disappointed in the 318
 

New to this forum so bear with me. Just bought a 19' travel trailer to pull behind my 98 dakota. Not sure on my gear ratio but at 70mph I'm running about 2k rpm. I have the tall tires. 31x15. I have plenty of power up to about 45mph but then it really falls off. Can only run about 60mph with the tow/haul button pushed. Has anybody tried a chip or do they even make one. And do they work? Has anybody else been disappointed at thier performance? Also have added duals and a kn filter to this trk.

The gear ratio would be the issue i'd assume. Hard to tell without knowing what it is. Also a 19'er sounds a little big to pull behind a little dakota no?

Those tires are probably bigger than stock and aren't helping. You need deeper gears.

You have to have 3.55's. The engine won't be anywhere near it's torque peak, usually around 3000 or so.

Changing gears will make a difference. No chip will compensate for poor gearing.

Sometimes the gear ratio is printed on the sticker on the inside of the glove box , I know it is that way on my `97 . Also there " should " be a small metal tag bolted to the rear axle cover that will show the axel ratio #`s on it .

I have a 318 with 3.55's it didnt exactly like pulling my 22' camper that was about 5500 lbs but I made it work my using the RPM range of the engine to my advantage. Ride the tack to the highest you feel comfortable or the Rev limiter then shift. I can ride 1st to 45 and 2nd to 75, then i drop in 3rd for reg driving and OD only for flat land or downhill that doesnt need engine breaking.

As for tuners im in the same boat, looking but not really finding anything I like, Ive heard alot about a SCT tuner tho, but idk Superchips is a more well known brand.

31 is stock not above stock... programmer has a towing tune that will change your shift points plus add a good amount pf horse. Not only that get a cold air intake an a bored throttle body an itll pull alot better. Look into super chips tuner or sct tuner

If your running in OverDrive; thats your problem. Turn O/D off...

+1 to that and as said before 31s are stockers

I want to add.. I have the 5.2L few mods here and there.. but its not like im cranking an extra 100HP or anything.

Just 15" total tire dim with the Duratracs are 30"... Rear is 8.25 or 8.5 I forget and front is 3.25 or something like that.. 4x4..

I pulled a 2000LB trailor that was loaded down with a 1 TON Tractor for a buddy.. Truck did awesome.. Just dont use O/D it will burn up the tranny as well with the TCC locked it.. you have noooo power. Youll just burn more fuel..