1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

1993 W250 Towing Capacity?

Old May 11, 2008 | 10:45 PM
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1993 W250 Towing Capacity?

I'm probably not looking in the right places, but I can't find the towing capacity of a Gen 1 3/4 ton. What was it rated? What size loads do you guys typically tow with your Gen 1's?
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Old May 11, 2008 | 11:21 PM
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rated? I believe rated gcvw was around 8 ton, I could be wrong. My pile has been as high as 12 ton with a good gooseneck loaded with a bobcat and attachements. tows allright, slowing down safely is the deal. Once i install a pacbrake and watermeth I wouldn't hesitate to yank 20k on a good trailer.
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Old May 12, 2008 | 06:15 PM
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A W250 with a 5 speed and 4.10's was rated to tow 11k. 3.54's dropped that to 10k, auto trucks were rated for 6,200 unless the underbed trans cooler was installed, that upped the rating to 8,200 lbs.
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Old May 12, 2008 | 09:16 PM
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I really expected those ratings to be higher I've for sure had more weight than that behind my truck.
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Old May 12, 2008 | 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by user name
I really expected those ratings to be higher I've for sure had more weight than that behind my truck.
They will pull a lot more than rated but getting it stopped is the trick
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Old May 13, 2008 | 10:41 AM
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i hauled up to 10 tons 20000lbs every week in the texas hill country this summer mainly just costal hay and deer feed, goin up and down the hills around 50-60 egts up around the 1000-1200 range truck pulled it, didnt like it but pulled it good.
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Old May 13, 2008 | 05:03 PM
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What they are rated to do and what they will actually pull are two different things. The slushy torque converter and the resulting trans overheating problem is the limiting factor on the autos. The reason the stick ratings are different for the different gears is what's known as "startability", the ability of the truck to get the load moving on a grade. Depending on your local terrain, this may not apply. These trucks can safely tow much more than the factory ratings provided the trailer brakes are in good working order. Long term, the rear end will not be happy hauling around more than 12k or so.
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Old May 14, 2008 | 01:08 PM
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20k towing many times then the tranny rebuild at 175,000 (stocker) more heavy towin since and to come
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Old May 14, 2008 | 11:20 PM
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Good info.

Check out this one: http://spokane.craigslist.org/car/672349528.html

My mom went to check it out for me since I'm in Iraq. The red paint is all oxidized and the front driver's side fender is dented. The guy will put on a new fender and paint it for an even $10k. He works at a body shop. It needs a full paint job.

The interior is like new because the previous owner installed seat covers the day he bought it. All documentation is there. The tranny was rebuilt ~5k miles ago. It has airbags installed.

She said the placement of the gearshift is pretty far away from the driver's seat and they had a hard time getting out of 4 Low. She said that the windows move up and down very fast. Looks good to me, but needs a paint job. Seems 100% stock except for the airbags.
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Old May 15, 2008 | 10:38 AM
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thats a beauty, price is high but idk how much trucks go for in ID. i say go for it, it'll give you somethin to toy with when u get back! truck is def. worth it in my eyes!
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Old May 16, 2008 | 04:38 AM
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Here in KY you can get a farm plate that allows a GVWR of 38,000lbs.

But like Wanna says. just because it will pull it doesn't mean it is good for it over time. BRAKES are the limiting factor, once that mass is moving you must be able to stop it. And that means a panic stop too.

My avitar shows about 8-9 ton load but that was across fields and small county roads and low speeds.
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Old Nov 9, 2018 | 10:14 AM
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From: in AZ but in Bend Oregon now!
Talking D250 towing

Originally Posted by wannadiesel
What they are rated to do and what they will actually pull are two different things. The slushy torque converter and the resulting trans overheating problem is the limiting factor on the autos. The reason the stick ratings are different for the different gears is what's known as "startability", the ability of the truck to get the load moving on a grade. Depending on your local terrain, this may not apply. These trucks can safely tow much more than the factory ratings provided the trailer brakes are in good working order. Long term, the rear end will not be happy hauling around more than 12k or so.
I have a D250 wit the 5 speed stick also and towed the fifth wheel from Oregon to AZ it did fine but up the big hills could only manage 30-40 tops...braking was no problem with just the engine and the trailer brakes mostly..since then the IP went out and im thinking maybe it did so slow up them hills because it was going? I'm getting the IP redone with the 3200 spring and fuel pin as well...will it do better on hills without compromising MPG or will I have to turn up the fuel as well to get it going a bit faster up hills...If at all possible I want to keep the MPG about the same currently 13-14 pulling from Oregon to AZ and 25 solo on freeways...
Any comments or help in this is greatly appreciated..I put in synthetic in the tranny and rear end and that gave me about 1-2 MPG better then before..Now thinking of putting Bestline tranny juice in it as well Saw great videos on it for engine wear so...anything to keep the temps down and less friction/wear

the little Fifth Wheel and the gravel water trailer behind, did great around local roads
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Old Nov 9, 2018 | 12:25 PM
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Saw this at the hardware store a couple months ago.
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Old Nov 11, 2018 | 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by mechelement
I'm probably not looking in the right places, but I can't find the towing capacity of a Gen 1 3/4 ton. What was it rated? What size loads do you guys typically tow with your Gen 1's?
Ratings are garbage IMO... especially the SRW numbers because of the tires available today. I work my truck more like a Freightliner with the same engine. Stopping/slowing isn't bad with the D60 brakes and 5spd. Can't say the same for a 2wd, and certainly not an auto.

The '92 sales brochure I have on PDF shows...

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Old Nov 11, 2018 | 09:35 AM
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If I'm reading your chart right the getrag was the standard option with the automatic costing extra. I wonder why it is that almost all the trucks you see for sale are auto trucks?
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