Another towing capacity question

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I have read other topics on towing cap. but still have a question.
I have a 98. 5 QC 4x4 short bed diesel 2500 5 speed, 3:54 gears, with trailer tow package. Can I; 1. )safely,
2. )legally, 3. )without affecting warranty -
tow a gooseneck low boy with a 13,000 pound man lift on it. Total weight of trailer and machine would be around 15 to 15,500 lbs.

I have many years exp. towing variety of trailers and know about weight distribution and all that. Trailer manufactures tell me it is done all the time with Dodge 3/4 ton trucks but I keep coming up with about 20,000 lb. total max capacity according to Dodge literature. What is the truth before I buy this heavy machine?

 

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Rick,

I have a 2001 longbed, 3. 54 gears and 6-speed and I have towed a trailer with a IH TD6 on it with a combined trailer wieght of 13,800 on a pintle hitch with no problems. I even went over a 4000' mountian pass with it, I had to slow down a bit going over the top because the road was a bit twisty but other then that it just rolled right along. I some states if you where pulled over and they got real picky and started checking the vin tag on your door post they might do something or if you where in an accident something could be said that you where over grossed. There is no why that I know of that the dealer could prove that you had been over grossed and thus void you warranty. Although with a two year old truck you should not have much left on the warrenty unless you got the extended one.

Anyways jusy my two cents worth, good luck

Kevin

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2001 2500 QC LWB 4x4 6-speed loaded except leather, Jake E-Brake, Line-X, Stan's Headers 4" exhaust, Ramsey RE10K

 

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Rick, let me answer your 3 questions in reverse order: 3. Screw the warranty issue; DC will yank your warranty for any stupid little thing they can find (non-factory bug shield?) 2. Legally, the load-police can get you for anything over what the sticker inside the drivers' door jamb says + the trailers' tag. And if its over 26k combined, dont drive thru Ohio without a CDL! and #1. Dodge brakes suck! If you are pulling anything bigger than a lawnmower, get an exhaust brake, Performance Friction pads, and AP550 brake fluid! I pulled a 40', 3 axle goose race trailer for many years... scaled between 23k-25k... with a 2wd 2500 manual. Power wasnt a problem, slowing down left much to be desired!

 

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I have always had the best trailer brakes I could afford and never have had a problem stopping. My '78 dorf,3/4,2WD pulled my 3 axle 5th RV, about 17,500LBS ,with no problems, but I drove slow. Great elec brakes on the trailer.
If you feel that the load is not stopping good :
1. Unload something
2. Buy better trailer brakes
3. Buy a bigger truck
I have always solved the stopping thingy with #1 or #2 so far. Am looking at the FL50 real hard.

 

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Did 98. 5 go to 20,000 gcwr or was that the 2000 model.
If not your GCWR is 16,000. 20,000 is over but Dodge should handle it.
If you keep truck level,stay with in GVWR and under 26,000 DOT should leave you alone.
Exhaust brake, trailer brakes, air bag suspension, Class D liscense... .

 

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do you cross state lines while pulling? in all of the se states that i travel the fifth wheel trailor, changes a lot of things as far as the dot is concerned. go to the nearest truck stop with a certified scale, with the load that you will be pulling. it will give you the weights of the front, drive, and third/fourth axle [trailer]. if the drive axl is legal with the gvw on the drivers side door panel, then you are ok. remember that a fifth wheel dist weight to the drive axl. next you will find out that your truck registration should cover the weight of everything combined. its every states way of getting the most revenue from your truck reg, the heavier the better. just stay under 24599 gvr or then you are commercial, and thats a whole diff story.

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