Does this combination work?

[Rye_a]

Hi all,

We are currently looking at getting our first fifth wheel, and I am trying to get my head around what trailers are feasible with our tow vehicle,

Our tow vehicle is:
2017 Ram 2500 Mega Cab
3.42 axle ratio
10,000 GVWR
1,950 payload
8,048 base weight (4,953 front, 3,095 rear)
6,000 front 6,500 rear GAWR
24,300 GCWR
14,770 max trailer weight

We have three kids, and I’d guess our passenger weight will be 700#

I’m hoping to pull this fifth wheel:
Grand Designs 31MB
9,778 UVW
11,995 GVWR
1,834 Hitch Weight

Is this feasible? Thanks for your advice.

[JIMNLIN]

frankwp wrote:

Allworth wrote:
I know a lot of folks will argue that they have done it for "years" without a problem, BUT....

Rule of thumb: Nothing over 10,000 GVW on a 2500 chassis.

A

Rules of thumb, in this case, are entirely useless. You need to go by the actual numbers to determine whether or not it will work.

True with 250/2500 from the '00s on up. Now our older prehistoric 250/2500 trucks a 10k would fit most of them better.

[frankwp]

Allworth wrote:
I know a lot of folks will argue that they have done it for "years" without a problem, BUT....

Rule of thumb: Nothing over 10,000 GVW on a 2500 chassis.

A

Rules of thumb, in this case, are entirely useless. You need to go by the actual numbers to determine whether or not it will work.

[Allworth]

I know a lot of folks will argue that they have done it for "years" without a problem, BUT....

Rule of thumb: Nothing over 10,000 GVW on a 2500 chassis.

A

[way2roll]

Per your original post , your payload capacity is 1,950, your hitch weight (pin weight) on the proposed FW is 1,834. A net of about 100lbs. But those figures are dry and of course you have a lot of weight that will subtract from your payload. Namely people and the hitch. There is also the pin weight which doesn't include anything like all your gear, food, etc etc. So just on the numbers alone, no, it won't work. Your payload is too low by the time you enter a real world scenario.

On edit, just realized this post is 6 mos old and it appears the OP didn't buy this FW.

Move along, nothing to see here 😉

[troubledwaters]

Marnisampair wrote:
Did you ever purchase a Grand Design 31MB? I have a 2016 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Diesel and having the same debate as you right now.
Thank you!
-Marni

The debate now is the same as it was 6 months ago. Is it OK with you if you exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight rating of your truck by 1300± lbs? Only you can answer that question; it's your truck, not ours.

[Marnisampair]

Did you ever purchase a Grand Design 31MB? I have a 2016 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Diesel and having the same debate as you right now.
Thank you!

-Marni

[JIMNLIN]

Great combo with plenty of towing power and hauling capacity with those 6500 RAWR.
I have a older '03 2500 Quad cab Dodge/Cummins HO NV5600 manual tranny 3.73 gears..9000 GVWR with smaller 6000 RAWR. My 32' 5er weighs 11200-11600 lbs depending on length of trip and how the combo is loaded. My trucks rear axle loads runs in the 5200-5500 lbs once its all loaded and road ready. Front axle loads (empty or loaded) won't change much if any

I wouldn't do a thing to the truck till you load it all up and make a trip. While your out, drop by a set of CAT scales and weigh your trucks front and rear axle loads.
Its rare tires on the newer trucks are the weak link. Our older trucks that used 16" LT E at 3042 lbs capacity were generally the weak link. Today its usually wheels or rear spring pack.
Your gonna' love the towing performance from that combo....enjoy.

[Michelle_S]

You have plenty of pull power, it's that extremely low cargo capacity that's going to bite you in the backside.

[Lwiddis]

3,990 payload is the Maximum Capability Configuration. What is your payload? 1,950? That actually stinks. My 1500 Silverado has 1,712.

[Rye_a]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
What engine ? What transmission ?

I can not believe it has a 24,300 GCWR with only a 3.42 axle ratio. I would expect something like a 3.7 or even 4.1 axle.

Sorry, it has the Cummins 6.7 and the M6 (not the Aisin) tranny.

Here’s the chart:
https://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2017_ram_2500_towing_charts.pdf

[Old-Biscuit]

YES......good combo
Enjoy the memories to come.

[theoldwizard1]

What engine ? What transmission ?

I can not believe it has a 24,300 GCWR with only a 3.42 axle ratio. I would expect something like a 3.7 or even 4.1 axle.

[Rye_a]

I’m thinking of going with an Andersen Ultimate Fifth Wheel hitch to minimize weight in the bed. Would that be a good approach?

[Mike_E_]

Check what your E rated tires' ratings are.
Most likely the two of them already have a combined rating of over your GAWR.
There's really no value in "over-rating" your tires when the GAWR is the real MAX rating you should be concerned with.