Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums - 97’ Dodge 3500 dually towing with 3,500 lbs bed

Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums (https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/)

- 12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain (https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/12-valve-engine-drivetrain-100/)

- - 97’ Dodge 3500 dually towing with 3,500 lbs bed (https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/12-valve-engine-drivetrain-100/97%92-dodge-3500-dually-towing-3-500-lbs-bed-331617/)

97’ Dodge 3500 dually towing with 3,500 lbs bed

hey guys my 97’ Dodge 2wd has a 5 speed manual nv4500 it has a 18k pto driven winch. It has 160,000 miles when I got it and had mostly been used for moving modular homes. So in essence in addition to having a 3,500 lbs steel flatbed bed. 10,500 lbs on scales I’m pretty much constantly at max gvwr. Does this mean I can’t really put much weight on the bed?

secondly and more importantly if I have a 11,000 lbs cap trailer that weights 2,500 lbs so 8,500 lbs payload ... my understanding is 10% payload on tounge which would put the car over the 11,000 lbs gvwr. Any suggestions here? Ok to be a bit over ? Dana 80 rear 3.55 axle. Also fully loaded puts me 1,500 lbs over gcvr. (my understanding is it’s 20k) my door sticker is gone and no manual

all that being said lastly being that I’m constantly hauling 3,500lbs effectively with the bed anything I should pay more attention too or service more regularly to keep the truck in good health? Was considering adding a 1 qt (25%) pto Transmission extension cover from pure diesel power ( can only use 1 as the pto driven gear box for the winch is on the other). Any other advice to keep her running strong would be appreciated not going to put a lot of money it in so won’t update clutch to heavier one till this one wears out.

Thanks for for any input. Here are a few pics
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.die...c5685ebe32.png
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.die...465ec561b9.png

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drebs17 (Post 3358139)

no joy?

That appears to be a cab and chassis model, I'm pretty sure their factory gvwr was more than 10.5k. I thought more like 12k.
I run my 8800 gvwr 3/4 ton at 10-12k more often than I should. These trucks are pretty stubborn to failure as long as they are maintained and not abused while doing it.

As for preventive measures, keeping fluids topped off and using the proper types is your friend. NV4500 takes special fluid and the cooler you mentioned is a good idea.
Upgrading to gm 1 ton rear wheel cylinders may help loaded braking power...
Quality Spicer replacement ujoints as the old ones wear out.....

I wouldn't worry too much about a 10k trailer behind your truck in the end, as long as everything is in good shape.

The door sticker doesn't list a GCWR. Only the GAWRs and GVWR. Given the curb weight.... I bet ya the sticker was removed intentionally [whistle]

The only part of the trailer that adds into the truck's GVWR is the trailer's tongue/pin weight.

I haul up to 2 tons in the bed of my W250.... you'll do it better with a DRW and the beefier springs. Legal limit is a different story. 4.10 ratio would be better if you haul heavy all the time. The rear GAWR on the '95 DRW pickup I wrecked out was 7500#.

When hauling heavy, too many people think of how to improve the "go" and not enough about the "stop".

Gorms is absolutely right about the larger rear wheel cylinders--they'll help a lot. Look into a decent exhaust brake as well. That's one of the best improvements I've ever made to my truck.