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RE: Dodge 2500 Mega Cab Diesel....can we pull with this?
The only difference between a CTD Dodge 2500 and 3500 is the overload springs on the rear. You could have dealer put those on or airbags or timbrens.Some have preferences for each type. I like airbags. So what I was suggesting is that you look up the towing tables for your 2500 and an EXACT model 3500. For instance my 2008 2500 Mega CTD has a payload of 1595 lbs, GVWR is 9000 lbs. GCVWR is 20000 lbs. Now the same 3500 is approx 2800 payload, 10100 GVWR and 21000 GCVWR. I use these weight ratings for the truck. One couldn't hardly haul anything in a 2500 CTD if you did't understand the above.
Research your truck so that you understand its capabilities for yourself. To me that starts with a trip to a dealer. I happen to have a dealer that sells a lots of trucks used for towing. The thing he worries about is the tire ratings. My rear tires are good for 6400 lbs. The truck weighs 2900 lbs on the rear empty. That leaves a 3500 lb difference right? Well not with a safety factor. That's why I wouldn't put more than 2800 lbs on the rear axle. If I were looking for a new fiver, I would stay with one that has a pin weight of no more than 1900 to 2100 lbs. Add in the slider weight and room for loading the fiver up and your going to be pushing 2800 lbs.
To go above 2800 payload, you will need 19.5 inch tires and rims which would take your payload up approx 1600 lbs from 2800 lbs to 4400 lbs. As I said before this step needs to be combined with an exhaust brake and/ or brake upgrades and maybe some rear suspension upgrades. Still cheaper than a new truck.
But you need a qualified dealer to guide you so you will be safe in all conditions. In my mind, these Dodges are one hell of a truck. However, if you are going to tow really heavy you need to understnad what you are getting into. To me when your loaded trailer weight goes over 12500 lbs or your payload nears 2800 lbs, you need expert help.
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MikeRP
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07/15/08 04:06am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Dodge 2500 Mega Cab Diesel....can we pull with this?
Take this for what it worth and check with your dealer. But I think you can tow this trailer fine. Realize this is my humble opinion. You can get around 2800 lbs easily on the rear axle. You may have to add timbrens or airbags for leveling. This truck is basically a 3500 without the extra overload springs.
So look at the 3500 weight ratings for the same exact truck. Now if you go above 2800lbs on the rear, my guess is to be safe you will need to consider 19.5 inch rims and tires. These will increase your rear axle towing limits alot. Look up Rickson's on google.
Finally, look into an exhaust brake for additional stopping power which in my book is the most important thing. You can do it safely but it takes work and some money. I'd work with my dealer to set this up right.
Now, the folks here will kill me for saying the above. If you are uncomfortable with that weight or think you can drive 70mph with that load - get another trailer. 55 mph would be my limit. Check out diesel truck resource .com There's folks over there towing more weight that that with your exact truck.
Mike
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MikeRP
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07/14/08 02:50pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: A bit of a shock at the weigh scale/trip report...
Hey folks: I appreciate all your thouights. Some of you question my qualifications and rightly so. I am an engineer and I have spec'd purchased and operated many types of heavy equipment. I feel the original poster is very informed and concerned about the right issues. I agree SAFETY is paramount. You can have small load and be unsafe as I was almost killed by an empty horse trialer on a brand new F350 that came off the ball right next to me. I do believe as others have suggested that some of the specs are performance related and could be exceeded by an informed person. Certainly, all this is either mechanically or safety wise should be carefully considered and only exceeded after much thought and at your own risk. Any load should be setup by a professional.
However, as I said before, these trucks are very safe capable vehicles. Exceeding tire ratings and Emergency stopping are my primary concerns.
I persoanlly think these debates are good because irt allows everyonew to understand their trucks better and that is the key to hauling safely. Mike
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MikeRP
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07/10/08 01:58pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: A bit of a shock at the weigh scale/trip report...
You are within your axle weight ratings on the truck so why are you concerned? You went through some demanding terrain with no problem. I'd quit worry"in.
And if you are worried about your new MegaCab.....don't. Dodge has way underrated their trucks. As long as you don't exceed your rear tire ratings - and their is a fix for that on a SRW - you can haul amazing weights with these trucks. With an exhaust brake, 19.5 inch wheels and maybe some upgrades to the brakes, I think you could easily see a GCVWR of 26000 lbs.
Mike
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MikeRP
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07/10/08 03:42am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Dodge 1 ton DRW
Well my 2008 (Mega 4x4 6speed auto) averages about 16 mpg mixed driving and as much as 18 on a trip at 75 mph.
I got 12.5 mpg on my first towing trip with a small 5000 lb trailer.
I was with my brother (2007 QC 4x4 CTD Manual Tranny) when he got 22.5 mpg unloaded in mixed driving. He got 17 mpg towing his 5000 lb trailer to Myrtle Beach last year.
Much better milage than mine.
The 06's and 07's get grea milage. Dodge is also going out with a new flash for milage is a report on one forum.
Mike
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MikeRP
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06/20/08 04:58am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2500HD needs some more giddyup for towing
You know I just went through this difficult decision late last year. I had a 2005 Avalanche with 3.42's and the 5.3l paid for. I really looked into a gear change. Its not easy to find someone experienced in that work and they need to be done RIGHT on a 4wd. I never could get comfortable that someone could put the gears on without the whine I've heard before not to mention the best warranty I could get was 6 months or 6000 miles even form the dealer.
One person above mentioned he paid $25,000 for a 2004? Man that seems high to me since I paid 37,500 for a new 2008 megacab 4WD with everything except leather, sunroof and the nav system. $50450 was the sticker. But I see that pricing everywhere. I saw a great 2006 dullie this weekend. 2006 27000 miles for $29999.
Anyway, I didn't foresee diesel hitting $5.00 per gallon or I probably would have kept my zero payments and put on the turbo with Allan's help. I almost drove to Texas.
Anyway, good luck on the decision.
Mike
Also you have to deal with the locker on the rear end which is the wear link in the GM rear ends. Now it may be better on a 2500 HD - does anyone know?
Anyway, I ended up with a new Dodge. Of course buying one of these doesn't mean the mula stops. New tonneau cover, floor mats, etc. But it doesn't have a problem towing. I see alot of 2006 and earlier diesels out there for sale right now but they are still pricey for some reason.
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MikeRP
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05/20/08 12:17pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2500HD needs some more giddyup for towing
Yes I believe he does and he tunes for all situations. They are considered very good by some modders over on the avalanche club forum and I considered this before I purchased a new diesel truck. I think his name is Alan. Give them a call or e-mail.
Mike
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MikeRP
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05/19/08 08:37pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2500HD needs some more giddyup for towing
I had an avalanche and put 33's on it and went back to 265's and it helped alot but NOT enough. But it is a start.
I agree with engineer but I would not swap gears. On a 4WD that's already with 4.10's - I'd just go back to stock when towing and keep your oversized tires for the winter.
Do you have the 6.0L or the 5.3L? Supercharger is probably your next best thing to do. See www.nelsonperformance.com
Mike
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MikeRP
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05/19/08 06:24pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Not always safe to just worry about tow rating only
Jeez give him at least the benefit of the doubt Ken............
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MikeRP
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05/14/08 08:58am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Not always safe to just worry about tow rating only
Wow!
Another example of how the limits require common sense. This is really bad.
With the right setup, I'm sure he could have towed that trailer easily.
Mike
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MikeRP
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05/14/08 08:42am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Tow Ratings for Dodge 2500
Fact is this truck is the exact same truck as a 3500 without the overload springs. So, with the addition of air bags or timbrens you can go to a max of 2700 lbs.
This still means you probably should limit the pin weight to 2000 lbs to be safe. Of course the true max rating is the tires and that's only another 500 or around 3200 lbs. I'd guess Dodge left that as a safety factor.
Weigh yours unloaded to be sure. This is a very capable tow vehicle.
Dodge way understates their capability. If you believed some folks, one couldn't get a 4 wheeler in the bed and I did that the other day with a 800 lb 4 wheeler and the truck didn't even go down an inch.
So the limiting factor is tires and overloads. If you go to timbrens and rickson 19.5 inch tires - you can haul most anything out there and SAFELY.
The new exhaust brake, the selectable 6 speed auto, and the very large brakes makes this IMHO the most capable SRW tow vehicle out there.
Mike
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MikeRP
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05/13/08 01:54pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Tow Ratings for Dodge 2500
I have the exact same vehicle. PM me I'll give you the info.
Mike
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MikeRP
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05/13/08 04:22am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 08 Ford down hill braking. Wish I had my Jake back.
I agree with you about the 08 Dodge. Dodge is not getting enough credit right now for the new 6.7 L. But this is an interesting discussion!
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MikeRP
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05/03/08 03:03am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Another "Can I tow Question"
The only problem is that the name plate says Chevy..........:) Just Kidding Just Kidding that truck will pull that trailer like a banshee rooster!
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MikeRP
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04/30/08 06:25am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Anyone tow with Dodge Ram 1500 w 5.7l hemi v8??
While the milage on my 6.7L is not as good as my brothers 5.9L . I'm getting 17.5 mpg on the highway and 15.5 around town and that was mostly with the winter fuel. Not bad if you ask me. My brother got as much as 20 mpg on the highway empty. My numbers are running 75 - 80 to Florida and back all hand calculated.
My brother got 17 pulling his camper to Myrtle Beach and back to Ohio. I'll see how mine does on a long trip soon.
He averaged about 14 with his previous Dodge 2500 with the Hemi.
Mike
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MikeRP
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04/27/08 11:34am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Anyone tow with Dodge Ram 1500 w 5.7l hemi v8??
The gas mileage is not significantly different than the 2500 and there's really little difference between the trucks 1500 vs 2500 according to the dealers (gas models). So I'd get whichever is cheaper and my guess is the 2500 is cheaper. This will allow you to get a bigger trailer easier.
I had a dealer tell me they only put a 1500 badge on a truck because people think they get better milage than a 2500.
Mike
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MikeRP
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04/27/08 07:29am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: TOWING WITH MY 2500 SUBURBAN
John:
So the cooler is external to the radiator? On my 05 Avalanche it was internal on the tow package. I thought this was false advertising on GM's part. However, you could order a factory external cooler.
Also, I assume the 2500 did not have any hitch failures as the 1500 series did. Is that true?
Anyway, I still like the 2500 burbs. They are very nice and if they start putting that new diesel in them, well I may be tempted to trade my Dodge if the tow ratings are high enough.
They only reason I didn't buy a Yukon XL was the 6.0L and my desire to spend some serious time out west.
Mike
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MikeRP
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04/27/08 07:24am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: dodge cummins 6.7 - how do you like yours?
I don't want to hurt the other truck owners. But I think this Dodge is the best truck hands down in its class and Dodge has not got enough credit for this truck. Great Vehicle. I have a 2500 2008 CTD MegaCab Flame red.
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MikeRP
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04/26/08 06:08am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: TOWING WITH MY 2500 SUBURBAN
I know the tow package says it has a tranny cooler. However, I believe it is internal to the radiator. So, I would recommend having he dealer install an external cooler if this hasn:t been recommended yet.
This will help keep the tranny cool while you are cranking up a grade. I came a hair of buying a used 07 Yukon XL 2500 and also I considered a 2500 HD Chevy pickup with the 6.0L. They are very nice vehicles.
Mike
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MikeRP
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04/26/08 06:00am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: TOWING WITH MY 2500 SUBURBAN
John:
That's about as good an explanation as you could get. I always wondered if a truck would overheat going up a hill because I hear folks say all the time that you can run that engine at 3800 - 4000 rpm all day and it won't hurt it. I had a similiar problem with an Avalanche with 3.42 gears and it wouldn't go in a headwind in Ohio without running 3200 rpm and sucking gas with the 5.3L and I was always afraid to get it into Tennessee and overheat it on Jellico Mountain.
Tom:
Which transmission do you have in your Suburban? Do you have the new 6 speed?
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MikeRP
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04/25/08 07:54am |
Tow Vehicles
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