Trying to resolve a debate with one of the wife's co-workers who is claiming his new Infiniti QX56 has a higher towing capacity than my truck, a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4WD 5.9L Gas Auto. According to the specifications I was able to find, it would appear that the rating is 8,150lbs.

Where I have to wonder is when I see that there is no information available anywhere regarding the factory overload springs. I see there being two possibilities, one, the truck is old enough nobody cares anymore, or two, the factory overload springs are present simply to ensure that the truck continues to handle properly at full capacity and does not increase the capacity itself. Does anyone know the answer?

Just in case anyone's curious, the number to beat is 8,500lbs. Apparently either I need to buy a diesel (which I desperately wish I could), or he wins.

 

I have an '01 1500 4wd qc. Towing is 7000-7500 lbs. Although I have towed over 10k.

You can look here also.

http://dodgeram.info/2001/towing-charts.html

 

the overload springs are for your payload capacity (GVWR), and don't have anything to do with Max Trailer or GCWR

You have payload of over 2500 pounds, a max trailer of 8150, and total GCWR of 14,000 pounds which is a hell of a lot.
Is you buddy claiming his SUV matches that. i'd say BS and ask him if he wants to hook it up for a pull.

this probably won't line up....

TRAILER TOWING
2500 4WD Club Cab & Quad Cab
Engine Transmission Axle GVWR MaxTrl GCWR

5.9L V-8 Man. 5-Speed 3.54/4.09 8,800 8,050 14,000
5.9L V-8 Auto.4-Speed 3.54/4.09 8,800 8,150 14,000
5.9L I-6 Man. 5/6-Sp 3.54 8,800 9,400 16,000
4.10 8,800 11,400 18,000
5.9L I-6 Auto.4-Speed 3.54 8,800 9,450 16,000
4.10 8,800 11,450 18,000
8.0L V-10 Man. 5-Speed 3.54/4.10 8,800 12,650 19,000
8.0L V-10 Auto.4-Speed 3.54/4.10 8,800 12,700 19,000

 

FOr $60K it ought to do something. But with that short wheelbase, and soft ride, I would not put 8500 lbs on it. Max tongue wt should onley be about 400.

But is is 400 hp and 413 ft-lbs torque. (http://www.infinitiusa.com/qx/specs-options/)

 

hmm. 400 HP, 4wd, etc.
i'm guessing it can only tow 8500 in low range.

Motivating the 2012 Infiniti QX is a 5.6-liter V8 that produces 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic is the only transmission offered and features manual shift control with rev-matched downshifts. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive (with low-range gearing) available as an option. Properly equipped, the QX is capable of towing up to 8,500 pounds and features a tow/haul mode for the transmission as well as an automatic-leveling rear suspension.

http://www.edmunds.com/infiniti/qx/2...312130&msite=w

 

a Nissan SUV claiming 400 HP and almost 15,000 pounds GCWR. I'm calling BS on that.

TowingCapacity: 2005 2wd & 4wd
w/o tow package 6,500 lb. 6,500 lb.
with tow package 9,100 lb. 9,100 lb.

Tongue Load:
w/o tow package 650 lb. 650 lb.
with tow package 910 lb. 910 lb.

Gross Combined Weight Rating:
w/o tow package 12,800 lb. 13,000 lb.
with tow package 14,600 lb. 14,822 lb.

 

If I'm correct this is because the payload rating is determined by the safe limits of the suspension where trailer rating is determined by pulling power. Does that make sense?

That would explain why the QX56 is rated higher by a hair, it's all down to the engine and drive train. If I had the Cummins, it'd be a different story, or even if I had my engine tuned to higher output.

 

^yes. other factors are brakes, axle strength, cooling capacity. springs do come into play with max tongue weight. Nissan's 910 pound tongue weight is also BS. that would drop the bumper to the ground and just about lift the front wheels.

i think the nissan is over-rated in all respects. i think you lose the bet based on published manufacturer's specs, but ask him if he wants to hook up up for a pull off. or better - ask him if he wants to ACTUALLY tow an 8500 pound trailer with 900 pound tongue weight 500 miles. he wouldn't make it 50 miles.

but yes, the stock 5.9 VB is pretty weak HP wise.