Not sure if my truck can pull this

**goducks14** · 02-26-2018, 11:10 PM

Payload is everything that goes in or on the truck. Add running boards. That comes off the payload. Add passengers. That comes off the payload. If you only have 1600 lbs then you don't have enough. You're quoting dry weights. Add in a battery and propane and you're at 8400 lbs. And you just added 100 lbs to the pin. Now add in a 5th hitch @150 lbs. Thats 1530 lbs on the rear axle. Add in clothes and gear in the front basement and your at 1600 lbs. Maxed out and you haven't even loaded the kids and mama in the truck.
1/2 ton towables are only towed by a slim number of properly equipped 1/2 tons. Unfortunately you'res isn't one of them.

**2014RAM** · 03-30-2018, 10:34 PM

Interesting following the cans and can'ts of a 1/2 ton truck. The recommendation of adding air bags to the truck would cost about how much? Also, in upgrading the brakes on the trailer any idea of about what that would cost?

We have the 2014 RAM 1500 Longhorn, 5.7 HEMI, 3.92, Ranch tonneau cover and have no plans to pull the 313rlts. We also have the 2012 RAM 2500HD, Laramie, 5.7 HEMI which should cover the trailer on very short hauls of not over 150 miles one way. So my question is would it be cost effective to put on air bags and convert the brakes (do want to protect the little woman and Chihuahuas).

Wayne
2012 RAM 2500HD 5.7HEMI

**Retread68** · 03-31-2018, 07:40 AM

Wayne - It's a little difficult to say definitively where you are with your truck without knowing more. Is it a Regular, Quad, or Crew Cab; is it 2x2 or 4x4, what axle it has, is tranny 6 or 8 gear? Best place to find specific capabilities will be on the sticker of your drivers door post. Just for general conversation, I would say your 2500HD w/5.7 Hemi will be ok without air bags if you use a good WD Hitch. The "general conversation" is in regard to the weight of TT being pulled, but it is getting close to max once ya get the TT loaded possibly. Payload ? - I won't even make a guess without knowing the configuration of the truck.

The 313RLTS at Day Bro in Lake Park is shown to have a pin wt of 1146 lb. Truck config will tell ya what payload you have, but again - best place to look is on your truck.

**jw^2 family** · 04-04-2018, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by crossfire3006

The Ford Technical Specifications states my vehicles Maximum Payload Weight Rating is 2,030LBs but eh sticker on the door frame states "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1,600LBs." Isn't that the same as the payload?

There's another document from Ford that you can check out: https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas...cs_1-23-17.pdf On page 39 begins the list of Actual Regular Production Option Content Weight, which indicates how all the various factory-installed options/accessories count against the payload rating. Tire sizes, trim packages, floor mats, front licence plate bracket, etc. - they all have corresponding weights that deduct from the final payload rating.

**COOLNORTHERNAIR** · 04-19-2018, 08:19 PM

One thing to keep in mind is if you get in a wreck and you are over loaded, your insurance company may not pay the claim. We are looking to buy a used 27rl because it is lighter -probably a 2015. We have a 2007 classic Chevy 2500 HD with a 16000 lb Combined Weight rating. We are thinking of replacing a Pull-Rite with an Anderson Hitch. We think it will save us about 100lbs.
Happy Camping!

**klenger** · 04-20-2018, 07:38 AM

One thing to keep in mind is if you get in a wreck and you are over loaded, your insurance company may not pay the claim.

Before I start, I am not a proponent of exceeding weight and towing capacities, and I am not trying to justify exceeding those capacities. On the other hand, I don't promote "scare" tactics to make a point either.

I asked that question of my State Farm agent a number of years ago and he emphatically denied that State Farm would fail to pay a claim based on exceeding towing capacities. There are all kinds of examples of insurance companies "paying for stupid or bad judgment" with vehicles or home insurance. Your rates may go up, but they will pay the claim.

One of the other arguments I keep hearing is legal liability for overweight towing if you are in an accident. While anyone can sue anyone in civil court, but I've never heard of a case where it actually happened. Unless an accident caused a fatality, law enforcement is not going to create a science project to determine what the weights were.

Finally, I keep hearing about overweight RV towing as being "illegal". To my knowledge, in the state of CO and AZ, the only "legal" weight restriction is the amount of weight per square inch of tire surface on the road. It's all about protecting the highways, not the vehicles. When I looked into the overweight numbers used by the real "weight police", I determined that it would almost be impossible to put enough weight on tow vehicle and trailer tires to ever get close to the legal limits.

**Retread68** · 04-20-2018, 11:20 AM

For years I have read posts by people expressing that an insurance company will not cover losses if ............ A very close friend of mine that was an Allstate Insurance Co. claims specialist told me there has never been an instance that any insurance company has excluded claims payments due to stupidity on the part of the claimant. I suppose one can take that statement in numerous ways, but I can attest to the fact that I have had more than my share of vehicle claims and some of them were without a doubt the result of stupidity or temporary insanity !!

**Steven@147** · 04-20-2018, 12:57 PM

crossfire3006. the short answer to your question is no, once your loaded and ready to drive that RV out of your driveway you will be over your payload number.

It doesn't matter what book or brochure you read, the only payload number that matters is the one on the door post and you said that was 1600.
Will your truck pull it, yes, will you be over your payload number yes.

Your Call

**Cate&Rob** · 04-20-2018, 01:55 PM

klenger & Retread68 - Thanks for the researched perspectives on this . . . much appreciated!

Rob

**COOLNORTHERNAIR** · 04-21-2018, 09:08 PM

[QUOTE=klenger;159521]Before I start, I am not a proponent of exceeding weight and towing capacities, and I am not trying to justify exceeding those capacities. On the other hand, I don't promote "scare" tactics to make a point either.

I appreciate your clarification. I saw an RV video recently where towing capacities were talked about and i believed their comment on Insurance claims. it was not my intention to scare someone but to pass along something that may have not been thought about. Again, appreciate your thoughts.