new to Rv Towing

[mark f battersby]

owner of a 2004 3/4 ton dodge 5.9 turbo diesel. the truck has 159,000 miles stock condition runs great. I am new to towing just purchased a 32 ft. 5th wheel, GVWR 9,000 live in Colorado up and down some tall mountain passes. what do I need to think about equipping the truck with to prevent towing issues thanks in advance

 

[KATOOM]

If its an automatic transmission then make sure its in well taken care of condition. Towing out of OD and making sure the torque converter is locked prior to climbing a long grade in order to keep the transmission temps in check.
And you'll want to invest in an exhaust brake for the downhill sides, if there isnt one already on the truck. Diesels have little to no deceleration backpressure in the engine and a sizeable trailer can shove you downhill creating a white knuckle ride. At the least...wear out the brakes prematurely.

 

[Shiner]

I 2nd the exhaust brake!

 

[Killer223]

find a local well versed trans shop and have them build you a towing valve body. if they don't know what that is, go elsewhere, or contact Fred at FSR diesel in PHX az. and yes an exhaust brake is a very nice addition.

 

[DHayden]

I echo the exhaust brake as #1. I had quite the experience in Colorado and I HAD an exhaust brake. A BD 2 low kit may be beneficial also. Mudflaps to keep from tearing up your trailer. Thats a few quick and easy things.

 

[KATOOM]

A BD 2 low kit may be beneficial also.

I cant express how much I love my 2 lo kit. But...unfortunately the 3rd gens dont have the CAD front axle so no 2 lo available.

 

[DHayden]

Doh, I never had a 3rd gen but thought I had seen a kit for them...obviously I didnt. Oh well, now he has more money to spend on other things! Thanks for letting us know.

 

[mpaulson]

Doh, I never had a 3rd gen but thought I had seen a kit for them...obviously I didnt. Oh well, now he has more money to spend on other things! Thanks for letting us know.

Via free spin front hubs.

 

[mark f battersby]

I echo the exhaust brake as #1. I had quite the experience in Colorado and I HAD an exhaust brake. A BD 2 low kit may be beneficial also. Mudflaps to keep from tearing up your trailer. Thats a few quick and easy things.

sorry for my ignorance what is a BD 2Low kit ?

 

[Ozymandias]

Get a shiftkit for your transmission that raises the linepressure and help keep it cool.

Sonnax or TransGo, either is fine.

And no, there is no CAD Kit for a Gen3 available.

 

[GCroyle]

I think you must prove to yourself that your trailer brakes are working correctly. If they are lazy you're gonna work the truck brakes harder and harder.

You didn't state if new, or what type of brakes are on 5er, drum manual adjust, drum self adjust or rare disc brakes.

If used, start pulling wheels, check bearings, seals, brake hardware and shoes. Learn how they work and if self adjust, the adjustment is in FORWARD direction I bet.

Brake controller get a premium, not a price point unit.

How to evaluate brake effectiveness? My first choice after driving is to shoot the same area of each drum with IR temp gun. No clue what value is OK depends on how much braking you've done etc. But a cool drum after braking is not a brake.

Used 5er, brakes are shot? living in Rockies? scrap em and install hyd discs you'll be impressed.

Gary

 

[RVTRKN]

2004 Auto trans CTD's are not, in stock form, capable of an exhaust brake. Yes you can install one, but the Trans is not set up correctly due to the weak thrust washer from the back pressure within the trans. Not until late 06 was the 48re capable of an EB. As mentioned, make sure your trailer brakes are adjusted and the trailer brake controller is set properly. For 32ft, 9000 GVWR seems low, can you give us more info?

 

[Jim W]

All good items to follow up on and it may cost a little bit of money but they are well worth the money. Another item you did not mention is do you have a short bed or long bed truck? This will make a difference in the hitch that you will use for towing the 5er. A short bed truck will require a slider hitch either manual or auto, the long bed truck can use a static hitch.

 

[DHayden]

Allows truck owner to manually disable the front wheel drive mechanism by holding the hubs free (2WD) mode with the transfer case in 4WD-Low range. Allows to have full power and torque while in a high gear reduction applied to the rear axle(s) only. Makes backing heavy trailers much easier without lurching.

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[mpaulson]

Allows truck owner to manually disable the front wheel drive mechanism by holding the hubs free (2WD) mode with the transfer case in 4WD-Low range. Allows to have full power and torque while in a high gear reduction applied to the rear axle(s) only. Makes backing heavy trailers much easier without lurching.

For 2013's and up I believe.

 

[bigceltic]

owner of a 2004 3/4 ton dodge 5.9 turbo diesel. the truck has 159,000 miles stock condition runs great. I am new to towing just purchased a 32 ft. 5th wheel, GVWR 9,000 live in Colorado up and down some tall mountain passes. what do I need to think about equipping the truck with to prevent towing issues thanks in advance

I am also in the C.O. (just north of Co Springs) and highly recommend an exhaust brake. If it is stock, leave it so. Other than that you *can* do a lot to it, but if I had to do it all over, I would have left it bone stock. HOWEVER, one caveat - the turbo upgrade I did was pretty awesome - had the stock turbo upgraded (search "motorhead mod"). I tow a 35' and have had no towing issues. My first trip with a bone stock truck out 70 to Bryce NP and back was no problemo.

 

[mark f battersby]

thanks for the information. Second question is I had an Edge attitude with juice programmer installed what are the safe Egte temps and the transmission temps to know