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Micro1706's avatar
Micro1706
Explorer
Jul 15, 2016

Advice on a 2004 dodge Ram 1500 truck towing capacity

Help...we are new owners of a winnebago micro minnie travel 19' trailer 1706fb. dry weight around 3k ultra wet weight at 5k
we are thinking of getting a 2004 dodge ram 1500 2wd, with the v8 4.7l engine, 5speed transmission, etc..
it was sitting in a wealthy older gentleman's garage for a few years, rarely driven, has 26K miles
we already have the brake controller, weight dist. stuff, etc. from using it on our 2009 Tahoe, but we'd prefer to use this truck and save the tahoe
we are wondering if this will be strong enough to safely & comfortably pull the trailer, being that we will always be in warm surroundings, with no freezing, snow, etc....mostly southern OR, CA, baja, NM, and UT.
Any help, suggestions, and advice will be very kindly appreciated.
many thanks
Bob
Tow Vehicles

7 Replies

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  • Chuck_thehammer's avatar
    Chuck_thehammer
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2016
    check and see if the 5 speed manual transmission is a bearing or bushing transmission.. if bushing .. nothing over 3,000 pounds of load and trailer.

    easiest way .. owners manual.. if transmission takes 10w30 multi-synro.. its BUSHING. and if towing.. Fluid must be changed every 15,000 miles at 10 dollars a quart... 8 quarts if I remember correctly.

    I had one.. I know. its a junk tranny. YES a 2004 is what I had. and I purchased it NEW. and have owned manuals all my life.

    mine failed at 48,000 miles and only towed one time.. 3,300 pounds and completely empty.. except me .
  • Perrysburg_Dodg's avatar
    Perrysburg_Dodg
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2016
    What gear ratio does the truck have now, 3.92 is the tow gear in a Ram 1500 most came with a 3.55 if it was a dealer stock order. Being a 2WD truck the cost should be under $2000 out the door. I would go to a shop that does driveline only work if it were me. The other option is a complete rear axle swap from a 3.92 truck with low miles. I did this once to a Nova I owned was a lot easier then changing out the gears IMO.

    As for the tire and wheel size not sure how much real help you would get going that route.

    Don
  • Micro1706's avatar
    Micro1706
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2016
    Also, the tires are ready to be changed, and I was also wondering about what I had heard re: changing the tire size for some type of improvement? Any truth to this, and if so, what might be the most advisable change?
    Sorry if my lack of experience is appalling...we have just come off of living the last 10yrs aboard our sailboat, so this is going to be a bit of learning curve in some areas.
    Many thanks again for your patience, advice, and suggestions.
    All the best
    Bob
  • Micro1706's avatar
    Micro1706
    Explorer
    Jul 15, 2016
    How much of an endeavor is it to re-gear the axle? How does it influence the gas mileage? Do you have an idea of the cost for having it done?
    Would a tranny cooler be a worthwhile addition?
    Many thanks
    Bob
  • SoCalDesertRid1's avatar
    SoCalDesertRid1
    Explorer II
    Jul 15, 2016
    The truck chassis/suspension will be fine.

    The little motor likely won't like the weight, especially in our western mountains.

    You can re-gear the axle with an appropriate towing ratio (4.10, 4.56, 4.88), instead of the highway gears it likely has (3.23, 3.42, 3.55). The gear change will pick up alot of usable torque to pull in the mountains.

    I changed one of my F350's from 3.55 to 4.56 and it was a WORLD of difference.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jul 15, 2016
    The older 1500 trucks, with small V8 engines, had numerous towing capacities, depending on if tow package equipped, and what the rear end gearing is. It would work with tow pkg/lower gears.

    An older truck, with low, slow driven miles, may not stand up to the rigors of max towing capacity.

    Jerry

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