Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Advice about towing power... or lack therof.

[GBrock]

Thanks again for the advice. I think I will take her in to the dealer. Fortunately, I purchased a full warranty with zero deduct. Hopefully it won't cost me to figure this problem out.

 

[Kirwin]

Have you checked:

Lift pump output pressure? Flow rate? What are you seeing for boost pressure while pulling at 2000 RPM WOT? EGT? For that matter what RPM are you towing at? 1900, 2000, 2100? I'd recommend that you stop at a truck stop and weigh your truck and trailer combination. The weight might surprise you. Towing with OD locked out is normal in the hills. If you have a 3. 54 with large tires you will do much better with OD locked out. How you drive your truck has the most to do with fuel milage. The truck will not give 20 MPG at 75 MPH. If you have changed the tries did you recalibrate the speedometer? Changing tire sizes has a direct correlation to fuel economy as measured by the odometer.

 

[Hohn]

Wow. Thanks for all the advice and comments, Gents.



OK, here is more info on my towing and rig setup. First of all, I have tried repeatedly to put my truck info in my signature... for some reason it won't work but I just added it again so perhaps the info will be displayed this time.

If not, the rig I have is a 99 2500 Sport 4x4 with Auto trans. I know I said I have 33s. Actually, they are 32. 5... they show on the tire as 305X70X16.

.



Again, thanks for all the advice.

I would think that a 2500 could handle your load, driver skill being the most essential ingredient. I would say that the driver is ultimately what determines if a vehicle can or cannot handle something, within a certain range.



We STILL have no idea of the type of hitch setup this boat uses. GN? Bumper? 5th?



I hate to say it, but the main thing you need to increase towing performance is an aftermarket transmission. The stock Dodge unit will NOT put the power to the ground. The aftermarket trans will also increase your driving pleasure and MPG as well.



Once the trans is squared away, you may find that all the "lost" power that you now have back will be enough to pull the boat. If not, there are certainly MANY ways to produce all the power that you could ever really want from that truck.



In the end, you still have a SRW 2500, and it's not the right tool for what you need. Yes, BOMBing it will increase the HP, but power is only a small part of the towing picture. Braking is important (but it sounds like this is not a problem), as is stability.



If you could see yourself holding onto this truck for a while, then BOMB away and don't look back. But BOMBing a truck you don't plan to keep is like building a house on the wrong foundation.



So, if you think you can live with the truck long term, BOMB it. But if not, I say just suck it up and deal with the poor performance.



There are solutions available, but they may cost more than they are worth in your case.



JMHO, as always.



Justin