Matthew DuPont

Have a 2001 Dodge2500 w/5.9 Cummins.
Upgraded with a BANKS 'Stinger' system
ATS trans/converter.
Truck is registered in FL. w/ 22,000 GVW.
Tires are BIG O BigFoot w/'E' rating(3,042# ea.)

New 5th is 37.5 feet and (appx. 15,500 MAX load)
2200lb.(+/-) PW, (then added a 5.5Kw Onan).
Don't know what current PW is.
Want to go see Nevada, Arizona, Utah, etc. over next few years...

Will my truck do this?
Recommendations/Recommended upgrades?

Drug a 11,750lb. 5th around for 138,000 miles,

Dieselbuilder

Laws up here say no you need a one ton!

.boB

As long as you're smart about it, you won't have any trouble.

Don't try and run 75mph across the mid west. Stay in the slow lane.

For climbing hills, take your time and watch the temp gauges - all of them. Gear down as you need to.

Perform the heavy duty maintenance schedule on time, every time. Only use quality components.

rich

ran the same motor with stick trans only difference is mine was a drw. my gross weight avg was 30 to 36k. it would do it all day long fast as i wanted to go with no issues. Just do proper maintence and mite put a trans temp gauge on to keep a eye on those temps...

Matthew DuPont

drw?

nkennedy

You will be close on your RGAW, but if it's 2200 lbs, it will be OK; however, 2200 lbs is very light pin weight for a 15.5K lb trailer. I think it will be closer to 3K lbs pin weight, and that's really one ton territory.

Lary Ellis (Top)

Dual Rear Wheels

FiverBob

Dually - - - dual rear wheels as in a 3500 dually.

You will be pushing it with that truck. I think you will be surprised when you cross the scales with a full tank of fuel, load in the truck including people for taking off, full of water in the RV and everything you decide you want in the RV for your adventure. Be sure to weigh front axle, rear axle, then trailer axles. Then weigh truck by itself, front axle, then both so you can break down weight on the truck alone by axle and same hooked up.

I pull a 36'er but dual axle, not triple. My pin weight is 3200 - 3400 pending water and waste tanks. I also have genny in the front. My total truck weight is 11,500 when loaded and hooked up. Figure about 4500 pounds on the front and suddenly you have 7000 pounds on your rear axle. Put 7000 pounds on 2 tires and you have 3500 per tire. OUCH. Then, consider that long of a rig and weight on two tires on the back - - been there, done that, didn't like it at all. Had a 2500 with this rig when I bought it - - quickly moved to the 3500. Just my opinion and experience.

Good luck,
Bob

Matthew DuPont

Is there a high load rated SINGLE rear tire? Like the concrete/fuel trucks run now, but smaller?

If I wanted to convert my 2500 to a '3500'; what would I need to do? Just add drw? or will I need a new rear end as well?

j_martin

Sell it and get what you need. Trust us, if you blow a driver off that tractor, which would take a piece of trap rock at speed with that load, you won't be back here wondering if you can get away with anything.

One great advantage of dual rear wheel is the safety margin when you lose a tire under a heavy load.

That load is minimum 3500 territory.

Busboy

I don't know of ANY way to make a 2500 into a 3500 the sticker on the door jamb is not changeable. The pin weight on my 36 foot RV is 2800 lbs that only just puts me under my RGAW on my 2011 SRW but over my GVWR of 10100 lbs. The 2013 3500 SRW can carry 1700 lbs more than mine so that would work for you but if you want older then a Dually 3500 is the only option as has been mentioned.

Matthew DuPont

Well... that pretty much settles it. I'm gonna have to find a bigger truck.., ****. I guess that's kinda like a 'shucks' , not 'dammit!'.

It's a strong 2500, but not 16K strong: safely &/or reliably.
I get it now.

j_martin

I know of a guy that pulled a truck crane that weighed about 150 tons off a bridge (It had failed to proceed.) with a highly hopped up 2500.

Only cost about $4000 to fix it. Was worth it, probably avoided a huge fine.

My Cummins pickup reminds me of a percheron draft horse we owned once. Horse was nuts. Had a heart that wouldn't quit. When I wasn't home, the kids got the 1 ton van stuck in the mud. They hooked up that horse and he about buried the truck in mud, but he got it out. Walked sorta slow for a few days. So did the kids after the whippin' they got.

You had to be careful with Buddy. He'd try to do anything you asked, but could get hurt doing it.

SOhappy

Grandpa always said 'tis better to have too much truck than too much trailer.

Matthew DuPont

K. well, with that being said: What do i look for in my 'new' doolie?

I still want one of the older cummins - w/o emissions b/s.
sooo like up to 2007? or 8?
4x6
6 speed man.
long bed
quad cab

what do I look for?
What do y'all recommend?

wanna get this right the first time...