GCWR question on Dodge 2500

[EdK]

Reading right out of my Dodge Ram Cummins owners manual it is stated my vehicle has a GCWR figure of 16,000#. Now just one page earlier it specs out a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 13,600# provided the appropriate Class IV hitch is installed. I may be a towing and trailering newbie but something does not add up here. I think I'd have to toss out more than the door panels and radio to get the truck down to below 2400#. Maybe I should adhere to the GVWR/GAWR figures on the door jam and toss the manual!

 

[Dmace]

What year and drive/cab/bed configuration do you have?
That 16,000 may be for another setup or is just wrong.
Try this for 2002-2009.
http://www.dodge.com/towing/D/vehicle_to_weight.jsp

 

[tcartwri]

What year, rear gear, wheelbase, etc...

 

[EdK]

1995
Std. Cab
5.9 Cummins diesel
NV4500HD manual transmission
2WD
3.54 axle ratio
135" (8' bed)

 

[Dmace]

Just about every Dodge Ram 2500/3500 truck of that generation was 20,000 GCWR. Tough to find info online for that particular truck, trying calling your local dealer with your VIN.

 

[DFB]

My book says 1995 2500 HD 2WD
GVWR 8,800
5.9L V8
TRANS ALL
AXLE ALL
GCWR 14,000
Max Trailer Wt. 9,100

8.0L V10
GCWR 19,000
Max Trailer Wt 13,600

5.2L
All trans
All axle
GVWR 7,500
GCWR 12,500
Max Trailer Wt 7,700

 

[dodge man]

20,000 doesn't sound right. Mines a 2004, Cummins, Quad Cab, 4x4, short bed, 4.10 gears and its 19,000 lbs. I can't imagine the OP's truck is rated higher.

 

[case245]

mines a CHEVY 2011 3500hd reg cab 6.0l 4.11 20500 the maNul says

 

[Diamondpilot]

Dodges are always rated low for some reason. It will carry more then that but the rating is what it is. That 3.54 gear is a big part of the problem. I think the 13,600# rating is for a properly equipped truck, ie diesel dually.

My 06 F350 SRW diesel is rated at 11,500# GVWR and its GCWR is
25,000#

Chris

 

[Peacock]

The 3/4 and 1 ton Ram's of that vintage had the heaviest axles of the big three. The Dana 80 in the rear of the diesels is very stout. They were generally rated the lowest, for some reason. Not only did they have the strongest diesel engine, they had really stout spring packages. My 8800 GVW Ram has been across the scales at over 12k just the truck and it's payload.

A Cummins pulls really well, even with 3.54 gears. They make MUCH more bottom end grunt than the Ford and Chevy diesels did.

 

[newbury]

My book says 1995 2500 HD 2WD
<snip>
8.0L V10
GCWR 19,000
Max Trailer Wt 13,600

<snip>

Well that matches the max trailer weight the OP posted, but getting the 8.0L V10 down to 5,400 would require a severe diet.

 

[Dmace]

My book says 1995 2500 HD 2WD
GVWR 8,800
5.9L V8
TRANS ALL
AXLE ALL
GCWR 14,000
Max Trailer Wt. 9,100

8.0L V10
GCWR 19,000
Max Trailer Wt 13,600

5.2L
All trans
All axle
GVWR 7,500
GCWR 12,500
Max Trailer Wt 7,700

None of these are the Cummins powered trucks. The 5.9l V8 is the gas 360 ci, not the diesel I6.

20,000 doesn't sound right. Mines a 2004, Cummins, Quad Cab, 4x4, short bed, 4.10 gears and its 19,000 lbs. I can't imagine the OP's truck is rated higher.

Keep in mind, those older 2500's were rated higher (light duty and heavy duty) so consumers could get a high tow capacity without going to the 3500 which was dually only.

Check the inner glove box as well, sometimes the tag in there is still readable.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The 3/4 and 1 ton Ram's of that vintage had the heaviest axles of the big three. The Dana 80 in the rear of the diesels is very stout. They were generally rated the lowest, for some reason. Not only did they have the strongest diesel engine, they had really stout spring packages. My 8800 GVW Ram has been across the scales at over 12k just the truck and it's payload.

A Cummins pulls really well, even with 3.54 gears. They make MUCH more bottom end grunt than the Ford and Chevy diesels did.

Why did they chose to rate them so low?

Chris

 

[Peacock]

Good question. I have no idea. They feel very secure with weights well over payload capacity. Pull much more than rated with great confidence. And so on...

Dodge has never really gotten into the numbers game I guess.

 

[Bladehauler]

I would think that is allowing for up to 2400lbs tongue weight , all though I think it would have to be a goose neck to get that much weight on the truck.

 

[Marveltone]

Why did they chose to rate them so low?

Chris

Overprotective lawyers? :scratchchin::confused3:

Joe

 

[Diamondpilot]

Good question. I have no idea. They feel very secure with weights well over payload capacity. Pull much more than rated with great confidence. And so on...

Dodge has never really gotten into the numbers game I guess.

They have now. I keep seeing where they have matched Fords HP and TQ and now boast big tow ratings.

Chris

 

[EdK]

Check the inner glove box as well, sometimes the tag in there is still readable.

I looked and didn't see anything there - just a warning sticker about the airbag systems. Truck is pristine. Did I miss it? Do all '95s have it?

The 3/4 and 1 ton Ram's of that vintage had the heaviest axles of the big three. The Dana 80 in the rear of the diesels is very stout. They were generally rated the lowest, for some reason. Not only did they have the strongest diesel engine, they had really stout spring packages. My 8800 GVW Ram has been across the scales at over 12k just the truck and it's payload.

Haven't had the truck very long but agree with your rear end assessment in that the truck rides pretty rough and the rear wants to bounce instead of follow the undulations in the road.

Dodge's towing guide shows I can increase my towing capacity by switching to a Durango - maybe I should do that

 

[mikehaugen]

Why did they chose to rate them so low?

Chris

maybe for the trannies? I know they got a bad reputation from that era. I have a '96 3/4 8800 gvwr that has hauled a lot more than it is rated for. I had reverse go out, I pulled the transmission and had it rebuilt, then I reinstalled it. Less than a year later it went out again, trans shop would not warranty it so I tried my hand at rebuilding and that was about 6 years ago. I guess I have been lucky. Mostly had front end problems, and the rearend went out a couple years ago. If I had to to do over again, I would have put 4.10's in instead of the 3.54, I just didn't feel like doing the front at the same time.

 

[Diamondpilot]

maybe for the trannies? I know they got a bad reputation from that era. I have a '96 3/4 8800 gvwr that has hauled a lot more than it is rated for. I had reverse go out, I pulled the transmission and had it rebuilt, then I reinstalled it. Less than a year later it went out again, trans shop would not warranty it so I tried my hand at rebuilding and that was about 6 years ago. I guess I have been lucky. Mostly had front end problems, and the rearend went out a couple years ago. If I had to to do over again, I would have put 4.10's in instead of the 3.54, I just didn't feel like doing the front at the same time.

I hear ya. My 2500 Hemi 4x4 had the tranny out twice in 68,000 miles and it was acting up again when it was traded.

Chris