Dodge 3500 towing heavy
Hi all I have an 05 dodge ram 3500 SRW with a 11.50 3.75 axle ratio I just bought a 05 keystone raptor toy hauler GVWR 15,500LB triple axle I have a 5th wheel hitch rating of 15,000 im curious to know...
Forum Discussion
Cmlazyboy98 wrote:Bionic Man wrote:
I bought a 2003 brand new in December of 2002. Mine was a short bed with the HO engine and the NV5600 manual. Kept it for about 10 years and around 110,000 miles. I never had trouble with the engine or tranny (or really anything with it).
My usual load was the trailer I still have today (12,000 pounds) with my 5500 pound boat towed in tandem.
I did add a Smarty Jr and a Jacobs exhaust brake.
That truck was great. I think with the tuner it was actually stronger than my 2012.
That is basically what i want to do eventually i would like to buy a boat and tow that when i go camping and i would like to buy a tuner and an exhaust break for the truck.
The manual transmission that Bionic man's truck had, has a tow rating 2-3K lbs higher than you auto. Along with an overall low 1st gear lower too. Easier to start in steeper grades, vs stalling out depending upon the steepness of the grade. I'm talking over 15-20% mind you, not a typical 4-6% freeway grade. IE something you WILL need 1st gear to start on!
I had an NV4500 behind a GM 6.5td, it could outpull on the freeway, low steep grades etc the higher rated 4L80E. Yet the ability of the manual was 20K up a 30% grade, vs 16-18% for the auto. THe atuo overheated frequently vs the manual version. Yet it was rated 2000 lbs LESS than the auto.
THere is more to this towing ability than just ratings per say.
OH, a 265-65-18 LRE 10 ply tire has a few more lbs of capacity than the equal diam 265-75-16, and 800-1000 lbs more than the 265-17 tires you have! THose are the worst 31.5" diameter tire in a 265 width of any that I know of!
Marty
