I have an 04 CTD 2500 QC 4x4 SLT 48re and am wondering what I can safely tow? I am wanting to tow 2 Jeeps each weighing between 3500 - 4000lbs. (not sure on a trailer size yet) But, I would figure with trailer and everything would be under 10k lbs. I would only be towing this load once every month or so.

When I got the truck alot of folks told me I should have gotten a dually, but I don't tow alot and I just don't like duallys for a DD.

 

Nothing to worry about, you could probably tow 12K all day long w/out so much as a hiccup! I think the published towing capacity is 13,150 lbs. Possibly more depending on options. You could probably be safe pulling both your trailered jeeps and the neighbors ford backwards without a prob.

 

The main reason to use a dually is it's vehicle weight capability, (the amount you can carry in the Cab & bed.. including weight from the hitch.) Really important when you tow a fifthwheel!

Shouldn't take my word for it, (ask your dealer or Dodge) but I've heard that the 2500 & 3500 have almost the same overall towing capacity...something like 20-22K overall, with the 3500 having about 10% over the 2500.

Since most tag along trailers put only about 10% of the gross trailer weight on the hitch, most of those folks do just fine with the single rear wheel trucks. (Although I heard that once you've towed with a dually, it's hard to go back because of it's extra stability!)

Still all in all, I would at least look at the 3500 SRW trucks if your going to be doing any towing in the range your talking about. Almost the same price & you get a pretty decent bed load increase with the 3500.

I've got the 3500 dually & I'm really pleased with it's ride unloaded...can't imagine how it could be any smoother and still be a truck!!! A 3500 SRW should ride even better!

Defdog2

 

Thanks for the replys.

I am actually thinking of getting an '05 600 3500 QC 4X4 SRW when the 2005s come outand if the '05s get the mpg back to where the 03-04s are. If I were to do this I would sell this truck to my dad. I get 5% under invoice + incentives so he would be getting a good deal if I sell it to him for what I owe. I just hope I can get another one for $12k off sticker

 

I tow a 10,500 TT with my 2003 QC 2500 CTD 4x4 LB 48RE regularly camping both in tne mountains and in the flats. I usuallu have 5 or 6 people in the truck, also some extras in the bed. I have had no problems whatsoever towing with the truck at all. You definitely won't "NEED" the dually unless you want it for the "LOOKS".Hahahahaha!
Mark S.

 

I tow a 13K TT with a 3500 SRW. It's also a '03 SO in Kalifornia. I pulled from 1000' up to over 8000 on a 650 mile round trip through the Owens Valley to up above Mammoth. I made the trip every week all last summer. I don't want to say what I spent on Diesel. Unless I read the book wrong, the 3500 SRW is good to around 15K. Even on steep grades, I stay close to 50 mph and usually keep it around 75mph. I get around 9.5-10 mpg but can get 14mpg if I keep the speed down around 65mph. I was only able to stay that slow once.