Towing question - 98 Ram 1500 FWD
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Joined: May 2005
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Towing question - 98 Ram 1500 FWD
Long 2-part question:
Currently have a 98 Ram 1500 FWD 5.2L V8 with a factory installed bumper hitch. Bought the truck used from an independent dealer. I don't see anything in the owners manual re the hitch or towing capacity. It looks fairly solid for a bumper hitch - the bumper is a steeltube except for where the hitch is mounted, which is a flat steel plate; thebumperis solidly mounted to the truck frame, looks just like the after-market hitches I've had installed, not like a sissy-hitch screwed to a car bumper.
Any ideas on the ratings/strength/safety of the factory hitches?
Part 2:
Have a 93 Plymouth Sundance-Duster with the Mitsu 3.0L V6, a car that I bought cheap cause the engine was smoking and rattling. Fixed it (rebuilt heads, new water pump,radiator, belts,hoses, etc), it ran and drove beautifully till the Kid took it out, got drunk and got t-boned - no one hurt in the accident but I damn near killed the kid afterwards. Anyway, the body's totaled but the drivetrain is still great - I drove the wreck home at 55+ with no problems even though the passengers-side door is now where the shift console is/was. So now I am looking for another great deal on a Duster/Shadow/Lebaron GTC conv, occasionally see one with a motor or transmission that doesn't work so I would have to tow it home. Ideally great body/bad motor and/or tranny that I can get for a couple hundred bucks (paid $355 for the Duster). This iswhy I am looking for information on towing.Any suggestions (other than not letting the kid borrow the car ever again)?
Currently have a 98 Ram 1500 FWD 5.2L V8 with a factory installed bumper hitch. Bought the truck used from an independent dealer. I don't see anything in the owners manual re the hitch or towing capacity. It looks fairly solid for a bumper hitch - the bumper is a steeltube except for where the hitch is mounted, which is a flat steel plate; thebumperis solidly mounted to the truck frame, looks just like the after-market hitches I've had installed, not like a sissy-hitch screwed to a car bumper.
Any ideas on the ratings/strength/safety of the factory hitches?
Part 2:
Have a 93 Plymouth Sundance-Duster with the Mitsu 3.0L V6, a car that I bought cheap cause the engine was smoking and rattling. Fixed it (rebuilt heads, new water pump,radiator, belts,hoses, etc), it ran and drove beautifully till the Kid took it out, got drunk and got t-boned - no one hurt in the accident but I damn near killed the kid afterwards. Anyway, the body's totaled but the drivetrain is still great - I drove the wreck home at 55+ with no problems even though the passengers-side door is now where the shift console is/was. So now I am looking for another great deal on a Duster/Shadow/Lebaron GTC conv, occasionally see one with a motor or transmission that doesn't work so I would have to tow it home. Ideally great body/bad motor and/or tranny that I can get for a couple hundred bucks (paid $355 for the Duster). This iswhy I am looking for information on towing.Any suggestions (other than not letting the kid borrow the car ever again)?
