@bowsniper you are getting great advice here, even though it may not be what you wanted to hear with all the excitement about the truck. With my 8000# trailer and 1000# tongue weight, I figured out I could have my Ram 1500 either luxurious OR rigged to tow my trailer+family... but not both.
My Laramie (with heavy Ramboxes) only had 1240# of payload available to me, so I had to switch to something different. My BigHorn gives me 1600# of payload with a full tank of gas, so with my relatively little family we are ok. Five average size people in there would put me over weight too. Guess I gotta watch what I eat...
In your case I would look at the Heavy Duty Beauties... a buddy of mine went up to a 2018 HD and has over 3000# payload, it is a gorgeous truck inside and out and he’s super happy. Truck feels the same inside, might ride a little different but so what it’ll pull.
Use whatever maximum numbers you think you’ll drive with... but for instance if we assume 1200# tongue, 5 x 200# for a full driver/passenger load, and 200# of bags in the bed then you should be looking for 2400# payload
on the door sticker. Remember don’t go with the manufacturer claimed “maximum” tow capacity because it does not account for hundreds of pounds of heavy options... but the door sticker doesn’t lie (in fact mine was exactly in synch with the truck scales).
Hence, we recommend the HD for your case, then you can drive safe AND have it luxurious too! Good luck.
