TEDBERG
Tucson
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Hi, I have a 1996 dodge Ram 1500 club cab 4x4 with the 5.2. The rated towing capacity of the truck is 7600lbs. I have a 27ft travel trailer that weighs 6000lbs and need to pull the trailer from Tucson,Az to San diego Ca. I have a weight distribution hitch with sway control and a brake controller. I was wanting an opinion as far as whether or not this is within the truck's capabilities. I know I am under the "advertised" 7600lbs but am pushing about 80% of the maximum towing capacity. Thank for your time, TEDBERG
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pulsar
Lewisville, NC
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Moved from Forum Technical Support.
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Wills250psd
on the road
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trucks of that era seem to be low on power but if you take your time you should be OK.
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RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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My parents towed a trailer from Florida to Michigan in 1947 with a 1937 Ford with 85 hp. Don't you think your 1996 Dodge can do better than that?? P.S. the trailer was a 1939 Kozy Koach which, in those days, trailer meant HEAVY with, for example, masonite siding.
RRUGG
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eric james
Sioux Falls, SD
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Turn off the overdrive and keep your speed under 65. Enjoy the scenery.
2009 Keystone Passport UL 290BH
2003 Ford Expedition EB 5.4L/3.73
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Your trucks tow RATING is set with the truck completely empty. Any weight beyond the basic truck with no passengers, no cargo and no optional equipment reduces your tow rating by an equal amount. I don't know if you'll be within the tow rating of your truck or not (looks like it may be pretty close) but take solace from the fact that tow RATINGS are warranty issues and have nothing to do with safety. Be sure your truck (when loaded and the trailer hitched) does not exceed either of it's SAFETY ratings which are the axle ratings and the gross vehicle weight rating and you will be safe. Beyond that the only thing you need be concerned with is the performance as it relates to your satisfaction and only YOU can answer that.
For what it's worth the 80% rule you mentioned is sometimes used when a person doesn't want to go to the trouble of doing all of the math involved in establishing their ACTUAL tow rating so they just throw in a 20% cushion to be sure they're warranty will still be in effect so it's not likely it would apply to you at all. If one does the math involved there is absolutely NO reason to not tow 100% of their ACTUAL rating.
Good luck and have a great trip / Skip
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2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
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KD4UPL
Swoope, VA
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I had a 1996 Dodge 1500 ext. cab 4 x 4 with a 5.9L engine. I pulled a 24' trailer that was around 5,000. The truck handled it fine but acceleration was kind of slow. It was common to have the pedal on the floor going up mountains and only be doing about 35 mph.
I pulled 11,000 with it one time about 5 miles just to see how it would do. I had air bags on at the time inflated pretty full. The truck actually handled really well. Stopping was fine because of good trailer brakes and controller. Acceleration was non existent. It was hard to go up a hill at all.
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john&bet
North Vernon,in.
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I pulled a 27' tt with a 1999 1500 ext.cab Dodge with a 5.2 from Ind. to Great Falls,MT. thru the Black Hills without any fuss. Also pulled it on US-50 from Ind. to Col. to the Black Hills Without a fuss. I was in no hurry. Drove with o/d off and not over60-65 mph. Good luck.
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LIKE2BUILD
Mt. Zion, IL
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eric james wrote:Turn off the overdrive and keep your speed under 65. Enjoy the scenery.
Yep, you should be just fine. Make sure you have an auxiliary transmission cooler on the truck. If you don't have one I'd suggest installing one before the trip since you'll be going through some decent grades. Aside from that you should have nothing to worry about.
KJ
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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What gear ratio do you have? that will make a big difference. if you have the 3.55, (you probably do) then it will be a dog. if you have the 3.90 then you should be OK. there is a sticker in the glove box that will give you the info. or a small metal tag on the rear axle cover bolt that gives the ratio. I think the HP/TQ rating for the 5.2 was 230/300 I had a Dodge conv. van with the 5.9 and the rating was 230/330. as you can see these motors make plenty of torque! enough that you should be alright with the proper gearing.
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