Payload rating and trying to decide on the right truck

[neoprufrok]

I am definitely a measure 3 times then cut person. As such, I've been researching what I need ad nauseum. I have a wild variability for what I need. Towing up to 7500 lbs (enclosed car hauler with up to 4k lb car - and very rarely an airstream 23'), some overlanding (no Moab level trails, just mildly difficult off roading), daily use (I'm a surgeon at a urban hospital), carrying longer building material for my side business, and general comfort to drive to Socal (I'm in Norcal) to visit family.

I'll be towing about 8-12x per year. So I do have a question.. the payload sticker - how much are the tires a component, or is it mainly the structural hardware that determines this. 2025 payload stickers have been so opaque to figure out the various 1500 models will actually come out to depending on options. I wish they had a way to calculate that into the build.

I've narrowed it down to 3 RAM models (I refuse to consider other brands only because the interior and exterior design appeals to me).

Truck 1: RHO, it's not exactly urban friendly and hospital parking ramp friendly. Even with a WD hitch, it doesn't seem like the best to tow. But looks so cool and is fast. And good for the apocolypse.

Truck 2: Limited Night Package 6'4 Bed. Payload sucks for a truck like this and it drives every decision about options. I would like a Sunroof but... that's weight. I would like Off Road, but that's weight too. I would leave most options off. But it's fast, it has almost all the luxe I would ever need and want.

Truck 3: Rebel X. Payload still not great, but better than the limited. It's slower (I like fast cars) but not horribly slow at all, but having test driven both now - I can notice the difference. It definitely does the Overland thing great.

Truck 4: 2500 Rebel. Not fast (I know, it's not meant for this). Daily driver less friendly. Parking seems to be a challenge. Major plus - I will be able to tow and carry anything I want for recreational purposes. Also.. looks absolutely badass.

Thanks for any thoughts... I'm not sure if others were in this position.

 

[vincentw56]

I am definitely a measure 3 times then cut person. As such, I've been researching what I need ad nauseum. I have a wild variability for what I need. Towing up to 7500 lbs (enclosed car hauler with up to 4k lb car - and very rarely an airstream 23'), some overlanding (no Moab level trails, just mildly difficult off roading), daily use (I'm a surgeon at a urban hospital), carrying longer building material for my side business, and general comfort to drive to Socal (I'm in Norcal) to visit family.

I'll be towing about 8-12x per year. So I do have a question.. the payload sticker - how much are the tires a component, or is it mainly the structural hardware that determines this. 2025 payload stickers have been so opaque to figure out the various 1500 models will actually come out to depending on options. I wish they had a way to calculate that into the build.

I've narrowed it down to 3 RAM models (I refuse to consider other brands only because the interior and exterior design appeals to me).

Truck 1: RHO, it's not exactly urban friendly and hospital parking ramp friendly. Even with a WD hitch, it doesn't seem like the best to tow. But looks so cool and is fast. And good for the apocolypse.

Truck 2: Limited Night Package 6'4 Bed. Payload sucks for a truck like this and it drives every decision about options. I would like a Sunroof but... that's weight. I would like Off Road, but that's weight too. I would leave most options off. But it's fast, it has almost all the luxe I would ever need and want.

Truck 3: Rebel X. Payload still not great, but better than the limited. It's slower (I like fast cars) but not horribly slow at all, but having test driven both now - I can notice the difference. It definitely does the Overland thing great.

Truck 4: 2500 Rebel. Not fast (I know, it's not meant for this). Daily driver less friendly. Parking seems to be a challenge. Major plus - I will be able to tow and carry anything I want for recreational purposes. Also.. looks absolutely badass.

Thanks for any thoughts... I'm not sure if others were in this position.

All of these hit that first point in option 1.

If you plan on towing, an HD is probably your best bet.

 

[Richard320]

Spend a little more time in the towing forum and you'll find quite a lot of threads wherein those with higher-level trims and lots of options discover that by the time they load the family into the cab, all the payload is used up, leaving nothing for the luggage or trailer. When RAM calls a 1500 a half-ton, they aren't kidding. Lots of them end up with just about half a ton of payload. Pulling a car carrier, you ought to have a 3/4 or 1 ton.

 

[bigdodge]

yup a 2500 or even a 3500 is what you need

 

[neoprufrok]

Thanks all, I feel like I've been living on this forum and the towing subforum as well as HDRams forum. It would be nice at soem point if someone at RAM make a calculator that helps determine payload when the truck is specified.

I may end up going with an open car trailer which is far less weight and put the combined trailer/car weight to be 5000-6000 lbs.

 

[Trooper4]

Thanks all, I feel like I've been living on this forum and the towing subforum as well as HDRams forum. It would be nice at soem point if someone at RAM make a calculator that helps determine payload when the truck is specified.

I may end up going with an open car trailer which is far less weight and put the combined trailer/car weight to be 5000-6000 lbs.

To answer the first question, tires are a consideration, but only to the point of stability IMHO. I went with a stiffer sidewaall tire to get rid of some of the swway of "P" rated tires. Other than that, any of your choices will work. It depends on your comfort level and experience with towing.

 

[jws1982]

My 2025 bighorn has 1727lbs of payload. SO SST, level 2 pkg, night edition. Let go of some of the luxury items and you’ll have all the payload you need. I moved from a Bighorn to a Limited, then back down to a Bighorn b/c all the “luxury” wore off after a few months. Both bighorns rode/ride butter-smooth, have every feature I actually used, and have 500+ lbs more cargo capacity.

 

[neoprufrok]

My 2025 bighorn has 1727lbs of payload. SO SST, level 2 pkg, night edition. Let go of some of the luxury items and you’ll have all the payload you need. I moved from a Bighorn to a Limited, then back down to a Bighorn b/c all the “luxury” wore off after a few months. Both bighorns rode/ride butter-smooth, have every feature I actually used, and have 500+ lbs more cargo capacity.

You got me going back to the configurator!

 

[Willwork4truck]

I was going to say the same thing, drop a couple trim levels. The more luxury items just means more stuff that breaks. W/O the auto steps, air suspension and sunroof you not only save weight, money but also potential future aggravation.

You didn't mention rear gearing, I’ve had both and prefer the 3.9 for mountains or lots of towing. Not that it matters hugely with the hp and tq ratings of the hurricane however it gives you that extra bit of help. Same with the 33 gallon tank vs the 26.

Tires for sure should be LT or AT rated. Dropping down from a Limited allows for 18 or 20 inch rims instead of the 22’s, model depending.

As a surgeon maybe you have the disposable income to purchase the RHO. Sounds like it’s one quick truck, a decent comparison to a TRX.

Whatever you choose, unless its a BH trim, payload is your issue in a 1500. all the other caveats apply, no mods affect your true payload, they just 1-add weight/cost and 2- are bandaids to getting a 2500.
You could go for a 2500 Limited and get the best of both. Oh, the 6’4” bed is a nice upgrade for the building materials requirement.

Have fun.

 

[neoprufrok]

I was going to say the same thing, drop a couple trim levels. The more luxury items just means more stuff that breaks. W/O the auto steps, air suspension and sunroof you not only save weight, money but also potential future aggravation.

You didn't mention rear gearing, I’ve had both and prefer the 3.9 for mountains or lots of towing. Not that it matters hugely with the hp and tq ratings of the hurricane however it gives you that extra bit of help. Same with the 33 gallon tank vs the 26.

Tires for sure should be LT or AT rated. Dropping down from a Limited allows for 18 or 20 inch rims instead of the 22’s, model depending.

As a surgeon maybe you have the disposable income to purchase the RHO. Sounds like it’s one quick truck, a decent comparison to a TRX.

Whatever you choose, unless its a BH trim, payload is your issue in a 1500. all the other caveats apply, no mods affect your true payload, they just 1-add weight/cost and 2- are bandaids to getting a 2500.
You could go for a 2500 Limited and get the best of both. Oh, the 6’4” bed is a nice upgrade for the building materials requirement.

Have fun.

This is super helpful. One of the interesting thigns was how Motor Trend got a Tradesman to do a 0-60 run in 4.8 secs compared to their Tungsten run of 4.4 secs. Speed is the lowest factor for me - but it speaks to how much weight is added to these trucks as you pile on the trim level and amenities. Not only does it hurt payload, it seems to hurt performance as well.

I researched and found out how much heaveir the MFT and the ramboxes are... which are rather crazy.

My biggest worry about the RHO is the general daily usability. Seems a little bit much to drive around to the grocery store and try to park it. In urban areas of Cali this can be a problem.

 

[nc_beagle]

There used to be a way to see a trucks payload by its VIN code. When I was researching our truck, I'd look on dealer sites to find trucks as close to what I was going to order as possible. Then, I'd take their VIN off the window sticker and plug it into the payload-by-vin site. I was able to estimate within maybe 20-30# of what my payload sticker showed when it arrived. I don't think any dealer had exactly what I was going to order, in terms of options.

I skipped the sunroof, MFT, and RamBoxes to save on payload and because they weren't critical to me. I can tell you my payload is 1317#, but I've got a 2021 Limited Diesel so not much is going to translate to what you're considering. We tow a 25' Lance Camper that's maybe 5500# on an average trip and it tows great. We travel fairly light and our dogs aren't big so we're not in danger of exceeding payload with the camper at 12% hitch weight.

If you're towing a 7500# car hauler and go by the 12% hitch weigh rule-of-thumb, that's 900# of your payload. You might want to visit a dealer and read some payload stickers on 2500 Rebels because I know some 2500s don't have much more payload than some 1500s.

 

[neoprufrok]

There used to be a way to see a trucks payload by its VIN code. When I was researching our truck, I'd look on dealer sites to find trucks as close to what I was going to order as possible. Then, I'd take their VIN off the window sticker and plug it into the payload-by-vin site. I was able to estimate within maybe 20-30# of what my payload sticker showed when it arrived. I don't think any dealer had exactly what I was going to order, in terms of options.

I skipped the sunroof, MFT, and RamBoxes to save on payload and because they weren't critical to me. I can tell you my payload is 1317#, but I've got a 2021 Limited Diesel so not much is going to translate to what you're considering. We tow a 25' Lance Camper that's maybe 5500# on an average trip and it tows great. We travel fairly light and our dogs aren't big so we're not in danger of exceeding payload with the camper at 12% hitch weight.

If you're towing a 7500# car hauler and go by the 12% hitch weigh rule-of-thumb, that's 900# of your payload. You might want to visit a dealer and read some payload stickers on 2500 Rebels because I know some 2500s don't have much more payload than some 1500s.

I figured this out… there will be a massive post coming.. I went crazy and looked on the estore, got the VINs of various trucks and specs based on window sticker and found their payload. I’ve gone through a bunch of Rebels, a bunch of RHOs. NOw gonna do some Limited 6’4s and will post the results hopefully soon!