4th Dodge, 1st Diesel - Newby

[LewisD]

I've been a long time Dodge Truck Fan and have worked my way up! I started out with a 97' Dakota to an 01' 1500 Off Road. I just had to have the Hemi so I traded it in Nov 03' for a 04' 2500 HEMI 4x4. Just recently the family decided it was time for me to buy an RV so we could travel around the country and see the sites. I fell in love with the 5th wheels right away and when I found out that my 2500 QC 4X4 Hemi would not pull the 5th that I wanted I traded it in for an 04. 5 3500 4X4 Dually Diesel.



I have learned quite a bit about my truck from this forum over the last week and a half and realize that I probably should have bought it with the manual transmission.



I am sorry if I am posting this in the wrong place but since I am a newby I figured that I may have a grace period before being flogged. I have read through all 15 pages of the 3rd generation transmission and engine thread and found it very informative but here we go.



My 5th is 11,640 from the factory and since I plan on traveling the country I am sure I will find myself in the mountains sooner than later. Since the EB is not available for the automatic can anyone offer any additional (reassurance) advice? Will the 48RE and Duallys offer any added protection on downgrades with the oversized brakes?



Thanks for having me!



LewisD

2004. 5 3500 DRW 325/600 SLT 4X4 Quad cab 48RE 3. 73 Mopar Nerfs SprayIn Liner 16K Reese 05 Open Road 5th 34 - DEEP MOLTEN RED (NOT PURPLE)

 

[DPelletier]

Welcome,

Can't help you on the 5er question, but FWIW DC recommends (on a 6spd, of course!) an EB if the trailer's more than 10,000 lbs (if memory serves). My GCWR is 17,780 including 8338 worth of truck and I haven't had any problems though I might get an EB "just to have" one of these days.



Cheers

Dave

 

[DPelletier]

Oh, is that 11,640 dry weight or GVWR of the trailer? If it's dry weight, then plan on another 1000 - 2000 lbs worth of "stuff". You may want to consider an E brake whether it voids the transmission warranty or not.



Dave

 

[DavidGardner]

Welcom

With that load I would get the E-brake installed. If the transmission wont hold up and the warranty is no good just bite the bulet and go with an aftermarket auto transmission. You are going to want to do it anyway sooner or later. There are several out there and you can get info on all of them in the past transmission threads. I am very happy with mine and have had an exhaust brake for over 100k miles. Wouldnt tow with out it after having one.





Dave Gardner.

 

[LewisD]

This must be the Dave only thread!



Anyway thanks for the advice on the EB. It's a shame that there isn't an option available that won't void the warranty but that's just the way it goes.



I am heading down to Bowling Green, Kentucky this weekend so we'll see how she does. I understand that there are a few hills down that way but nothing spectacular.



Here is a quick picture (nothing fancy) of my rig

http://www.iscg.net/dave/rig.htm



-Dave

 

[jam1on1]

i have a 38ft fifth wheel i pull with my 2500 we came back from vacation a couple weeks ago i was around 2200 ft above sea level thats what gps said coming down hills i took of tow hall sw started at 55 when got to 65 hit brakes till back to 55 had no problem with mty auto good luck

 

[PAbernathy]

LewisD, nice setup! Looks great, and I bet it works just as well.