2006 Ram 3500 DRW Cummins

[camilllit]

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?

[FishOnOne]

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

[FishOnOne]

May need to look into a lower set of gears.

[ScottG]

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]

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