Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram · Ram 3500 Research
With a fifth-wheel, the number that runs out first is usually payload, not towing capacity. Here is how to match a Ram 3500 to your RV's pin weight, which factory equipment to look for, and what to expect on the climbs out of Sacramento.
A fifth-wheel sets a large share of its weight on a hitch in the bed, over or just ahead of the rear axle. That pin weight counts against payload, not just towing capacity. Work it out in four steps:
Payload varies a lot across the Ram 3500 lineup:
| Configuration (Cummins HO) | Max payload | Max trailer rating |
|---|---|---|
| 4x4 Crew Cab 6-ft 4-in SRW | 3,970 lb | 23,550 lb |
| 4x4 Regular Cab 8-ft dually | 6,050 lb | 36,610 lb |
| 4x2 Regular Cab 8-ft dually | 6,460 lb | 37,020 lb |
Moving from a Crew Cab short-bed SRW to a 4x4 Regular Cab dually adds 2,080 lb of payload, room that goes straight to pin weight. Most RV owners want a Crew Cab or Mega Cab for family, though, and those cabs weigh more. That's why the door-jamb label on the exact truck matters more than any brochure maximum.
Pin weight lands mostly on the rear axle, so check rear GAWR as well as payload. A single-rear-wheel Ram 3500 is rated at 7,000 lb on the rear axle; a dually is rated at 9,750 lb, with a 14,000-lb GVWR on every dually configuration. On a heavy fifth-wheel, the dually's wider rear track and extra tires also steady the truck in crosswinds. Our dually vs single rear wheel guide covers the trade-offs, including the 96.5-in width.
| Cummins configuration | Max trailer rating |
|---|---|
| 4x4 Crew Cab 8-ft dually | 33,560 lb |
| 4x4 Mega Cab 6-ft 4-in dually | 32,890 lb |
| 4x4 Crew Cab 8-ft SRW | 25,180 lb |
| 4x4 Mega Cab 6-ft 4-in SRW | 24,080 lb |
| 4x4 Crew Cab 6-ft 4-in SRW | 23,550 lb |
Ram's preliminary 2027 ratings, Cummins HO with 3.42 axle. The highest ratings require a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch. See every configuration on the 2027 Ram 3500 towing chart.
An 8-ft bed gives more clearance between the cab and the trailer's front cap in tight turns. The Mega Cab adds rear-seat room with reclining, fold-flat rear seats, and the Crew Cab 8-ft offers an optional 50-gal fuel tank, which Ram calls best in class, for longer stretches between fuel stops with a trailer.
Most Sacramento-area RV trips start with a climb. I-80 over Donner Summit and US-50 over Echo Summit both mean long pulls up and long descents into the Tahoe basin. On the way up, the Cummins' torque lets the truck hold speed without revving hard. On the way down, let the exhaust brake carry the load, choose a lower gear, and keep an eye on trailer tire pressures and brake status on the cluster. Check chain controls before winter trips. Our guide to towing through the Sierra Nevada has more route-by-route tips.
Cummins Ram 3500s are rated from 23,550 lb to 37,020 lb, based on Ram's preliminary 2027 ratings; the top figure is a 4x2 Regular Cab 8-ft dually with the 3.42 axle. In practice, the loaded pin weight against the truck's payload is usually the limit.
Add the loaded pin weight, the hitch, passengers and cargo, and compare the total with the payload on the truck's door-jamb label. Weighing the loaded rig on a certified truck scale gives the most accurate number.
From 3,970 lb on a 4x4 Crew Cab 6-ft 4-in SRW up to 6,460 lb on a 4x2 Regular Cab 8-ft dually, based on Ram's preliminary 2027 ratings. A 4x4 Regular Cab dually is rated at 6,050 lb.
Not always. A single-rear-wheel Ram 3500 can work if the pin weight fits its payload and 7,000-lb rear axle rating, but a dually adds a 9,750-lb rear axle rating and more stability for heavy fifth-wheels.
A factory structural crossmember over the rear axle with integrated mounting hardware, a 7-pin connector in the bed and hole covers.
Yes. The 6.7L Cummins HO comes with Ram's Smart Diesel Exhaust Brake, which helps hold speed on long downgrades like US-50 coming off Echo Summit.
Yes. Available trailer tire-pressure monitoring shows live pressures for up to four trailers on the 12-in cluster.
Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram · 8575 Laguna Grove Dr, Elk Grove, CA 95757 · Sales 916-892-0515
*Specifications are based on Ram's preliminary 2027 information and may change. Max towing and payload require proper equipment; actual capacity varies by cab, bed, axle, drivetrain and hitch type, and passengers and cargo reduce towing capacity. Confirm ratings on the door-jamb label of a specific truck. Pricing on in-stock vehicles excludes government fees and taxes, any finance charges, dealer document processing charge and emission testing charge. Contact Elk Grove Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram for current pricing and availability.