Dave D(SK)

Was out looking at new trucks today and comparing capacities with my current 96. I saved the 1996 brochure and it states that the 1996 2500 4x4 LB has a payload capacity of 3530 lbs. The 2006 brochure I picked up today shows a max payload of only 2250 lbs. for a deisel quad cab 4x4. A difference of 1280 lbs.

The 96 brochure doesn't show differences based on engine so it is probably for a base gas engine (360 cid). Take off about 530 lbs for the Cummins and that still leaves a 750 lb difference.

Any ideas why?

kawiram

Im sure the GVW's change with new body styles, and also you stated the new one was a quad cab. You'd lose a bit of capacity for that.

torquefan

I have a 96 2500 club cab 4X4. The GVWR of the truck is 8800 lbs. The curb weight of the truck with me and a tank of fuel is approx. 7200 lbs. That would make the payload about 1600 lbs.

KWKING

You can get a booklet from the dealer called ,Dodge 2006 Truck Specifications Guide,its all about towing ,gears,truck payloads etc. 2250 lbs. is the correct payload for a RAM-2500 ,4x4 short box Q.C. with 48re,with G56 it is 2170 lbs.Long box is 2070 lbs. with 48re and 1990 lbs. for G56.These payloads are for the Deisel only.If you want to know 3500 specs. let me know.

Dave D(SK)

Thanks Kwking and yes, please post the 3500 payload. I am considering a 2006 or 2007 3500, 4x4, long box, quad cab, auto, single rear tires. I have a slide in camper, fully loaded weighs about 1800 lbs but planning on buying something a bit bigger in a few years.

How do you like your truck, looks very similar to what I am considering?

TexasCTD

I am not sure what the "payload" is on the SRW 3500. But the GVWR is 9900lbs. If the truck weighs, say 7500lbs, then the payload capacity would be 2400lbs.

The frame, axles, springs, brakes, etc. etc.........is identical on a SRW 3500 vs. a Dually. The GVWR is 12,200 on a Dually. The difference is in the tires.


If you want to haul a heavy Truck Camper with a SRW 3500 I would suggest you get some Rickson 19.5'' Wheels with heavier rated tires. http://www.ricksontruck.com/


Hope that helps.

zehnmm

FYI, sometime back, I got the following information from the Dodge website

"2006 dodge ram pickup 3500 SLT, QUAD CAB, 4WD, 6.25
FT Bed, 4-Speed Automatic Transmission, 5.9-Liter HO
Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine:

With 3.73 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 13722 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 9900 lbs
Payload [i] = 2772 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 7128 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 4302 lbs/4302 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 5200 lbs/6200 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 21000 lbs"

Additionally, the curb weight is stated to include a full tank of gas. Assuming that this is true, and the curb weight is in fact 7128, I calculate that with me, wife, dog, 5th wheel hitch, and some odds and ends, it will weigh 7800. That leaves 2,100 for pin weight. Of course, I have yet to buy my truck yet (still trying to decide between Dodge and Chevy,) much less go to some CAT scales.... If there is more weight in the truck, such as 2 more adults, pin weight of course goes down accordingly.

My questions: a) Why is a Chevy 2500 diesel 4x4 able to show a payload of some 3,163 pounds? b) Is it because they have a lighter curb weight to begin with? c) If it is true that a Chevy is lighter, could that mean that it will not hold up as well?

Thanks!!

SlowJeep

Not sure but after looking under my friend's Chevy I noticed the frame is not boxed like the Dodge is, so it should be quite a bit lighter.

KWKING

My truck is great Dave,would be nice to have the Mega cab rear seat space but I was told by many the short box has too many limitations in general and for campers and my brother has one for his truck that I can borrow,here are the 3500 QC payloads .Dodge Ram 3500 Deisel 4x4,QC,SRW,short box ,payload=3050 lbs with RE48, 2970 lbs with G56. 3500 SRW long box with RE48=2880 lbs,with G56=2800 lbs,add two more wheels and wow! 3500 ,QC,DRW 4x4 long box with RE48=4830 lbs and with G56=4750 lbs.I would post the page of the booklet but I dont know how,PM me if you want an email copy of any pages of the booklet.It gives all the towing ,and payload specs for 06 models and also available tranny and rear end gear ratios for all possible configurations of Dodge Rams.
5320 lbs for a reg cab long box 4x4 DRW is the highest payload
Mega cabs are close to QC specs.

RAMUK

This has always puzzled me. Why do they always show Front/Rear being equal, and why does it total more than the Curb Weight?

These are "actuals" and not "ratings", so surely Front + Rear should = Total.

Can anyone explain?