I went to an RV dealer to look at 5th wheel trailers. The salesman said that there are two different calculations for payload. One for 5th wheel and the other for the class 4 hitch towing. I can't find any information to validate is statement. Are there two diffferent payload rates? This is what I can find.

2005 dodge ram 2500 pickup 2500 SLT, QUAD CAB, 4WD, 8.0 Ft Bed, 4-Speed Automatic Transmission, 5.9L High-Output Cummins Turbo Diesel Engine:

With 3.73 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 12800 lbs

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 9000 lbs
Payload [i] = 1950 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 7050 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 4358 lbs/4358 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 5200 lbs/6010 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 20000 lbs

 

The OEM hitch is only rated to 1,200/12,000, and 5th wheel for the max tow rating.. not much of a difference on your truck.

 

My 5th wheel hitch is a 16k lb. the one on the back is I think a class 4 so rated for 10,000 lb. my truck is rated to tow 13,500 lb, mine is a 2500 so on the door it says payload 2550 lb. my tounge weight of the 5th wheel is right around 1800 lb. so there is 700 lb. for me the wife the fuel, the dog and what ever else in the cab, My 5th wheel GVWR is 12,800 so I am under my truck tow rateing. this is how I figured it out, hope it helps.

 

he might mean in CA, that you need a CDL if you go over 10k on a TT and 15k if you go over that for a 5er

 

Thanks for the information. I am going to have to keep my gross weight down alot less than I thought.

 

We have something like a CDL in BC, anything trailer or 5th wheel over 10400 lbs we have to have a trailer endorsement on our drivers license, written test, road test and a pre-trip test, just another money grab as far as I can see, good luck, I did get mine just incase there is an insurance problem, im covered.

 

I have had this debate with another guy here in Ontario.
Try getting a straight answer from the MTO here is like pulling teeth, and depends on who you talk to on what day of the month, and if its raining in the arctic or not...

Here if you pull any trailer over 4.5 tons, you need a class A licence, or the same one you would need if you wanted to drive a tractor trailer... Thats a written and road test and I think yearly medical, plus a yearly safety on the truck and trailer, and the trailer if its a tandem, has to have brakes on at least one axle...

However, if it is an RV trailer, than all of the above need not apply, and anyone with any licence can drive it.

The debate starts when you ask, So can I go over the weight rating of my truck, or the registered sticker weight, and still be legal if its an RV Trailer?

and Like I said, I still have not got a straight answer..

 

On mine I can pull any size trailer, we need a class A only for air brakes, In BC it is up to you to get it, the insurance companies dont mention it and when you renew your drivers license they dont mention it, but if you had an accident and the goverment insurance said your GVWR is over the 10400 they can void your insurance, and then it is up to you to get a lawyer and the fight begins. its just a clusterf##k.