I was towing my toy hauler loaded at about 10,000 lbs this weekend. I was on a dirt road and there was a large dip. Well, the rear of the trailer got caught up. I thought I just ran out of steam, so I dropped in in 4 low and I wouldn't budge , and there was a bunch of white smoke coming from the passenger side wheel well. It smelled almost like hot brakes. Anyway, we dug the trailer out, and everything was fine.
Can the turbo blow white smoke? Could it have been from the 4WD? Looking over everything, all seems fine.
On a brighter note, this was my first major pull with this truck, and I was amazed. Sooooo much better than my '03 SO. Pulled it up some very steep grades (8%++) and could go as fast as I want in 6th.

 

I suspect you smoked your clutch a tad trying to pull from a dead stop, and the air current just happened out the wheel well. The turbo will not smoke anywhere but out the exhaust pipe, and there is nothing to smoke in the 4WD.

 

So, ya think there's any harm done smoking it for 5 seconds or so? Shifts good, so I guess it's just one of those things, eH?

 

Sometimes it'll warp or glaze the pressure plate causing it to chatter when you release the clutch. If it does.... you'll need a full replacement (clutch, pressure plate and flywheel either cut or new)

Did it smell like brakes or clutch burning? You know, that smell when you're behing a tractor trailer that wails on the brakes?

 

Well, it shifts fine now and I can't notice any chatter. Hopefully, all's well. Here's a pic where I got in the doo doo. I was doing fine till I started going up the hill.

 

Humm, That terain looks familier

 

Guy behind you doesn't look too happy that you stopped to take pictures of it all.

I'm surprised your hitch stayed attached to the ball with that angle going on.


phox

 

That wasn't me taking the pictures. I'm behind the wheel. The guy that took them was in his Chevy...guess he was looking for the Dodge to fail. rolleyes:
Looking back, I wouldn't have done that again. Took 3 of us to dig it out
What should I be looking for as far as clutch chatter? Is it at idle, in gear, taking off?? What exactly are the symtoms?

 

Let out the clutch really slow over maybe a 2 second period with no throttle. If you glazed the flywheel, you'll feel the whole truck shake until the pressure plate fully sandwiches the disc between it and the flywheel. If its smooth as silk then the clutch is probably fine.

......and why the hell are you taking a 10k lb camper 4wheeling?

Sorry, but I just never seen a camper back in the woods like that. Pretty sweet that the Dodge handled it though!

PS - I've got the 2003 Praire. Excellent machine!

 

NJTackle... that's just the kind of camping I do. I can't stand campgrounds. I believe in using my toys, not just having them look pretty. My Dodge has been in some pretty rough stuff...held up real well so far.

 

Two thumbs up there!

 

Padzz

I dont like campgrounds much either. I bought a sheep camp complete with wood stove. I bought it in utah. It is 16 feet and has a wheel in each corner of it,the front 2 wheels are on a turn table and tows down the road great. The problem is backing it up takes lots of pratice . I think it is bullet proof i have had it in lots of rough places. Lots of fun to go ice fishing in. With a 4 wheeler in the back and my sheep camp the cummins is more than up to the task of going in the back country.

happy camping spud