Hello All, I have a 2004.5 Dodge 3500 with CTD, Nv5600,4x3, 3.73 gears and 295/75R22.5 14-ply tires. Almost forgot: South Bend double disc clutch. With the upgrades to the engine, clutch and tires I am a little bit lost as to how much I can safely tow. I have a project coming up that will require me to pull a 15k pound trailer on a 30 mile round trip several times.My understanding is that the first limiting factor, on these trucks is the rear tires. With the tire upgrade I have no clue as to how to figure out what my safe maximum tow weight is. Any thoughts? Thank you. S.

The legal towing capacity is set by the manufacturer and mods will not change that. They can make the vehicle more stable.

15K is OVER your tow capacity regardless of tires/clutches etcYou still have truck AXLE weight ratings that will be maxed at 14KI have 3500 SRW,.....14K 5th wheel puts me right at RAWR and under Rear tire max load rating

Well that’s quite the combo! You use 1st gear taking off empty I presume with those 40” semi truck tires?Obviously 15k is a bit over the OE rating, but you’re nowhere close to OE.15k behind a very similar truck (our 07 with a canned tune and clutch) pulls just fine. I’ve towed that much or more a few times when my company half ton just wouldn’t cut it, lol. That truck with a tuner and a stout clutch (or even an OE clutch) will pull 15k with relative ease on normal size tires. The brodozer tires combined with the tall gears (for that tire size) will hurt that ability considerably. With that clutch and rappin it out in each gear, I surmise it’s doable. But it will be much easier on you and the truck with some normal 32-34” tall tires. It is short trips, but if you have to start out on or pull any significant grades, I’d 100% ditch the semi wheels for a cheap set of 8 lug OE type wheels and tires. (If you haven’t done a permanent 10 lug conversion). If relatively flat terrain, I’d try it but be ready to use 4 lo for maneuvering the trailer to stay off the clutch. The “rest” of the truck will be fine if your brakes and driveshaft are in good shape and the trailer has good brakes.

Old-Biscuit wrote:15K is OVER your tow capacity regardless of tires/clutches etcYou still have truck AXLE weight ratings that will be maxed at 14KI have 3500 SRW,.....14K 5th wheel puts me right at RAWR and under Rear tire max load ratingNo, rear axle is good for 10klbs, tires are (obviously) way overkill. Might not have the springs for that tongue or pin weight though. He didn’t say. Cheap/easy overload springs can be accomplished with wedges above the bottom leaf. Going back to OE tires will put them into play load wise, but not a deal breaker if good 3500lb + rated tires in my experience. Hauled a 2 ton TC many thousands of miles on heavy E rated tires. Short tips no problem or concern imo.

Those are some big tires for that truck, 6,000# per tire, same as my dually's tires combined. My guess is my 04.5 dually has the same 9,350# rear axle as your truck. With two people and around 400# in the bed, my rear axle weighs in at 3600#. The engine won't think twice about it but with a 40" tire rolling diameter you will be stressing your clutch and truck brakes. I'm assuming you are talking fifth wheel or gooseneck.Poor advice here: I would make sure my trailer and truck brakes were top notch and tow the 30 miles. If my buddy's truck broke down, I wouldn't think twice about hooking up his 16k fifth wheel and towing it to a safe place.

2004.5 Dodge 3500 towing capacity questions? | Good Sam Community

PNW_Steve
Explorer
Jan 02, 2020
rjstractor wrote:
PMW_Steve wrote:
To speak to someone other comments:

The trip will be between St. Johns Arizona and a remote site out in the sticks. The trailer carries about 1500 gallons of water.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but this is a gooseneck trailer with two 10k axles.

Thanks again Everyone for the input.

I think your loaded weight will be closer to 20K with that much water but I would still do it without any worries.

The water weighs 12k lbs and the trailer another 2k lbs. Where does the other 6k come from?
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jan 02, 2020
St Johns, beautiful country around there.
We used to go ride our snomachines around Greer. Get some weird looks hauling the the sleds thru Phoenix....
So easy peasy once you’re in first gear.
rjstractor
Nomad
Jan 01, 2020
PMW_Steve wrote:
To speak to someone other comments:

The trip will be between St. Johns Arizona and a remote site out in the sticks. The trailer carries about 1500 gallons of water.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but this is a gooseneck trailer with two 10k axles.

Thanks again Everyone for the input.

I think your loaded weight will be closer to 20K with that much water but I would still do it without any worries.
PNW_Steve
Explorer
Jan 01, 2020
As far as posting pics.... I thought that I had uploaded pics to my profile here but don't see them now. I am reluctant to post new ones until I get a chance to wash the truck :) I have been parking under a tree that has covered my truck with **** and driving dirt roads daily... :)
PNW_Steve
Explorer
Jan 01, 2020
ScottG wrote:
Power isn't going to be an issue with an Edge and the NV5600.
Not sure where you're located Steve but I have basically the same truck with a 70 HP towing tune. I pulled the hill on Simmonds Road in Kenmore Wa. with my buddy's 15K# boat in tow. His 454 Suburban could only do 25 up this hill and he was afraid he was going to blow it up so he asked me pull it for him. I Started from a dead stop at the bottom of the hill and let off at 65..

A few weeks later he bought a new Dodge. ;)

Funny :)

I recently bought a gas Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 to pull my little trailer. I hate it. I took one trip from Dayton to Granite Falls and back. Upon arriving at home I promptly put a for sale sign on it.

To speak to someone other comments:

The trip will be between St. Johns Arizona and a remote site out in the sticks. The trailer carries about 1500 gallons of water.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but this is a gooseneck trailer with two 10k axles.

Thanks again Everyone for the input.
PNW_Steve
Explorer
Jan 01, 2020
Grit dog wrote:
Well that’s quite the combo! You use 1st gear taking off empty I presume with those 40” semi truck tires?
Obviously 15k is a bit over the OE rating, but you’re nowhere close to OE.
15k behind a very similar truck (our 07 with a canned tune and clutch) pulls just fine. I’ve towed that much or more a few times when my company half ton just wouldn’t cut it, lol.
That truck with a tuner and a stout clutch (or even an OE clutch) will pull 15k with relative ease on normal size tires.
The brodozer tires combined with the tall gears (for that tire size) will hurt that ability considerably.
With that clutch and rappin it out in each gear, I surmise it’s doable. But it will be much easier on you and the truck with some normal 32-34” tall tires.
It is short trips, but if you have to start out on or pull any significant grades, I’d 100% ditch the semi wheels for a cheap set of 8 lug OE type wheels and tires. (If you haven’t done a permanent 10 lug conversion). If relatively flat terrain, I’d try it but be ready to use 4 lo for maneuvering the trailer to stay off the clutch.

The “rest” of the truck will be fine if your brakes and driveshaft are in good shape and the trailer has good brakes.

Yes, they are semi tires and if I have considered switching out gears for 4.33 gears. The most annoying thing with that tire/gear combo comes when backing trailers.

The project involves a water tank trailer (gooseneck) 15 miles emptying then 15 miles bach full. On the loaded leg I have modest grade. Nothing severe.

Thank you everyone for all of the replies. I appreciate your time and knowledge.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 01, 2020
NOT that lucky guys!
MFL
Nomad II
Jan 01, 2020
Me Again wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Or novelty Hill from Duvall to Redmond"

GOOD memories!!! Dated the "Barrett Sisters" that lived at the bottom of that Hill.

How many sisters at once? ;) ;) ;)

Hey Chris...was just going to post the same! Some guys just seem to have all the fun!! :C

Jerry
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 01, 2020
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Or novelty Hill from Duvall to Redmond"

GOOD memories!!! Dated the "Barrett Sisters" that lived at the bottom of that Hill.

How many sisters at once? ;) ;) ;)
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 01, 2020
"Or novelty Hill from Duvall to Redmond"

GOOD memories!!! Dated the "Barrett Sisters" that lived at the bottom of that Hill.

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