I have a 3rd. gen. 2002 1500 Ram 4x4 regular cab short box with one of the last 5.9 V8 gas engines, with 20" wheels I believe stock is 245 hp with about a 6500 lb. tow capacity.

I want to know if I can do a few upgrades to tow my 28' 10,000 lb. travel trailer.

I am considering a superchip, air bags, gears, and of course I would use ez-lift sway control bars.

My '02 black sport I bought new only has 40K miles on it and fits in my garage is one reason I would like to keep it. Should I do headers and a cam too, and if I put all this into it will it tow my 10,000 lb trailer?

Any information from your experience is appreciate. Thanks...

 

Question isn't will it tow 10,000lb, but should you? You will no doubt doubt be over the rated weight for your rig. Should anything go wrong, do you need the hassle of dealing with the problems that would surely come? If your looking to tow 10,000lb, I would definitely be looking at a 3/4 ton and more than likely a CTD. (just my $.2)
Surely it'll do it. But will it do it safely and legally?

 

Will I guess that was the whole point in asking about upgrading my tow capacity, was to tow it safely. Whether it is legal or not does not concern me. I don't plan on towing very far or very often and can't justify the cost of CTD and think that with the right equipment and upgrades that I should be able tow my TT safely.

Sounds like gears, bags, a tow brake and a superchip might be a good start.

10,000 lbs gwvr stated may be a liitle over actual loaded weight. Closer to 9,000 lbs. Unloaded weight is about 6800 lbs.

So has anyone else increased their 1500's stock tow capacity with the 5.9 gas engine? Thanks

 

Now I'm not gonna turn this into a lecture, especially since I've been known to haul/tow well over rated capacity on occasion, but I think it bears mentioning that besides the legality that doesn't concern you (which could get you a ticket in excess of $1000, at least in my state), but your insurance company would be within their legal rights to deny any and all claims should you have an accident that results in property loss or God forbid injure someone or worse. I'm just throwing this out there in case you are not aware that you could lose all that you own, should you have an accident. Both the police and the insurance company is going to go off of the VIN #, so even if you could add enough to the truck to increase capacity, it won't matter with them.

Now with that said, the first thing you need to do is lose the 20" wheels. Towing capacity with a 3rd Gen is increased 1000# with the 17s as opposed to the 20s. Next would be to re-gear to 4.56s gears and of course the air bags would help big time, a tuner won't hurt and some sort of WD hitch would be automatic. Other things that would help would be a MagHytec or PML tranny pan that would both increase fluid capacity and provide cooling fins, as well as the same brand of cover for your rear differential. The best way to keep both the tranny and rear diff cool is to increase the amount of lubricating fluid they can hold.

 

Nothing you can do will increase your towing capacity (except trading it in). The trailer's unloaded weight is more than your truck can tow.

 

Thank you for the advice. I'm thinking that I will shop around for an older CTD in my price range for a tow vehicle and keep my sport truck for lighter duty hauling. Best regards, jc

 

Er, ummm, I am pushing the limit as well. Trailer ship weight is 6265 with GVWR of 7720.

Dodge website says 7100 lb towing. I have been entertaining the thought of a 3/4 ton but not sure which brand. Can't really justify a diesel as the truck is driven as a car most of the time and camping trips are typically within 6 miles to 90 miles. I just don't get in a hurry and let the truck get to speed when it is ready. I do have a WD hitch, trailer brakes, 17" BFG All Terrains but the nasty 3.55's.

 

Upgrading to a bigger trans cooler (2500 or 3500) will go a long way to making your trans last longer even if you don't tow too heavy with it.

 

Yep, that'd work too. Matter of fact I know a guy who pulls heavy farm loads who has done the bigger pan and gone to a larger cooler and a tranny temp gauge and he runs cooler hauling a load than I do with nothing being towed and nothing in the bed. LOL...

 

I am an insurance agent and Hammer is dead on with the denying coverage if anything should happen. They would only go off your vin and any liability that would extend to the trailer from the vehicle would be void. Thus leaving yourself open to a huge liability/lawsuit. If your a broke dead beat this may not be an issue but if you have alittle bit of coin or own your home this just isnt a practical risk. may cost you more in the short term but believe me will save your *** big time in the long run.