Adding payload capacity to RAM 1500?

[Bill M.]

"A friend's RAM 1500 Ecodiesel had 910 lbs on the door jamb sticker."

I do not know whether it is true or not but there was once a thread on the forums about Ram having a sensor that recorded any overload and maybe could void the warranty if overloads occurred.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Dodge still a real oxymoron.....Remember the "Dodge Ram"?
Appears they still can't make up their minds.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Ken G]

https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing/towing-guide.html
Enter Ram VIN @ this website it will give exact payload and towing capacity for specified truck as equipped - Do your research before purchasing - don't believe the salesman (probably doesn't know). I assume all manufacturers have a similar resource.

BTW I intentionally chose a smaller trailer rather than need a 3/4 ton truck.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Rrauch

Has anyone added payload capacity to a RAM 1500? Is it possible to modify the suspension to get, say, 500 lbs. additional capacity? The RAM 1500 has a rated payload capacity of about 1,100 lbs. Rather than moving up to a 2500 is there an alternative?

Hi, the only way to add to your payload is to reduce the weight of your vehicle. Removing the bed might save you about 500 lbs. [WAG] Your GVWR cannot be changed. Changing from a large gas tank to the smaller one, on some vehicles, might save you 50 lbs.

[lkm4321]

I tow my 27FCFB with a 2019 Ram 1500 4x4 Bighorn Quad Cab Hemi. Door sticker is 1850lbs. I changed the tires to E- Rated and added air bags. I don't haul tons of stuff and seldom drive over 65. Set my Blue Ox hitch at 9 links. Only need to add a little air in the bags to take out 1/2" sag on the back of the truck. Have pulled the trailer about 15,000 miles, mostly in the west, truck is stable and has plenty of power. I have no regrets

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by lkm4321

I tow my 27FCFB with a 2019 Ram 1500 4x4 Bighorn Quad Cab Hemi. Door sticker is 1850lbs. I changed the tires to E- Rated and added air bags. I don't haul tons of stuff and seldom drive over 65. Set my Blue Ox hitch at 9 links. Only need to add a little air in the bags to take out 1/2" sag on the back of the truck. Have pulled the trailer about 15,000 miles, mostly in the west, truck is stable and has plenty of power. I have no regrets

What, the BO can't 'level' the TV?🤔

Bob
🇺🇸

[JayOhBee]

Originally Posted by jim6090

I'm so frustrated with my 2020 Ram. Website says payload 1840 lbs for Limited 1500. Thats what i based my purchasing decision. Actual sticker says 1086 lbs. No relief from Ram. They are straight up dishonest on their website.

The quoted payloads from all the mfgs are based on a stripped down version of the truck. Every option you add to the truck adds weight and reduces payload. The top of line the trims generally have the lowest payload numbers. Ford, GM, Ram...all the same. You have to look at the sticker on the truck you are buying to know what the payload is.

[Bill M.]

I am not sure I think all the difference in the payload of different models is due to weight of accessories. I suspect that on some of the trucks that they try to up the fuel economy and there are differences in the engine tune and the tires and gearing and maybe some structural things that reduce payload.

Do pickup trucks count in the corporate fleet average fuel calculation? Do the larger 2500 trucks count? I think so and I think that is what is driving the prices up. And driving the production of trucks that are just open backed cars. And there seems to be a lot of uses for trucks that never haul more than a refrigerator for delivery.

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

I have no sag at all with my 23FB and Blue Ox WDH.

Ummm, that is what the WD does, raises the rear end back up and pushes the front end back down to restore needed weight back to the steering axle.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by Rrauch

Has anyone added payload capacity to a RAM 1500? Is it possible to modify the suspension to get, say, 500 lbs. additional capacity? The RAM 1500 has a rated payload capacity of about 1,100 lbs. Rather than moving up to a 2500 is there an alternative?

Rrauch, you should be fine with a 23’ GT and your RAM 1500. We towed our FC23FB with a VW Touareg Diesel that had a 770 lbs. tongue weight limit and 1168 lbs payload. It handled the trailer fine.

We eventually traded up to a 27’ Globetrotter and a RAM 1500 with 1220 lbs payload. After a trip to the CAT scales we discovered we were within 100 lbs. of being over the RAM’s 4100 lbs. rear axle max. Rather than go through payload anxiety, we moved up to a RAM 2500 with 2940 lbs payload (gas, not diesel).

Unless you plan to get a larger trailer, you’ll be fine with your RAM.

[Rick n Mary]

Originally Posted by Rrauch

Has anyone added payload capacity to a RAM 1500? Is it possible to modify the suspension to get, say, 500 lbs. additional capacity? The RAM 1500 has a rated payload capacity of about 1,100 lbs. Rather than moving up to a 2500 is there an alternative?

It is EXTREMELY easy to add payload capacity. Buy a 2500.
To add capacity, you NEED to add suspension components and most importantly, BRAKES!!!
Sell your 1500 and buy a 2500!

[BayouBiker]

It is unfortunate that "payload" and GVWR are legal terms used to regulate commercial hauling. It is more unfortunate that 11 states have murky laws or clear laws that are not enforced that when interpreted literally apply to RV towing. the confusion creates difficulties for people who want to increase the load capacity of vehicles. Generally one can increase the load capacity of a vehicle with no legal or regulatory difficulties by keeping the GVW below 10,000 and so long as the GCW does not exceed the sum of the original GVWR + the trailer GVWR. They can avoid serious vehicle performance and safety issues by staying below the original GCWR, the axle limits, max towing limit and the tongue limit. If tongue limit is not published, use 10% of max towing limit as the presumed tongue limit.

With this as a guideline, one can still be out of compliance with the letter of the law but not the the claimed spirit or intent in 13 states.

[JonDNC]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

Do pickup trucks count in the corporate fleet average fuel calculation? Do the larger 2500 trucks count? I think so and I think that is what is driving the prices up. And driving the production of trucks that are just open backed cars. And there seems to be a lot of uses for trucks that never haul more than a refrigerator for delivery.

I know SD trucks don’t count for fleet fuel economy. Not sure about 1/2 ton or smaller. That’s why SD trucks don’t come with a fuel economy rating on the sticker. Pretty sure my 1/2 ton did.

[Dennis C]

Originally Posted by Bobbo

Ummm, that is what the WD does, raises the rear end back up and pushes the front end back down to restore needed weight back to the steering axle.

Correct, but I mentioned it because of the comments above about sag. My truck actually displays very little sag even without the WDH. My brother tows a large trailer with his F-150 and he has significant sag, even with a WDH. He uses airbags to offset the sag. I’m not a fan of that approach, but he seems okay with it.

[Daquenzer]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

Correct, but I mentioned it because of the comments above about sag. My truck actually displays very little sag even without the WDH. My brother tows a large trailer with his F-150 and he has significant sag, even with a WDH. He uses airbags to offset the sag. I’m not a fan of that approach, but he seems okay with it.

I don't have sag with my F150 with my WDH. A cheaper solution to consider than airbags is a roadmaster suspension system. Also more durable.

I was going to put on airbags, but the accessory parts guy said go with roadmaster. That's what he uses. And he could have sold me airbags for twice the price.

[JEB]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Dodge still a real oxymoron.....Remember the "Dodge Ram"?
Appears they still can't make up their minds.

Bob
🇺🇸

No, Chrysler was aware of the oxymoron, but they were in a bind. Their first choice, “Dodge Duck,” didn’t test well with focus groups.

[Dennis C]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

I don't have sag with my F150 with my WDH. A cheaper solution to consider than airbags is a roadmaster suspension system. Also more durable.

I was going to put on airbags, but the accessory parts guy said go with roadmaster. That's what he uses. And he could have sold me airbags for twice the price.

I suspect that my brother’s trailer is too big/heavy, or his setup needs some adjusting.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

I suspect that my brother’s trailer is too big/heavy, or his setup needs some adjusting.

I would advise your brother in law to try the Roadmaster Active Suspension. It’s not that expensive, and the install is an easy DIY. It really transforms the truck/towing experience. It does not magically add a thousand pounds payload, or a thousand actual pounds to your trucks actual weight. It doesn’t change the door sticker. It does level the truck and make the trailer behind you a lot less noticeable in terms of tongue weight. Way cheaper than changing trucks.. Still really need to drive carefully, still shouldn’t exceed axle and vehicle weight ratings.

[reginac]

Question - you want to upload the capacity because of what? What are you trying to accomplish?

[jim6090]

1086 is the actual payload.