JIMNLIN wrote:
He has a 2003 2500 CTD 2wd and a 34 Ft Keystone Challanger fiver. Hitched by a Curt 20k slider. His truck has 220k ish miles and is in immaculate condition.
I have the same '03 2500 Dodge/Cummins 305/555 HO with a 3.73 NV5600 quad cab short bed truck with just over 255k miles.
For whatever reason Dodge didn't put any upper aux overload spring packs on these trucks. I can add 1800 lbs of Redi-mix in the bed and the trucks sags badly. Same with 2200 lbs of pin weight from my 5er on the rear axle.
I added Supersprings which eliminated driveline shudder in 1st and 2nd gear plus leveled the load. The truck handles like its on rails now especially with my 16k GN tri-axle stock trailer. I can load the full RAWR now with no sagging or trailer push from big rigs.
Good info from "JIMNLIN".
To add to that...
Cut to the chase - by *eliminating* the silliness by some posters about the "need" for a dually!..:R
"Hey - just go buy a new (or different) truck!"
Yeah - right!..:R
Eliminate the "input" form owners of other makes of TVs - which may *not* apply to your Dad's CTD Ram. (more on that later).
Along with JIm's info - I tow a 34' 5th with a 2wd, 1T, SRW, CTD, QC, short bed.
I have *NO* (as in "ZERO") problems with any sway when tractor-trailer combos (18 wheelers) pass me.
Hmmmmmmm - I "see" more SRW TVs pulling 5ths than duallys.
Especially noticeable are the triple axle toy-haulers being towed by SRW trucks.
Must be in the eyes of the beholder, LOL!
*If* I ever want/need a dually it will be a singled HDT.
Until then, no thanks - and if it rings *your* chimes - cool..:C
And - yep, having towed TTs for a lot of years...I *AM* very familiar with sway..:(
Started towing TTs without sway control, then *with* sway control.
Didn't matter - still spent a lot of time watching the mirror/s!
I was amazed when I went to a 5th wheel - sway was simply non existent. (Almost) easy to forget it's back there!
Maybe the suspension on my 1T helps.......but I have a friend who tows with an identical configuration - *except* his truck is a 3/4 ton - - and he tows a 36' Alpenlite (which we all know is NOT light).
He's done round trips to Alaska (from OR) twice and all over the West with his configuration.
Only suspension modification is air bags.
Your Dad's *DODGE* truck:
Dodge has had some problems with sloppy steering. Towing -and TV age- may/might aggravate the problem (if there is/was one with the 2003s).
Also, with the mileage on the truck - springs/shocks may need some "refreshing" - and/or some add-on assists.
(IMO - Rather than Timbrens, air bags and/or new springs are a better choice.)
Suggest you visit some *BRAND SPECIFIC* forums for *DODGE* Diesels for some Q and A and/or research.
Most have sections applying to suspension and/or towing.
(Same for owners of other brands. Visit *brand specific* forums -for specific - - rather than "generic" info.)
Examples:
Turbo Diesel Register
Diesel Truck Resource
Cummins Forum
Diesel Ram
Dodge Talk
etc.
BTW - the subject of driver "age".
My dentist's dad towed his 5er well into his 90's before hanging it up. It all depends on each individual's situation and comfort level.
We all get nervous at one time or another about something on the road.
:C
~
