I am thinking of making some mods to my 2001 Ram 1500. Its a 5.2L, automatic, around 160,000 miles. I am looking to increase my towing capacity and just get an all-around better, tougher truck. I HAVE to do the plenum fix, as I am showing signs of it needing fixed and I know its not been done. I am giving some thought to making a couple more mods that will affect my towing. I THINK the truck can tow, stock, around 6500lbs (correct me if I am wrong). It has no towing package from the factory. The mods I am thinking of are the 1.70 ratio roller rockers (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cs...iew/make/dodge) and a 10,000 pound tranny cooler (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hd...iew/make/dodge). Anyone in the know able to tell me approximately what this will do to my towing capacity? TIA.

 

You'll probably want to make some upgrades to the braking system....

And a tranny temp gauge....

Even with the cooler towing will be limited by the 46RE

 

Dont forget, flipped up tow mirrors = more towing power

 

Main thing is, I have a 24 foot Fleetwood tag-along camper I inherited when my dad passed away on Christmas Day. I just want to make sure I can tow it with no problems. The weight of the camper is 6400lbs

 

I've seen frikkin durangos towing campers...you will be fine as long as you put a class V hitch on there. don't try to tow something that big from the bumper...

 

If you don't mind doing a trans. rebuild, there's a parts list for building a stout trans. for towing on page 6 of the MonteC thread stickied at the top. A lot of trouble, but you'll probably be rebuilding it sooner or later anyway.
Put a trans. temp. gauge on it so you can keep tabs on it while towing. Excess heat is a trans. killer.

 

Your never going to increase towing capacity in a legal sense. But to help with towing, you really need to find what your truck is lacking when towing a the trailer. I would start in this order if it was me.
1. Tires- are your tires in good shape and are rated for load your going to tow.
2. Brakes- I would do a complete check/overhaul, a set of good pads and maybe even some better rotors would help a lot. Also look into putting 2500 calipers on.
3. Rear springs- does the truck sag real bad if so maybe you need to load trailer different or invest in add-a-leaf or air helpers.
4. Trans- temp gauge install, and a new cooler.
5. Gears- Look at installing a different rear end gear set, going from stock; usually 3.55, to a set of 4.10's or 4.56's can totally change the power in low range.
6. If gears are a no go, tuner, 1.7's and exhaust, will add some pep.

 

A 24' trailer? Holy hell are you going to strain that engine and transmission. If you're bent on keeping that trailer, then sell the truck and upgrade to a diesel.

 

Also keep it out of overdrive and install these in the rear. http://www.truckspring.com/Search.as...del%3aRam-1500


But as stated, you are really pushing it.

 

Sounds like you need an EcoBoost