2003 Hemi Questions

[CDyksman]

Hey folks.

My brother is looking at a pretty nice 2003 2500 QC HEMI.

Apparently it is owned by an older gentleman who claims to only have used it to pull his 5th wheel aprroximatly 1000 miles per summer.

The truck only has 30,000 miles on it. I am working on finding out the weight of the trailer.



Can anyone tell me what trans is in this truck?

Should I be concerned with wear and tear on the trans?

What is this truck rated to pull?

Any other thoughts about a vehicle of this nature?



Thanks a bunch. Colby



edit: Just found out the trailer weighs in at 16000 lbs.

 

[Jong]

I had a 2003 Hemi QC 2500 with 4:10 gears. It was rated for 11,000 pounds and had a 545RFE transmission. I towed about 10K a couple of times with it, and while the truck took the weight fine, the transmission definitely did not like it. As soon as you hit a 5% grade, the trans would downshift into third and the engine was doing about 5000 rpm to maintain 50 mph. Not good IMO. That and I was lucky to be getting 7-8 MPG while towing heavy.

 

[CDyksman]

Thanks for the info Jong. Anyone else have any opinions?

 

[DZink24]

Thanks for the info Jong. Anyone else have any opinions?

:-laf On this site, we may be a little bias. Tell your bro to get a truck with a real motor.

 

[MPerez]

Well we are likely to be biased, since it's a diesel site. However, the reason we have the diesel is to eliminate the problems of premature engine wear, and really lousy fuel mileage towing AND empty of the gas engine truck.

Now then, if he's only going to tow occasionally and he's OK with conservative driving he could be fine for years.

The trans should be: 5-45RFE Five-Speed Automatic Transmission

 

[RCarrillo]

Get an ATS Mondo Killer trans w/ lock up control and a cummis and you'll be fine

 

[CDyksman]

Thanks for the info folks. I too would prefer him to get a Cummins, but notice the $$$ difference for someone on a budget. This is truly an invaluable site, but I knew it wouldnt take long for someone to tell us "Just get a Cummins, then youll be happy"

 

[NBeebe]

I have heard that the Hemi is gutless in the 3/4 ton trucks. I would go with a 1/2 ton, unless he needs the payload/extra towing capacity.

 

[TowPro]

[

edit: Just found out the trailer weighs in at 16000 lbs.

got http://www.dodge.com/towing



I plugged in 2006, 2500 4wd (I assumed 4wd since your in Utah I think) 4 speed auto, quad cab, hemi.



max towing

3:72 = 8600 lbs

4:10 = 10600 lbs Neither is even close to 16,000 lbs



I bet the 2003 model year was lower.



The highest rated Dodge for towing is the reg cab, 2wd, 6 speed or auto, Cummins powered 3500 which is rated to tow 16200 lbs.

 

[CDyksman]

That is the kind of info I'm lookin' for TowPro!!! Thanks a lot!!

 

[RRiffe]

The following info is from the 2003 Dodge Truck Brochure:

2500 4X4 QC

Hemi Max Payload 2,820 lbs Max Trailer Weight 10,850 lbs

CTD SO Max Payload 2,260 lbs Max Trailer Weight 13,100 lbs

CTD HO Max Payload 2,310 lbs Max Trailer Weight 13,150 lbs

there was no distinction provided for auto versus 6spd

The V10 fell in between the Hemi ans CTD SO. Hope this helped.

 

[rbattelle]

As others have already pointed out, 16k is a bit too much for that truck. I'd advise against buying it, as the drivetrain may be short-lived.

Ryan

 

[JApol]

MY G/F had a Tacoma and was looking to trade it in. I rode with her with the HEMI and the non HEMI. There was no difference. Her Tacoma was faster and more powerful. When she got off the lot she floored both of them. Both trucks would rev to 5500-5600 rpm and stay there with no noticeable rpm drop with gear changes. I understand that is how our autos rev but you can hear/see the gear changes going into 3rd and 4th with the converter unlocked.

Both of us where highly unimpressed with both trucks. These were both 1/2 tons

 

[DrDiesel]

If you can afford to feed that thing. . Gas is back up higher than diesel. The diesel will get better mileage and service life. Not to mention more enjoyment to drive than some gas motor wannabe a big truck motor... :{

 

[JensenD]

i had a 2004 3/4 with 4. 10 before i got my cummins, towed 5,000 and 10000 lbs a lot, it does ok if you dont mind screaming at 5000 rpm, trany wil shift several hundred times a day trying to keep up. No way 16000 lbs, you will tear the guts out at 10000 lbs