I have a 02 4DR LB SRW camper package with 3.55s and a 6 speed. Its is BONE STOCK as in no mods except guages (fuel, EGT, & boost) and E range 305 Nito gera graplers. I am thinking about buying a toy hauler trailer to live in full time. My job is here in souther California so weather is no problem. I would like to know about how big of a trailer I can easily tow. Understand I plan to only move it every 3 months or so but may want to tow it back home to Idaho or for vacations and such. Any info about good quality toy hauler trailers you may own would also be great.

 

Are you serious??? You got a cummins!!! you can tow whatever you want.

 

Ya, what he said

Your being smart asking before buying. I just did a quick google on your 02 and found 9500lbs as the max tow. Now we all know it will pull more but that was what I found. Most toy haulers (I'll say 28'+) are 10k plus with toys and we see them everyday being pulled by 1/2 ton trucks. Does that make it safe, NO. Go to the dodge website and put in your vin number and it will tell you what the specs are for your truck not mine or his that might be another 02. There is a well respected rule to never exceed the 80% rule meaning if it says you can tow 10,000 lbs don't tow more than 8,000 lbs. Again the dodge numbers are low for the power of the Cummins but "if" there was ever an incident and insurance was involved your claim would be denied if you were overweight.

Again my numbers were a quick google but I remember numbers around that when I bought my trailer and went to the dealer to pull my vin. 4x4 QC killed almost 3000 lbs if I remember correctly.

 

You'll be perfectly fine. Be glad that you didn't get 4.10s.

 

I'd go off axle and tire ratings before the manufactured ratings. Those are mainly for warranty reasons so load it up and go. Mine is rated for #9450 and wouldn't go beyond that for years until one day I did and really didn't notice a difference in performance.

 

If a 3/4 Ram with a Cummins can't pull more then 10k lbs, what can pull a 37', 17,000 lbs Weekend Warrior? I am worried now that I may have to get a Ford 350. The ads for it say, it can pull 24k lbs and has piezo injectors! If I didn;t know what it is I might have though it is a sign of superior technology.
Perhaps I should get rid of my puny 24 valve?.. Oh well... again, maybe not.
On the subject of OP: are you planning for a travel trailer or fifth wheel? The length will matter if you plan to go places with it. To live in, I think you'd want a big one, so a 5th wheel would be more practical, more space with shorter combined vehicle length.
-P

 

I remember test driving a bone stock 2nd gen dodge with 3.55 gears, 35" tires, and a 6 spd. It felt a little doggy and may be challenging with heavy loads. However, with a small power adder, better exhaust and intake it would be great.

 

i had a 33' toy hauler and i towed it with my 00 6 speed with 4:11s and 315/75/r16s

towed it great. I also have the hypertech but with out it still towed nicely.

the trailered weight about 11klbs with gas toys and food and tools.

 

Your truck can pull that easily but its stopping it, Id say get a jake brake. but honestly a 37' 5th 17000lb toy hauler here in cali id be going for an f450 or akodiak for that much weight specially in socal with all the grades, just not worth chancing being overloaded, plus here DOT dont take kindly to overloaded rigs specially toy haulers.

 

also a word of advice. do lots of research on the weight of these things, most of them are rated weight wise before they add things like fuel tanks generators, and extra options. You could easily have a trailer that weighs much more then advertised.

My trailer was like 1800lbs heavier then what was advertised. Forcing me to get a different truck.

O YA, dont get a forest river toy hauler they are absolute garbage and not worth even bothering with! I have had nothing but nightmare headaches with them and the dealer! If you are in so cal I would highly recommend talking to a guy who goes by the name of "HEADINJURY" on glamisdunes.com he is one of the biggest warrior guys in so cal and treats everybody awesome! he even helped me out when i had problems with my non warrior trailer.

 

I own a 02 and the owners manual says a 4X4 6 speed can tow 13,050 lbs. It says 6 speed offers optimum towing package. It also says over 10,000 lbs a gooseneck or fifth wheel should be used.

 

I'm pullin 25k-33k# nearly all the time with my truck, great solid trany and engine! I don't put anymore that about 4-5k# on the bed of the truck though. So I'm settin fine.

 

I saw a dodge 3500 registered for ~32,000kg one day... that's 70,000 lbs. I don't know what is legal where you live, but I know my '97 pulled a 14,000 lb trailer for a total of 21,000 lbs up and down a ~12% 8 km grade with the A/C on full blast on a hot day. With 3.55s.

The truck will be fine, just be sure your CA DOT is as well...

 

I have a 26' toyhauler bumper pull, and my 02 shortbed tows it great. Thats with mine and my wifes stuff plus our rhino, PLUS, 150 gallons of water in the fresh tanks. But also I have 4.10 gears with 285s. Sure wish I had the six speed! Oh well.

 

It's the pin weight that will limit you. I'd stay 33 ft or less with a 3/4 ton. I tow 12K / 32ft 5th with a nearly stock 01 CTD 6speed w/ 3:55.