Payload??!! Truck Shopping and Travel Trailer Shopping

[AstroBacon]

So I'm searching for a truck and travel trailer. I'm wanting to hear from all the towing police about can/can't tow it.

The TT we're looking at is the Forest River Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BRDS:
Length: 26"
Hitch Weight: 709 lbs (I've seen 800-900 lbs fully loaded)
UVW: 5300 lbs
Cargo Carrying Capacity: 1569 lbs
GVWR: 6869 lbs

I currently have a Nissan Frontier 4.0L V6 2x4 CC Class IV receiver:
Curb Weight: 4462
Max Towing Capacity: 6300
GCWR: 11230
GVWR: 5730
Payload Capacity: 1268 (from the sticker)

Now technically I could tow this with my Nissan. It would have to be dry, and no cargo, blah, blah, blah. It would be no fun at all though, and I think there would be some concerns about the tongue weight as well.

So,I'm looking at the 2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4x4 V8 Hemi with eTorque CC 5'7" box. I haven't found exactly what I want out there, but I'm super disappointed looking at the stickers posted for the "Actual Payload" I'm seeing on stickers of these trucks.

Basically I'm seeing that for Ram 1500 Limited, you're looking at a payload of about 1270-1450 lbs...
Is that right????
Should I be looking for a new full size truck so I can get an additional 0-182 lbs in payload capacity????
I can carry basically 1 more full grown adult? That seems crazy.
These trailers are "designed to be towed with SUV's and Mini Vans". It seems like they need a HD size truck.

[Jfkmk]

You’re looking at the wrong truck. When I was looking a couple of years ago, Rams had incredibly low payload. Looked at Chevy 1500s, some had 2000# payload. My F150 has >1800#.

[Csbadvisor]

Originally Posted by AstroBacon

So I'm searching for a truck and travel trailer. I'm wanting to hear from all the towing police about can/can't tow it.

The TT we're looking at is the Forest River Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BRDS:
Length: 26"
Hitch Weight: 709 lbs (I've seen 800-900 lbs fully loaded)
UVW: 5300 lbs
Cargo Carrying Capacity: 1569 lbs
GVWR: 6869 lbs

I currently have a Nissan Frontier 4.0L V6 2x4 CC Class IV receiver:
Curb Weight: 4462
Max Towing Capacity: 6300
GCWR: 11230
GVWR: 5730
Payload Capacity: 1268 (from the sticker)

Now technically I could tow this with my Nissan. It would have to be dry, and no cargo, blah, blah, blah. It would be no fun at all though, and I think there would be some concerns about the tongue weight as well.

So,I'm looking at the 2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4x4 V8 Hemi with eTorque CC 5'7" box. I haven't found exactly what I want out there, but I'm super disappointed looking at the stickers posted for the "Actual Payload" I'm seeing on stickers of these trucks.

Basically I'm seeing that for Ram 1500 Limited, you're looking at a payload of about 1270-1450 lbs...
Is that right????
Should I be looking for a new full size truck so I can get an additional 0-182 lbs in payload capacity????
I can carry basically 1 more full grown adult? That seems crazy.
These trailers are "designed to be towed with SUV's and Mini Vans". It seems like they need a HD size truck.

Check out a Ram 1500 with lower trim level and see if you can pick up more payload. Another option go up to a Ram 2500. I upgraded to a 2020 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi. I was amazed at how well the truck handled and how quite it is in the cab. I ended going with the Tradesman model for payload (3,150), and price. I get better gas mileage towing than I did with my GMC Sierra 1500.

[Mike134]

Originally Posted by Jfkmk

You’re looking at the wrong truck. When I was looking a couple of years ago, Rams had incredibly low payload. Looked at Chevy 1500s, some had 2000# payload. My F150 has >1800#.

X2 on the F150 1900 payload with Lariat's bells and whistles.

[bikendan]

Using 13% of the trailer's GVWR, comes out to around 900lbs for a ballpark loaded tongue weight.
Add the weights of everyone in the truck(including driver), truck cargo and WDH weight to that 900lbs number.
Then look for a truck with a payload of at least that total number.

[IvoryHemi]

Looks like way too much tongue weight

[AlaskaErik]

Ram is notorious for low payload capacity. My 2019 Silverado LTZ with Max Trailering package has a 1910 lb payload capacity and 1200 lb max hitch weight. The 6.2L engine and 10 speed transmission make towing a breeze. The LTZ is the second from the top trim level, so it has almost all the goodies, like sunroof, heated/ventilated leather front seats and heated leather rear seats, heated steering wheel, advanced trailering package which includes backup hitch guidance, hitch down camera view, trailer tire pressure monitoring with tire pressure and temperature display on the infotainment screen and automatic parking brake set when in hitch down camera view.

[CurtPutnam]

If you want to stay with RAM and all the options, you will need to look at a 2500 series truck. The other option is to look at Ford or Chevy. My Chevy 2500 came with a payload of 3350 lbs Which allowed me to add a tonneau cover and nerf bars and still have over 3000 lbs payload.

Since mine is a work truck, the price was less than the 1500s on the lot.

[67L48]

Originally Posted by AstroBacon

[...] Basically I'm seeing that for Ram 1500 Limited, you're looking at a payload of about 1270-1450 lbs...
Is that right????
Should I be looking for a new full size truck so I can get an additional 0-182 lbs in payload capacity????
I can carry basically 1 more full grown adult? That seems crazy.
These trailers are "designed to be towed with SUV's and Mini Vans". It seems like they need a HD size truck.

You can build out your needs pretty fast. 6,500 lb trailer will drop around 850 - 950 lbs on the hitch.

Your trailer is a bunkhouse, so I'll assume a family of 4. So, figure 500 lbs for fully clothed family. Add 150 lbs for bags, games, electronics, clothes, tools, and other stuff in or on the truck. Add more if you have bikes, 1/8 cord of wood, big pets, etc. Add 50 lbs for the WDH.

900 + 500 + 150 + 50 = 1,600.

I'd be shopping for a truck with at least 1,600 lbs of available payload. Can you get by with 1,400 lbs? Maybe, but, if you're shopping for a new truck, just get one that does the job without question.

I can't speak to the other brands, but a Ford F-150 EB tend to be in that 1,600 - 1,900 lb range, depending on trim ... and north of 2,000 lbs for the HDPP version.

And, yes, it seems like "1/2-ton towable" is every manufacturer's favorite marketing term. There's another brand that has a trailer specifically marketed as half-ton towable that has has UVW of 9,625 and GVWR of 11,300. Sure. Any half-ton will handle that with ease.

So, ignore the marketing and follow the data.

[Greywater]

Consider A Nissan Titan for towing as well. Built in trailer brake controller, hitch alignment camera, Tow mode, remote trailer light check, and up to 9210 lbs towing per manufacturer's specs on a properly equipped unit.

[mdarmody]

Originally Posted by 67L48

So, figure 500 lbs for fully clothed family.

you're saying naturalists can pull heavier trailers?

[Jfkmk]

Originally Posted by mdarmody

you're saying naturalists can pull heavier trailers?

It makes sense to me, especially a whole family of naturalists.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Jfkmk

It makes sense to me, especially a whole family of naturalists.

Well, yeah, but it's tough stopping for fast food on the road, even using the drive-through.

[sasch]

I just renewed my lease for a 2020 Ram 1500 Eco Diesel and took my 5er (2018 Rockwood Ultra Light 7000# loaded)for a test haul yesterday and it did absolutely great. Towing at 12-13 MPG, plenty if torq at 480 ft ibs, 10,000 tow capacity, 1800 payload capacity. Truck was a bit too low in the rear for me so ordered air lifts to level up a bit but otherwise really pleased with my upgrade over the 2018 1500 ED I traded in and really like that one as well but was a little light on the PL and TC #s. This maybe a bit more truck than you need but trust me if you can handle it you won't be sorry. I did tow with a 2015 1500 5.7 Hemi and didn't care for that package at all when it came to towing at 7-8 MPG, and down shifting to 2nd gear during even the slightest grade.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by sasch

Towing at 12-13 MPG, plenty if torq at 480 ft ibs, 10,000 tow capacity, 1800 payload capacity.

Actual payload capacity numbers are rarely even numbers like 1800lbs.
Do you have a pic of your Ecodiesel's actual payload sticker? I've never seen a Ecodiesel with that much payload.

[sasch]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Actual payload capacity numbers are rarely even numbers like 1800lbs.
Do you have a pic of your Ecodiesel's actual payload sticker? I've never seen a Ecodiesel with that much payload.

Dan, I've attached a couple pics (door panel sticker & web site info). Now you've seen an ED with a high payload LOL I was surprised as well and the biggest reason I upgraded my lease early.

[IvoryHemi]

I think the biggest limitation with the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is it has the same weight limits as the 5.7 gas engine. 7100-7200 lbs GVWR and 4100 lbs rear GAWR

Older 3.0 /1500’s were 6,900/3,900

[sasch]

Originally Posted by IvoryHemi

I think the biggest limitation with the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is it has the same weight limits as the 5.7 gas engine. 7100-7200 lbs GVWR and 4100 lbs rear GAWR

Older 3.0 /1500’s were 6,900/3,900

If I understand, the actual wt of the vehicle is prox 6400# and the payload #s add to the actual giving GVWR and I do know the 2020 #s are much better (1800/10,000) than my 2018 which was PL=1210 & towing = 8010# but admittedly not as good as others but MPG both average & towing is much better than most so I'm told.

[IvoryHemi]

Originally Posted by sasch

If I understand, the actual wt of the vehicle is prox 6400# and the payload #s add to the actual giving GVWR and I do know the 2020 #s are much better (1800/10,000)

No, the 2020 Ram EcoDiesel 1500 does not have a 10,000 lb GVWR. Not even close.

Here is weight sticker for the 3.0 with a 3.92 rear, it’s only 7,200 lbs GVWR, that’s the max for a 1500 Ram. It’s the same as the gas 5.7 because the engine isn’t the limiting factor, it’s the 1/2 ton chassis/axles/brakes that is the weak point

You need a 2500 to get 10,000 lbs GVWR

[mjp1056]

OP,
It may not help your decision any, but I tow the same camper, the 2018 model with a 2016 RAM 2500 Laramie with the Cummins turbo diesel. I have the Anderson WDH and love the setup.