New 2005 - general questions

[MChalkley]

I've decided to sell my '93 W250 LE Ext. Cab and this week I replaced it with a 2005 3500 Laramie SRW Quad Cab 4x4 6-speed (still the NV5600). It was a really big jump for me, because I really didn't want to ever part with the '93 and hadn't even looked at the new trucks since I bought it new (according to the dealer, mine is supposedly either the last or next to last of the old body style ever built).



So a few random initial questions: First, my Vehicle Shipping Order sheet lists an item XEA, which it describes as "Tow Hooks & Crossfire Grill Insert Loose". Does anybody know what a Crossfire Grill Insert is? I'm just wondering if I have it...



Second, I have the 17" x 8. 0" Aluminum Wheels with Michelin LT265/70R17E tires. I don't think I'll replace them before they wear out, but what are the biggest tires that will fit on those wheels, and still stay in Load Range E (or higher)?



Also, any recommendations on 5th wheel hitches that don't obstruct the bed when not in use? Is Reese the only maker of a standard tow hitch receiver that uses a 2. 5" hitch? I have a Titan on my '93 and would like to continue to use the hitch/load distribution system I've got, but that means installing another Titan. Are they made for the '05 trucks yet, or is there a better system?



I'm also interested in ideas on what the best mods are to improve the truck's towing capabilities without doing anything too radical. I've got a Jacobs exhaust brake on order. I'm considering installing a PowerMaxCR, but not pushing the power/torque levels beyond 3 (assuming I can control myself - at least while towing). But this is a work truck and I don't want to do anything insane enough to seriously compromise reliability. Depending on how it does towing after I get a few miles on it and get the hitch installed, I may not do anything to it that would void the warranty for a while. My '93 is putting out about 850 ft/lbs, and I'd like to get that out of the '05, but if it tows ok, I'll probably wait until I shake it out for 50k miles or so. Ideas? Suggestions? Comments? (If I need to break this last question off and post it separately in the other forum, I will. )



Mark

 

[mgonske]

Mark,



I can help with a couple of the questions.



BFG 315/70-17R Load Range D All-terrains will fit without rubbing for some, and with minor rubbing at full lock for others. A 2" front leveling kit works to eliminate the rubbing if it occurs, I think.



The Pull-Rite Super Rails for their Super Fifth or SuperGlide hitches have all the interface hardware below the bed, so that when you remove the hitch, all that's left are four ~1. 5" holes in the bed.

 

[klenger]

Here's some info on the PullRite hitches from my website: http://www.klenger.net/dodge/pullrite/index.html



Also, consider a BreakSmart brake controller. Info here: http://www.klenger.net/dodge/brakesmart/slide01.html



General 3rd gen and RV info available on the links in my sig. Good luck.

 

[mberry]

What are you asking for your '93? PM if that is against the rules. Thanks.

 

[MChalkley]

mberry - I put it up on the classifieds, and it posted today. I'm going to take the best offer I get over the next 30 days. As you can see from the ad, it's not in the best shape cosmetically, and the clutch master and slave cylinders need to be replaced, but it's got lots of goodies on it, and it really hasn't been abused, though it has done some pretty heavy towing over it's 142k miles. The catch with the master and slave cylinders is that the master cylinder has to be from a new body style application, so the rod has to be shortened. I believe the cylinders can be had separately from Napa, or so I've been told, and I think the rod I had machined can be removed from my old master cylinder and snapped into the new one, thus saving the $75 machining cost. Also, I've got the fittings for the line, and a braided hd line all made up, so that's not a problem, either. That's the tradeoff for having an NV5600 in a '93 Ram...



Mark and klenger - Thanks very much for the info. I'll check into those hitches. That BrakeSmart controller looks like a must-have! I've been using Jordan Research controllers for a few years because they have real ammeters in them, so you can see how many brakes are working and exactly how much current you're sending them, and also because they have a mechanical (wire) connection to the brake pedal, which makes the braking proportional and instantaneous, plus you can lead the trailer brakes ahead of the truck brakes to keep everything on the straight and narrow... But I believe the BrakeSmart may be the only thing I've ever seen that could stand a chance of being better.



As far as standard hitches go, today I ran across the Torklift Smarthitch, which seems to be just the ticket for adding a 17000 lb capacity hitch to the rear of my new baby. Now if I can just find a source for it...



I just put my first re-fill tank of fuel in tonight. A full 33. 0 gallons at 18. 45mpg. Now that's waaay better than I expected at 600 miles on the odometer!