Before I got my truck, we've always had my brother use his F-350 to towe this excavator that we rent. It's a pretty nice size excavator, and the trailer is very heavy and long. Anyways, since I've got my ram now, I'm convinced that this truck, although its a 1500, could still pull this thing . What do you guys think? It's got the 5.9L in her, and she's got the big lift with 35" tires, so balance is there. I'm definately anxious to try it next time we rent it though. It'd be pretty incredible, considering it's a 1500.

Here are some pics of the truck.




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stock gears?
trailer brakes?
gonna be rough one, but how far are you pulling it and you better hope there aint many hills.

 

Shes the off-road package, so it has 4.10 gearing. Not too many hills, mostly highway and a little bit of backroads with a few big hills. So you think it'd be cool?

 

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Sure your engine won't have any problems pulling it (they put the same engine in 3500s)
but that doesn't mean your suspension won't break. I'm not saying you can't do it. I've hauled some seriously heavy **** in my 1500 and nothing broke, but it's kinda squirrly.

 

maybe around the block once.
any more than that you'll be posting about transmission problems.

 

lol k, we'll leave it to the f-350!

 

ya, I had an 01 off road and I think springs and tranny would be the weak link there

 

With all the problems the Rams have with weak transmission I would not try pulling a trailer that is 3000# over what your truck is rated for. In fact, I wouldn't tow a 6000# trailer with mine.

 

While your truck may pull the excavator, I think that you are inviting trouble. I have built up my truck a lot with a performance engine and tranny, towing torque converter, Hellwig LP-35 helper springs, MSD ignition system, Edelbrock headers and flowmaster cat-back exhaust. I currently have 3:55 gears, which are being replaced this winter with 3.92's (already have them on the shelf or I'd go with 4.10's). I also have a 3 axle-electric trailer brake setup.
I regularly pull my 7800 lb dry weight 5th wheel camper and do not have any issues. When fully loaded with gear and going to a primitive site I'm sure that it weighs out around 8750 to 9000 lbs. Without the built-up suspension and driveline I wouldn't attempt what I do. BTW, from what I remember the actual max load for these trucks is about 8000 lbs, but that is supposed to include the extra's in the bed of the truck and people.

Good luck.

 

Wow, I got to be honest at this point, but I feel a little silly for asking you guys haha. It was just something I was always curious to do. I think I sometimes let the lift on my truck and the big tires psyche myself out. Looking at my truck, and my brothers truck, my truck actually drawrfs his truck (he doesnt like this lol), but I have to remember, those are just looks. My truck is just a 1/2 ton, and his is an F-350 rated with all the one-ton components and frame. Anyways, it's still be cool to see though, but I will definately not even try it at this point. I don't want to to roast the transmission, or break any of the suspension components, that would make me sad lol. Although this truck probably can't towe this excavator, my bet is that it can out tow any 1500 in it's class though, because these trucks are just plain out mean with their 5.9L v8!