Anyone have any thoughts on how long the stock clutch will last pulling a 16k 5er? I have been reading a lot about how the stock clutch's don't like pulling big loads. My question is, why rate a truck to pull that much and not put a clutch in there that will handle it? By the way, I only have used #3 on the Smarty when empty, but I have yet to pull with it.

 

I've done a lot of towing since I bought my truck. I don't do it every day. I've hauled boats and other trailers. My truck has 167,8xx something on it now and has the original clutch. The truck is also stock. I have a lot less HP and Torque than your truck and others 2003 and newer. I think if you start in 1st gear and take you time thru the gears, it should last. If you start horsin it getting thru the gears under load, you could have a problem.

Backing up with the load seems to be less of problem than going forward as far as wear.

Southbend showed their new clutch that fits all which is dual mass in a different arrangment than you have.

My truck is maxed with my trailer as your's is. Your combined is 23,000 or 23,500. Mine is 21,500.

I would not worry about it. Hang her out there and see whats happens.

Dave

 

My 1999 has just under 200,000 mi. with 6-speed transmission. I pull a 14500-lb 5th wheel (GCW) 23,500. I have the original clutch. By the way, I just had a "200,000-mile check-up" (suspension, u-joints, bearings) and only problem was a lower ball-joint "slightly" out of spec. My engine is stock (because Edge Products didn't realize that Dodge put 6-speeds in before 2001 and didn't properly program the EZ-Edge or Edge Comp. for them). BTW I finally replaced the lift pump at 198000 miles not due to failure, but it was starting to leak.

 

This truck is a 2005 with 4:10 and 6 speed. There last trip to Alaska neted somewhere around 16,000 miles from Florida and return. With the 4:10 gears at 55 it gets 13.5 to 14 miles per gallon flat lands. The trailer is 16,000+ GVW. The truck don't know it back there. Its 100" wide Carriage Cari Lite KS3.



My truck still has its original VP44 and I'm on my second lift pump. I do have a worn lower ball joint on the right side. Not to bad yet.

Dave

 

I pull at least 2-3 times per month. About half those trips are 400 miles at a time hauling 24 to 28k on the ball...thats a gross of up to 36k. Clutch still performs like new and 14k on the odometer.

 

DANG: How does the " Idle Governor" work with the SMARTY,
( that feature in the computer that won't let the truck stall)
I was concerned that it would be too touchy when loading my Truck camper.

 

I wouldnt sweet it. I have pulled heavier than that with the stock clutch with no ill effects. A good friend of mine pulls a 35' 12ton with a bone stock 06 and the trailer is loaded over capacity most days. I am sure this is not the best thing for his stock clutch but it pulls it with no problems so far.

 

Here is what I tow with six speed. I have over 45,000 miles towing this rig coming in about 16,000. No problems. Just don't abuse the clutch - -smooth engagement matching engine speed to truck speed. Don't touch the go pedal when taking off until the clutch is mostly engaged and always use first to get it rolling.



Like Dave, my Alaska trip added up to 17,000 miles. Just don't push it, especially when using a box.

Bob

 

Thanks for the replies. I am just trying to decide whether I need to put in a better clutch now, or wait. I don't want to be on the side of the road with that elephant on my back with that issue. I assumed that like anything else, it would depend on how you drive it. I am pretty good about not letting it lug and I usually let the pyro tell me when it is time to shift. I have a couple of 6%'s that work it pretty good, but I just drop it down to 4th as I get towards the top.

Qwest, as far as the Smarty and the Idle Govenor, I have noticed no difference there. The one thing that I have noticed the most is that the boost builds sooner making it easier to merge onto the freeway.

 

With a stock truck the stock clutch is more than enough. We pull 48' step deck trailers with ours and sometimes gross as much as 35-40k and have never had any clutch problems. The guys that are complaining about the newer clutch set-ups being junk are most likely running mods.