Maverick2001

Hello,<br><br>This is not a question about my CTD, as I know it will pull anything and everything. My friend is looking at buying a 1999 Dodge 1500 with the 5.3 litre V8 gasser (at least it's a dodge ). He wants to tow a 5k lb. trailer and I was wondering if anybody had towed with this type of truck and how it would pull. Any help would be appreciated.<br><br>Maverick

RickCJ

How do you spell DOGGGG.

Maverick2001

I forgot to add this truck will mainly be a daily driver. So fuel economy is really important. Probably will only tow a small 2 horse trailer or a 20 ft. boat so it will only tow maybe 10 times a year.<br><br>I know this is a diesel board but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask. Thanks again.<br><br>Maverick ???

Casey Balvert

That truck should pull the 5K load without a problem. But if he wants REAL fuel economy that boy needs a diesel. He sure won't see it towing with a gasser. Just make sure it has the trailer towing package. Good luck.

Casey

CMWade

Those 1500's are used everyday to pull that kind of weight. Make sure the trailers have good brakes. The first time he has to climb a hill, he will wish for something bigger.<br><br>Charlie

Srigs

I had a 96 1500 with the 5.2 and I could pull 8K lbs. I use to pull my gooseneck trailer below and it would do the job but at 7k lbs it was to much. But 5k will not be a problem, just remember to pull will OD turned off and change the tranny and diff fluids yearly and it will work. <br><br>I upgraded to my CTD because of more towing cap, better MPG and could stop the rig if I lost the trailer brakes (this happened once and is why I went for a 2500).

Maverick2001

The reason he wants this truck is he's getting a really good deal. $11,500 for a '99 with 40k mi. Tried to talk him into a diesel but it's not in his budget oh well.<br><br>Thanks for all the help.<br><br>Maverick

Maverick2001

<br><br><br>I had the same problem with my '81 Chev K30 it would vaporlok and die when it was put under the load of my 3H slant BP. That's also why I upgraded to the six speed.<br><br>Maverick

Hoss

[quote author=Maverick2001 link=board=11;threadid=15790;start=0#148464 date=1055399882]<br>I forgot to add this truck will mainly be a daily driver. So fuel economy is really important. Probably will only tow a small 2 horse trailer or a 20 ft. boat so it will only tow maybe 10 times a year.<br><br>I know this is a diesel board but I thought it couldn't hurt to ask. Thanks again.<br><br>Maverick ???<br>[/quote]<br><br>Should pull it without a problem...although I believe 5,000 pounds is the max for a Class III hitch (which I assume is what's on the truck). It won't pull it GOOD, but it will pull it. If he wants fuel economy though he needs something besides a Dodge 1500...

TXBobcat

[quote author=Maverick2001 link=board=11;threadid=15790;start=0#148456 date=1055395026]<br>My friend is looking at buying a 1999 Dodge 1500 with the 5.3 litre V8 gasser (at least it's a dodge ). He wants to tow a 5k lb. trailer and I was wondering if anybody had towed with this type of truck and how it would pull. Any help would be appreciated.<br><br>Maverick<br>[/quote]<br><br>You must mean the 5.2 (318)? I have a 2000 Ram 1500 with the 318. It has been a good truck, but if I had it to do all over again I would have paid a little extra to get the Cummins. I can almost guarantee he won't save money in fuel. I get an average of about 14.5 MPG, unloaded, daily driving. On the highway, the best I ever got was 17.21, and that was only once. The worst I have got was 11, and that was pulling a 16ft flat bed with about 6-7000 lbs. I don't pull with mine all the time, but when I do, I usually lock out the OD to save on the transmission. When you do that, your RPMS will run up to 2600-2800 around 60-65 MPH.<br><br>When I wear out the 318 at 250,000 miles or so, I'm going to a Cummins (something that will last ;D).

thecatsfan

My last truck was a 97 1500, 5.2l auto, w/ 3.55s. I used it to pull our 25' TT for a while before upgrading to the diesel. Trailer weighs about 6,300 with typical load.<br><br>Daily driving I got about 13 mpg - 14 mpg when the wife drove it. I think her foot weighs less than mine. Towing mileage just flat sucked. I went from Ft Collins, CO to Colorado Springs and had to stop for gas. That's only a 2 to 2 1/2 hour drive straight down the Interstate. Got 8 mpg, all highway towing. That's when I knew I had to get a CTD.<br><br>The truck pulled the trailer pretty well. I could do 75 on the highway, probably more if I had tried. I was primarily concerned about the engine dying an early death if I towed frequently. My 5.2 had a lot of performance mods also. Headers, straight piped exhaust, K&amp;N, MP PCM, and more.<br><br>If your friend takes it easy when he's towing, and takes real good care of the tranny (I'm guessing it's a 46re auto), he'll be okay. Stay out of OD like everyone else said. Make sure it has the towing package, and he might want to add a 2nd cooler.<br><br>But if he's looking for good mileage, he might be dissappointed.<br><br>

SuperGewl

Come on guys, that truck should have NO porblems pulling that weight. I use to have an 01 Dakota QC with the 4.7ltr and it was rated for 7klbs. I pulled a 5k trailer form Oregon to Walt Disney World Florida and back without any problems, except for the 6 mpg average @ 75mph. If that truck can't pull it then he should get a 3/4 ton. <br>Actually if you can talk him into it that IS what he should do. He will be much happier in the long run and get much much ;D ;D better furel mileage.

pwabbott

[quote author=Maverick2001 link=board=11;threadid=15790;start=0#148456 date=1055395026]<br>Hello,<br><br> My friend is looking at buying a 1999 Dodge 1500 with the 5.3 litre V8 gasser (at least it's a dodge ). He wants to tow a 5k lb. ... how it would pull. Any help would be appreciated.<br><br>[/quote]<br><br><br>Maverick, <br><br>I towed with a 5.9 L gasser Ram about 5500 travel trailer. I presume your friend your friend lives in the west, UT as you do. <br>The truck pulled OK but the towing mileage sucks, 8.5-9.0 mpg towing at 62 mph. When pulling the mountains I found it was necessary to use mid-grade unleaded to keep towing mileage above 8.5 mpg.<br><br>As for in town driving expect about 12.0-13.0 with 5.3 L, my 5.9L gave 11.3 mpg. On the highway the best I could get at 65-70 mph was 14.7 mpg. The 5.3 L should give under the same conditions 15.16 mpg. The 1999 Ram 1500 probably has a 3.53 rear axle. So most towing will be in 3rd gear if automatic, and 2nd gear when pulling 5% grades of any length. <br><br>If he wants towing speed and fuel mileage, he will need to lay out the $$$$ for a CTD. The question is to pay now or pay later. <br><br> :'(

Maverick2001

Thanks for all the great advise! I don't know what he is going to do he hasn't decided yet. <br><br>thanks again,<br>Dave