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Old 06-03-2019, 08:15 PM   #1
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2018 Ram bighorn 2500 gas 3100 payload, 12500 tow

Looking at a grand design 303rl 9265 dry weight, 11995gvwr, 1725 hitch weight, do you see any issues with this combination?
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Old 06-03-2019, 08:22 PM   #2
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Little more info about your TV would be helpful. Later RJD
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Old 06-03-2019, 08:39 PM   #3
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2018 ram 2500, 3.73, 6.4 gas, 12500 tow rating, 3100 payload
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Old 06-03-2019, 08:50 PM   #4
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I'd tow it. I'll bet the actual pin weight is closer to 2000-2400# if you're fully maxed out though.
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Old 06-03-2019, 08:57 PM   #5
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Light to light it may feel like you want a bit more power but once you get on the highway it will be smooth sailing. My numbers are similar to yours and my only complaint would be In town. All though when I leave the light I pull away from big rigs so should I really be complaining. No probably not but 700 plus ft pounds of torque would be nice.
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Old 06-03-2019, 09:13 PM   #6
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2018 ram 2500, 3.73, 6.4 gas, 12500 tow rating, 3100 payload
Where do you live? I had the exact same truck and I towed about 10K with it on about 5 trips and traded it. i was very unhappy. The tranny has a huge 1st to 2nd gap that you will really notice towing 11K pounds on anything but relatively flat ground.. With mine I was in 2nd gear at near 5K rpms a lot on moderately hilly terrain on the interstate. Now the 2019's with the 8 speed, thats a different animal!
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Old 06-04-2019, 08:22 AM   #7
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Trailer has a GVWR of 12000 and truck has a 12500 tow rating?
I think you know the answer, you need more truck.
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Old 06-04-2019, 08:43 AM   #8
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Ford F250 6.2 gas with 4.30's and 3,100 payload; towing a 11K loaded Wildcat 5er. No problems whatsoever. You'll be fine. The GD 303 is nearly identical to our Wildcat.

Often tow in 6th. 5th if headwind or gradual climb. Hit 4th on some of the steeper grades. 8 MPG.
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Old 06-04-2019, 08:49 AM   #9
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I have the 6.4 2500 3.73 version of that truck. Full loaded I am 9-9500lbs. Any more than that I would go for the diesel. I LOVE my truck and have driven it to the mountains and back, but if I went any bigger like your rig, i would go diesel and get the 3500.
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Old 06-04-2019, 08:52 AM   #10
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your actual payload on that truck will be closer to 2100-2300 lbs when you look at the sticker. You will be at or over Payload out the door



I have the 6.4 2500 of that truck. Full loaded I am 9-9500lbs. Any more than that I would go for the diesel. I LOVE my truck and have driven it to the mountains and back, but if I went any bigger like your rig, i would go diesel and get the 3500.
Yep and there seems to be a lot of support for the so called "two-thirds rule" when towing.
Don't exceed 66% of tow rating.
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Old 06-04-2019, 09:49 AM   #11
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your actual payload on that truck will be closer to 2100-2300 lbs when you look at the sticker. You will be at or over Payload out the door



I have the 6.4 2500 of that truck. Full loaded I am 9-9500lbs. Any more than that I would go for the diesel. I LOVE my truck and have driven it to the mountains and back, but if I went any bigger like your rig, i would go diesel and get the 3500.
A gasser shouldn't have that low of a payload unless it's the Power Wagon. If he has the 5.7 I wouldn't do it, maybe with the 6.4, but I wouldn't go over the mountains too often.
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Old 06-04-2019, 10:03 AM   #12
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Ford F250 6.2 gas with 4.30's and 3,100 payload; towing a 11K loaded Wildcat 5er. No problems whatsoever. You'll be fine. The GD 303 is nearly identical to our Wildcat.

Often tow in 6th. 5th if headwind or gradual climb. Hit 4th on some of the steeper grades. 8 MPG.
While the Hemi 6.4 is a hell of a motor, It is hampered by the 3:73 gearing and the wonky transmission pogramming and gearing for towing heavy. If it had 4:30's like the ford it would be much better. The new 8 speed for 2019 would probably not have many issues towing. My personal experience with it though (same truck) is that once you cross that 10K line, particularly with the 3:73 rear end You need to pay close attention where you will be pulling. I was"satisfied" with mine when I was towing to the beach or close to home on minor hills and mostly flat.. Once I went north and started hitting long pulls on moderate grades I changed my tune.
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Old 06-04-2019, 10:08 AM   #13
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A gasser shouldn't have that low of a payload unless it's the Power Wagon. If he has the 5.7 I wouldn't do it, maybe with the 6.4, but I wouldn't go over the mountains too often.



edited post as i read wrong. you are correct. Bighorn package will take 4-500 off your 3100 payload though
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Old 06-04-2019, 11:06 AM   #14
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2018 Ram bighorn 2500 gas 3100 payload, 12500 tow

That truck will haul that trailer w no problems. The 6.4L is stout and it’s not a problem if you stretch it out on the rpm side. You don’t need to reduce the rating like trucks of old, if it says it has a payload of 3100 lbs it will do it safely. The shifting will feel strange from 1-2 but it will learn the more you tow and you will get better at driving it.

It’s not gonna tow like a diesel that’s true but the total cost of ownership will be much less with that proven motor.

I’ve driven my brothers 3500 a lot and I like it and sometimes I wish I’d bought that setup over the diesel. Plus you might be able to get the lifetime drive train warranty.

Hook er and go.

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Old 06-04-2019, 11:59 AM   #15
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One thing to consider.... truck GVW is prolly 9900... if truck weighs 6000 I would be surprised... so 9900 - 6000 is 3900(cargo). 9900 + 12500 is 22400 total. Now if truck is non-HD version I would these numbers change, but I don't think you would get the 12.5K tow in LD p/u. All this to say the cargo is prolly a bit higher than 3100.
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Old 06-04-2019, 12:16 PM   #16
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One thing to consider.... truck GVW is prolly 9900... if truck weighs 6000 I would be surprised... so 9900 - 6000 is 3900(cargo). 9900 + 12500 is 22400 total. Now if truck is non-HD version I would these numbers change, but I don't think you would get the 12.5K tow in LD p/u. All this to say the cargo is prolly a bit higher than 3100.
I am guessing the curb weight of the truck is around 7000. Unless it has the optional 10,000 GVWR package, standard GVWR on the gasser Hemi 2500 is 9000.
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Old 06-04-2019, 12:26 PM   #17
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One thing to consider.... truck GVW is prolly 9900... if truck weighs 6000 I would be surprised... so 9900 - 6000 is 3900(cargo). 9900 + 12500 is 22400 total. Now if truck is non-HD version I would these numbers change, but I don't think you would get the 12.5K tow in LD p/u. All this to say the cargo is prolly a bit higher than 3100.
Mine was 7 and change with me in it at a landfill scale..I'm not going to comment on how much of that was me!
But I had a payload of 3300 or so I think and i had a tradesman LB 4x4 CC.
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Old 06-04-2019, 12:27 PM   #18
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I am guessing the curb weight of the truck is around 7000. Unless it has the optional 10,000 GVWR package, standard GVWR on the gasser Hemi 2500 is 9000.
10-4 I am thinking of the old days... I had a 95 with HD suspension that was 9900 GVW(360, 5 spd, 4X4, std cab, 8ft bed)... I am wrong A LOT, but i would not think that truck would be that heavy, but the trucks I get are never loaded...
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Old 06-04-2019, 12:37 PM   #19
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Yep and there seems to be a lot of support for the so called "two-thirds rule" when towing.
Don't exceed 66% of tow rating.
Now it's 66%? Rule of thumb used to be 80%. Next week it'll be 50% and we'll all need F650's to tow a 9000# bumper pull.
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Old 06-04-2019, 01:39 PM   #20
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Now it's 66%? Rule of thumb used to be 80%. Next week it'll be 50% and we'll all need F650's to tow a 9000# bumper pull.
Now your just being dramatic, A 450 series is Fine to pull a 9K bumper pull if properly equipped.. No need to get overly dramatic now!
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