Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Weighing correctly? and need more power on the cheap

[RShafer]

OK I know this has been discussed a gazzillion times but here it is. 97 Dodge Dually 12 valver automatic. GVWR of 11k. Front axle max 4850, rear axle max 7800. Went to the scale and mine is 4250 front and 3200 rear with a full tank of gas and me in it. Loaded the 5th wheel up and weight it again. Rear is 5950 so figure that pin weight is 2750. Trailer axles are 7800. The way I figure it the total weight of the trailer is 10,550. This puts it just under the max weight limit. Am I correct so far, or did I screw it all up. My problem is with the auto transmission I am lucky to get up the hills at 35 mph. Truck runs great and only has 113k miles on the engine. On the straight I can go 65 in overdrive but takes a long time to get there. Out of overdrive its 55 all the way at around 2300 RPM. I am thinking of one of these aftermarket transmissions but need a place closer than Iowa or Canada (from Eugene Oregon). Maybe its just me. My friend who has a mechanic shop said I am just fine the way I am and the truck will pull more than I am pulling now. Anyone have similar problems or give feedback would be greatly appreciated.



Retired Army Ranger

97 Dodge Dually 12 valver

2000 Crossroads All American

 

[GAmes]

I may be mistaken, but I believe your GVWR is 10,500, at least mine is. That is on a sticker on your driver door post and is the max weight your truck and cargo should weigh. I also believe your GCWR (truck and trailer combined) is 20,000 unless it is a 4X4, then it may be 16,000. That is a weight that has no rhyme or reason and is used in warranty issues, it is in the fine print in the owners manual. Before I installed the #11 plate I had problems with towing up steep hills also.



Do a search on power enhancements for the 12 valve autos. Engine power comes pretty cheap but automatic trans rebuilds can get expensive.



Retired Army helicopter pilot.



on edit, one more thing. You may want to fill the tank with diesel fuel, not gas :-laf

 

[bmoeller]

With the trailer, what was the front axle weight? You only mentioned the rear and trailer axles? It needs to be included in the total GCVR weight.



IIRC, the '97 V-10 was the only truck to have a 20k GCVR. The diesel is heavier and was "limited" to 16k for the 3. 54 gears and auto trans. 18k for 4. 10s and auto, or manual with either 3. 54 or 4. 10s.



I'll have to double check what the sticker is on the door. I thought mine said 11k as well.

 

[GAmes]

IIRC, the '97 V-10 was the only truck to have a 20k GCVR. The diesel is heavier and was "limited" to 16k for the 3. 54 gears and auto trans. 18k for 4. 10s and auto, or manual with either 3. 54 or 4. 10s.

That is incorrect, my 5 speed 2wd 3500 w/3. 5 rear has a GCWR of 20,000, as does same equipped 2500s, except CA equipped. What is strange is that it has a max trailer wt that put my truck's GCWR at about 19,320 before I added the aux fuel tank and toolbox. Not that it means much except to the weight police. Just part of the hodge-podge that is buried in the fine print of the owners manual.

 

[RShafer]

I thought about weighing the front axles with the RV on but figured that the weight of the 5th wheel would be the rear axle (Pin weight) and the axles of the 5th wheel. So are you saying there will be an increase in front axle weight also. That makes a difference for sure

 

[bmoeller]

That is incorrect, my 5 speed 2wd 3500 w/3. 5 rear has a GCWR of 20,000, as does same equipped 2500s, except CA equipped.

True for your 2wd, but he has 4x4 (4850# front axle). 2wd trucks weren't in the equation when I posted. The ratings are lower.



Now, looking at my '97 sales lit, and other books, I was real close to 100% correct.



For the 3500 4x4, Reg cab/Club cab and Cab & Chassis trucks, it is as follows-



Cummins powered-



3. 54 auto and manual are 16k GCVR. 4. 10 auto and manual are 18k GCVR. All with a 10. 5k GVWR



ALL V-10 powered- 19k GCVR







I also checked the sticker on my door jamb. 11k GVWR.

I thought about weighing the front axles with the RV on but figured that the weight of the 5th wheel would be the rear axle (Pin weight) and the axles of the 5th wheel. So are you saying there will be an increase in front axle weight also. That makes a difference for sure

Yes. There is weight put on the front axle as well. Also, the farther forward the hitch is in the bed, the more weight will be transfered up to the front.