Hello To All,
New to this forum and am enjoying reading the post's.

My question is (with a little explaination):
I have a 2001 RAM 1500, quad cab, 4x4, 5 speed, 5.2L/318 CI, 180,000 miles.
We tow a 20' travel trailer that has a empty weight of 3419 Lbs, GVWR 6160 Lbs (do not know if we have ever been that heavy), and a tong weight of 440 Lbs.

We would like to purchase a larger trailer but I do not know how much bigger we can go.

Stability wise, I have no doubt that the truck will handle something in the 25' - 27' or so range.

Right now with the trailer loaded, it is a little slow on the hills, not real bad but some what.

So we are thinking about buying a newer, more powerful vehicle. When it comes down to it, I would have to spend somewhere in the $15000 range to up grade.

Since I like the truck I currently have, and really see little need to upgrade to a differant vehicle, what kind of bolt on horse power can I do and how much?

A couple of things I was thinking about is headers and dual exhaust, cold air intake, super charger?, and if I did that, what would I have to do to the computer? I want it to continue to be relyable and to have decent mpg (now around 15).

Any thoughts?

 

you need to change the plenum gasket (thats for you J415 ) great power loss can occur from this


and with that towing, if you havent replaced the tranny you will soon, so be ready for that.

 

I have never really thought about the transmission. I also have a 18' car trailer that I have used to move our 27 HP tractor and many vehicles. If I keep it out of 5th gear, it doesnt do to bad, but would like some more HP.

 

What size tires you have, what are your stock gears, might want to look into regearing, headers and exhaust sounds good what about some 1.7 RRs

 

Found this towing chart on line and I believe its the factory specs.

http://dodgeram.info/2001/towing-charts.html

Personally, I think the 318 at 180K has been outgrown. Thats a bit too much mileage for any serious bolt ons.
Secondly, I can't imagine trying to pull a 27 foot trailer with your truck. The RV dealers I've been shopping cringe at suggesting anything over 20 feet to me. Sure, the truck will drag a big trailer around in perfect conditions, but we seldom have that in this country, and slowing down on hills shouldn't be an acceptable excuse for being underpowered.

If I had that 15K and were planning on towing the types of loads you listed even on an occasional basis, I'd take my 15 grand and my truck and trade it on a cummins equipped 2500. Not to leave out the V-10, but there are more mods around for the smoker, and you get the bonus of bigger axles, springs, etc.

Of course if you really want to move a mountain with your 5.2, I'd suggest starting with a stroker kit. No substitue for cubes, and that longer armed stroke will increase torque down low. Good stage one heads, very mild cam and the usual list of bolt ons should net you over 300 hp at an rpm range suitable for street use. That'll eat up a third of your 15k budget, which I guess you can save for chassis upgrades as the old components fail.

 

Welcome to Dodge Forum!

Another camper owner! I have a 24' Jayco Eagle:


Now, this camper is pretty much the max for my truck. If I got anything bigger, I'd have to upgrade to a newer truck.

Before I started towing this camper, these are the things that I did to my truck:
10'' x 20'' Transmission cooler
External Transmission filter
Transmission temperature gauge
...And that is what I added outside of what you should already have (brake controller, mirrors, etc...).

Towing across Indiana in 85* weather, the trans temp has never been above 210*. The cooler and filter do a fine job of protecting the transmission internals.

One thing I do wish I had was some more power. (BTW, this truck has 178,000 miles on it) This spring I'm gonna do:
APS Precision plenum plate
Timing Chain
Kegger Mod
Harland Sharp 1:7 Roller Rockers
And maybe a handheld tuner to get me some more torque.

 

I would have to check on the tire size and gearing. What are 1.7RRs

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...r-rockers.html
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...r-install.html

 

Also another good thing is a fastman throttle body, purpl you have a link for him

 

I tow around my 23' stiegercraft pilothouse(parker clone) boat and it weighs around 5000lbs with my truck.I dont go up mountains(wouldnt want to try) or anything but she pulls her ok on flat ground and at the pier if I can get traction.lol