Hi...we have a 3/4 ton 1991 Dodge w/5.9L Cummins, auto...3.07 axle. Considering 5th wheel for it. What would be comfortable trailer weight/length considering the truck at 160hp/400ftlbs torque?
I see alot of over 30 footers out there for sale. thanks.
Your axle ratio and lack of horsepower in that motor is going to limit you to smaller sizes.
I had a 96 Dodge, 3:55 axle and Cummins. It got our 25 foot fiver up to highway speed and had nothing left. Way underpowered in my experience. Got to be where I didn't dare try to pass anyone going slow on a two lane road, because that Dodge just didn't have the guts left to pass anyone once it got to around 60 MPH towing. You just could not accelerate any more and get past a vehicle safely.
Find something smaller than 30 feet in the middle 20's range and be happy. Also, I had to flip the axles on my fiver because it pulled un-level, nose high. Flip meaning changing the original axles over spring configuration to spring over axles. Raised it enough to work.
But my 25 foot fiver also came with 15 inch rims and tires. Try and find something that has similar sized tires to those on your pickup. IE; 235/85R16's on your truck, then try and find 16 inch rims on the fiver too.
The Mad Norsky, Doll, Logan, Korey & Rocky
2011 Ford F350 Power Stroke dually
RV'ing since 1991
what does the specs read for your truck under the gvw and combined gross vehicle weight..
also that tall rear end ratio is going to cause issues with component wear. i.e.: transmission, rear end heat. no power on hills, i.e.: first gear towing on hills...
3.07 gears are great for fuel mileage. they won't cut it for towing... you should consider 4.10 or 3.73 gears in the rear end. plus a shift kit with heavy duty clutch packs, bands and external cooler (in addition to the lines going into radiator)..for the transmission.
somewhere in the texas 'lost pines'
'83' Ford Ranger with a 2.2 Diesel, little smoke
in the workshop:
'56' F100 truck
and looking for a 60's trailer …
That rediculously high (low numerically) 3.07 axle ratio really kills the deal. Swap the gears out to minimum 4.10, or better yet 4.56, 4.88 or 5.13 and you'll have a LOT more towing power.
I can't even imagine my '97 235hp 7.3 diesel F350 having 3.07 gears. That would be a completely gutless wonder, about worthless for towing anything. My 351 gas F350 with 4.56 gears would tow far better.
My 7.3 diesel F350 with 4.10 gears is ok on power, would prefer 4.56's. I test drove a '97 F-Superduty with 7.3 diesel and 5.13 gears. It was a beast, lots of towing power and still cruised fine on the highway in 5th gear in the ZF 5spd manual.
2011 Palomino Maverick 1000SLLB on a 2004 Dodge Quadcab CTD Ram3500 SRW long bed equipped with Timbren springs, Stable Load bump stops, Rickson 19.5" wheels/"G" range tires and a Helwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar.
SoCalDesertRider wrote: That rediculously high (low numerically) 3.07 axle ratio really kills the deal. Swap the gears out to minimum 4.10, or better yet 4.56, 4.88 or 5.13 and you'll have a LOT more towing power.
Except then he'd be limited to a top speed of 50mph @ redline. That old truck would still have a 3 speed auto and a low rpm limited engine.
2010 Cougar 322QBS 5er
2007 Dodge 3500 SRW Megacab, 4x4, 5.9L Cummins, 3.73, 48RE auto HYPERTECH MAX ENERGY or DIABLO PREDATOR tuning MBRP 4" Turbo back Scangauge2 for Boost, Coolant temp, Rail press & Trans Temp
Torklift Stable Loads
I went from a 97 ctd 3.54 to this 03 4.10 - both with similar power mods. I love the 4.10 and wouldn't want any lower unless I were towing something a LOT heavier than what I have now. I don't want to kill it for empty use. I don't think it takes very much to add power to the early ctd. The exhaust is terribly choked on them. Even my 97 had a very narrow power band (about 1000 rpm) and it was a slug outside of that band. Adding some fuel earlier and later made all the difference in the world. I couldn't get above 2nd gear in that 5 spd if I had to go from a stop on a steep mtn pass. The broader power band made a difference of 2 gears. Those old ctds do fine with a little help! The first owner of my 5er (31', 9600 gvw) pulled it all over creation with a 93 ctd 4.10. About the same hp as yours. Craig
03Dodge QC HO CTD Dually NV5600 4.10 Rear/WD A2K turbo, TST/PMCR, 4" exh, PRXB Pacbrake, Rancho 9000s, FS Airbags, Onboard air/in-cab controls, Custom hauler bed. 98 Sunnybrook 30RLFS 5er WHOEVER INVENTED WORK DIDN'T HAVE AN RV!
Every day at work I'm dealing with a '92 W350 Cummins with 5-speed and 4.10:1 gears. Typical loads for it exceed 20K, by the time you include the hay and the trailer. The 4.10:1 gearing is too deep, loaded or empty, and 3.55:1 gears are on order.
Now, this is never driven up any grade, or faster than 55 MPH, but really there's no need. If you're wanting to climb from Denver to Eisenhower tunnel at 65 MPH, I rather doubt it could do it empty, due to the lack of HP. But pushing these to a reliable 500 HP is NO challenge.
3.07:1 gearing in a 3/4 ton means an oddball axle like a Dana 61 or some such. Plan on swapping in a normal axle.
'06 GMC C2500HD RCLB gasser 4.10:1, 4L80E, custom camshaft
'84 Trans Am 6.2 diesel, 700R-4, custom Class-3 receiver
'69 F350 dually. GM 6.2 diesel, turbo, 700R-4, NP208 all pending.
Whisperide and Ib know about these. The others don't. I had a 4x4 91 with the 727 3 speed. Very easy to add fueling to the VE pump. Just make sure you have EGT gauges and monitor exhaust gases, something every diesel owner should do. Mine had 250K miles on it, with a turned up pump, pulling 12K lbs frequently, and on the original drivetrain. I bought a 97 to replace it due to the improved ride. Your truck will pull a 10K lb trailer with very little trouble with minor improvements. You cannot change your gear ration, not an option. To do so would entail replacing the transmission, complete axle and would be more cost effective to buy a different truck. I really laughed at the complaint about passing someone while towing on a two lane at 60 MPH. I hope I don't meet that person on a two lane road. It does have a DANA 61 proprietary axle housing.
Take it easy and you will be fine towing a trailer.
97 Dodge 2500 Ext Cab 4X4 CTD with Goerend Transmission mod.(GVWR 8800lbs, or 4000 Kg)
95 Four Winds Fifth Wheel
99 Toyota Fourrunner V6
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