Fifth Wheel

[DeuceCoupe]

What size 5th wheel can I safely tow? 99 Dodge 2500 4wd Cummins diesel 5.9. I know stopping it is the biggest problem. Considered a pac brake but mechanic said it would be hard on engine? Any opinions?


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[Cummins12V98]

rhagfo wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I just scaled my new to me 01 2500 LB Sport 4x4. 5/8 tank fuel and me. Front axle 4,280# rear 2,680#.

These second gen trucks in reality have 3500 rear spring pack. I towed a 12K Avion Platinum with my 98 12V no bags and it sat level and handled the RV well.

Wow! Only 6,960# makes our 2001 Laramie look like a fatty! Me a full tank and the stuff in the bed box and hitch was about 7,800#, really eats into that (LOL) listed 8,800# GVWR. Last time I scaled we were about 10,000# on the TV still well within the rear GAWR.

If I had my tool box and hitch in we would have similar weights. Not sure the weight difference between the 5 sp stick and 4 sp auto.

[Me_Again]

DeuceCoupe wrote:
What size 5th wheel can I safely tow? 99 Dodge 2500 4wd Cummins diesel 5.9. I know stopping it is the biggest problem. Considered a pac brake but mechanic said it would be hard on engine? Any opinions?

Take a look at this thread.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/exhaust-brake-with-automatic-transmission-whos-running-o...

24V RAM/Cummins(1998.5 to 2002) do not need upgraded exhaust valve springs. As noted below, the auto tranny is the only issue.

If your truck has the camper option and the LT265/75R16E tire option it is a very capable truck, except for the stock 47RE tranny. I good custom build on the tranny and tighter torque converter fixes that.

Then with an EB and 12K +/- 5th wheel is handle well. Did that with a 2001.5 RAM for many years.

Chris

[rhagfo]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I just scaled my new to me 01 2500 LB Sport 4x4. 5/8 tank fuel and me. Front axle 4,280# rear 2,680#.

These second gen trucks in reality have 3500 rear spring pack. I towed a 12K Avion Platinum with my 98 12V no bags and it sat level and handled the RV well.

Wow! Only 6,960# makes our 2001 Laramie look like a fatty! Me a full tank and the stuff in the bed box and hitch was about 7,800#, really eats into that (LOL) listed 8,800# GVWR. Last time I scaled we were about 10,000# on the TV still well within the rear GAWR.

[Cummins12V98]

rhagfo wrote:
I would say with camper package about 10,000# to 12,500# with a solid transmission.
With our 5 speed manual we tow an 12,360# GVWR 5er stock springs.

Agreed! Our combo was 20,500# and the 2500 98 12V 4x4 built trans and modified 300HP/750TQ handled the RV well.

[rhagfo]

I would say with camper package about 10,000# to 12,500# with a solid transmission.
With our 5 speed manual we tow an 12,360# GVWR 5er stock springs.

[Cummins12V98]

EB hard on the engine??? You need a new Mechanic!!!

[rbcamping]

I have a 2000 LB 4X4. My truck is way past stock, it has a Dana 80 rear end, 271 transfer case, Allison transmission, 2008 front brakes, 2012 steering linkage, 19.5 wheels and tires. The rear leafs are the same as a 3500. I tow a 16000 lb 5th wheel and it stops with no problem.

[Cummins12V98]

I just scaled my new to me 01 2500 LB Sport 4x4. 5/8 tank fuel and me. Front axle 4,280# rear 2,680#.

These second gen trucks in reality have 3500 rear spring pack. I towed a 12K Avion Platinum with my 98 12V no bags and it sat level and handled the RV well.

[JIMNLIN]

Your truck has a 6042 RAWR. That model truck rear axle may weigh in the 2650-2750 lb range leaving the truck with around 3100-3200 lb payload in the bed.
If your truck has the 47RE auto tranny and a 3.54 gears then its limited to around 10k lb trailer.
If it has the manual tranny and a 4.10 gears its good for around 12k-13k lbs gross weight trailer.
There were two engine sizes in '99...
a 215 hp and 420 torque...
and the 235 hp and 460 torque.

The '89-98 12v needed 60 lb valve springs to be able to run a exhaust brake. The mechanic may have been thinking this.

The '99 5.9 Cummins should have the higher rated valve springs....the exhaust brake won't hurt the engine. I have a '03 5.9 HO 305/555 engine with a 6 speed manual and the Jacobs exhaust brake....no issues in 315k miles.

[Cummins12V98]

Easily 12k loaded 5er.

[Durb]

Welcome to the forum. I can't imagine an exhaust brake would have negative consequences on your engine unless maybe it has a kajillion miles on it. I have a PacBrake on my 04 5.9 and it works very nicely. Exhaust brakes are standard on 6.7 Cummins engines made after 2007. I might be wary of the transmission more so than stopping especially with an exhaust brake and properly dialed in trailer brakes. You will find many forum members here towing fivers with your approximate vintage truck.

[mick2268]

What??? Payload on that truck is 3,815lbs. You can pull lots of 5th wheels. 3/4 ton trucks are what pulls the majority of 5th wheels across this country. The brakes are same on Dodge 2500/3500.

I upgraded from a 01 2500, to a 2012 3500 SRW. Only difference was one spring, a jake brake, and worse mileage.

[donn0128]

On a truck that old payload is going to be around 1200 pounds. That includes fuel, passangers and everything else you might have on board. Dont forget hitch weight. Personally I would not consider fivers, go with a TT and you will have a lot of choices.

[kaydeejay]

Not quite right - trailer brakes stop the weight on the trailer wheels, truck brakes stop the weight of the truck.
The right size fiver will not cause you to exceed any of the truck manufacturer ratings. Payload is the big one and a fiver pin weight will be more than you expect.
Figure out whats left of your truck payload once you, the family and "stuff" are loaded.
Do the math (and get a good brake controller!)
Hint:- you will be limited to a VERY small fiver!