Hello all. New forum member, so apologies if I rehash old questions. I did search, but didn't find much about this.

I'm looking to get a 1500 quad cab (would consider a 2500 if I found the right deal, but not many for sale) in the 99 to 01 range. I'll be pulling a 22' fifth wheel from time to time. It's not very heavy (I'd guess 4-5000 lbs) but I'm wondering about engine choice. There are lots of nice, clean 5.2L engines, but I'm not sure they would tow the trailer as well. I've also read where some think the tow almost equal, and all you get is worse gas mileage with the 5.9. Obviously, I'll look for a tow package, and especially transmission cooler.

For what it's worth, I currently drive an extended cab 91 Silverado with the 350. Any comments?

thanks,
Jim

 

I don't know anything about 5th wheel trailers. A 22' trailer seems like a lot for a 1/2 ton truck; however, 4000-5000 lbs doesn't seem unreasonable for a 1/2 ton or a 318. Given the choices I'd look for a 360. The gas mileage while towing will be about the same for both engines.

My 1/2 ton with a 318 gets about 15 mpg empty. I towed a 3500 lb trailer to the Gulf Coast during the summer and got about 13 mpg.

 

I pull a 28 foot fifth wheel that weighs 7800 lbs with my 2001 Ram. I am right on the edge of the upper towing limits. I currently have a 360 in my truck, but I did have a 318. On even ground the 318 worked OK, but in hills or with a head wind I ran into issues. If yours is in the 5000 lb range a 318 might do it, but you would probably want to improve the performance some with some add-ons. Recommendeed solution would be 1.7 roller rockers, modified intake manifold, custom 50 mm throttle body, CAI, headers, high flow cats, and a good cat-back exhaust like flowmaster. Not cheap, but all of that would probably allow your 318 to readily pull your fifth wheel. Mine was too heavy for that option myself so I replaced the 318 with a performance 360.

A 360 would pull easier and if you bought one with a towing package you would probably end up with the 392 or 411 gears. 318's quit often had 355 gears and that also causes pulling issues.

 

I have a 99 with a V 10, I get about 10 mpg empty or towing my 30' 5th wheel. I have my truck specifically for towing and it does this very very well. You may get a little better fuel economy with a 5.9 empty but a little worse towing and it won't have the brute force towing power of a v10. You may also want to have a good look for a diesel. Brute force towing power and decent gas milage. It is good that you are doing your homework before you buy. I've alway been a ford guy until I got my Ram, now I a dodge truck guy. My two cents worth, if you go gas, look for a v10.

 

Well, I skipped on the 318.

Just found a 1999 2500, that I'm going to buy. It's got the 360, of course, with towing package. VERY clean for 99 with 109K miles. Had a mechanic check it out. He didn't say what rear end it had, but did say it was the same on in the 3500's. I'd guess the 411? It only needs a few maintenance items. (New belt, etc. and the transmission cooler line is seeping fluid around the connection, but that can be replaced.)

Anybody care to guess what the gas mileage will be? It's got a K&N filter sitting on the engine, I guess for power/mileage. How much should that help things?

By the way, about turkeyhunter1962's performance add-ons--wouldn't it be cheaper to get a 360 than add that to a 318? How does the end result compaer?

 

Actually, you can do all of those performance mods on the 360 also. As you drive your new truck you will look for areas to improve it's performance. The 360 would have better performance with the 1.7 roller rockers.

All trucks will have better performance with the modified intake manifold, custom 50 mm throttle body, CAI, headers, high flow cats, and a good cat-back exhaust like flowmaster. The modified intake manifold is basically free except for some elbow grease, grinding wheels, and a couple gaskets.

The custom 50 mm throttle body and CAI will allow the engine to breathe in better.

The Headers, high flow cats, and quality cat-back exhaust will allow the engine to breathe out better.

When making mods to get the engine to breathe better, always try to do both the intake and exhaust at the same time. They compliment each other. You could do the CAI by itself. Then headers, custom throttle body, cat back exhaust, and then look into the high flow cats. Remember what goes in must come out.

Basically I was bringing up these mods because if you got a sweet deal on a 318, I didn't want you thinking there was no way it could handle your fifth wheel.

 

Depending on driving style plan on 11-12 in town and 14-16 on highway. Lower #'s for towing, obviously. At least, that's what I typically get in mine. Except when I drive like an idiot, which I have been doing lately and my little mpg indicator shows 10.7, all in town with lots of stop and go.

 

if $ is not too big of an issue, consider the CTD motor... it'll pull a house off the foundation (almost) and still get you good mileage. some ctd owners report mileage into the 20's

 

Diesel--
I think not the practical choice. I doubt I ever pull anything that big--yard doesn't have room to park a big camper. I also have lots of short trips in my daily driving, and I've heard that's hard on a diesel. And, of course, money is always a factor. Mileage numbers in the 20's would sure be inviting, though.


Mods--
I kind of feel out of place here. I've never been one for the engine mods, etc., but this forum is great for knowledge. (Thanks, by the way.)
Most of the modifications I'm not familiar with, although I know enough to guess at what they are. I'll have to keep them in mind, and I'll ask for details when I get there.

As a matter of fact, I had to do a quick search to see what "CAI" is. Turns out, I have that already. That's the K&N assembly on my engine. It looks like the FIPK on the K&N web site--I just didn't know what to call it in my previous posting. Hope the increased air flow will improve mileage . . .

Now I'm suspicious that there may be other mods--is there anything I can look for externally, or at least easily?

 

my 5.9L has 160K on it and still pulls like a rabid donkey.

if you get the 318, you'll just wish you had gotten the larger v8, c'mon 335ftlbs is goood torque.