I have a 2022 Ram Rebel 1500 5.7 Hemi with a 1,510 payload.
We just bought a 25' Airstream Trade Wind. The base weight is 6,300 lbs, and the GVWR is 7,600. Tongue weight is between 850-900 lbs, according to a few people on the Airstream forum who've weighed it.
I'm worried about exceeding payload with my Rebel 1500. With 900 lbs of tongue weight and a 125 lb WD hitch (Weigh-Safe), that leaves only ~500 lbs for passengers and cargo. We're a family of 3 plus two dogs, which gets us pretty close to 500 lbs without any cargo at all.
So, I'm considering trading the 1500 in for a 2500. I'd prefer the gas version to maximize payload, but they are very difficult to find within a 300-mile radius, and I don't want to wait for a custom order.
Questions:
1. Can anyone tell me the payload range for a Rebel 2500 Cummins that is fairly loaded with options? I've heard they can be as low as 1,900 lbs. That would be an improvement over what I have now, but not by as much as I'd like.
2. How does the ride quality and driving experience when you aren't towing compare between the 1500 and 2500?
Thanks!
1500 payload? I presume a 3.92 rear end? If that is what you have on that 1500, you are fine... Go get some "air bags" and it will pull fine. You might be close to your payload, but 1500 is great for a Ram 1500. Now, if you have a 3.21 rear end, I would limit my mountain travel, but overall you are in good shape. AND, the only reason to get a 2500 is if you are already getting ready for your next trailer in the 10K range loaded. And based upon what you are saying, GO Hemi 6.4. I have 3000 payload and a 15K tow rating. When I can get the wife to retire, we will likely go bigger than what we have now, but boy does it tow nice with the 2500.
I moved up because of similar issues but I was pushing it and during Covid I settled for a 3.21 with the Hemi. Mistake... But I live in the Mountains. I was technically within specs or right at them. I have a 29 foot single slide with a max weight of 8500 and 800 loaded tongue weight. No kids, but 150 lbs of dogs... And realistically whatever your tongue dry weight is, add 200 lbs with 2 full propane tanks (30 lbs) and two group 27's. You have the best WDH there is so good on you.
AND, these days, remember all the manufacturers use the American Society of Automotive Engineering standards J2807 for the ratings. They are more forgiving than you might realize. Essentially... Now days this is "assumed" to be the case so, YOUR tow ratings are after these things.
- For light-duty full-size pickups (GVWR < 8,500 lbs.), SAE J2807 assumes that the tow vehicle includes any options with higher than 33 percent penetration;
- It assumes there is both a driver and passenger in the vehicle, each weighing 150 pounds;
- It assumes that tow vehicles also include up to 70 pounds of aftermarket hitch equipment (where applicable); and
- For conventional trailer towing, SAE J2807 assumes that 10 percent of the trailer weight is on the tongue.
Your 1500 payload is plenty for that trailer as I only had 1300, but I'd still consider the airbags. They aren't too expensive install easily and not too expensively if you have someone do it and you basically leave them at 3 psi when not towing and they help...