lacofdfireman

My Dad offered to sell me his 99 CTD Dodge 2500 Short bed with auto trans for $5k and I couldn't pass it up.

We are looking a buying a 5th wheel toyhauler and am wondering what size I can buy that this truck will handle safely? I am an ex truck driver so not concerned about size and would like to buy the largest one that this truck can handle safely. Some of the larger 35-40ft toyhaulers can end up at 17000 plus pounds. I haven't seen any stickers showing the recommended weight for Pin weight and how many lbs I can tow. Any info for this particular truck would be appreciated. Also any necessary or must have upgrades to the truck would be appreciated. I know it already needs tires so that will be first. Here is a photo of the truck I am buying so you see what I have to work with. Any info good or bad would be appreciated.

Thanks

joem

Nice 2nd gen! With the stock trans and stock power your safe upto 10k but anything more than that you will need a valve body and good torque converter like my goerend tripple disk plus some good 85w140 for that Dana 70 rear axle that the automatics came with.
my friend has a 2002 2nd generation HO with 6 speed, airbags and a jake- plus thousands in mods, he pulls a tripple axle toy hauler with a jeep wrangler and 2 honda crf450x's, 2 crf80's inside PLUS he has a 12' camper on the bed and a drift boat strapped down on the roof! I really should get a pict of that setup, he said it was near 25k GVW without the tanks full!

lacofdfireman

Forgot to mention that he had the tranny replaced at about 60k to a heavy duty trans from what he said. I have no idea what that means and will have to look into that more.. I did hear the transmissions were a known weak point on the truck and that is why he opted for a heavy duty trans instead of having his rebuilt or whatever they did under warranty..

high bid

Yes plz find pics!

infidel

An exhaust brake is nice when towing.
Stopping is harder than going with a lot of weight.

Redlinear

I pull a 40ft tandem dual flatbed gooseneck usually loaded with two 2500/3500 cummins trucks.
I prefer towing using my 01 Dually, but, the 00 2500 gets the call plenty. (usually 14 to 20hr interstate trips, only stopping for fuel).
I wouldn't let size or weight of a toyhauler determine what I got. I'd be more worried about manuvering when, where, and how given certain situations one encounters. (skinny roads, parking lots, gas stations, driveways, etc)

totalloser

I think the weak links are:

1: The transmission- find out what the "heavy duty" transmission is. If it's some AAMCO POS beware. As stated, vb and HD aftermarket torque converter NEEDED for heavy towing.

2. Brakes. The front brakes SUCK on these trucks. If you have the bolt on caliper brackets, you can upgrade to 3rd gen brakes, but you will need 17" or larger wheels. This is a MUST imo- huge difference in braking. Exhaust brake a good idea too.

Other than that, you limitation will be the hitch unless you go fifth wheel. I have pulled 14k here and there and it hasn't been bad. I have a 6 speed duallie though.

Fiftygrit

You need to look up towing capacity, max load, in cap plus box, then on the trailer the GVWR, thats your total weight loaded, my 06 is 2550 lbs inbox and cab, 13500 tow rating, my 5th wheel is 12k GVWR , my tongue weight is 2k lbs, so Im close to what the max is, I know lots of people on here tow way heavier, but I dont want to max or overload my truck, and my truck handle this with no problems, over 50k towing, and 115k on truck and all good, you have to make your own mind up how much you want to push it. good luck