Hotshotting with a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500

Hello All,

A 2006 Ram 3500 has a Manufacturer GCWR of 23,000 LBS. Ram also says the max trailer weight is: 15,300. This 15,300 would also decrease as one puts on an auxiliary fuel tank and whatnot onboard.

Here is where I'm getting some of the specs, go all the way to the bottom: http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2006/docs/dr/mlup.pdf

If this 2006 is coupled with a 40' BigTex a.k.a (35+5), that trailer weighs 6,330 LBS. Here is the math for the payload: 15,300 - 6,330 = 8,970 So, a max payload of 8,970. That is not enough to work with in my opinion. I do have a CDL and could wait and save up money for a more modern capable truck.

But to stay with what I can afford now: I've heard from some credible people that own these 3rd Generation Ram's and say the 2006 3500 Manual Transmission is capable of the extra weight with the proper upgrades of Power, exhaust brake, and suspension.

I am trying to get to the question, should I get the 2006 and plan on running a few thousand pounds over manufacturer GCWR? Is that legal?

I am thinking that is what was done up until 2014 where Ram finally upped the GCWR to 37,500, but I digress. I am striving for Legal and Safety. I've heard others on other threads here say "Follow your manufactures guide for towing capacity. Not everyone is running legal out here." But they did not supply proof of course.

On the other hand, I've seen on multiple occasions, people add up their manufactures GVWR's for both Truck and Trailer. In this case respectively it would be 12,200 + 17,500 = 29,700. And thats the weight in which the combination is Registered with the DOT and what the DOT checks with when at the scale.

So what is the law, Manufacturer or Registered? How much weight can legally be towed? How would I find this law?

Thanks

 

@Grumppy , thanks for the insight. I am aware of load placement and adjusting the weight to be legal. In my 18 wheeler days, sliding the tandems to keep them under 34,000 LBS. Calculating taking on fuel but only so much to not have the rear drive axles go over 34,000 LBS.

My question was more of legality one: 23,000 or 29,700 LBS. Manufacturer or not?

@clausland , @jamespmack , thanks for the idea of those types of trucks; it would have to have a crew cab for me to sleep in. Like @Lite bug was confirming, that he is in fact getting the mileage out of his truck. With the pre-emissions Cummins, I am thinking above 600 - 700K miles as other do yes, a million miles and more on these Cummins engines. They even pass out a sweet badge for passing 1 and yes 2 Million miles. Granted, these Million Mile Ram-Cummins are typically pulling RV Campers professionally. And that is just what I am thinking in order to save up the money to purchase my BigTex Trailer. Going with this pickup will give me (cheaper) experience mechanically to take care of other rigs pickup or semi in years to come.

But once again, my question is about the legality of the weight, not the equipment?

 

@AModelCat , In Dodge Ram's timeline of builds it is the trucks with the age of greater than 2007.5 with that to be concerned about. Beyond June 2007 a.k.a 2007.5, they introduced the 6.7 liter that replaced the 5.9 liter Cummins. At that point in time is where Dodge accommodated the EPA Emissions with the DPF filter and whatnot. So anything Dodge Ram 2007.5 and earlier is good.