5.9 Cummins Diesel Towing capacity

[billy1davis]

I see by the owner's manual that the total towing capacity for my 5.9 24 valve Dodge 3500 4x2 is about 13000 and the rig I am looking at is 14000
Any ideas?

[RoyJ]

Like others have mentioned, maintenance is key for an older truck. Get the cooling system to tip top shape, and upgrade the brakes to a 3rd gen. Make sure steering/balljoints/suspension are good.

If you don't have it already, install a shift kit to allow manual torque converter lockup. My 47RE is modded for manual lock up 2nd, 3rd, and OD. This will help exh brake performance, and tranny temperatures for hill climbing (6 - 8% grade in 2nd locked).

[wilber1]

billy1davis wrote:
here are figures
Trans/Axle GCWR Payload Curb Wt Tow Wt Payload Curb Wt Tow Wt
A4/3.55 16,000 3,120 5,679 10,150 2,630 6,174 9,700
A4/4.10 18,000 3,120 5,679 12,150 2,630 6,174 11,700

I have the 3.55 gear set
Per the chart above tow weight for me would be 10,150 and payload is 2630 for a total of 12,780 for the 5vr. Correct?
Also I got the truck back today with a flushed coolant system and new ware pump and it road a lot lot cooler than ever before so I am thinking that has been my problem
Thoughts

Like the previous poster said, you don't add the two. However, manual transmission models have higher GCWR's so if you have beefed up your transmission, you could be OK using those numbers, particularly if you have an exhaust brake.

[Cummins12V98]

You don’t add the two.

[billy1davis]

here are figures
Trans/Axle GCWR Payload Curb Wt Tow Wt Payload Curb Wt Tow Wt
A4/3.55 16,000 3,120 5,679 10,150 2,630 6,174 9,700
A4/4.10 18,000 3,120 5,679 12,150 2,630 6,174 11,700

I have the 3.55 gear set
Per the chart above tow weight for me would be 10,150 and payload is 2630 for a total of 12,780 for the 5vr. Correct?
Also I got the truck back today with a flushed coolant system and new ware pump and it road a lot lot cooler than ever before so I am thinking that has been my problem
Thoughts

[Me_Again]

The 24V auto's towed much better with 4:10 gears out back. Our SRW 2001.5 towed 12,400 5th wheel just fine with stage one injectores, Edge Comp for timing only and PDR35-W12 turbo. The HY35 had a little problem keeping EGT down.

OP, what gear ratio does the truck have?

Now we have gotten up a hill and now have to go back down. YOU NEED an exhaust brake and way to keep torque converted locked.

These are very capable trucks when the tranny/TC is updated, a little more power, and the proper turbo and exhaust is in place to keep exhaust temps down. You need gauges: Pyro, boost, tranny temp at the output line, and fuel pressure. I have the 24V merit badge, T-shirt, and hat. Chris

[billy1davis]

Any other input on my stated subject in my first post.

[trail-explorer]

billy1davis wrote:
Any ideas?

Any ideas about what? We have no idea what you are asking.

[rhagfo]

KD4UPL wrote:
I wouldn't worry too much about the towing capacity. I'd be more concerned about payload, tire, wheel, and axle ratings, and if you'll need some heavier springs or air bags. The extra 1,000 pounds isn't really a big deal.
I would want the manual transmission in that truck. Dodge automatics were not the best and you'd only have 4 gears anyway.

The 2001 3500 is DRW with a GVWR of 11,500 enough for a 14,000 5er.

[Grit_dog]

jdc1 wrote:

KD4UPL wrote:
I wouldn't worry too much about the towing capacity. I'd be more concerned about payload, tire, wheel, and axle ratings, and if you'll need some heavier springs or air bags. The extra 1,000 pounds isn't really a big deal.
I would want the manual transmission in that truck. Dodge automatics were not the best and you'd only have 4 gears anyway.

Yeah....my Dodge transmission was still going strong when I sold it (250,000+ miles)...They are junk. LOL. Routine maintenance is the key. I serviced my transmission every 50,000 miles. Full flush.

Not suggesting they weren’t of at least average reliability. They just s uck for towing heavy. Not enough gears for the big C.

[Grit_dog]

Billy, while you’re not super specific about the truck, the conditions, “what” overheated or what you considered overheating, the following general suggestions all apply.
You’re towing heavy with an old truck and a modified one at that. Do all the required maintenance and repairs to make sure it’s in as good of shape mechanically as it was in its younger years.
Especially the cooling system.
Other than that not enough info.
Speed, grade, egts, how hot did the engine get?
Trans temp?
What final drive ratio, what gear were you towing in ?

Bypassing all the particular answers to the above questions, get your cooling system fixed before you actually overheat it and do some damage.

[jdc1]

KD4UPL wrote:
I wouldn't worry too much about the towing capacity. I'd be more concerned about payload, tire, wheel, and axle ratings, and if you'll need some heavier springs or air bags. The extra 1,000 pounds isn't really a big deal.
I would want the manual transmission in that truck. Dodge automatics were not the best and you'd only have 4 gears anyway.

Yeah....my Dodge transmission was still going strong when I sold it (250,000+ miles)...They are junk. LOL. Routine maintenance is the key. I serviced my transmission every 50,000 miles. Full flush.

[Grit_dog]

azdryheat wrote:
Yeah, get a newer truck with a higher towing capacity.

Always so helpful....that will totally solve the problem.








But will it create “another” problem??

[wilber1]

Durb wrote:
My year 5.9 showed the gross combined would be increased by 2,000# with the 4.10 0ver the 3.73.

That year used 3:54 and 4:10 gears.

I switched to 4:10's on my 2001, 4X2. The OP says his is a 4X2 so it is a cost effective way of getting more towing capacity when you only have to pay for one set of gears.

The limiting factor is the auto transmission. Manual transmission models have higher tow ratings with both ratios. The OP says he has a beefed up tranny so he should be good for more weight than stock anyway.

[Durb]

My year 5.9 showed the gross combined would be increased by 2,000# with the 4.10 0ver the 3.73.