Tow capacity-check me!

[gorgerax]

I'm looking to upgrade my TV that can easily handle my little 22 foot TT (@ 4500# loaded) but could also handle our "next" TT...probably somewhere around 8k loaded.

The truck I'm considering (2014 Ram 1500 w/5.7) has a "towing capacity(max) of 2000/10350#. (This is verbatim from the dealer's ad: what does the 2000# mean?) has a GVW of 6800#, Curb wt of 5270# with a net payload of 1490#. A full tank of gas and the wife and me add another 600#. Does that leave me with only @ 890# for tongue wt? Is this correct?!

FWIW...I have the Curt TruTrack WDH rated at 10000# GTW and 1000# TW If I could I'd like to keep using on this "future" TT. (Curt #17500)

Much TIA!

[ependydad]

A full tank of fuel is already included in the payload.

[rsdata]

The truck I'm considering (2014 Ram 1500 w/5.7) has a "towing capacity(max) of 2000/10350#

I also have the same year RAM 1500, crew cab...

Don't believe the ad...

Yellow sticker on the driver door jamb will tell the true payload FOR THAT TRUCK which will be your limiting NUMBER with any trailer you have or may have.

This PAYLOAD (COMBINED WEIGHT near the top of label) number is how much trailer TONGUE weight, plus WDH weight plus all passengers, plus gear you can carry in THAT truck safely...

Your loaded tongue weight will probably be 540-550# (12% X 4500) and WDH another 70# so add cargo and all people weights to stay under that published number. RAM trucks are notorious for LOW Payload Weights... although that has changed for model year 2018 (they say)...

My yellow sticker shown below... notice payload is 1309#

I do love the 8 spd with hemi and have zero problems pulling my 4800# loaded hybrid with it and seating 3 plus gear in truck bed. I am always certainly close if not just over my payload limit. I probably would NOT pull a larger heavier trailer with it! ALSO MAKE SURE the RAM has LT tires on it and not P rated tires. My sticker says the OEM tires were P rated but were replaced with LTX Michelin. Gives a much better ride (less chance for sway) when towing.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by gorgerax

The truck I'm considering (2014 Ram 1500 w/5.7) has a "towing capacity(max) of 2000/10350#. (This is verbatim from the dealer's ad: what does the 2000# mean?) has a GVW of 6800#, Curb wt of 5270# with a net payload of 1490#. A full tank of gas and the wife and me add another 600#. Does that leave me with only @ 890# for tongue wt? Is this correct?!

As was said, fuel is already accounted for in the payload capacity number.
From the 1490 number, subtract weights of occupants(including driver), any cargo in truck, weight of WDH and loaded tongue weight.

Are you saying that you don't put anything in the truck, other than the two of you?

During my 2 year search for a better 1/2 ton crew cab truck for towing, i found the Ram to have the lowest payload capacities, versus the other three.
It was quite common to find many with payloads just over 1000lbs.

I have no brand loyalty and would have picked the Ram over the others but never found any that came close to the F150 numbers.

[MillMitch]

https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html
then click 'look up my vehicle'

Rams are easy to double check, key the vin in and you get payload and tow capacity for that specific vehicle. I haven't found anything similar for Ford or Chevy yet. I'm checking vehicles at my local Ram dealer all the time.

[Kaadk]

If you've only got 890 for tongue, you're not going to be doing an 8k trailer easily. Assuming 15% on tongue, 890/0.15 = 5933. 12%: 890/0.12 = 7416.

Our TT ran between 6k and 7k loaded (depending on what I all brought). The one time I weighed the tongue, it was about 900lbs with the trailer around 6400 lbs. My 2010 Ram with the 5.7 had a payload of 1040. I'm 240. So, just the tongue and me, I was at payload. Add wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs, tonneau cover, tools in the ramboxes, WDH, snacks, booster seats, etc.... I was over weight. More likely than not, way overweight. I did fine, no white knuckling, and never had an issue, but I have to say, stepping up the to the 3/4 ton really opened my eyes to what was really going on. I never realized before just how fatiguing the drive used to be until I went to the same campgrounds with the new rig.

I think you'll be very happy with the 1/2 ton, and the Hemi's great to drive, with your current rig, but if you're looking to trade up later then maybe consider what you'll want when your towing your next rig.

[itat]

I agree that you should check the actual sticker on the door jamb for real numbers of any truck you're considering. Having said that, if the numbers in the ad are correct, that 2014 Ram 1500 w/5.7 Hemi will be fine for pulling your current 4500# (loaded) TT. I'd be curious about is payload (cargo carrying capacity) because a 6800# GVWR is a bit low for a half ton. The more bling it has, the lower its payload capacity.

However, if you're thinking the next TT will be 8000# loaded, and you want a truck that can handle that, then I would opt for a 3/4 ton. Your profile says you're in Vancouver, WA. If you don't pull in the mountains, a gasser will be fine but if you do pull a lot in the mountains, a diesel engine would be a better choice for towing an 8000# TT. As I've said here before, IMO, if you want a diesel engine, go straight to a 1 ton because that heavy diesel engine robs about 400# of payload capacity.

My current 32' Rockwood weighs about 7300# loaded. Add the tongue weight to all the people and stuff in my previous F-150 and I was 600# over its 7200# GVWR (and 200# over its 4000# RAWR), so I upgraded to my F-250 gasser.

[CentralMePistol]

If you are seriously planning to move into a trailer that is hitting 8,000# I think I any half ton pickup is under sized... with limited exception.

Exceptions being- You are seasonal and only pull a short distance once a season.
Or you take 2-3 trips within an hour of home each year.

Beyond those two situations you should really be looking at a 3/4 diesel. While the truck you are considering may tow it by the book, that doesn't mean you will enjoy the trip. I would recommend scaling back the "future TT" if you have your heart set on the truck- or reconsidering the truck.

In my opinion a half ton should really max out with a TT GWR around 7,500#. I personally drive a half ton with a TT GWR of 7,700#, but I am very conscious of not loading it to that weight limit. I also have done upgrades to my vehicle to make the ride more comfortable. And even then, on windy days it is still not a totally relaxing ride.

[gorgerax]

Yeah...after viewing a few trucks earlier and listening to the feedback here, a 3/4 ton is definitely the way to go!