Uh Oh... purchased an Airstream and don't know my GCWR

[MetalDog]

May be in a bit of trouble here. I just purchased a 23 foot Airstream after talking to my RAM sales rep first, who told me there would be no problem towing it due to max tow. Stupid me. Apparently my door jam payload is only 1,024. This won't work with a 650 pound tongue weight and four passengers, and about 200 pounds of non-removable accessories.

My Limited came with 22 rims and C rated tires, which from what I can tell, lower about 250-300 pounds off of payload when you compare VIN's of similar Limiteds that came with stock 20's. I removed my 22's and replaced with Ram Rebel 18's wrapped in E-rated Discovery tires. I know it won't officially change payload, but I hope to regain the 200-300 pounds in lost payload from the 22's. I don't mind being a couple hundred pounds over payload, but 400 is a bit worrisome. However, my real question is how do I find my VIN specific GCWR? I've looked all over and can't find it unlike how Chevy and Ford clearly state it. Instead, I put in a placeholder 13,900 I found on a website.

Trying to figure out if I need to jump to a 2500 or if I can keep the 1500 for a couple trips a year from OR to AZ. I've also attached my window sticker. Any help would be appreciated. Don't worry, I didn't pay sticker lol. = D

 

[MetalDog]

Oh, I will be using a Blue Ox weight redistribution system.

 

[devildodge]

Your GCWR is based on your engine and rear gear.

You have 3.92 so it is 17000 lbs

Your vin says your payload is 1024. That is your payload. Where did you get your number 1435. Edit: I see now that that is your payload need.

Your base weight is GVWR minus payload.

Yours would be 7100 minus 1024 for 6076. Limited Trucks are heavy pigs. So your 5374 is wrong.

Other than that your numbers look good.

You are over payload. But stay under GAWR and you should be okay.

 

[devildodge]

For info. The GCWR is found in the towing charts.

With the Hemi you get 13900 with 3.21 and 17000 with 3.92.

 

[devildodge]

Just to clear up confusion.

Do you have the truck already?

And you now own the trailer?

Download the CAT scale app. Use it to locate one near you. Tow the camper there and get your axle weights. As long as the weight distribution is set up to keep weight on the front axle, and your scale slip shows under 3900 steer and 4100 drive...you should be good for a few trips a year

 

[devildodge]

The only kicker is hitch weight. 664 is off of the 4761. And you didn't figure in the weight of the weight distribution hitch about 120lbs.

Your hitch weight ia 14%. So if you load the trailer to 6000 it would be 840.

You are gonna have to travel with empty tanks and minimize cargo

 

[devildodge]

I hate to say this because heaven knows their is so much extra capacity in these trucks. Just ask anyone who disagrees with us number explainers

But loaded for camp...you may be over on rear GAWR. I wouldn't get too excited, but I would definitely make my decision with a CAT scale.

@Gondul was in a very similar situation to you. Not sure if he frequents here much anymore...he is still at www.hdrams.com but he ended up going to a HeavyDuty, but he just wanted to feel safer and not concern himself with where to pack the pillows.

 

[MetalDog]

Thank you!

 

[MetalDog]

For info. The GCWR is found in the towing charts.

With the Hemi you get 13900 with 3.21 and 17000 with 3.92.

I have a diesel with 3.92. Is it still 17,000? Where did you find that number?

 

[devildodge]

I have a diesel with 3.92. Is it still 17,000? Where did you find that number?

Shoot. Sorry. You listed your GVWR as 7100. The diesel has 7200.

Give me a minute and I will be back with the correct info

 

[devildodge]

So you need to change your GVWR to 7200 which also will chanfw your base weight to 6176

Axle ratings are the same.

And your GCWR is 15600 for the diesel and 3.92

Sorry for assuming the HEMI.



Remember. The listed numbers for payload and towing are not specific to your truck.

The GVWR GAWR and GCWR do not change per trim...so they are set in stone.

Hope this helps.

Again sorry for the mistake, but it makes sense why your towing number wasn't working out with the math now.

 

[MetalDog]

So you need to change your GVWR to 7200 which also will chanfw your base weight to 6176

Axle ratings are the same.

And your GCWR is 15600 for the diesel and 3.92

Sorry for assuming the HEMI.

View attachment 72878

Remember. The listed numbers for payload and towing are not specific to your truck.

The GVWR GAWR and GCWR do not change per trim...so they are set in stone.

Hope this helps.

Again sorry for the mistake, but it makes sense why your towing number wasn't working out with the math now.

Thank you that clears things up. So it looks like if I fully load the Airstream from 4761 dry weight to its 6,000 GVWR, I will come in around 12,809 on the Ram's GCWR (about 82% of max). The towing of 6,000 be at 64% of max, so I'm also good there. It's just the dreaded payload.

To answer your earlier question, I ran VIN # on two identical Ram 1500 Limited, with the only exception being one had 22 vs 20's. The 20's had a 250-300 pounds less payload, which I can only attribute to the wheels and tires. Everything else seemed to be the same. I was told Airstreams run 10-12% of the trailer's GVWR, but will assume a worst of 15%.

 

[devildodge]

, I will come in around 12,809 on the Ram's GCWR (about 82% of max). The towing of 6,000 be at 64% of max, so I'm also good there

The reason for this large difference is this.

The towing number is just GCWR minus base weight.

15600 minus 6176 equals 9424.

See. That 9424 is everything you can add to the truck up to GCWR. They used to give an allowance for driver passenger options and hitch. Which was 470lbs. So a more true max towing number is 8954...this including tongue weight. The usual way is 10% which would be 895. But you can see the 470 plus 895 is over payload.

So you really only have a max tow of 5540...at 10%. If you have read any of my towing comments. Campers can not go by any of the max tow numbers. Because Campers have 12 to 15 % tongue weight. So lets say 13. That is a max tow of a 4261lb camper.

But. There is a bit of wiggle room if you are okay ignoring payload and GVWR and going with GAWR. But you really have to scale it.

 

[devildodge]

The 20's had a 250-300 pounds less payload

This almost seems like the difference between 2wd and 4wd.

I would be interested in seeing those VIN if you still have them.

 

[Finn5033]

I see so many of these threads. I think the bottom line is don’t buy a limited if you need to tow a travel trailer.

 

[Bearman95]

I think the bottom line is don’t buy a 1500 if you need to tow, Too many things to try to figure out if you’re safe or not!

 

[devildodge]

The 1500 tow a just fine. Unfortunately you have to basically have just a driver and a hitch to do it to max.

My 2500 is near gross vehicle with our stuff towing a 5700lb camper. We travel with about 2200lbs of payload in the truck.



So a 2500 sometimes isn't enough either.

Best thing when towing especially with a 1500 is a 2 vehicle convoy.

 

[rubikcube]

I have almost this exact same truck with the exception of wheels and tires. I also have a 23ft airstream globetrotter. Dry tongue weight is 591. I loaded everything up, full 33gal of diesel, full def, my wife and I, dogs, and equipment in bed. These were my cat scale numbers:

Steer: 3580
Drive: 3620
Trailer: 5180
Total: 12380

So that’s exactly 7200! Also, well within GAWRs for both front and rear axles. Not too bad, but it sounds like you might have a bit more weight than I do. Remember that with the WDH, about 1/3rd of the tongue weight will be shifted back to the trailer and won’t count against payload.

Since payload is really GVWR - curb weight, you could try removing the skid plates, filling less than 33 gallons, running def at half full, etc. I thought 33 gal tank would be necessary, but with the diesel, it’s overkill.

Also, a good rule of thumb for airstreams is to never estimate or use the specs for the tongue weight. Always measure.

 

[devildodge]

@rubikcube thanks for chiming in. I enjoy seeing the numbers of a CAT scale slip.

Makes it very easy to see how the truck takes the load.

Awesome that you nailed GVWR to the ounce

 

[MetalDog]

I have almost this exact same truck with the exception of wheels and tires. I also have a 23ft airstream globetrotter. Dry tongue weight is 591. I loaded everything up, full 33gal of diesel, full def, my wife and I, dogs, and equipment in bed. These were my cat scale numbers:

Steer: 3580
Drive: 3620
Trailer: 5180
Total: 12380

So that’s exactly 7200! Also, well within GAWRs for both front and rear axles. Not too bad, but it sounds like you might have a bit more weight than I do. Remember that with the WDH, about 1/3rd of the tongue weight will be shifted back to the trailer and won’t count against payload.

Since payload is really GVWR - curb weight, you could try removing the skid plates, filling less than 33 gallons, running def at half full, etc. I thought 33 gal tank would be necessary, but with the diesel, it’s overkill.

Also, a good rule of thumb for airstreams is to never estimate or use the specs for the tongue weight. Always measure.

Thank you! I'm hitting the scales tomorrow