3.54 vs 4.10 and towing

[bdaniel]

I have weighed my truck and fifth wheel and fully loaded ready for a trip with three adults and two boys, I will be about 300 lbs under the truck gross rating of 8800 lbs. However I will be about 500 lbs over the CGVW (combined trailer and truck limit) limit of 16,000 lbs. If I had the 4. 10 I would have a 18,000 rating and if I had a standard vs automatic I would have a 20,000 rating. The weak link is obviously the automatic. These numbers indicate to me that as far as handling, braking, panic moments, etc the truck is fine up to 20,000 lbs.



Is this assumption correct? I knew I would be close on the weight. I chose a 5th wheel over a travel trailer because it is much more stable and safe when near the weight limits.



I know the auto will someday crap out and then it will be time to call Bill K. But I like the 3. 54. Good mileage and it's nice to cruse 70 mph or so at about 2000 rpm.



Give me your thoughts.



Thanks,

Bobby

 

[1BIG44]

Bobby



I'm with you on this one, I know to most folks the numbers are gospel, but your assumptions seem safe to me. The auto has got to be the limiting factor. I myself am 200 lbs. over and I don't worry about for one second. I do keep the trailer brakes adusted and I have the exhaust brake, and never once have I felt I was in a danger.





By the way I see that you have that Wildcat bunkhouse, we have been looking at those. What do you think of it?



Wes

 

[bdaniel]

I've only had it 2 days so I'll have to let you know. I'm going camping this weekend. I did a lot of looking in that price/size range and the Wildcat seemed to have the best quality and arrangement. Being water tight was very important to me.



I also prefer the hydraulic slide over the electric motor type.



Bobby

 

[klenger]

FYI, the 2002 Dodge RAM brochure does not differentiate between the 5 speed manual and automatic towing capacity, nor does it differentiate between 3. 54 or 4. 10 for the 2500's. The GCWR for all configurations of the 2500 with 5 speed or auto is 20,000 lbs.

 

[FAllen]

Tow Ratings

Hi All !



Could be the rating has increased due to the 4 wheel disc brakes on the 2002 ?



The braking ability of the auto with rear drum brakes may be a factor ? ?



I tow a 8000lb 5er with the 3. 54 and auto, no trouble and seems to be a good match. I also like the lower RPM's at cruise.



I keep it locked out of OD in 50mph zoned 2 lane highways and the decibel level does get up there when your up around 2500RPM.

 

[CRuD]

Go For it

I think you are correct as well.

I don't know your expericence level with pulling 5ers, but I suggest you take your rig out on a few dry runs. I went from a travel trailer to the 5er , things felt differnt ( more weight, longer,and a few others).

If the hitch is back to far it causes the truck to "buck" going down the road. The trailer needs to set close to level to put equal weight on each axle.

I hate to ramble on so my advice is take the combo out and drive them around for a few hours before you load up the family and take a trip. That way you are comfortable with your rig.



Air pressure in truck and trailer tires, I run 55 in all the truck tires when towing and a couple pounds under the max on the trailer tires. Yours is a new trailer so I would check the lug nuts before leaving and after 50 or so miles check them again.

Just my 2 cents worth, you probably already knew all of this. Hopefully it will help someone out there.

See Ya

Chris

 

[GLASMITHS]

Mr CRuD. what kind of tires you got



If your tire is "D" rated or above, it should be at the max weight level. If you do not have "D" or above, you should not be pulling a 5er or anything to be exact.



Mine are "E" and they are inflated to 90psi when hauling or towing my 5er. This has been hasshed out in the Trailer Life mag for a very long time. The tire manifactors tell you it is better to be 10 over than 5 under. If you run it underinflated for your weight, you will damage your tires, and they will fail; not whether, but when. and 65psi in my AIRLIFTS

 

[Driftwood Ram]

I'm with GLASMITHS only I put 80 lbs in the rear tires, 65 lbs in the Air Lifts and turn the Ranchos up to 5. Rides better then empty.

 

[WCrovo]

I agree. The supplemental tire manual has a footnote for max loads. Add 10lb's. With big loads run too the max. press's. I have the 3. 54's. I am happy but I feel 4. 10 would be fun to try. I run at about 18,500lb's. Sometimes I feel like going 70 to 75 is a tad fast for saftey. The plus is I can go 60 to 65 in 5th without reving too high. It seems to me a gear ratio in the middle would be ideal for towing big loads. If I am not careful she will creap up to 90 on the open road with no problem(towing). My 99 auto didn't have the balls to pull with the stock HP and 3. 54's. If your out of OD with 4. 10's I think mine would of been screaming too much. The 6 speed with my loads works well. I don't care what the % the grade is 4th will do the trick. Once in a blue moon I need 3rd. Ultimately a splitter would be nice.