I have 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT HEMI w/20" wheels, I want to tow a 6800 lb trailer and add a shell to the truck, the total weight of the trailer fully loaded will be right around 7800lbs plus the shell of 200 lbs abd 4 adults about 150lbs each and 3 dogs around 65lbs each to my total combined weight would be 8500 lbs plus fuel so 8550lbs i will be using weight distributaion hitch, I will be traveling around 600 miles and pulling some pretty steep grades, is this out of the trucks league? will a superchip help out here? any advice would be great.
Thanks-

 

questionable

 

Do you have the 3.55 or 3.92 axle ratio? 3.92 with a weight distributing hitch I would say go for it. But to be sure I would install airbags which should help a lot. You will burn a lot of gas though.

 

Right about at the limit.

A 2004 Hemi is rated for 9200# max capacity with a WD hitch. That's with 3.92 gears and a 4x2 AND 17" wheels. Take off 400 lbs. for a QC, another 400 for a 4x4 and 1000 lbs. if you have the 20" wheels.

Superchip on a tow tune will help, but the best mods you could do is to step down to a 17" wheel with a good set of E rated tires, get air bags and to re-gear to 4.56s (not a cheap mod). Gas mileage however will suck no matter what you do...

 

good point, and do you have the factory tow package options?

 

I have a 3.92 rear end, so i'll look into stepping dow to 17" wheels and superchip to start for this trip and air bags at a later time, yes it has a factory call VI hitch. what to you think, go for it? I'm thinking so.

 

I pull a 7700# tractor on a big double axle trailer about four times a year to rough cut my small piece of farm property. I have a few power mods and 4.56 gears on E rated 17" tires. No WD hitch, although if I had to pull it more often or more than the 28 miles I pull it I'd buy one!

Truck pulls it fine, although I can just about watch the gas needle drop.

Yeah, outfit your truck best you can. I'd prolly step up the purchase of air bags, at only $200 they really can't be beat for towing, then go for it...

 

I'd opt for a larger trans cooler and keep up on your trans filter/fluid changes. Also keep up on your rear diff fluid changes. Those are the main heat areas to look out for while towing. You could pour a bottle of water wetter or Purple coolant additive. I dropped ~20* while towing with the stuff.
A Superchip tuner with the trans support would definatley be ideal. cost ~$340
I have a set of bags out back and they sit the truck nice and level which allows the truck to ride smooth and tow much better. Cost ~$200 You'll get better gas mileage when sitting level too.

 

My next mod after the e-fan will probably be an Auburn LSD and airbags. When I get orders to another location I plan on moving all of my stuff with a U-Haul trailer.