based on the info you provided, your truck is rated at 8800 GVWR and 8600 Towing with 3.73 gears and a short bed with 4x4. With 4.10 gears you can move up to 10,600 towing.

http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2010/docs/ram/rammlup2500.pdf

Having driven the 5.7 and 3.73 CC combo unloaded, I wouldn't want to use it to tow my 7500# camper, it felt very lethargic. I know towing isn't about speed, but it's also not about doing 40 mph up hills and being a hazard.

For the weight you're looking to haul, you're looking for a 3500 DRW Cummins.

 

Just reading through the comments.
Wow. Just Wow. Not about the question- but to the capacity of the 2500. My question here is: why in the world would RAM sell a huge truck, which can tow less than a 1500? I'm shocked- because I never thought about that and actually almost bought one- thought the 5.7 has enough power to pull what I want and has some reserves- How wrong I was.
I just have one question- what sense does a RAM 2500 5.7 hemi make? according the answers and the facts stated: zero.
I know now- if I ever buy another truck, I'd probably go with the 3500 SRW Diesel. Enough towing capability for everything a none- business- civilian could want, enough payload and just a few bucks more than the lame duck 2500.
Or am I wrong?

 

Check the mfgr's published towing charts. The payloads and max towing capacities for 2500 trucks are always greater than the 1500 trucks with the same body style i.e. cab and box configurations.
Within the series itself i.e. the 2500, the cab/box configuration, motor, transmission and drive (4x4 vs4x2) can significantly affect the capacities.
RipVan

 

One other bit of information,

FCA/Chrysler Engineers always under rated the Tow/Haul capacities of the trucks
At the same time Ford always over rated theirs to get better sales

Because of this, the US Government got involved & came up with a voluntary Standard

Ford fought like hell to stall the new Standard J2807, Ford finally complied when they went with the Aluminum Body

The first Rams built to meet the new voluntary standard was in 2014
Ram certified its 2014 and 2015 Ram 2500 and 3500 products to J2807

The standard sets minimum performance levels, but automakers can always decide to trade away the highest possible rating in favor of more performance or ride comfort. Nothing in J2807 says you can't under-rate your SUV or truck on purpose.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New calculations for trailer weight ratings: In addition to the performance standards, SAE J2807 also uses a specific set of assumptions to calculate maximum trailer weight ratings:

For light-duty full-size pickups (GVWR < 8,500 lbs.), SAE J2807 assumes that the tow vehicle includes any options with higher than 33 percent penetration;
It assumes there is both a driver and passenger in the vehicle, each weighing 150 pounds;
It assumes that tow vehicles also include up to 70 pounds of aftermarket hitch equipment (where applicable); and
For conventional trailer towing, SAE J2807 assumes that 10 percent of the trailer weight is on the tongue.

 

I just punched the VIN of my 2500 with the 6.4L into that RAM towing link and came up 3690 lbs Payload and 15450 lbs Towing Capacity.

 

I have exchanged talks with folks pulling 5ers @ 14k and up. Most that have those that big say the addition of the dualy makes it much more stable. Which makes sense, bigger foot print. But man trying to get one of them things around town and parking lots is horrible. I remember having a late 70's I think GMC 2500 crew cab long box and it was a PIA.

 

You BEST be carefull with those weights-12K+ you REALLY need a dually-think about a blowout!!!! We've Trailered about 200,000 now.Get a used dually but beware more states are now requiring special liscense for non-CDL goosenecks 12K+.Call your insurance agent-If your truck VIN saz 8800LBS and your pulling more and crash-you'll NOT get a penny-SEEN that.We're pulling 17K with Sport Chassis Freightliner and smaller trailers with the RAM

 

I don't agree with that; you really don't even need a one ton until you get over 14-15k

 

Weighed my 2012 2500CC today on a CAT scale. 4220 front, 3000 rear. 7220 total. 1/2 tank of gas and myself and my grandson and a 100 pound soft tool bag. My wife adds about 150 to the weights. Plus 150 pounds for 15 gal of fuel. So call it 7500 ready to hook up to my trailer. My GVWR is 8800. My Cargo limit is 2330. I am allowed to tow 10,250 lbs. My trailer is a 2201 Winnebago that maxes at 7K. Dual axles weighed 5260 when hooked to my Grand Cherokee On the same scale. Total weight was 12140. Cherokee ready to go weighed 5740. That meant the tongue weighed 1140. I have a class 4 reciever and an Anderson 10k WD hitch. Like I said I moved 100 pounds from the trailer to the bed to drop the weight on the hitch. 5.7 with 3.73 gears and 32 inch E rated tires. I want to go back one more time with the trailer on the truck. How does this package look.

 

By moving 100lbs from trailer to the box, you didn't save much on tongue weight (roughly 10% or 10lbs) but you reduced the truck's useful payload by 100lbs.

 

My guess they are going after the Hot Shot short haul guys there.

 

Horse trailering folks for sure.

 

My 2017 2500 CTD has an GVWR of 10k, with me in it and full of fuel and DEF It weighed 8240. at the time I was 240.

 

Correct me if I’m wrong but for towing you want Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating(CGVWR)
It just call your service manager with your VIN number to get tow capacity

 

Yes the dealer should be able to provide all the ratings from your VIN number.
CGVR is only one number. There is also towing, payload, GVWR and axles ratings and all of these need to be taken into consideration.