I have a 2004 2500 with the 5.9 48RE. I currently run BFG 315's. I want to get a 14500 empty 5th wheel. As i understand it my tires are rated to 3200 lbs at 50 psi and are only D rated. My trucks rear axle is good to 6000 lbs. My truck empty is roughly 2700-2800 lbs. I am guessing roughly the pin weight at 16000 lbs will be in the 3000 lb range. I am getting close to the axle weight for sure depending on how the trailer is loaded. What is everyones take on it ? I have towed a few loads in the 18000lb range with no ill effects. I do have air bags at the moment. Short of buying a 3500 dually how am i looking ? I won't be towint it huge distances rather an hour hear and there. Suggestions ?

 

your axle is the same as the dually your problem would be the d rated tires and leafs

 

What do the E's get me as far as weight ? If i get 3200 lbs per tire now and i am sitting at the 5800 lb range would i not be good or are you saying it is added protection ? Can i just get 1 ton springs ?

 

My truck weights in at 8000 lbs......how can yours be so light...I'm I reading something wrong?

 

e' s have a higher weight and better sidewall strenght which keeps the tires from rolling. the only diff between the 2500 and the 3500 is the overload spring i believe never counted the springs on a 2500 never had one. but if i remember right that is the difference. e rated tire is better for towing at max pressure but that is my opinion but i run a drw and tow over 18k

 

I think he meant to say the weight of rear axle on the scales...not the whole truck.


I know mine is in the 3000lb range....and front in the 5000lb range...(unloaded)
...

 

Thanks Teaxas CTD.....had been a bit confused.....my normal condition.

 

Well none of us are getting any younger....

..

 

I have read and been so many opinions about weights for towing, I don't know what to think.

 

I would think with that trailer loaded, you could be up as high as 3,200 pounds pin weight, plus the weight of the hitch assembly.

 

My fiver is at 14600 loaded,pin wt of 2800 lbs rear axel is at 6300 lbs,over by 100 lbs,tires rated at 6400 lbs.Your going to need at least tires with a combined rating of 6800 lbs.No biggy if your not travelling far.WITH auto slider hitch 300, wife,125 lbs,myself 190,truck weighs 8300 lbs.

 

Make sure you wach your weight rating on the tires. Dont just run out and buy new tires that are E rated and pretend thats better than your current D rated tire. You need to look at the pounds more so than the letter ratting. The letter rating is more of a comparison to other tires of the same size. The E rated tire can carry more than a D rated tire of the same size but if you step up the size such as you have done now your 315s you are running are D rated but still capable of handling as much weight as a E rated 265 that came on the truck stock. If ya go to an E rated 315 you would see a increase in weight capacity from your current D rated tire, but if ya went to a E rated 265 you would not actualy gain anything maybee even lose some ground weight capacity wise. Obviously you have hurt your gearing with the bigger tires so going back to a smaller E rated tire will help you get some of that back.

 

But the E rated tire will have stiffer sidewalls........yes?

 

I would asume so but thats also based on comparing 2 tires of the same size. If you start talking abought a 265 E rated VS a 315 D rated tire then that changes things and I dont know at that point wich would have the stiffer sidewall. My guess is that the 265 E rated would have a stiffer sidewall due to it beeing shorter than the sidewall on the 315. Even though they both may be rated to cary the same weight the smaller tire will most likely be stiffer. If ya campare 2 tires of the same size that are D and E rated then the E rated will be stiffer and have a higher weight rateing. My hole point to what I posted originaly is to make him understand that just cause his tires are D rated dont make them any weeker than a smaller tire that is E rated.

 

I've got E-rated 265's on mine (stock) and they are only good to 3190# each.
I am currently towing a 14,000# (actual total weight) FW and my rear axle is 6000# now (of which about 2600# is the pin).

I've pulled this a few thousand miles without issue so far... I would like more tire under the load and may go to 285's next tire change. I also see my trans temps spiking a bit with the load... so watch that too.