Towing upgrades?

[retirednak]

Hi Fellas,

The wife and I have decided to buy a new 5er camper and want to travel the lower 48. I don't know the weight of the trailer since I haven't bought it yet. It will be in the neighborhood of 30-35 ft and will also carry a side by side quad. Since I have never really towed anything with my truck,I need to know what I need to upgrade so I don't end up with problems down the road. The truck is the one in my sig. The truck has 110K,no oil use between changes,so I don't think I have any worries there. I'm having my trans rebuilt for towing and a air dog at the same time. I will also make sure I can use an exhaust brake with it. I'm a little concerned with the 250 hp engine rating and having everything on the road passing me on grades. Since I can't tow with the Smarty turned up,I'll have to live with it.

Besides brakes and cooling,is there anything else I'm missing? (I'm installing gauges this week) I would love a new truck,but with the expense of a new 5er and a new truck would leave us pinching pennies,not a good thing traveling.

I'm a retired OTR driver and feel comfortable behind the wheel,I don't want to have to wrench on a trip. Sorry bout the long post.

Thanks in advance,

Casey

 

[BHiggins]

My 2008 squats when I pull a big/heavy trailer, so I added a set of Firestone/Ride-Rite air helper springs to the rear. They make a tremendous difference when pulling big, and they weren't expensive at all ($260. 00 for the kit). The set I got are compatible with my goose-neck hitch, and they were EASY EASY EASY to install. That's my two cents.
PS: I got the basic kit, which has a standard tire valve on the rear bumper for inflation. You can get fancy kits for more money that are controlled "in-cab", or even self leveling... Depends on how much $$ you want to spend.

 

[DennyDay]

Oo. Just get it over with and spring for a MaxBrake - - - you will never be happy with any other brake control after one tow Oo.

 

[BGlidewell]

My 2008 squats when I pull a big/heavy trailer, so I added a set of Firestone/Ride-Rite air helper springs to the rear. They make a tremendous difference when pulling big, and they weren't expensive at all ($260. 00 for the kit). The set I got are compatible with my goose-neck hitch, and they were EASY EASY EASY to install. That's my two cents.

PS: I got the basic kit, which has a standard tire valve on the rear bumper for inflation. You can get fancy kits for more money that are controlled "in-cab", or even self leveling... Depends on how much $$ you want to spend.

+1



With 20 percent pin weight you will be glad you have "the other kind" of air bags.

 

[JJPage]

I agree with the airbags to keep the rear of your truck from squatting so much, I love my ride rites.



As far as power, I would believe you could tow with the Smarty, maybe as high as SW#3. SW#1 AND #2 are also going to give your 250hp motor a significant boost.



I pulled my 30ft 5th wheel toybox with my 03 with the stock turbo, with an early Smarty software version on SW#3, EGT'S were not a problem, and I know those softwares ran hotter than the current ones. Now I did not tow all over the lower 48, but I did tow in Montana, Idaho and Washinton, over some fairly hard pulls.



I believe you may be surprised at how well these trucks pull, bone stock, without power enhancements.



I also drove semi otr for almost 15 yrs, started out hauling machinery/flatbed for International Transport out of Rochester, MN. , driving both my Dad's and older brother's trucks. Then I pulled doubles for Pacific Northwest Bell for almost 12 yrs where I am still currently employed, no longer Driving and PNB is now Qwest Communications... . Point being, I do have an idea of what driving conditions you may encounter, and these little 5. 9's do a heck of a nice job.

 

[HBarlow]

Your Ram dually will pull a reasonable sized fifth wheel with the air bag upgrade and a built transmission capability plus exhaust brake. It just won't zip up and over the hills like the higher rated ones trucks do.

I would prefer pulling a heavy fifth wheel with a dually and 250 hp over a SRW truck with 350 hp. Patience is a virtue some claim.

I agree with the MaxBrake suggestion.

 

[THerber]

I would second the Maxbrake suggested by Denny, money well spent.

 

[retirednak]

My 2008 squats when I pull a big/heavy trailer, so I added a set of Firestone/Ride-Rite air helper springs to the rear. They make a tremendous difference when pulling big, and they weren't expensive at all ($260. 00 for the kit). The set I got are compatible with my goose-neck hitch, and they were EASY EASY EASY to install. That's my two cents.

PS: I got the basic kit, which has a standard tire valve on the rear bumper for inflation. You can get fancy kits for more money that are controlled "in-cab", or even self leveling... Depends on how much $$ you want to spend.

A thought crossed my mind,why not airbag the truck all the way around? Since the stock ride beats me pretty bad on our crappy roads,its bound to improve the ride empty and loaded. After checking prices,it may be out of reach.

Does anyone have any experience with a truck bagged on all 4 corners? Concerns?

As far as turning up the smarty while towing,I wasn't aware it was possible. I suppose I'll have to play with the settings.

Thanks for the input.

 

[JJPage]

Look at the last post in this link to this thread, I posted pictures of what I did to make my overloads engage earlier. It was inexpensive and made the load much more stable.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...iscussions/215464-there-cure-wheel-hop-2.html

 

[BHiggins]

The air bags are supplemental to your your stock suspension, they don't replace it.

 

[retirednak]

The air bags are supplemental to your your stock suspension, they don't replace it.

There are kits available to replace the stock suspension. I had a chance to ride in a Suburban with airbags all away around and was impressed with the ride and it cornered like a sports car. But he never towed or worked the Burb either. That's why I wanted to know if anybody had any experience with that type of upgrade(or downgrade)

 

[BHiggins]

#ad

Here's a picture, you can see the bags are in addition to your stock springs. Full air suspension kits are out there, but quite expensive. If you want to go the full air suspension route, do a quick search for Kelderman Air Ride.

 

[retirednak]

#ad


Here's a picture, you can see the bags are in addition to your stock springs. Full air suspension kits are out there, but quite expensive. If you want to go the full air suspension route, do a quick search for Kelderman Air Ride.

I have been to the Kelderman site several times. They have quite the wish list! I do know the full suspension kits are $$$$$. I did have airbags in the front of my old K5 plow truck and it did make a big difference as far as keeping the Blazer level with the plow attached and also improved the ride. The only issue was the bags slowly leaked air and always had to air up each time I used the rig. But this was 10 yrs ago and I'm sure the technology has improved for cold weather use.

 

[moparme]

My '03 pulls my 25' toybox loaded with (2) quads, 110lb fresh water, 25 gal on board fuel and what ever else (about 9k) all over the pa montains to my son's quad races, and didn't really think I needed more power. Especially when I got in the right lane to pull the mountain, and found I needed to get back over to the left cuz the trucks in that right lane goin up, were way too slow. I am amazed at the STOCK power of these engines.



How are the Smarty's at getting hooked up? I'd love to get one on mine. I am possibly able to do it, unless there are codes to get installed.

 

[JCrockett]

Casey I have rear air bags on my truck as well as a MaxBrake and some other things if you want to take a look sometime. I am here in Wasilla. I pull my moose buggy with it and when loaded for a 3+ day weekend we are grossing right at 24k and the truck handles everything great. Definitly the air bags and Maxbrake for sure!!

 

[retirednak]

My '03 pulls my 25' toybox loaded with (2) quads, 110lb fresh water, 25 gal on board fuel and what ever else (about 9k) all over the pa montains to my son's quad races, and didn't really think I needed more power. Especially when I got in the right lane to pull the mountain, and found I needed to get back over to the left cuz the trucks in that right lane goin up, were way too slow. I am amazed at the STOCK power of these engines.



How are the Smarty's at getting hooked up? I'd love to get one on mine. I am possibly able to do it, unless there are codes to get installed.

The smarty is the best upgrade I've done yet. Its plug and play. Once you read the manual,start playing with the settings. I'm glad I got the senior with the POD. If your inclined to,you can drive with the smarty plugged in full time. I got a great deal locally which beat mail order prices. I can't wait to rebuild the transmission and upgrade the fuel pump so I can try settings 5 and up. Believe what the manual says about the settings for a stock transmission or clutch. It didn't take but 1 month on 4 and the other adjustments before my stock 100,000 mile trans started acting up. 100% my fault!



I will check out the Maxbrake also.

Thanks guys-Casey