2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Have questions on trailer towing

[GCurrie]

Hi Guys,

I posted this in the towing section as well, but not a lot of feedback. I have a few questions. Years ago I used to move horses around the western slope of Colorado with an old 2 hourse and my fathers Chevy 350 Pickup. Since then things have changed (I now have a diesel ), and it looks like I will be able to do better than 25-35 mph over the passes. I just bought a, new to me, bumper pull, 3 horse trailer that weighs in at 4500# unladen. It has a GVWR of 10,000# which sounds about right when you add 3 horses and tack. I want to make sure that my truck is up to the task of pulling it, legally



I should add that the truck is my daily driver and that I take it off road every once and awhile. And while I am sure that it is not ideal, i am running maxis mudder tires. I will upgrade to a sturdier tire once these are worn out.



What I am hoping to find out is:



I have a 2500 99 Sport 4X4 with the CTD, and the ATS Stage 4 transmission. I read somewhere that towing is not recommended with the Sport model. Why?



It comes with the Factory Hitch and 7 Pin, but I can not find out what class hitch it is. Any ideas?



The trailer came with equalizer bars, How difficult will it be add a sway stabilizer (for a 3 horse trailer this one has a large profile)



Any other suggestions would be appreciated. It is in the works to upgrade the injectors, and then a comp box, and then a HTBG turbo.



Thanks for the help

 

[ScottLewis]

I pulled a 8K RV pull trailer behind a Bronco for about 50,000 miles, in all 48 contiguous states. I'm now pulling a 12K fifth wheel behind my CTD and it's like it isn't there in comparison. With your rig you should be able to handle 10K of horse trailer easily. As far as the hitch goes, I don't see why you couldn't use anything that RVer's use. I had equalizers and a sway bar behind the Bronco. It was crucial there.

Good luck



Dan

 

[BKeence]

Don't think I've ever seen less that a 10,000# factory hitch on a 3/4 ton truck.



Sport is just cosmetics I believe. I will pull anything a non-sport would pull.



HTH



Brian

 

[Beast2B]

there is a sticker from the factory on the receiver on my truck. 10k trailer & 1k tongue with weight distributing hitch. the only other factor would be to adjust the hitch height on your truck so the trailer is level when towing loaded. Dodge rear receiver is pretty high from the factory, most folks use a bit of a drop hitch to bring the ball down to the right level.

 

[cap-n-cray]

My 2001 owners manual (1999 is similar I believe) says a 2500 Quad Cab (Reg Cab has higher cap. ), Auto, 4X4, with axle Ratio of 3. 55 has a max trailer wt. of 9,300# and with a Ratio of 4. 10 of 11,300#. The best thing to do is get the truck and trailer weighed. You then know what your dealing with. Sport package is for looks.



Cary

 

[nps]

My 2001 owners manual (1999 is similar I believe) says a 2500 Quad Cab (Reg Cab has higher cap. ), Auto, 4X4, with axle Ratio of 3. 55 has a max trailer wt. of 9,300# and with a Ratio of 4. 10 of 11,300#.

Yes - but the 2001 stick has a max trailer weight over 13,000lbs. So the difference being the auto transmission, and with his ATS, he should be fine.



To put on a swaybar, you should have holes to mount a ball on your WD hitch (should be on either side of the trailer ball). Put in a ball here, and either bolt or weld a ball to the trailer tongue. The sway bar kit should have all the HW and dimensions from the hitch ball on where to mount the tongue ball.

 

[GCurrie]

Thanks for the updates guys. I am feeling a little more comfortable about all this. When I bought the truck a few months ago, it didn't come with an owners manual, or any other paper work, and I have been too stingy to get it through the dealer. Beside I had to save my pennies for the ATS transmission.



The trailer cam with a drop hitch and a the it appears that I will have to weld on a ball for the stablizer, or just pay the money and get a new one.



As far as the hitch goes, someone painted over the label so I have no idea what class it is, but I suspect it is factory as it looks the same as all the other 2nd gen Dodge trucks out there. I was just a little worried about tounge weight. Sounds like it will be fine.



Even with 3 horses in there, If i am smart, I will only be about 9,000 or so. And that is if my colt grows to 1200 lbs.



Thanks for the help