Looking for input from those that tow often and tow heavy with their 5.9 Cummins. What are the best modifications that you have made or can make for towing?

Thanks

 

Titan Class V, 2-1/2 inch Trailer Hitch Receiver
Never have a hitch worry again.
Fairly easy install, call a buddy to jack it up.
Looks good installed.
Joe S.

 

My towing mods- Timbrens on my 03 2500 (it didn't have overloads), Smarty Jr adds enough power to pass confidently and pull grades while towing. A 12ton bottle jack and a jackall along with a well stocked toolbox.

 

I have a heavily modified truck... that being said so you understand I've modified a lot.

By far the best mod is the Goerend heavy duty transmission with the triple disc torque converter.

Next would be smarty and water injection.

 

Everything in my sig is for towing heavy except for the remote batteries and air filter. The turbo was the best thing for my 03 and the next thing was more fuel. Craig

 

C Shomer your sig never showed up. My HE351 turbo helped a lot too.

 

I had been thinking about upgrading my turbo but I don't want to have to change a ton of other parts to support it.
How much does the Goerend heavy duty transmission cost?

 

I forgot to attach my sig... did it from my phone. I don't know why Cummins put such an inadequate turbo on the first CRs.
The bags and adjustable shocks are optional for most guys but I can fix nearly any bad road with them. I also built a very 5er friendly bed. My lift pump was fine but I was proactive on that, before adding fuel. Craig

 

You can look up Goerend's on the net for latest prices. For his level of build, he has one of the better price points out there. Also the torque converter has a lifetime warranty and a lower stall speed suited for towing.

The price is dependent on the options you choose, but will be around $6k for a full build.

Yes that is a lot of money... But you may find one out of 100 that have done this that will say it wasn't flat out worth the money in the long run... yes, it is that much better.

 

Auto tranny for sure. Best mod for towing heavy.

 

B&W set-up and an exhaust bake. What goes up must come down..

 

My mods were for towing and performance to get the best of both worlds for my own set GOAL.

But in my country we got some steep mountains to climb. And towing a 5 horse gooseneck trailer fully loaded is a workout. Stock the truck did fine but now passing several cars at once is easy.

The only thing I don't like is going downhill. I think the next step is a exhaust brake for these steep mountains

 

Thats my goal is to build my truck so it will tow heavy up steep hills with ease. I don't want to modify it so much so that I sacrafice reliability.

 

What do you mean by "with ease"? I can go up the Az. mtns with my 15k gvw 5er at 67mph (when the curves allow) in OD at safe egt but it's not exactly easy. I wouldn't expect great reliability if I did that every day. It IS "with ease" if I drop a gear. Craig

 

Diesel power magazine had a towing special this month. About simple do and donts and upgrades