towing modifications

[JohnCarr]

I have a 1995, 2500, 4X4, 5spd, long bed standard cab, with a 4" exhaust. If I modify this vehicle with upgraded brakes, to include rear disk, updated clutch, injectors, turbo and other options; how heavy of a 5th wheel trailer can I safely tow?

 

[Kirwin]

Manufacture's rattings

About 16K GCWR with the 3. 54 ratio and 18K with the 4. 10 ratio. Pin weight will easily exceed the 8800 GVWR of the truck. The rear tires are only rated at 3042 lbs each so the rear axle can only handle 6084 lbs. The truck is a system you can't upgrade one part and expect it to be bullet proof. Heavy fifth wheels can easily exceed the manufactures ratings of the 3500. The truck can be upgraded to handle big trailers but most of the time its better to buy a truck that was designed to handle the trailer vice upgrade a underrated truck. All IMHO Ken Irwin

 

[lil red cummins]

realistically you could probably load the truck beyond the "rated" capacity. you could put on larger load range E tires, bigger brakes and heavier springs.



you can read a lot on this site about overloads. guys do it all the time. if you are on a country road going 35, maybe you get lucky.



heaven forbid, that you should get in an accident while loaded beyond the "rated" capacity of the truck. you would be in deep doodoo.



law enforcement doesn't give a hoot what mods have been done. they just look at the door sticker.



only you know the limit of capacity versus safety for yourself.



jim

 

[JohnCarr]

Thanks for your replies. I recently inherited my father's 18,000 fifth wheel and was hopping to tow it with my truck and not purchase a new truck.

 

[Dieselnerd]

An 18,000 pound trailer is beyond the capacity of almost any new pickup regardless of the advertisements seen on TV. For that size you should have a medium duty truck, one of the "Mini Semi" trucks you can see in the RV magazines.

 

[TKingsbury]

The ads are very decieving. I looked at a print ad for the Ford that can tow a 19,000lb trailer, in the corner it said only the F350, standard cab, 4x2, dually, powerstroke, 6speed (I think), with 4. 88 gears was rated for that. The truck they picture on TV and in print is a 4x4 dually extended cab with all of the junk on it. I think the as pictured towing weight was like 14,000. A medium duty truck would be way better if you plan to pull much.

Travis. .

 

[JohnCarr]

That is basically what he towed this vehicle with; a F550 with a 4. 88 rear end. I think his GCVW was around 33,000