ram 1500 Towing upgrade, possible?
#1
ram 1500 Towing upgrade, possible?
Im asking on the behest of my sister and mother, who are not computer people.
They love horses and want to take the ones they have to horse shows, they have a 3 horse goose neck trailer now, with a living area, got a great deal on it, but the only truck they have that can even have a chance of towing it is a 2001 ram 1500, it has the 5.9 engine, is a extended cab, automatic, and 4x4.
My dad mentioned that on a old jeep j20 we used to have that he did a upgrade to it, putting heavier duty springs, axle, gear box and the like (know i didn't mention several more things that were done to it, he cant remember what all was done at this point) and after that, it would tow pretty much anything without any issues at all.
We were wondering, is it possible to upgrade the Ram 1500 to be able to tow something like that, without messing anything on the truck up?
Presently the engine is very sound, the only issue related to it is a O2 sensor. The transmission however is going to need service, so if anything needs to be done to it, it can just be added to the to do list.
The other option they have is, they found a ram 2500 that also needs transmission work, and might need some engine work, not sure about that yet, and they can probably get it for $5000-5500, i think it is a 2002.
the 1500 has 200k miles, the 2500 has 100k miles by the way. and the 2500 is at a car lot that my dad is friends with the owner, he got it at a auction so he has no knowledge of it other then what the carfax reported.
They love horses and want to take the ones they have to horse shows, they have a 3 horse goose neck trailer now, with a living area, got a great deal on it, but the only truck they have that can even have a chance of towing it is a 2001 ram 1500, it has the 5.9 engine, is a extended cab, automatic, and 4x4.
My dad mentioned that on a old jeep j20 we used to have that he did a upgrade to it, putting heavier duty springs, axle, gear box and the like (know i didn't mention several more things that were done to it, he cant remember what all was done at this point) and after that, it would tow pretty much anything without any issues at all.
We were wondering, is it possible to upgrade the Ram 1500 to be able to tow something like that, without messing anything on the truck up?
Presently the engine is very sound, the only issue related to it is a O2 sensor. The transmission however is going to need service, so if anything needs to be done to it, it can just be added to the to do list.
The other option they have is, they found a ram 2500 that also needs transmission work, and might need some engine work, not sure about that yet, and they can probably get it for $5000-5500, i think it is a 2002.
the 1500 has 200k miles, the 2500 has 100k miles by the way. and the 2500 is at a car lot that my dad is friends with the owner, he got it at a auction so he has no knowledge of it other then what the carfax reported.
#2
While you *can* upgrade parts, to give yourself a better chance of hauling something safely, the truck will still be titled as a half-ton, and the various legal organizations will recognize it as such, regardless of what you do to it.... The trailer, and horses are going to be WELL over the tow rating for a half ton..... so, if you have an accident, there is a good chance you will be sued, and your insurance will NOT cover it....
5 grand for an 02 that needs engine and trans work is WAY too much. You should be able to find a 3/4 ton truck that you can DRIVE HOME for that kind of money. (and it should only need minimal work, if any at all.)
They should spend a bit more, and look for a 3rd gen with the hemi. (in a 3/4 ton flavor.) They are comfy.
If they really want a second gen, look for a 1 ton. They are out there...... and that will haul the trailer and horses without a problem. (diesel would be icing on the cake.)
5 grand for an 02 that needs engine and trans work is WAY too much. You should be able to find a 3/4 ton truck that you can DRIVE HOME for that kind of money. (and it should only need minimal work, if any at all.)
They should spend a bit more, and look for a 3rd gen with the hemi. (in a 3/4 ton flavor.) They are comfy.
If they really want a second gen, look for a 1 ton. They are out there...... and that will haul the trailer and horses without a problem. (diesel would be icing on the cake.)
#4
#5
Assuming a 5.9 magnum V8 and automatic transmission.
#6
#7
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New Port Richey, Florida
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Trending Topics
#8
#10