NJTman

I've only owned my dodge (s) for a couple of years now, as I've had my Yota, Mitsu and other vehicles that you can not like either, but this week was a first for me.... with my 92

Since I spent all that time installing my new hitch, and trailer braking system, I figured it was time to do some T O W I N G. Here's what I observed.


Really nice change to be in a vehicle that is more than capable of doing what it was intended and designed to do. The truck is powerful enough that it's almost effortless to drive around with 2 tons behind you in for of trailer and load.

My Yota can do it, as I've had 6K in soil in the trailer (plus the trailer itself), and made it from point a to point b, with little excitement. Granted I was overloaded by 2300 lbs, but nothing happened, and other than being the slowest thing on 4 wheels that day, it was kind of boring. The guys at the supply yard didn't want me to leave with that much in there, but i figured I was about a mile away, so what the hay, right ?


So the trailer with about 6 yards of triple shred mulch was enough to test out, and the truck had plenty of grunt to spare. My truck is dead stock except for the exhaust, so I was pleasantly surprised on how well it moved out of it's own way trailing 2 tons behind it. Stable, and pretty much unaffected by it's haul, other than it rode a lot nicer with the weight in the back. The trailer braking controller worked great after initial adjustments, and I made it home in one piece. Being that my tailgate is not attached, backing up was a lot easier than in my Yota, as I can't see out of the blackened windows in my cap.

So, Great vehicle (as if I didn't already think that) and to be a productive addition to my life. Really happy I went cummins...


One thing I did find out today.... is that I need to redo my rear springs. The truck sits dead level with no trailer, but with it attached, I was riding the helper springs that are on there, and sitting low in the rear end. 20 years of being bounced around has forecast-ed a new set of rear springs.

Add another task to my life, why don't you mr Dodge. ?

BILTIT

Re-arch the rears and go airbags, great for towing.

NJTman

You have a particular favorite ?

BILTIT

I run firestone ride-rites.

Kit 2071 for stock height or 2264 for 4 inch lift.

I bought a used 2071 kit with compressor and gauge/switch and then had to order the 2264 kit upper bracket to make it work because of my lift springs. The upper bracket is the only difference between the two kits.

sootnsmoke

Don't forget about the great fuel economy when towing with your 1st gen. I remember towing my 2007 tandem axle camper (approx 4,500 lbs) using my 1971 K5 Blazer 350 V8. It had a moderately built motor with 3.07 gears. Going down the highway with the 3 speed auto I was turning approx 2,100 RPM. That RPM was outside of its ideal efficiency range for torque and MPG. The truck really needed to be lower geared with 3.73's to put the RPMs in the 2,600 or so range. I towed that camper 7,000 miles through Alaska and my mileage consistently ranged between 7.5 and 8.5 the entire trip. I had to fill up every 150 miles on the factory 21 gallon tank. That hurt. A well setup 1st gen Cummins easily returns 12 to 15 MPG towing that same load. What a better vacation that would have been back then if I had a diesel.

mtdoragary

My 03 towed better than a 2012. My 95 towed better than my 89. My 93 will tow just fine now that I put Chevy rear brake cylinders and 3" shoes on the back. The limitation on carrying and towing with 1st gens is braking, not power.

NJTman

True.... oh, so true...

But, on the other hand, this makes up for dodge's average braking


http://www.amazon.com/Tekonsha-90195...684181_a1_60_p


I've owned several different types of controllers on my other vehicles, and this one is by far the best of all. More accuracy, added "Boost" when needed, and a diagnostics function that helps with issues that arise.

The cheapo BC's just aren't the same.

mtdoragary

I've been using a Prodigy for almost 10 years. How does the new Tekonsha compare?

NJTman

Wouldn't that depend on the version you have ??? Do you have the original or the P-2?

Here's the specs for the P-3


http://www.etrailer.com/Brake-Contro...sha/90195.html


Great service, BTW from Etrailer...

1972RedNeck

My '93 came with a Tekonsha Prodigy P2 installed. It's the best controller I've ever had by far.

NJTman

I have a buddy who just bought a new ram. It has the built in controller
His old truck had the prodigy in it, and it came out before the truck sold. it's not that old, from what he says, and he's looking to let it go.

I think he has the P-2, but I haven't seen it yet If interested, PM me, and I'll call him

AirLiftCompany

Not sure if you have checked out Airlift or not but we actually offer two different style kits that fit your truck. 59501 is a light duty application, able to level out an additional 2,000 lbs. If you plan to tow very heavy we also offer 57215 which overs an additional 5,000 lbs of leveling capacity.

If your truck seems to ride fine around town with the current springs you may not need to refresh them. It won't hurt to get them re-arched but might not really be necessary if you add something like air bags to help them out when needed.

KRB

Whats the ballpark cost for the bags? Front and rear?

AirLiftCompany

Well we actually don't offer a front bag kit until you get to the 94 body style. For the rear though the 57215 kit is roughly $260 before the rebate, with the rebate it will be around $210.

If you want to do some price comparing it is best to visit out list of retailers. They are typically all around the price mentioned though.

KRB

Not a bad price. Would like some front ones though...