2004.5 Dodge 3500 towing capacity questions?

[PNW_Steve]

Hello All,

I have a 2004.5 Dodge 3500 with CTD, Nv5600,4x3, 3.73 gears and 295/75R22.5 14-ply tires. Almost forgot: South Bend double disc clutch.

With the upgrades to the engine, clutch and tires I am a little bit lost as to how much I can safely tow.

I have a project coming up that will require me to pull a 15k pound trailer on a 30 mile round trip several times.

My understanding is that the first limiting factor, on these trucks is the rear tires. With the tire upgrade I have no clue as to how to figure out what my safe maximum tow weight is.

Any thoughts?

Thank you.

S.

[PNW_Steve]

rjstractor wrote:

PMW_Steve wrote:
To speak to someone other comments:

The trip will be between St. Johns Arizona and a remote site out in the sticks. The trailer carries about 1500 gallons of water.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but this is a gooseneck trailer with two 10k axles.

Thanks again Everyone for the input.

I think your loaded weight will be closer to 20K with that much water but I would still do it without any worries.

The water weighs 12k lbs and the trailer another 2k lbs. Where does the other 6k come from?

[Grit_dog]

St Johns, beautiful country around there.
We used to go ride our snomachines around Greer. Get some weird looks hauling the the sleds thru Phoenix....
So easy peasy once you’re in first gear.

[rjstractor]

PMW_Steve wrote:
To speak to someone other comments:

The trip will be between St. Johns Arizona and a remote site out in the sticks. The trailer carries about 1500 gallons of water.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but this is a gooseneck trailer with two 10k axles.

Thanks again Everyone for the input.

I think your loaded weight will be closer to 20K with that much water but I would still do it without any worries.

[PNW_Steve]

As far as posting pics.... I thought that I had uploaded pics to my profile here but don't see them now. I am reluctant to post new ones until I get a chance to wash the truck 🙂 I have been parking under a tree that has covered my truck with **** and driving dirt roads daily... 🙂

[PNW_Steve]

ScottG wrote:
Power isn't going to be an issue with an Edge and the NV5600.
Not sure where you're located Steve but I have basically the same truck with a 70 HP towing tune. I pulled the hill on Simmonds Road in Kenmore Wa. with my buddy's 15K# boat in tow. His 454 Suburban could only do 25 up this hill and he was afraid he was going to blow it up so he asked me pull it for him. I Started from a dead stop at the bottom of the hill and let off at 65..

A few weeks later he bought a new Dodge. 😉

Funny 🙂

I recently bought a gas Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 to pull my little trailer. I hate it. I took one trip from Dayton to Granite Falls and back. Upon arriving at home I promptly put a for sale sign on it.

To speak to someone other comments:

The trip will be between St. Johns Arizona and a remote site out in the sticks. The trailer carries about 1500 gallons of water.

I don't know if I mentioned it before but this is a gooseneck trailer with two 10k axles.

Thanks again Everyone for the input.

[PNW_Steve]

Grit dog wrote:
Well that’s quite the combo! You use 1st gear taking off empty I presume with those 40” semi truck tires?
Obviously 15k is a bit over the OE rating, but you’re nowhere close to OE.
15k behind a very similar truck (our 07 with a canned tune and clutch) pulls just fine. I’ve towed that much or more a few times when my company half ton just wouldn’t cut it, lol.
That truck with a tuner and a stout clutch (or even an OE clutch) will pull 15k with relative ease on normal size tires.
The brodozer tires combined with the tall gears (for that tire size) will hurt that ability considerably.
With that clutch and rappin it out in each gear, I surmise it’s doable. But it will be much easier on you and the truck with some normal 32-34” tall tires.
It is short trips, but if you have to start out on or pull any significant grades, I’d 100% ditch the semi wheels for a cheap set of 8 lug OE type wheels and tires. (If you haven’t done a permanent 10 lug conversion). If relatively flat terrain, I’d try it but be ready to use 4 lo for maneuvering the trailer to stay off the clutch.

The “rest” of the truck will be fine if your brakes and driveshaft are in good shape and the trailer has good brakes.

Yes, they are semi tires and if I have considered switching out gears for 4.33 gears. The most annoying thing with that tire/gear combo comes when backing trailers.

The project involves a water tank trailer (gooseneck) 15 miles emptying then 15 miles bach full. On the loaded leg I have modest grade. Nothing severe.

Thank you everyone for all of the replies. I appreciate your time and knowledge.

[Cummins12V98]

NOT that lucky guys!

[MFL]

Me Again wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Or novelty Hill from Duvall to Redmond"

GOOD memories!!! Dated the "Barrett Sisters" that lived at the bottom of that Hill.

How many sisters at once? 😉 😉 😉

Hey Chris...was just going to post the same! Some guys just seem to have all the fun!! :C

Jerry

[Me_Again]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Or novelty Hill from Duvall to Redmond"

GOOD memories!!! Dated the "Barrett Sisters" that lived at the bottom of that Hill.

How many sisters at once? 😉 😉 😉

[Cummins12V98]

"Or novelty Hill from Duvall to Redmond"

GOOD memories!!! Dated the "Barrett Sisters" that lived at the bottom of that Hill.

[blt2ski]

228th is not the longest road around. BUT it is steep! If you have the wrong ie too tall overall gearing. You have a 500/1000 TD motor, you're not going going up it. Local roads will always screw one over. Freeways are easy least. Issue with freeways, said 500/1000 motor depending on total gvw, will keep you going at a reasonable speed.

Marty

[larry_barnhart]

I have been on that road many times visiting my grandfather starting at 5 years old. It was steep to me at that age.

chevman

[Me_Again]

ScottG wrote:
Oh I know those places well Marty. I live off 228th (accross from Canyon Park Middle School) and I once drove my car off one of those hairpin turns on the Duvall end of Novely Hill road in the snow!
That poor Sub was pre-Vortec too.

Scott

I lived in Alderwood Manor 204th and 24th Pl and did the 228th street hill a lot. It would give new meaning to Dexter Dam hill tow testing(like get a life, that is not a hill).

[blt2ski]

i had a 4bbl and TBI 454. The TBI was a bit better than the 4bbl, even tho both had 235/385 specs. Issue both had the POS TH400 trans behind them. Too tall of gears in fist. Stalled them out on mid teen to 20% grades quite frequently, blew up trannys every 30K like clockwork, even with 6K fluid and 12K complete flushes including the TC.

Im probably not too far from you in Brier by the middle school. There are a couple of dozies coming up here from the east to west too!