RAM 2500 GVM Upgrade Australia: Payload, Towing & Everything You Need to Know
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
The RAM 2500 is already one of the most capable American trucks on Australian roads — but if you’re actually trying to use it for heavy-duty touring, trade work, or caravan towing, the factory Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) limit will hold you back before you’ve even finished loading up.
This Offroad Industries (ORI) federally approved GVM upgrade for the RAM 2500 is engineered specifically for 2019–2024 Walkinshaw and ASV-converted Australian-delivered models. It gives you a genuine, legal payload increase — and reclassifies the vehicle into the NB2 category in the process.
Here’s everything you need to know about the RAM 2500 GVM upgrade in Australia: the stages, the specs, the shock options, and which setup suits your build.
RAM 2500 GVM UPGRADE AUSTRALIA: FACTORY SPECS VS WHAT’S POSSIBLE
The factory GVM on the RAM 2500 leaves serious carrying capacity on the table — especially once you start adding a tray, canopy, dual battery system, and recovery gear. With an ORI GVM upgrade installed pre-registration at BAW Automotive in Brisbane, here’s what changes:
SPEC | FACTORY RAM 2500 | WITH ORI GVM UPGRADE |
GVM | Factory limited | Up to 5,550 kg |
GCM | Factory limited | Up to 12,474 kg |
NB CATEGORY | — | NB2 |
PAYLOAD INCREASE | — | Up to 116% |
That’s a payload increase of up to 116%. Not a typo. It’s the difference between a truck that’s technically overloaded the moment you bolt on accessories, and one that can actually carry the weight it looks like it should.
The NB2 reclassification is also worth flagging. Depending on how you use the 2500 for business, it can unlock potential tax benefits — worth a conversation with your accountant if this truck is doing work and trade use.
IS A RAM 2500 GVM UPGRADE LEGAL IN AUSTRALIA?
Yes. But only when it’s done properly. That’s the key distinction between a GVM upgrade and a suspension lift.
A suspension upgrade can improve ride quality and clearance off-road, but it does not legally increase what your RAM 2500 can carry. The ORI RAM 2500 GVM upgrade is federally approved under VTA-064942. It’s gone through proper engineering and validation, load testing, and certification under ADR compliance frameworks — the same process used by established Australian GVM manufacturers.
RAM 2500 GVM UPGRADE STAGES EXPLAINED: PAYLOAD, LIFT, AND SHOCK OPTIONS
STAGE 1 – 5300KG GVM | FOX 2.5 HTO | 2 INCH LIFT
Best for: Working trucks, trade use, and builds that spend time at or near their load limit.
Key components:
Fox 2.5 HTO Performance Series Shocks (Front and Rear)
ORI Front and Rear Coil Packs
Husky Extenda Flares
SPEC | DETAILS |
GVM | 5,300 kg |
GCM | 12,474 kg |
NB CATEGORY | NB2 |
PAYLOAD | 1,680 kg |
LIFT | 2 inches |
TYRES | 35x12.5R18 | 35x12.5R20 |
WHEELS | Aftermarket required (min. 1600 kg load rating) — Offset: +12 | +18 |
What it means in real life: The Fox 2.5 HTO is a purpose-built heavy-duty shock with a larger body, more fluid capacity, and better fade resistance under sustained load. If this truck is doing real work — regularly loaded, regularly towing — Stage 1’s engineered system is built for that use case.
STAGE 2 – 5300KG GVM | FOX 2.5 PERFORMANCE ELITE | 2 INCH LIFT
Best for: Touring setups, mixed use, and builds that want the most versatile all-round suspension upgrade at 5300kg GVM.
Key components:
Fox 2.5 Performance Elite Shocks (Front and Rear)
ORI Front and Rear Coil Packs
SPEC | DETAILS |
GVM | 5,300 kg |
GCM | 12,474 kg |
NB CATEGORY | NB2 |
PAYLOAD | 1,661 kg |
LIFT | 2 inches |
TYRES | 35x12.5R18 | 35x12.5R20 |
WHEELS | Aftermarket required (min. 1600 kg load rating) — Offset: +12 | +18 |
What you’re paying for here: The Fox 2.5 Performance Elite handles mixed Australian conditions exceptionally well — corrugated outback tracks, highway caravan towing, and daily driving. It’s the go-to shock for the majority of RAM 2500 builds.
STAGE 3 – 5300KG GVM | FOX 2.5 ELITE + BDS RADIUS ARMS | 3 INCH LIFT
Best for: Builds that want extra ground clearance and proper geometry correction at the higher lift height.
Key components:
Fox 2.5 Performance Elite Shocks (Front and Rear)
ORI Front and Rear Coil Packs,
BDS Radius Arms
Husky Extenda Flares
SPEC | DETAILS |
GVM | 5,300 kg |
GCM | 12,474 kg |
NB CATEGORY | NB2 |
PAYLOAD | 1,655 kg |
LIFT | 3 inches |
TYRES | 35x12.5R18 | 35x12.5R20 |
WHEELS | Aftermarket required (min. 1600 kg load rating) — Offset: +12 | +18 |
What it means in real life: BDS Radius Arms correct caster angle at 3 inches of lift, keeping steering geometry and stability where it needs to be. If you’re going to a 3-inch lift, this is how to do it without compromising handling or braking under load.
STAGE 4 – FULL 5550KG GVM | FOX 2.5 ELITE | 2 INCH LIFT
Best for: Maximum payload increase — the full GVM upgrade result for serious heavy-duty touring and towing.
Key components:
Fox 2.5 Performance Elite Shocks (Front and Rear)
ORI Front and Rear Coil Packs
Husky Extenda Flares
SPEC | DETAILS |
GVM | 5,550 kg |
GCM | 12,474 kg |
NB CATEGORY | NB2 |
PAYLOAD | 1,914 kg |
LIFT | 2 inches |
TYRES | 35x12.5R18 | 35x12.5R20 |
WHEELS | Aftermarket required (min. 1600 kg load rating) — Offset: +12 | +18 |
What it means in real life: This is where the RAM 2500 becomes the heavy-duty touring platform it was built to be. Tray, canopy, drawers, dual battery, fridge, tools, recovery gear — and still legal. At 1,914kg of payload and a 12,474kg GCM, this is the setup for serious caravan towing and overland builds.
STAGE 5 – FULL 5550KG GVM | FOX 2.5 ELITE + BDS RADIUS ARMS | 3 INCH LIFT
Best for: Maximum payload, extra ground clearance, and corrected geometry — the top-spec setup.
Key components:
Fox 2.5 Performance Elite Shocks (Front and Rear)
ORI Front and Rear Coils
BDS Radius Arms
Husky Extenda Flares
SPEC | DETAILS |
GVM | 5,550 kg |
GCM | 12,474 kg |
NB CATEGORY | NB2 |
PAYLOAD | 1,905 kg |
LIFT | 3 inches |
TYRES | 35x12.5R18 | 35x12.5R20 |
WHEELS | Aftermarket required (min. 1600 kg load rating) — Offset: +12 | +18 |
Why choose this: Full 5550kg GVM, 3 inches of lift, corrected geometry with BDS Radius Arms, and the load support of Fox 2.5 Performance Elite shocks. The complete package if you want maximum carrying capacity, stability under load, and proper ground clearance.
WHICH RAM 2500 GVM UPGRADE STAGE IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUILD?
Here’s the simple way to think about it:
If you need the maximum payload increase - Stage 4 or 5 at 5550kg GVM. If your build is lighter or your budget is tighter but you still want a legal payload upgrade — Stages 1, 2, or 3 at 5300kg GVM all get the job done.
Within those tiers, the choice comes down to shock package and lift height. Stage 1 uses the Fox 2.5 HTO — built specifically for heavy-duty and trade applications. Stages 2 through 5 run the Fox 2.5 Performance Elite, which is the most versatile all-rounder for mixed Australian touring conditions. Stages 3 and 5 add BDS Radius Arms for a 3-inch lift with proper geometry correction.
IMPORTANT NOTES BEFORE YOU BUY
This upgrade package suits 2019–2024 Walkinshaw and ASV-converted RAM 2500 models only.
Post-registration installs may require separate state engineering certification, which is not included in kit pricing. Load-rated aftermarket wheels and tyres are not included — see the FAQ below for details on minimum load ratings.
RAM 2500 GVM UPGRADE AUSTRALIA: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN A RAM 2500 CARRY AFTER A GVM UPGRADE?
Depending on the stage, payload increases to between 1,655kg and 1,914kg — an increase of up to 116% over the factory limit. Stage 4 and Stage 5 deliver the highest payload at the full 5550kg GVM.
CAN I TOW MORE WITH A RAM 2500 GVM UPGRADE?
Yes. This is where the RAM 2500 genuinely stands apart from other American trucks on the market.
The RAM 2500 already has a massive GCM from the factory, meaning the combined weight of the truck and whatever it's towing has serious headroom to begin with. What the ORI GVM upgrade does is increase the GVM to match that — so even when the truck is fully loaded at 5,550kg, you've still got room in the GCM to tow up to 4.5 tonnes behind it.
IS A RAM 2500 GVM UPGRADE LEGAL IN EVERY AUSTRALIAN STATE?
When installed pre-registration as an SSM upgrade, yes — it’s federally approved under VTA-064942 and compliant across all states and territories without additional state certification. Post-registration installs may require separate engineering approval depending on your state. Talk to the team at BAW Automotive if you're in Queensland.
DO I NEED NEW WHEELS AND TYRES FOR THE GVM UPGRADE?
Yes for all stages. All five stages require aftermarket wheels with a minimum 1600kg load rating and an offset of +12 or +18. Factory rims are not suitable. Tyres run 35x12.5R18 or 35x12.5R20 across all stages. Wheels and tyres are not included in kit pricing, so factor that into your budget.
RAM 2500 GVM UPGRADE IN AUSTRALIA: FINAL THOUGHTS
The RAM 2500 is built for heavy work — but without a certified GVM upgrade, the factory limit leaves a significant amount of its potential locked out.
All five ORI RAM 2500 GVM upgrade stages are federally approved, ADR compliant, and professionally installed at BAW Automotive’s workshop in Brisbane. Every kit includes installation, wheel alignment, and freight from ORI’s Melbourne headquarters.
Whether you’re building a serious heavy-duty touring rig, setting up for caravan towing, or running the truck for work and trade use — there’s a stage here that covers it. Book a free quote with the team at BAW Automotive and we’ll work out exactly which setup fits your build and your budget.
