2006 Dodge Ram Cargo cap, stock weight of truck

GREGG628

MEMBER
2006 DODGE RAM
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
68,000 MILES

Hello, I have a 06 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT 4x4 Mega Cab w/CTD. I'm trying to get a solid answer as to what my cargo cap is for my truck. The specs I'm finding are saying my curb weight is 7084 (this is for a 2500long bed QC, I can't find info on the MC) The GVWR is 9000. Leaving me with 1916 lbs of cargo. Some info I've read says I then I must take away from that for fuel and passengers. On the scales at the local land fill my truck weighs in at 8360. So in essence I've added about 1360 lbs to my truck. I don't have the exact weight of my add on's but I find that hard to believe. I know little things add up but all I have added is 20x10 wheels and 37x 14 tires minus the weight of stock wheels and tires and a 6" lift minus the stock weight of suspension. I just don't see how this adds up to 1360 lbs. That would only leave me with 640 lbs of cargo. By the time I add 4 adults and fuel, That leaves me no room for cargo weight in the bed of the truck. I would think a 3/4 ton mega cab w/ctd would be capible of more. I do have air bags in the back. One more question, is the only difference between a 1 ton and a 3/4 ton the leaf springs? Are the brakes larger? Are the Dif's larger? Thanks for all or any help!
Greg Gilman
316-807-6715

1 Reply

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Ok yes you are right if you weigh 8360 then you are just 640 below the gvwr. Now lift kits weigh a bit with all the brackets and all. Also if you added a camper shell and wench and so on then that is all the more weight. Tires and rims (tires being most of the added weight with the wheel and tire combo) but still it adds up. Now as for you question about the rear end. Larger brakes are an option on both the 3/4 and 1 ton. The diff may be a 10 1/2 or an 11 1/2 on either one too, however the rear springs are the difference. You do have more leaf in the rear. Now Firestone does a make a rear air bag load handler system. These can add up to 5000 lbs and they only work when you air them up over 30psi. Here is a pic of one. The kits come in many different ways with or with out onboard compresser and so on.