The Ram 2500 is a highly capable truck that can pull a 5th wheel weighing up to 19,980 pounds when properly equipped. However, the exact capacity depends significantly on the truck's specific configuration, including its engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, and cab/bed type.
Understanding Ram 2500 Towing Capabilities
While the Ram 2500 boasts impressive maximum towing figures, several factors influence how large of a 5th wheel it can safely and legally pull. The truck comes with powerful engine options, each contributing to different towing and payload capabilities. For 5th wheel towing, it's crucial to understand that payload capacity is often the limiting factor, rather than just the gross trailer weight rating.
A 5th wheel trailer places a significant portion of its weight (known as pin weight) directly over the truck's rear axle. This pin weight contributes directly to the truck's payload. Therefore, even if a trailer's total weight is within the truck's maximum towing capacity, its pin weight could exceed the truck's available payload.
Key Factors Affecting 5th Wheel Towing Capacity
The maximum weight a Ram 2500 can tow with a 5th wheel setup is influenced by various specifications:
- Engine: The Ram 2500 offers different engine options. Generally, the available diesel engine provides higher towing capacities, while the gasoline engine might offer a higher payload capacity.
- Axle Ratio: A higher numerical axle ratio (e.g., 4.10) provides more torque for towing heavy loads, increasing the pulling capacity.
- Cab and Bed Configuration: Heavier configurations like Crew Cab and long bed models reduce the truck's available payload capacity because the weight of the truck itself uses up more of its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
- Drivetrain (2WD vs. 4WD): Four-wheel-drive systems add weight to the truck, which can slightly reduce the maximum available payload compared to a two-wheel-drive model.
Critical Weight Terminology for 5th Wheel Towing
Understanding these terms is vital for safe and compliant 5th wheel towing:
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum permissible weight of the fully loaded truck itself, including the truck's weight, passengers, cargo, and the 5th wheel's pin weight.
- Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded truck and the fully loaded trailer combined.
- Payload Capacity: The maximum amount of weight a truck can carry in its cab and bed, including passengers, cargo, and the most critical factor for 5th wheels: the pin weight.
- Pin Weight (Kingpin Weight): This is the downward force exerted by the 5th wheel trailer's hitch onto the truck's 5th wheel hitch. It typically ranges from 15% to 25% of the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This weight must be included when calculating if you are within your truck's payload capacity.
Practical Considerations for 5th Wheel Towing
To determine the precise 5th wheel capacity for your specific Ram 2500 and ensure safe towing, consider these practical steps:
- Check Your Truck's Yellow Sticker: Always locate the yellow and white sticker on your driver's side door jamb. This sticker provides the exact payload capacity for your specific vehicle as it left the factory. This is your most important number for 5th wheel towing.
- Calculate Loaded Pin Weight: Estimate the loaded pin weight of the 5th wheel trailer you intend to tow. Take 15-25% of the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). For example, a 12,000-pound GVWR 5th wheel could have a pin weight between 1,800 and 3,000 pounds.
- Stay Within All Ratings: Ensure that the combined weight of your truck, passengers, cargo, and the 5th wheel's pin weight does not exceed your truck's GVWR. Also, the total weight of the truck and loaded trailer must not exceed the GCWR.
- Load Distribution: Properly distribute weight within the 5th wheel trailer to maintain balance and prevent excessive pin weight or sway.
- Consult Your Owner's Manual: For the most accurate and definitive towing specifications for your specific Ram 2500 model year and configuration, always refer to your truck's owner's manual or the manufacturer's official towing guide. You can often find general towing information and guides on the official Ram Trucks website.
By carefully calculating these weights and understanding your truck's specific ratings, you can confidently determine the maximum size of a 5th wheel your Ram 2500 can safely pull.
