I've been looking at buying a 97-98 12 valve 3500 but have recently discovered I might can get into a 03 2500 CTD. In the summer I need this truck to pull around 15K lbs. and sometimes close to 20K lbs. Can an 03 2500 CTD 4x4 handle that weight without tearing it up quickly?

 

You may want to do a couple mods to it if you are pulling that heavy. It will do it though. Do you know if it is an SO or an HO truck?

 

With that much weight you might be better off with a 3500, but the 2500 (with the 11.5" rear axle) will do it with some airbags or Timbrens in the back.

MikeyB

 

What I meant is the rear end and drive shaft as strong as the 3500? How easy or hard is it to put the air bags on the rear?

 

I've never done airbags but I can tell you that the Timbrens take less than 10 minutes to install. I just put some on my truck last weekend.... They work great and there is NO maintenance involved with them.....

Yes the drivetrain can handle that load. The issue w/ the 2500 is that it does not have the overload springs so the rear will sag w/ a heavy load. Heck, the 08 2500 I had squatted a couple inches with an empty trailer attached to it. Timbrens cured that problem and that's why I just put them on this truck...

 

Trucks with the 10.5" are rated the same as the 11.5" for the 2003 model year - 12K towing with 4:10 gears, and it handles it easily.

 

My 2003 had the overload springs and even with a full load of concrete rubble, it did not sag that much.

 

If you put the right load on the right trailer it won't be a problem. I have had close to 20K on mine a few times and had no problems. Make sure you have E rated tires.