Competition 8000lb classes for diesels: A thing of the past!

[jwilliams3]

I know this is somewhat of a touchy subject for certain pullers but this past weekends pull in kentucky got me thinking.

ALL of their classes were 8500lbs..... This made it much easier for the duallies to pull with tool boxes accessories etc. This also made it possible for me to actually hang a decent amount of weight (700lbs). I was able to also keep all of my tools, lawn chairs, etc. with me for the pull so they didnt walk away mysteriously in the pits.

Some will argue and say 8500 is stupid and too heavy... . maybe for a 2nd gen but not so for the new 3rd gens that are born heavy (mine is 7600lbs with an empty cell).



So all you rule makers out there... . have a heart for the new breed of 3rd genners, duallies, megacabs that want to compete but arent exactly getting a fair shot at the moment.

The 8000lb designation was given 5 or 6 years back when diesel pickups weighed less. .



Times are changing and so should the rules



If anyone agrees or disagrees... please chime in!

 

[DRadzierez]

I could agree in the smaller classes. But it just breaks more parts in the bigger classes.

 

[BigBadDodge]

We have been at 8500 for six years now, but recently they droped the street and super street to 8000 to be in line with DHRA rules but they left the mods at 8500. I agree Dave and I am staying at 8000 even though I can go 8500.



BBD

 

[Bean]

PLEAAAAAASSE go to 8500. To get my truck to 8000 I have to strip the thing bare and its a PITA. I wieghed 8350 at TS and I dont have tool boxes or extra tanks or anything like that. I have to pull my back seat, tailgate, subs, 1 batt, make sure tank is empty and sever my left nut and even then if the scales decide to be off then I am screwed.

 

[MTomac]

I already hang 1000# to get up to 8000. I can see making a stock turbo class heavier to allow the newer, heavier, CC dually trucks. But I wonder how many of these newer trucks are pulling in the 2. 8 turbo and higher up classes.

 

[STRALEY]

Like Tomac said, how many of these trucks are pulling in the higher classes? You could raise the weight for the lower classes, then when you have a class that basically has purpose built trucks, they are going to be able to get to the 8000 mark easily considering a lot of the trucks are stripped for pulling. I know when I pull my 05 i can't hang any weight, I am just a tick below 8000.



Jeremy

 

[jwilliams3]

But I wonder how many of these newer trucks are pulling in the 2. 8 turbo and higher up classes.

Not many yet, but as times go on the 3rd gen Dodge trucks will start to filter into the classes as will new offerings from the other makers.

Like Tomac said, how many of these trucks are pulling in the higher classes? You could raise the weight for the lower classes, then when you have a class that basically has purpose built trucks, they are going to be able to get to the 8000 mark easily considering a lot of the trucks are stripped for pulling. I know when I pull my 05 i can't hang any weight, I am just a tick below 8000.



Jeremy

Exactly Jeremy, not for the higher classes but the street and work stock classes could use a bump in weight.

I already hang 1000# to get up to 8000. I can see making a stock turbo class heavier to allow the newer, heavier, CC dually trucks. But I wonder how many of these newer trucks are pulling in the 2. 8 turbo and higher up classes.

Must be nice. Having another 500 would not help you at all in my opinion but for a guy that can't hang any or can only hang 300 because of having a newer truck, work truck, mega cab or dually this would be a big help to get some nose traction going.

 

[jwilliams3]

PLEAAAAAASSE go to 8500. To get my truck to 8000 I have to strip the thing bare and its a PITA. I wieghed 8350 at TS and I dont have tool boxes or extra tanks or anything like that. I have to pull my back seat, tailgate, subs, 1 batt, make sure tank is empty and sever my left nut and even then if the scales decide to be off then I am screwed.

Exactly...

 

[JGheen]

maybe for a 2nd gen but not so for the new 3rd gens that are born heavy (mine is 7600lbs with an empty cell).

They must have put some lead or something in your door panels cuz my '06 3500 Mega weighs in @ 6600lbs. I am having no trouble keeping my '98 dually sled puller under 8K and am about to strip a few more things from it this weekend to get me closer to the 7500lb mark so I can actually hang some weight on the 150lb New Holland hanger I use. I think my coil springs would begin to permanently sag if I put enough weight on the front to take me to 8500lbs. :-laf I say stick with the 8K class and make an 8500 for those who need it.



Joe

 

[Nate]

There's no way your Mega Cab only weighs 6600lbs!



Shoot my truck (98 Quab Cab short box 4x4) weighs 6800lbs stripped down with no spare tire, no back seat and almost no fuel.

 

[Bean]

I really dont need a full 8500, even just 8200 or sumthin. The Ford CC duallys from the factory are just a tick under 8k so by the time you add a few items like traction bars, loops, bigger turbo, etc it gets over 8k real quick. If it was a dedicated puller then I would strip it but I do pull it in "Street" class and I drive it everyday and back and forth to events.

 

[jwilliams3]

They must have put some lead or something in your door panels cuz my '06 3500 Mega weighs in @ 6600lbs.



Joe

Joe,

Put down the pipe. A Megacab w/Cummins is probably near or at 7500lbs with an empty cell if not more.



Lets expound on that a bit: Guy buys Megacab and wants to Pull it. He has 500lbs of space to work with... . mind you this is with stock rims and tires. Add pulling hitch, blocks wheels and tires bam... . hes at 8000lbs without even adding a single weight.



I guess I have to wait for the day for people to start hookin' 3rd gens on a regular basis...





2500 RAM MEGA CAB 2WD LARAMIE






Engine Trans Type Transmission Axle Ratio GVWR Payload Base Curb Wt. GCWR Max Trail

5. 7L V8 gas M6 6-speed manual 3. 73 8,800 2,540 6,262 15,000 8,600

5. 7L V8 gas M6 6-speed manual 4. 10 8,800 2,540 6,262 17,000 10,600

5. 7L V8 gas A5 5-speed automatic 3. 73 8,800 2,520 6,276 15,000 8,550

5. 7L V8 gas A5 5-speed automatic 4. 10 8,800 2,520 6,276 17,000 10,550

5. 9L 24V TDHO M6 6-speed manual 3. 73 9,000 1,960 7,036 20,000 12,800

5. 9L 24V TDHO A4 4-speed automatic 3. 73 9,000 1,940 7,061 20,000 12,800

5. 9L 24V TDHO A4 4-speed automatic 4. 10 9,000 1,940 7,061 20,000 12,800

1. Payload is rounded to the nearest 10 lbs. Payload = GVWR - Curb Wt.

2. Maximum trailer weights are rounded to the nearest 50 lbs.

Maximum Trailer Weight = GCWR - Curb wt. -150 lbs. (allowance for driver)

Note that all the payload and Max Trail weights are ESTIMATED values.





2500 RAM MEGA CAB 4WD SLT






Engine Trans Type Transmission Axle Ratio GVWR Payload Base Curb Wt. GCWR Max Trail

5. 7L V8 gas M6 6-speed manual 3. 73 8,800 2,110 6,695 15,000 8,150

5. 7L V8 gas M6 6-speed manual 4. 10 8,800 2,110 6,695 17,000 10,150

5. 7L V8 gas A5 5-speed automatic 3. 73 8,800 2,090 6,709 15,000 8,150

5. 7L V8 gas A5 5-speed automatic 4. 10 8,800 2,090 6,709 17,000 10,150

5. 9L 24V TDHO M6 6-speed manual 3. 73 9,000 1,560 7,443 20,000 12,400

5. 9L 24V TDHO A4 4-speed automatic 3. 73 9,000 1,530 7,468 20,000 12,400

5. 9L 24V TDHO A4 4-speed automatic 4. 10 9,000 1,530 7,468 20,000 12,400



2500 RAM MEGA CAB 4WD LARAMIE






Engine Trans Type Transmission Axle Ratio GVWR Payload Base Curb Wt. GCWR Max Trail

5. 7L V8 gas M6 6-speed manual 3. 73 8,800 2,080 6,722 15,000 8,150

5. 7L V8 gas M6 6-speed manual 4. 10 8,800 2,080 6,722 17,000 10,150

5. 7L V8 gas A5 5-speed automatic 3. 73 8,800 2,060 6,736 15,000 8,100

5. 7L V8 gas A5 5-speed automatic 4. 10 8,800 2,060 6,736 17,000 10,100

5. 9L 24V TDHO M6 6-speed manual 3. 73 9,000 1,460 7,540 20,000 12,300

5. 9L 24V TDHO A4 4-speed automatic 3. 73 9,000 1,430 7,565 20,000 12,300

5. 9L 24V TDHO A4 4-speed automatic 4. 10 9,000 1,430 7,565 20,000 12,300



Looks like a bone dry Mega is 7450-7550lbs... .



Funny how Chrysler allows 150lbs for driver LOL! Add a hundred for me.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

According to the Mega Cab intro press release - https://www.turbodieselregister.com/05chicago/Ram_Mega_Cab_Specifications.pdf - the base curb weight of a Mega Cab 3500 4x4 srw with the diesel and a 6 speed is 7506 lbs and with an automatic it's 7531 lbs. That would be with a completely empty fuel tank and no options.

 

[nwpadmax]

I couldn't agree more Justin... the more weight, the merrier, especially when we're allowed to put it where we want it.



I got my new tow rig weighed today, '05 QC 4x4 dually, full tank, no driver, 7600# on the nose. That would seem to make the Mega awful heavy by comparison.