Ram GVW Question

[metro36]

I have been considering upgrading from my GMC 2500 w/6.0 to a diesel, to handle my larger trailers better. I found a good deal on a 2012 Ram 2500 with the Cummins. The only thing holding me back is the GVW and payload. The Dodge has a 5500lb front, 6000lb rear, the gvw is 9000 and it is rated to haul 2100lbs. Now a GMC diesel 2500 has a 5200lb front, 6200lb rear, the gvw is 9900 and the payload is 3100lbs.

My question is, what is the reason behind the ram only having a 9000lb gvw? My current 2500 has a 9500lb gvw and the payload is 3500lb. Its very rare that I will be hauling over 2100lbs in the bed but I like to have the capacity. I have a 200 gallon skid sprayer which would take up the payload when full (I usually only fill it to 100 gallons but I might need it full in the future). Can someone explain why ram made the gvw what they did? It seems to me like the truck could be a 9500 or 9900lb truck.

[pitrack]

Not sure why they have that rating but I can tell you I have been at or near the 3k mark in my bed and the truck does fine. It squats a little but that's expected.

I know this is not exactly the same but here is quite a few retaining wall caps on a pallet plus a dump trailer hooked up with a decent tongue weight and you can see the sag. Usually the rear is about 1-2" taller than the front with nothing hooked up or in the bed.

[Ben's Landscape]

I had a 02 ram 2500 with a legal payload compacity of 3700 in that range due to having the camper special package. I had my ez dumper in that and would haul 2.5 yrds of stone in that with the timbrens and the truck was fine. I was looking at new ones and they have gone way down which has me worried as it sounds that you are also. I would say that you could just put a set of timbrens in it and be all set either way you cant beat a 2500 with a cummins. Good luck!

[metro36]

Well with the dot around here I cant risk going over the gvw. I'm going to hold off for the moment. My truck gets the job done ok so Ill hold on to my money for a while longer.

I was told the 2013 ram 3500 reg cab srw with the cummins will have a 4k payload so Ill take a look at those when my dealer gets one.

[Landrus2]

Originally Posted by metro36

Well with the dot around here I cant risk going over the gvw. I'm going to hold off for the moment. My truck gets the job done ok so Ill hold on to my money for a while longer.

I was told the 2013 ram 3500 reg cab srw with the cummins will have a 4k payload so Ill take a look at those when my dealer gets one.

Those are nice * Horsepower
@ rpm Lb-ft @ rpm Required
Transmission
5.7 Hemi (Gasoline) 383 @ 5,600 400 @ 3,950 66RFE six-speed automatic
Cummins Diesel 385 @ 2,800 850 @ 1,600 Aisin ASC69RC (Ram 3500)
Cummins Diesel 350 @ 2,800 660 @ 1,500 Six-speed manual
Cummins Diesel 370 @ 2,800 800 @ 1,600 68RFE six-speed automatic


Original is at 2013 Ram Heavy Duty Pickup Trucks: Ram 2500 and 3500

[KrayzKajun]

The numbers from the factory are usually derated. I love my ram 3500. Granted mines a dually. Ive put two full pallets of sod in bed my truck and she never squated.
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[360ci]

Originally Posted by metro36

I have been considering upgrading from my GMC 2500 w/6.0 to a diesel, to handle my larger trailers better. I found a good deal on a 2012 Ram 2500 with the Cummins. The only thing holding me back is the GVW and payload. The Dodge has a 5500lb front, 6000lb rear, the gvw is 9000 and it is rated to haul 2100lbs. Now a GMC diesel 2500 has a 5200lb front, 6200lb rear, the gvw is 9900 and the payload is 3100lbs.

My question is, what is the reason behind the ram only having a 9000lb gvw? My current 2500 has a 9500lb gvw and the payload is 3500lb. Its very rare that I will be hauling over 2100lbs in the bed but I like to have the capacity. I have a 200 gallon skid sprayer which would take up the payload when full (I usually only fill it to 100 gallons but I might need it full in the future). Can someone explain why ram made the gvw what they did? It seems to me like the truck could be a 9500 or 9900lb truck.

Dodge, similar to Ford, has a payload option. Ford has many options such as snowplow prep, camper/rv, etc. Dodge 2500 just has the snowplow prep to my knowledge that increases front GAWR by a few hundred pounds. It's not much, but enough where it counts to increase the useable payload. You'll have to look at the weights listed on the door jamb sticker. You can get a 2500 ram with a 9900lb gross. If the truck doesn't have the above mentioned packages, the weight of the diesel engine over the gas eats into the useable payload capacity.

Another way to look at it, is that GM used to do what Dodge has almost always done. If your 6.0 gas truck had a diesel engine in it, gross weight would be the same (perhaps a 400lb increase to 9900lb would have been optional at the time) but you would lose 600lbs of payload due to the added weight of the engine. Ford alters their GVWR depending on cab type, box length, drive type, etc. It seems a bit sketchy to me considering it's the same style frame for their F250 line. Anyway.

A gas truck with a 9K gross seems more viable, as it would have close to a 3K lb payload. Ford and their F250, has a 10,100lb gross truck. It lowers gas engine HP, but diesel HP remains the same. Again, depends on options. With more people wanting trucks as personal grocery getters, manufacturers lower gross weight to allow for a better ride quality - which says a lot with Dodge products as they can be harsh at times (I know) compared to say, a similar spec GM truck. If you look at the full size G series vans, there are two GVWR for the 2500; 7800lb and 8600lb. The G3500 grosses at 9600lb, and the 1500 at 7300lb.

Besides, if this guy with a 3.5L V6 Intrepid can pull an airstream trailer (with a WD hitch), anything is possible. I saw the ad last fall and had to scan it! he's only about 3 - 3.5 tons over GCWR

[PlantscapeSolutions]

I put PacBrake air bags on my 2500 & 3500 dually Rams. I pulled 18K with my 2500 many times and 27K with my 3500.

[360ci]

FYI - Be very cautious when running overweight, in any respect. Even if you don't cause an accident but are merely involved in one, you can be charged. Even more so if you don't hold the correct license for the vehicle weight/combination.