I'm considering buying a used 2000 Ram Van B2500 Conversion with the 5.9L v8. It appears to have a tow package, but is there anyway to determine the axel ratio? According to TrailerLife, the tow rating on this thing is around 13,000#! Edmunds says 7650#. Anyone have any idea what the real rating is? Called a local dealer who also refered me to TralierLife.

TrailerLife Tow Ratings

Also, since it's used, anything in particular I should look for to verify condition.

I will be using it to tow a race car with an enclosed trailer. Total trailer weight might be around 6000 lbs.

 

Shmeek,

The 5.9L V8 is the Dodge 360cid engine. It has the power for towing. I got the smaller V8, 5.2L 318cid engine.

From the Chrysler manual, the B2500 with the towing package is rated at 8,800. This is primarily the vehicle's HD 3/4-ton frame and suspension. The engine has good power for towing. The B2500 has the 3.92:1 rear axle gears.

Since these Ram Van's have a higher than normal bumper, a 3-1/2 inch drop receiver is needed from the hitch. Then adding the heavy trailer, the vehicle and hitch seems level. Now add the car on the trailer. The hitch and mounted trailer will take a few more inches to dive due to the loading. I've added the Road Master Active Suspension Kit that really helps with towing and helps greatly when not towing when taking express way ramps and around tight corners. The kit really helps the vehicle maintain a good center of gravity. Two Suspension Systems are in each kit for each rear axle.

www.activesuspension.com The company website

www.roadmasterok.com The better priced distributor on the internet.

A few people on RV.NET in the towable trailer section use this kit. Some even use the Timbren system up front to complement the RMAS kit in the back. The Timbren system removes the road bounce up front while towing. I don't have that issue since my max towing weight hasn't exceeded 4500# yet. My TT is only 19-1/2ft.

Hope this helps some.

Stev

 

Does the tow rating change at all if its a conversion van? Any way to find out the axle ratio just to be sure. Looks like I'll probably be around 6-7000 lbs towing.

 

Shmeek,

Since you have the B2500 and the 5.2L (318cid), you have the 3.92:1 rear axle gears. The B2500 is a 3/4-ton and is able to tow the 6k-7k limit. With such a heavy type of load, you will be towing without OD turned on and a top speed of about 50mph in areas not so flat. My B2500, like yours, has been able to tow about 4,500# in OD on flat roads ways without a problem. The hills and mountains of PA required towing without the use of OD. However, many of the other people who tow with Chevy's and Ford's don't even tow using OD at all.

Stev

 

So the extra weight for the conversion package doesn't affect the towing limit? I have read not to exceed the GVWR, is this not true? I know my 95 RAM 2500 with the Zephyr conversion has a GVWR of 6800#. So far we haveonly towed a 2000# trailer with cars weighing<3500 but are looking for options of an enclosed trailer totow our 55 Chevy wagon. Is thisnot anoption?

 

If you equip the van with the RoadMaster kit your rear will be reinforced enough to handle higher loads. There are other options to boost up the rear, howbeit more costly with lesser benefits.

You can also click on the link in my signature to www.RV.net for further information in the towing forums. There's not a bunch of information out there for Ram Van conversions. I've towed with both Ram Vans listed in the signature and so has "lanesharon" with his setup. He tows a slightly heavier RV camper than I do.

The B2500 with the 5.9L or 5.2L using the 3.92 rear seems to be ideal for most towing applications. If it's an older Ram Van WITHOUT the Magnum engine, then the 5.9L and 4.10 rear is ideal.

The B2500 pre 1998's are not the HD version, so towing is lesser in the 6k lbs range rather than the 8.8k range. You'll need to look at the Chrysler towing manual that came with your van. The B2500 HD suspension version Ram Vans have 8-lug nut wheels. vs. the lighter duty using 5-lug nut wheels.

 

Thanks for your reply.
I'm assuming it is the 5.2 magnum since it has the magnum badge on the driver's side fender. How do I tell the gearing for the rear end. It also has the 5 lug hubs so it is the light weight ones.

 

Look at the right side bolts holding on the back cover of the differential. There should be a metal tag under one of them that has the ratio stamped on it.

 

You can still beef up the rear suspension with the RoadMaster Active Suspension Kit to give the van the extra head room for towing.

The rear could be either a 3.55 or a 3.92. For towing, the 3.92 would be the ideal way to go.

Since the B2500 has the 5-lug wheels, the fuel mileage would be a shade better than mine that has the 8-lug wheels.

 

I have a 96 dodge ram van 2500 360 motor and tow a 26 ft travel trailer, I have a aux trany cooler and ride rite air bags , and a curt wd hitch , MY travel traile fully loaded ready to go camping is about 6500/7500 ilbs I have no promblem pulling anywhere in wisconsin, hopefully this van holds up , very comfy tow vech.....