what gear ratio do you have? towing in a hilly area?

 

Live in Florida but will be taking trips to NC and SC.
Heres what my build sheet lists.

DGES All 5-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGQ 5-Spd Automatic 545RFE Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DMDP 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRBS Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle
DSA Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle

 

What do you have for tires? Are they load rated?

I have towed 30' travel trailers with mine since I got it, with no problems. However I always knew and stayed under my limits. The length is not always a consistent way to gauge weight though. I have seen 30' trailers that weighed between 5 and 6 thousand pounds and I have seen some approach 10k pounds.

Not really anything you can do to your truck to increase towing capacity. Using load rated tires and a decent weight distribution hitch helps with what is within your limits.

 

2 things I think I would recommend, a load leveling hitch, and a gear swap to at least 3.73 if not 3.92's. The gear swap will help gas mileage as well as help the tranny

 

definitely not looking to increase tow capacity. I'm running stock 20's with the stock tires.

ill do some research on the gear.

thanks for everyones responses!

 

Just FYI, the stock p-metric tires on the stock 20 rims reduces towing capacity by around 1000 lbs. And, at least in my owners manual, it doesn't spell that out. I heard a rumor and then called Dodge to verify. You have 2wd though and that gets you back a few hundred lbs over me. I do have 3.92 rear end.

So, if you are looking an upgrade option, in your case, tires would get you more capacity. Mine tows much better now with E rated tires.

 

If spending for a set of gears is not really something you want to consider, an effective re-gear would be to get a set of smaller wheels and go to a smaller diameter tire for towing.

 

I'd say gear swap and a bigger trans cooler (unless somehow you already have the 3500 version).

 

for what its worth......I have pretty much the same truck as yours...except 4 wd and mines an 03. Im hauling about 7500 lbs. 3.73 gear ratio was NOT enough, and I had to go to 4.56. Towing is much better. I haul with od off, and I run about 3000 rpm at 60 mph.