Hello again...

I have an 03 CTD HO 48RE 4x4 that I use to pull around a 4000lb boat and sometimes a couple of jetski's (~1200lb). I have made NO modifications to this truck. It is completely stock.

Let me say this and if you can, try to avoid the lecture... ;-)

Generally when towing the items metioned above, I have the rig in OD and the cruise control set on 80. The truck pulls like it doesnt even know the load is back there. Up some minor hills and everything... it just sticks at 80 and hums right along.

Now... I am looking to upgrade my boat. This is going to be a big change for me and I want to make sure the truck will handle it. The new boat on the trailer will probably weigh in at about 10000lbs. The trailer uses a regular ball-hitch, not a 5th wheel.

Will I still be able to tow in OD?
Will it still be able to maintain 80mph? If not, what will it maintain?
Will the trailer be too heavy for the dodge-included towing package hitch?
Do I need to worry about transmission problems?
The trailer has surge brakes... will the truck's ABS be enough to control this load?


I appologize if these are dumb questions. Like I said, this is very new to me. I have not towed anything that heavy. About the closest I came was an 8000 lbs backhoe I rented one time.

Is there anything I need to worry about? Anything I could do to make this setup perform better? Anything I could do to make it safer (besides slowing down)?

Any suggestions or information you guys can share would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

Truck will pull that just fine and in o/d.If on big hills if it hunts (3rd/4th)then lock out o/d if needed.Also towing anything at 80 mph is NOT SAFE if your not concerned about YOU how about being concerned about OTHERS.Big boat with surge brakes I think my limint would be 65/68 mph.Boat and trailer tires not RATED for high speed and if anything would happen at 80 with big or little trailer its not pretty!

 

It will do fine, and if it does pull you down any on the hills do like he said, and lock out overdrive. You will be fine.

Eric

 

You'll be fine, but if you upgrade to a cruise ship ya might want to bomb the truck
and go with the interfrated trailor brakes.

 

80 MPH towing 10,000 LBS.

 

Yeah, I would say you're going WAY too fast to be hauling 10K.

If I were you (and I'll be in the same position soon) I would go straight to the trailer shop to see about retrofitting some electric brakes on that trailer. Then get a good brake controller ... Brakesmart seems to be the favorite around here.

 

You don't put electric brakes on a boat trailer.
They get wet!

 

no electric on a boat trailer. Hello corrosion from dipping in the water.

I pull 10,000+ triple axle with surge boat trailer. Going to Traverse City this weekend from Detroit.

I recommend electrically controlled/activated hydraulic (electric over hydraulic). Do a search and you'll find good info.


I love my exhaust brake though. Other than that, you'll be fine.

I bet you find yourself towing around 70mph when you get over 10k. I had probs with tire blow outs with load C tires. Make sure you have 15 inch rims with load D and then you'll be able to do those speeds.

There is a time and place for everything. loaded Semis in the desert regularly go over 80. I don't feel is unsafe in the right environment (there isn't anyone else around). I'm sure he's not 10 ft from someone's bumper doing 80 with a 10k trailer.

At least I hope not.

 

Guys,

Thanks for the information and the advice....

I do have another question for you...

I have the factory installed Class IV hitch. The owners manual states that this hitch can tow 10K with a 1K tongue limit. I wanted to verify this so I called the dealer and asked them... the guy there said I could tow 12K with a weight distributing kit or 5K without it.

That just doesnt sound right to me and is direct conflict with what the owners manual states. Can you guys help clarify this for me?

Do I need a new hitch? I dont want to do WD since it will be a boat trailer with surge brakes.
Should I trust the dealer or the owners manual?

Also - I think what I am calling a hitch is really the receiver... the hitch slides into the receiver, right? So, can the factory receiver handle 10K? And... is there a special kind of hitch that I should get to put into the receiver?

I'm sorry if this seems like I am rambling... I'm not sure I know enough to even ask the right questions.

Thanks for any information you may be able to offer.

 

You're fine man. Your reciever/hitch will hold your boat fine. We have pulled our 20k lb John Deere track loader with my uncles 3500 cummins with just a regular reciever with a pental hook up. Had to go slow, but it worked. You will be fine

Eric

 

I may be out of line here, but here is my take on this: I think you should check with a knowledgeable dealer or with DC directly (try and speak to a zone rep if you can - he/she will be able to get you the answers you need). There are alot of posts here saying "you will be fine" or "I've done it with no problem", but that doesn't mean it is safe (doesn't mean it isn't safe either). DC designs the truck to perform safely within certain operating parameters and the manual is a bit unclear as to what you can pull with a receiver (Class IV) setup.

The part on the truck is called the receiver hitch and the piece that fits into it is called the "drawbar". the piece that attaches to the drawbar is the "ball". Drawbars are rated from as little as 1,500lb capacity to 15,000lb. I'd oversize to make sure you don't have to rely on your safety cahins if the weld on an underrated model lets go.

At 10,000 lbs, you are at 80% of the vehicles stated maximum towing capacity (assuming you are driving a 2500), so I would make sure you have the correct setup for your trailer. Personally, I'd prefer to be towing 10,000 lbs with a gooseneck/5th wheel, but that's not an option for you.