davelinde

I'm going from a 10,000# FW to something that might end up at 13,000# or more. Right now I've got a light pin 14%=1400# which has been fine... but the new rig is a triple axle toy hauler and I'm told those pins might be set up to be very heavy. I'm expecting 2600# but have been warned it could be 3000# or more.

The door sticker on my 2004 2500 says 6000# on the rear axle and the brochures said I should be able to to 13,100# so I don't see why this might not work OK? (oh yes... that whole gvwr thing I know)

I'll be adding airbags as many I've seen towing big rigs with my truck told me they help with the ride, stability and control. I'm looking at upgrading tires (I'll know when I get the new rig onto a scale).

What else? Yesterday I met someone who has towed a lot of heavy stuff who said I should look into a second tranny cooler - or maybe he meant ripping out the stock tranny cooler and replacing it? I didn't get to ask him for details.

I was thinking that I could always chip the truck if it seemed to need horsepower. I was also thinking I could get a new valve body and torque converter if the tranny started to slip/run really hot (it already likes to run a bit hot at 10,000# in the summer).

What else should I consider? (oh btw - YES, if I cannot make this work I'll be trading my SRW for a dually... but since the trans and springs? and most everything but the number of tires is the same... I'll need to figure out how to mod that up too - so lecture me on weight if you must, but please let me know what to mod if you know, thanx)

slickwillie

i would look into an exhaust brake.

tranny upgrades would be nice along with maybe a mild tow box

your right on with the airbags too

wmonroe

I would do air bags, torque convertor and valve body, exhaust brake, a controller to lock up the convertor, deep tranny pan, and bigger cover for the rear end to add some capacity.
Will

FiverBob

Dave,

You have answered most of your own questions. I think your biggest misconception is the need of more power unless you are one of those that thinks he needs to be the first one to the top of the hill. . I tow 16000 all the time with a 3500 dually which weighs 8240 loaded, full of fuel and two people. The truck pulls it great.

As you state, your big problem is GVWR. I think you would be somewhat surprised if you add your hitch, fill your truck with fuel plus whatever tools and full of all the people you will carry and weigh it. Then, find out what your pin weight will be with whatever water and contents you carry. I can almost guarantee you will be quite a bit over your GVWR when you add the two together. The limiting factor of the 2500 diesel is not the motor, it is the ability to carry the weight of a large fiver. With my dually I am only 400 or so pounds under my GVWR.

Bob

SundayMoney

You're at the tow rating,and likely right at the axle rating and tire rating as well.

The axle is rated by AAM for almost 2x what you'll have on the axle so I wouldn't worry about that.

I'd get the airbags and an exhaust brake,upgrade the tires and maybe the wheels (depending on the wheels rating) and go for it.

Its been hashed out 1000 time. The 2500 is the same truck as the 3500SRW,minus the overloads.

The 3500SRW is the same truck as the dually,minus the extra set of tires and fenders.

So other than the sticker Dodge puts on the truck,the difference between the 2500 and dually is very little.

If you want to do it another way,head to the junkyard and buy a dually axle and some fenders. Turn your 2500 into a dually.

davelinde

Just looking for things I have not thought of already.
I was hoping I would not have power issues and won't chip the truck just to race up hills with a FW.

I weighed the truck set up to tow and with 4 people in it 7700#.

Also for the other post - I've got the trans pan and the diff cover.

cincydiesel

Possibly look into a air ride hitch. This will help with the surge when hitting those bumbs in the road. Airbags will be a great help too... You rear tires will be your biggest weak leak. However towing at the appropriate speeds will help them the most.

SundayMoney

Power shouldn't be a problem. I pull an 11,000lb fifth wheel out West.I can pull any of the passes here in Washington at or above the speed limit. A couple of them are up near 6000'.

Idaho and Western Montana have a couple that slow me down a bit,but nothing I can't live with.