What You Need to Know About GVMs | Weighing Your RAM 1500 & Caravan + Expert Tips

[@azzanobelius9492]

Bawesome work mate, very clear with your expert touch once again.

[@BAWAutomotive]

Thank you! Cheers

[@michaelnugara1]

Another important factor to understand is. Tow ball weight is roughly multiplied by 1.5 which gives you the actual rear axle load caused by the van. So 250 TBW Is actually 375 kgs on the rear axle.

[@BAWAutomotive]

You're right, we overlooked multiplying the tow ball weight by x1.5. Appreciate the reminder

[@rich7447]

On a 3855kg trailer the ball weight should be around 385kg (10%) on a conventional hitch. Any less and you are inviting trailer sway. Bed mounted hitch (1500 is really too small to bother with a fifth wheel or gooseneck) is normally 15% to 20%.

[@patrickloura9089]

What type of van is that? Can you give some more stats on the van please? How many water tanks and size , van length etc please

[@BAWAutomotive]

It’s a Sunseeker Desert Storm 21ft 3.5 tonne

[@rich7447]

You are pretty close to the advertised capability of the Ram 1500. A Ram 2500 (around 3,000lbs of payload) would be a much nicer tow vehicle for the size of trailer that you have. However, I have been told that the HDs are much more expensive than the 1500s in Australia. Does the price of the GVM upgrade bring the 1500 more into line with a 2500?

[@BAWAutomotive]

No, a 1500 with a GVM is still cheaper than a 2500. The 2500 is classed as a truck in Australia

[@rich7447]

@@BAWAutomotive There is only a $5,000 price difference between the Ram 1500 and the 2500 here.

[@Workmate_outdoors]

But with a 4t van and a 4t ram. You would be over gcm. That’s silly. And you didn’t add your 300kgs of draw bar weight to your gvm or axle load. But good video. Rams are still shit. My stock hilux has a bigger payload

[@BAWAutomotive]

Thanks mate. Yeah, payload is the RAM's weak spot.

[@rich7447]

Payload is the weak spot for all the 150/1500s (class 2A) because they are sprung for ride comfort. Here in North America we don't use this class for towing or hauling anything significant. Moving up to a class 2B (250/2500) has a lot of advantages and does not come with a huge price increase. You can usually make up the price difference by dropping one trim level. Once you get to class 2B you are above the GVWR/GVM weight cutoff for the more stringent diesel emissions standards imposed by the EPA. This is why you will rarely see a diesel in a class 2A truck (GM has a 3L, both Ram, Ford and Nissan abandoned diesel in this class). Current Ram 2500 payload ratings range from 3,000lbs for a high trim diesel equipped variant to 4,000lbs maximum with the right combination of options and drivetrain (6.4L Hemi). My 2024 F450 King Ranch pickup has more payload (5,000lbs/2.27T) than your stock Hilux weighs. In fact, the highest payload configuration on the F450 pickup (class 3 - not to be confused with the F450 chassis cab which is class 4) has a higher payload rating (8,000lbs/3.6t) than the GVM of the Hilux.

[@gavinscofield949]

Would be awesome to see the real figures with the extra 500l of water the missus and kids and full tank of fuel. I wonder if you would still be happy with the weights?

[@Workmate_outdoors]

Rams are shit with that. Stock payload with 300-400kg of draw bar weight and your over gvm so quickly

[@BAWAutomotive]

Yeah, I'd be keen to weigh everything together and fully packed for a weekend away.

[@rich7447]

@@Workmate_outdoors You are using the specs from the 1500 (entry level to full size pickups) and generalizing about all Rams. Ram pickups are available with payloads up to 7,680 lbs/3.48t (Ram 3500). Ram cab and chassis trucks top out at 12,550lbs/5.7t of payload (Ram 5500).

[@mohvanwah]

@@rich7447not in Straya 😊