09 HD tow ratings

[Tspanos]

Just got a one of my landscape mags and it had a review of all the class 3 through 5 trucks. The Ford and GM products had extensive write ups, for Dodge they mentioned the coming redesign of the 1500 and the how the HD's would be updated the following year, nothing new. Then the last line of the paragraph makes note of a rumor that dodge is going to bring their GCWR's and GTWR's inline with those of the competition. Does this mean the 5500 will get a rating over 26K like it should have had all along? Wondering if anyone who was at NTEA or another show for that matter has heard similiar rumblings. Tim

 

[SNiebaum]

The only thing I've heard is that the 3500 C&C will get a bump in GCWR to 24,000... . and optional 3. 42:1 gears...

 

[jelag]

I own a 5500... it doesn't have the frame to go to that weight, nor the required equipment to put it in that class... they would have to re-engineer it more like the F-650 and there has been no hint of that... . that is if you want to run it at GVW.....

But... We currently use a 3500 dually for 26K GCWR with no problems and I'm sure the 5500 would do that better than the 3500 dually... . we towed for 250K miles a 20K trailer with our 04 3500... . the trailer had electric over Hyd Disc Brakes... and functioned very will... .

We are in WA state and with the proper license we ran it over 6 states and 2 provinces of Canada. .

 

[HBarlow]

Ford offers higher gross combined weights from their F-450... up to 33,000 lbs. I believe. Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 could easily do the same with the frames they offer. Someone sent me a link awhile back to the manufacturer of the rear axle/differential assembly that Dodge uses in 4500/5500 Rams. IIRC the maximum rating of that axle assembly was 26k combined weight. That might be the reason Dodge limits their new trucks to 26k GCWR.

 

[Tspanos]

I think Niebaum's response could be the answer to the rumor then.

Jelag I understand you have some of the most experience towing with these trucks and you run both Ford and Dodge product but I don't understand why you would say the frames on the 4500 and 5500 couldn't handle the GCWR increases. They seam to be just as substantial and we are talking about GCWR not GVWR's so it is more dependent on drivetrain and brakes than it is on the frame.

Along those lines HBarlow may have hit upon the limiting factor, if correct, that would certainly explain the cap on GCWR's.

 

[NIsaacs]

I would guess the limiting factor on GCW, would be the clutch/transmission combos. Same stuff in the 2500 as the 5500. The rear axle is up to the task on the 5500 for more GCW than it is rated for.





"NICK"