I hear that the 1998 Dodge ram has a low towing capacity because of the brakes. Will adding the Disk brake conversion kit to the rear increase my towing capacity? I want to tow at least 7,000 safely. I believe I am currently rated around 5,000. I do have a 5.2 liter engine.

 

No. They won't. They may or may not help you control the weight better, but, a half ton truck of that era simply wasn't designed to haul that much.

 

Shouldn't his tow weight be higher? You figure this the difference between towing with a 2500 V8 and 2500 diesel is around 6,000lbs. Now the diesel only made about 100 more torque. Sure the brakes were a tad bigger but I believe it's the engine that limits towing

 

Gear ratio has alot to do with towing capacity. Usually if you're towing something that heavy, its going to have brakes on the trailer. I'd look at selling it and getting a 3/4 ton with 4.10s if you're going to tow often.

 

What is it you plan on towing? If it's something like a car trailer you may be able to get away with it but a boat or mobile home will put to much weight on the back of the truck. Your hitch also probably will be rated for a lower weight class. Axles are rated for how much weight they can handle. Overloading them is not a good idea.

 

 

What gear ratio do you have? Towing is specific to the vehicle, I wouldn't subscribe to that chart.
I found a site that shows what the 2001 ratings were, guessing they are probably the same. Maybe your local Dodge dealer could supply the factory info.
http://dodgeram.info/2001/towing-charts.html

 

The stock shocks @ 7,000-lbs will sag like a poopy diaper and steering control will be compromised. Put a set of Monroe 58610 shocks on the rear. The most it might drop is ½", but your safety, and the safety of others on the road, will not be compromised. Keep in mind that when driving without a load the ride will be much more stiff, so the *** end will bounce a bit when traversing rough roads. Also, the axle will not drop enough to get these in there, so a prybar will be necessary. I ran these on my 1997 5.2L and the most I hauled was just over 7,200-lbs.

 

Shock mounts really aren't designed to support weight....... That's the springs job.

 

Then he'd have to beef up his springs. I hauled loads up to Canada and across many states with the heavier duty shocks and nary an issue. The trailer itself weighed 1,800-lbs. I upgraded the shocks not long after the first time I hitched that thing to my truck due to how much it pushed down the rear end.