Towing capacity of a 3500?
 

I have a 03 3500, 2WD, Auto Trans, Single Real Axle, I thought my owners manual stated 12,000 as the towing capacity. I see posts here often talking about pulling 17K. What is correct for my year truck? I pull a 7800 pound travel trailer like it's not even back there! I just want to be correct when I brag to my non Dodge Turbo Diesel friends.

21,000lbs if you have 3.73 gears and 23,000 if you have 4.10s. That is the very very conservative rating that Dodge puts on the trucks. They will tow much more than that very comfortably.

You just want to make sure you do overload your tire ratings with pin weight from your trailers.

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how can I tell which rear I have?

Should be noted in your glove box maybe? Probably going to be 3.73s.

On my first post....those ratings are for GCVWR. So just subtract the weight of your truck from those totals to get your towing weight. Your truck prob weighs around 7000-7500lbs.

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think you mean "do not":cool: ..sorry had to.

Thanks..doing the math, assuming my truck is around 7500. I get 13,500. More than I'll ever need!!!

I traded in a chevy 1500 with a 5.3 for my 3500. Even my wife can feel the difference when we tow the RV

And 1/2 of what it will easily tow! :D
Welcome to the DTR and the world of diesel power!

RJ

Whole different ball game when compairing the two (5.3 to a 5.9 diesel) Again, 13,500 is still far below the amount these trucks can tow..

I had an '03 3500 SRW, 6 spd. manual, 4:10 rear end and pulled my 12,000 lb. 5th wheel for 6 years. Pin weight was 2200 lbs. I went from coastal NC to Montana and back years ago. In the mountains and long, steep grades all the way out there I was outrunning Fords and Chevys passing them like they were standing still. I traded it on an '09 and wish I had it back. Enjoy your '03.

I am enjoying the truck. Pretty much stock. I have a little cash to spend. What are some good first upgrades.

I would start a Tranny fund....depending on mileage and how long you intend to keep the CTD.
A fully rebuilt tranny puts a lot more power to the ground and will eliminate possibility of many small problems as the tranny starts to get tired.
I'm not talking new factory....I'm talking Georend, DTT, HTS after market trannys. Not cheap but tranny is your weakest link.

Need to decide if will want to add power down the road or not! That will determine full upgrade or just a reinforcement!:)

Gauges are a very good place to start, if you have none.... boost, tranny fluid, fuel pressure.

RJ

I have 120K on it now & plan on keeping the truck for quite a while. I don't think I need any more power. I'm getting 18.5 - 19MPG on the hiway. 16 around town. I was thinking about upgrading the audio system. That's some thing I'll use & enjoy. I have some other posts on here about XM radio installations.

Maybe just refresh the stock tranny, unless you already know the history. The 48RE's are stronger than was my 47RE so maybe your ok?
Sirius/XM is great, IMO.

RJ

gauges, gauges, gauges!

As far as gauges go, I would also add an EGT (exhaust gas temp) to the mix since you do tow with it.