|
|
07-19-2014, 06:57 PM
|
#1
|
Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
|
2014 RAM 1500 EcoDIESEL has arrived!
Hey y'all!
I picked up my new RAM 1500 EcoDiesel on Tuesday, 15 July 14. I ordered it on 2 June 14 from Mac Haik in Temple Texas. I wouldn't say I got the best deal, but it was a fair price. Here is the build sheet.
My RAM build sheet.pdf
It is a SLT Lone Star 4X4 Crew Cab, 6'4" bed, Katzkin leather, sunroof, tow mirrors, ITBC, Back up camera. It is a sweet truck!
Some pictures-
This truck rides like a dream. It is so quiet and smooth I just can't tell you how impressed I am with it.
It is a pretty heavy truck. I took it to the CAT scales today for a weigh in. Here is the truck full of fuel with my wife and me on board.
Here are the door stickers-
So as you can see, I don't have a truck configured with a huge available payload. It isn't a problem for me. I tend to travel light.
The GCWR is 14,500. The maximum towing is listed at 8,700.
Currently the EVIC is showing an average of 22.8 MPG for the 480 miles the truck has been driven since it rolled off the line in Warren Michigan on the 25th of June.
It will probably be a few weeks before we tow our Ambassador with the new truck. I'm posting this to help my fellow Airstreamers. I'm not starting any arguments, or making the case for anything. I'm just sharing. If this truck will work for you, that is just awesome! If not, there are plenty of trucks that will meet your needs. We all have different needs and desires.
Happy Streamin!
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 07:07 PM
|
#2
|
Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
|
What's curious is the two axles have a 3,900 lb rating, for a combined total of 7,800 lbs, yet the sticker limits the truck to a 6,950 lb GVWR.
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 07:21 PM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kscherzi
What's curious is the two axles have a 3,900 lb rating, for a combined total of 7,800 lbs, yet the sticker limits the truck to a 6,950 lb GVWR.
|
That's how it is for any vehicle I have checked: the maximum payload is less than the available loading capacity of front axle + the rear axle.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 07:28 PM
|
#4
|
Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
|
Automotive math
Quote:
Originally Posted by kscherzi
What's curious is the two axles have a 3,900 lb rating, for a combined total of 7,800 lbs, yet the sticker limits the truck to a 6,950 lb GVWR.
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rostam
That's how it is for any vehicle I have checked: the maximum payload is less than the available loading capacity of front axle + the rear axle.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
|
Yep. They are all like that.
FAWR+RAWR ≠ GVWR
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 07:30 PM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
N/A
, N/A
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 989
|
Or FAWR + RAWR > GVWR
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 07:37 PM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
|
Very nice truck, and it's BLACK!
I had a black truck once.....
Too much work to keep clean for me now, but I'm eager to hear how it handles and tows your trailer.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 07:42 PM
|
#7
|
Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
|
You can only have 700# tongue weight? More than that, and it looks like you will be over your rated GVW. Unless I miscounted, again...
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 07:43 PM
|
#8
|
2014 Bowlus Road Chief
Cumming
, Iowa
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 370
|
Hey Lance,
Great post! Your happiness with your purchase comes thru without a hint of prejudice. I feel the same way about our new 2014 Silverado.
Best wishes,
John S.
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 07:46 PM
|
#9
|
Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
|
Thanks Steve.
Yes, black! You aren't the first Texan to call me crazy about the color.
My first car was a black 1981 Trans Am. My third car was a black 1993 Trans Am. I've longed for a black car/truck since I traded the '93 in on a pos green Chevy minivan!
Yes, more work for sure but, wow!
Edit: I'm looking forward to the first tow as well. I'm sure it will be super!
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 07:50 PM
|
#10
|
Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
|
Yeah, that's pretty close.
Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
You can only have 700# tongue weight? More than that, and it looks like you will be over your rated GVW. Unless I miscounted, again...
|
#670 actually. I'll keep a look out for the payload police
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 07:57 PM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
|
Nice truck!
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 08:20 PM
|
#12
|
Rivet Master
2012 27' Flying Cloud
W
, New England
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 7,402
|
What's the hitch rated for?
Nice truck. Mine's black too. :-)
|
|
|
07-19-2014, 11:59 PM
|
#13
|
Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,500
|
I may not have been the first Texan to look askance at your color choice but I'll bet I was close. The sheet metal will only burn your hands on summer afternoons. Looking forward to a demonstration soon.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
|
|
|
07-20-2014, 05:01 AM
|
#14
|
Rivet Master
2014 31' Classic
2015 23' International
2013 25' FB International
Apache Junction
, Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,215
|
DOT only cares about the axle and tire ratings. As long as the tire ratings are equal to or greater than the axle ratings and neither axle is overloaded, no issues about being overloaded.
However, if close to an axle max weight, you might weigh each wheel to be sure no one tire is overloaded.
__________________
WBCCI Life Member 5123, AIR 70341, 4CU, WD9EMC
TV - 2012 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins HO, automatic, Centramatics, Kelderman level ride airbag suspension, bed shell
2014 31' Classic w/ twin beds, 50 amp service, 1000 watt solar system, Centramatics, Tuson TPMS, 12" disc brakes, 16" tires & wheels
|
|
|
07-20-2014, 06:53 AM
|
#15
|
Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
|
Reveiver
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveSueMac
What's the hitch rated for?
Nice truck. Mine's black too. :-)
|
Hi Steve,
Thanks. I love black trucks!
The receiver is a class IV rated for 10,450lbs max trailer weight, 1,045lbs max tongue weight.
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
|
|
|
07-20-2014, 08:49 AM
|
#16
|
Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by switz
DOT only cares about the axle and tire ratings. As long as the tire ratings are equal to or greater than the axle ratings and neither axle is overloaded, no issues about being overloaded.
However, if close to an axle max weight, you might weigh each wheel to be sure no one tire is overloaded.
|
I'm always confused by the reference to DOT as though weights are a legal requirement enforced by them for recreational campers. What is the issue as far as DOT is concerned?
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
|
|
|
07-20-2014, 09:03 AM
|
#17
|
Rivet Master
2005 39' Land Yacht 390 XL 396
Common Sense
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,319
|
Personally, I wouldn't be too worried about the weight ratings, as long as it doesn't get WAY out of hand.
I have a friend here, who has always used Diesel 3/4 ton trucks in the past to tow his goose neck horse trailers (he's in the horse business), but decided because of the cost of operating the big Diesel truck when not towing, has gone to a 1/2 Dodge like Top's except he has the hemi engine.
He has added air bag overloads to the rear of his truck, and simply adds air when towing the heavy horse trailer, and says it works great. He's been doing this for about two years now with no issues, but like Top, I suspect he does not tow that many miles each year.
I considered going to a 1/2 ton truck for the same reasons last year, but because of weight I'm towing, and the number of miles a year we tow, the numbers just did not work. We were talking last night, and since we got our '34 we have towed it over 15,000 miles, and have at least another 3,000 planned this year.
__________________
Regards,
Steve
|
|
|
07-20-2014, 09:39 AM
|
#18
|
Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
|
We use a 2012 Ram Hemi for our 25' FC, ProPride hitch. This spring our trailer was heavily loaded (unusual for us) with our collections from 7 months touring, the truck bed a light load as usual.
We weighed the rig on the way home finding the truck and trailer axles were all under their ratings. There is so much fuss over trailer tongue weight on this forum, but I believe what matters is the weight of the rig when it's hooked up and weight distribution applied.
Our Ram payload sticker says 1360. Okay, that's a reference that is useful so when I hook up the trailer I keep the load in the truck light. When I haul home concrete blocks I can put about a thousand pounds in the bed, and drive more carefully than when towing because I don't have the advantage of a weight distribution hitch. I try to be reasonable and use common sense.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
|
|
|
07-20-2014, 12:39 PM
|
#19
|
2 Rivet Member
Briarcliff
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 85
|
VERY nice Sir.
Sharp!
RamBox?
__________________
1966 T-27 Avion (Sold & missed)
2022 Escape 19
|
|
|
07-20-2014, 02:21 PM
|
#20
|
Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
|
Thanks 7Gen,
No, no RAMBox. They look handy, but I don't know. Just not something I felt I needed or wanted.
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|