Forum Discussion

camilllit's avatar
camilllit
Explorer
Jun 28, 2018

2006 Ram 3500 DRW Cummins

2006 Ram 3500 DRW Cummins, 4 speed automatic, 3.73 gearing.
My garage kept truck only has 91,000 miles on it and runs great. It pulled my 12,000 lb. 2006 Hitchhiker fine.
I just bought a 2019 Cedar Creek 41' 5th wheel and it weighs about 14,000 lbs. wet. My truck now grunts to pull this beast, never had this before. Going 55 is ok but start a mild grade and it grunts to keep 55.......yes I even have it in tow/haul mode. EGT's are 1,100 to 1,200 degrees climbing the grade. I have a EDGE performance computer kit installed by I had it turned off keeping truck to factory power ratings (360hp).
I do not want to go to level 1 (380hp) or Level 2 (400hp) because I believe that while the engine will be fine everything behind the flywheel is getting stressed (torque converter/flex plate/transmission). Any thoughts?
Tow Vehicles
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jun 28, 2018
    srt20 wrote:
    ScottG wrote:
    camilllit wrote:
    Thanks guys. The EDGE system does have all gauges (trans temp/egt's/fuel pressure, turbo boost, etc.
    Its not overloaded because that was its wet weight when we towed it home new. We only load a few things, basement is nearly empty, all grey/fresh/black tanks empty. I forgot the factory hp was 325. FishOnOne, you are right. I'm checking into it tomorrow!


    Unless you added a sending unit to the trans for the edge to read, it definitely can not read trans temp.
    Stock, you truck has what is essentially a switch to turn on a dummy light when it's way too hot.


    My 05 read trans temp off OBD with Edge CTS.


    I drove 145K with 120hp added to stock 48RE. Of course I didnt drive like an idiot or do boosted launches. I did go WOT weekly. 3.73 gears as well.

    Or you can do as someone else suggested and go drive a new truck.


    Sorry but unless a sending unit was added, there's no way it can do that. It can, like the oil pressure gauge on your 05, simply make something up.
  • srt20's avatar
    srt20
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2018
    ScottG wrote:
    camilllit wrote:
    Thanks guys. The EDGE system does have all gauges (trans temp/egt's/fuel pressure, turbo boost, etc.
    Its not overloaded because that was its wet weight when we towed it home new. We only load a few things, basement is nearly empty, all grey/fresh/black tanks empty. I forgot the factory hp was 325. FishOnOne, you are right. I'm checking into it tomorrow!


    Unless you added a sending unit to the trans for the edge to read, it definitely can not read trans temp.
    Stock, you truck has what is essentially a switch to turn on a dummy light when it's way too hot.


    My 05 read trans temp off OBD with Edge CTS.



    I drove 145K with 120hp added to stock 48RE. Of course I didnt drive like an idiot or do boosted launches. I did go WOT weekly. 3.73 gears as well.

    Or you can do as someone else suggested and go drive a new truck.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jun 28, 2018
    camilllit wrote:
    Thanks guys. The EDGE system does have all gauges (trans temp/egt's/fuel pressure, turbo boost, etc.
    Its not overloaded because that was its wet weight when we towed it home new. We only load a few things, basement is nearly empty, all grey/fresh/black tanks empty. I forgot the factory hp was 325. FishOnOne, you are right. I'm checking into it tomorrow!


    Unless you added a sending unit to the trans for the edge to read, it definitely can not read trans temp.
    Stock, you truck has what is essentially a switch to turn on a dummy light when it's way too hot.
  • camilllit's avatar
    camilllit
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2018
    Thanks guys. The EDGE system does have all gauges (trans temp/egt's/fuel pressure, turbo boost, etc.
    Its not overloaded because that was its wet weight when we towed it home new. We only load a few things, basement is nearly empty, all grey/fresh/black tanks empty. I forgot the factory hp was 325. FishOnOne, you are right. I'm checking into it tomorrow!
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Jun 28, 2018
    Me Again wrote:
    Me thinks the new trailer weights more than 2K more than the old one. Go drive a new RAM and don't look back. You get a 6 speed tranny(get the Aisin tranny), exhaust brake and a much more capable truck.

    Example the 40'7" 36CK2 has a dry weight of 13134 and GVWR of 16525. If you have loaded it up pretty good you are most likely closer to 16K than 14K. Chris


    But it doesn't have a million miles yet...LOL
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Jun 28, 2018
    Your stock power was around 325. not 360. Also your tow rating is around 14,300 so you are over loaded. I would install a trans temp gauge immediately.
    You need to beef up your transmission, esp. with the extra power. A performance rebuild will turn it into a totally different machine.
    If you don't upgrade the trans, you will destroy it.
  • Me_Again's avatar
    Me_Again
    Explorer III
    Jun 28, 2018
    Me thinks the new trailer weights more than 2K more than the old one. Go drive a new RAM and don't look back. You get a 6 speed tranny(get the Aisin tranny), exhaust brake and a much more capable truck.

    Example the 40'7" 36CK2 has a dry weight of 13134 and GVWR of 16525. If you have loaded it up pretty good you are most likely closer to 16K than 14K. Chris

About Travel Trailer Group

44,026 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 01, 2025