Dodge weight ratings puzzle

[jsnip42]

I have been thinking about moving up from my F250 to a 3500 Dodge to get more hitch weight capibilty. I found a great deal on a low mileage 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW with 5.9 cummings. However in the door it has a GVW of 9900 lbs. My 3/4 ton F250 is rated at 10,000 GVW. Does that mean a 1 ton Dodge will carry less weight than a 3/4 Ford? I'm puzzled by these figures.

[CamillaMichael]

I have read of many cases where a DRW truck had a lot less capability than you would think...since the notion of "trailer tow packages" has been introduced, we really need to make sure our truck has one of those packages or we risk buying a truck that might look powerful, but is far from it. As others will point out, Fords are heavy. OK with me...rather not have the trailer controlling the tow vehicle.

[camper4]

One possible reason for the Ford being able to tow more is that it is newer and Ford could have done one of thier major upgrades within those two years.
And I agree with the other post too.
Checking the individual truck is the right thigh to do.

[Ishler]

The short answer is yes, my 2005 had the same 9900limit. My current 2011 has a 10100 gvw.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by jsnip42

I have been thinking about moving up from my F250 to a 3500 Dodge to get more hitch weight capibilty. I found a great deal on a low mileage 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW with 5.9 cummings. However in the door it has a GVW of 9900 lbs. My 3/4 ton F250 is rated at 10,000 GVW. Does that mean a 1 ton Dodge will carry less weight than a 3/4 Ford? I'm puzzled by these figures.

No, it does not mean a one ton Dodge will carry less than a 3/4 Ford. Fords are very heavy, you need the carrying capacity not the weight of the truck. That 10k Ford might weigh 8k...only 2k worth of cargo capacity. The only way to be sure of the cargo capacity for a particular truck is look at the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the left side of the frame. It'll list the cargo capacity for THAT vehicle to the nearest one pound.

[Gorgeguy]

I just bought an '04 3500 a year ago. Mine is an early '04 4x4 and 305 hp. The '04.5 are 325 hp. My truck capacity is 9900 and towing capacity is 12900. It handles my '06 2955RL very easily and I am sure could tow a lot more. But it does what I need within the listed weight limitation.

[jsnip42]

I don't know if the truck I am looking at is a early or late 2004 model. It only has 59,000 miles on it. Current owner pulled a 33ft fifth wheel but not sure about pin weight. Only drawback is it is a 2 wheel drive.

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by jsnip42

Only drawback is it is a 2 wheel drive.

Good threads on here on the pros/cons of 4X4 or 2X4. We used to have a 2X4 and got stuck a couple times and couldn't get into spots several times simply due to wet grass or mud. If you really want 4X4, I would recommend passing and wait for what you really want. Just my opinion

[southern thunder]

good info here. The weight question can just get so complicated.

[farmboy]

quote:Originally posted by jsnip42

I don't know if the truck I am looking at is a early or late 2004 model. It only has 59,000 miles on it. Current owner pulled a 33ft fifth wheel but not sure about pin weight. Only drawback is it is a 2 wheel drive.

If you look at the sticker on the door you will find the build date. If Jan.'04 or later it is an '04.5. I have had no trouble getting around in my 2wd for the last 8 years. Just my.02 worth.

[brenkco]

For what it's worth, my 2006 Dodge 2500 had a GVWR of 9,000 lbs. Specs showed that I had 2000 cargo capacity. With the slider hitch, the options installed from the factory plus full tank of gas (no passengers), the truck's weight was 7,500 lbs. (Weighing the truck empty gives you the actual carrying or cargo capacity). That left only 1,500 for passengers, gear and the pin weight of the 5th wheel to be within the 9,000 GVWR. We were right at the front Axel ratings and slightly over the rear. All in all, I figured I was about 1,800 lbs over.

As has been stated many times on this forum, specs can be misleading. I relied on specs...Quite a shock when we did the actual numbers.

Ken

[DQDick]

It is totally confusing to try and figure. I was really worried that we had too little truck even though it pulled and handled fine with the Monty on the back. Finally had the whole rig weighted and we are fine. No way to know without weighing it with everything full and everyone in it. Makes it hard to buy a truck when figures are lying and liars are figuring.

[pineranch]

I too was suprised to find how much over I was with my 09 F-250. Totally loaded out with the 3605 in tow on a CAT scale in Hattiesburg I weighed 23,900. That was with no fluids to speak of in the RV. The 900lb over my max was a concern. Those new dodge's must be light as a feather.
Mike

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by pineranch

I too was suprised to find how much over I was with my 09 F-250. Totally loaded out with the 3605 in tow on a CAT scale in Hattiesburg I weighed 23,900. That was with no fluids to speak of in the RV. The 900lb over my max was a concern. Those new dodge's must be light as a feather.
Mike

As has been stated on here before...Fords are very very heavy. They look great when you see the high GVWR, but when you subtract the weight of the truck to give you cargo capacity, it's not so good.

[Gorgeguy]

My truck weight with almost full fuel and just me is about 7800 lbs so with a 9900gvw and an early '04 one ton, I guess I am just about on the money. Glad I have the 4:10 rear end, I am sure it help when towing.