tow rig question

[4wheelinmike]

I have a 2500 Dodge ram so that's a half ton truck right? What exactly does that mean? What's a 3/4 ton truck (I know it's a 3500 or f-350) what would be the best to tow a 30 foot 5th wheel that I'm going to put 2 Jeeps on?

[igofshn]

2500 is a 3/4 ton. 1500 is a half ton and a 3500 is a one ton. Back in the old days that was basically your payload capability, but gears and hp and overall trucks are much better so it really doesn't mean a lot. Most half ton trucks can tow close to 10k lbs.

For what you want to tow, a 1 ton is best but your 3/4 ton can probably do it without too much trouble. It just depends on how heavy the trailer is.

[Double AA]

The 1500 is the 1/2 ton, the 2500 is 3/4 ton and 3500 is 1 ton. This is an old weight rating system the manufacturers used to rate the bed carrying capacity. Today's trucks are rated at much more. Check the tongue and gross weight of the loaded trailer and compare to the spec's in your manual. Your truck should be OK. 100dollarman on this board has that exact truck and trailer set-up, try PMing him.

[Materdaddy]

My 1500 Dodge RAM which has the 5.7L HEMI is only rated at something like 8500 lbs if I regear. As it sits (stock), I think its rated at more like the 6500-7500 lbs range. I'm not sure about 10k on a 1500... Maybe with a lot of work done like a new tranny (with good cooling), taller gears, engine power adders, etc. you can get a 1500 to handle 10k, but not most. Needless to say, a 1500 can handle a hell of a lot more than 1/2 ton!

[4wheelinmike]

All this time I thaught I had a half ton. Thanks for clearing that up for me guys I now have a better understanding of what truck I'm going to look at

[FishPOET]

Trucks are rated for X amount of weight they can haul. That weight rating is "Gross Vehicle Weight Rating" GVWR, and it includes the weight of the truck, all the passengers, fuel, gear, anything else in the truck and any tongue weight.

Trucks are rated for X amount of weight that they can tow. Any weight over the GVWR and the trailer will need a supplemental braking system.

Trucks are rated to both haul and tow. That is the "Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating" GCVWR.

For hauling and towing heavy loads on single rear wheel trucks the tires are rated to carry X amount of weight. IMO this is the most important weight rating. I never exceed tire ratings.

For bumper pull, hitches are rated for X amount of tongue weight for both with a weight distributing system and without. Bumper pull trailers typically have 12-15% of the trailer weight as tongue weight.

Gooseneck/Fifth Wheel trailers typically have 25% of the trailer weight as tongue weight.

[chris142]

I thought that I would add some licensing requirements.

If your trailer uses a ball you cant legally pull it with a class C license if it weighs over 10,000 lbs.

15,000 lbs for a 5th wheel. How much does your trailer and 2 Jeeps weigh?

[4wheelinmike]

I can definitely tell you that all 3 of them are pushing 15k but I'm trying to get my class a to get some extra cash pulling loads for my uncle

[blackZZR]

your braking system on a 1/2 or 3/4 ton is a major factor here. The trucks usually do not up braking systems till you hit 1 ton, and that is when they start making trucks that will do heavy duty work everyday. Most differences between 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks are shocks and springs. sometimes the rear end.. but on 1 ton trucks everything goes up. If you are planning on hauling a lot because you are making money doing it, I would recommend a 1 ton truck.
If this is for personal, occasional use, that 3/4 ton will be ok.

[Guest]

On Chevy's and Ford's there is a difference in brake drums and rotors on a 1500 and 2500. Not sure if this was changed on "x" years and now it's the same. But in the past, there was a difference between the two.

[FishPOET]

your braking system on a 1/2 or 3/4 ton is a major factor here. The trucks usually do not up braking systems till you hit 1 ton, and that is when they start making trucks that will do heavy duty work everyday. Most differences between 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks are shocks and springs. sometimes the rear end.. but on 1 ton trucks everything goes up. If you are planning on hauling a lot because you are making money doing it, I would recommend a 1 ton truck.
If this is for personal, occasional use, that 3/4 ton will be ok.

You have it backwards. The only difference between a Ford Super Duty F250 SRW and a Ford Super Duty 350 SRW model is one extra spring in the rear pack.

There are many differences between the F150 and the Super Duties. For hauling/towing a couple of major differences are the 150 gets a semi float rear axle while the Super Duties get a full float rear axle. The F150 is sold on P rated tires while the Super Duties are sold on LT "D" or "E" rated tires.

[blackZZR]

ok ok, O have not owned a new truck since the 80s, I just cannot see paying the money they want for newer trucks that I crank up and use about 12 times a year, so my tech may be old tech.