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Dodge 1500 Towing Capacity (2002) - READ ONLY

19 messages,  Last post on Dec 22, 2001 at 6:38 PM

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#10 of 19 Lets see if I can help by lariat1

Dec 02, 2001 (11:37 am)

Purplehaze99 well the answer to your question is simple, the max tow rating is based on the capacity of the truck not the engine, for the 1/2 ton Rams the axle is the weakest link thus the tow rating is lower for the 360 because of the extra weight. My personal thought is that if you are anywhere near the max buy a 3/4 ton and have lots of extra capability.
 
Ineedatruck you situation is a little different, if you plan on towing frequently or driving in hilly areas go for the 5.9 if it is a commuter truck go for the 4.7 with both of them I recommend the 3.56 rear end for fuel economy, if you are towing and feel the need for the 3.92 rear end you should be looking at the 3/4 ton trucks. My experience is that the 360 gets around 18mpg on the highway 15 mixed and 11-12 towing a 5000# trailer,this is with a 2001 ram quad w/360, if you go by the sticker expect 1-2 mpg better with the 4.7. Hope this helps.
SEE YA and good luck on the new truck

#11 of 19 2002 Ram by xyz71

Dec 02, 2001 (4:27 pm)

A friend of mine just bought a 2002 Ram quad cab. He wanted the factory platform hitch. The dealer had 50+ trucks on the lot - not one had the hitch. He got the truck anyway - took the platform hitch off of his 1998 before he traded - thought it would fit. To his surprise there is no frame to bolt it to. The after market shop told him he would love to order him one but they are not available yet. I looked under his truck and it looks to me like one of those "bolt on to a step bumper" type receivers is all that is going to fit. The rear bumper on the new Ram has a tube that looks like the factory platform receiver on GM trucks.
 
It is a nice truck. I have never owned a Dodge, but if I was looking for a new truck I would put the 2002 Ram on the test drive list.

#12 of 19 Trailer Hitch by ineedatruck1

Dec 02, 2001 (7:04 pm)

Xyz71 -
That is basically what the after-market shop told me. When I spoke to a dealer, he said that they can install the towing package on a 1500, which would include a hitch, receptacle and transmission cooler. He added that the only thing you would miss out on is a larger oil cooler than the one that comes with the truck.
 
This makes no sense to me because a 4.7l w/ 3.92 axle ratio is rated at something like 8400 lbs. How can you tow that with a bumper hitch?

#13 of 19 by lariat1

Dec 02, 2001 (8:10 pm)

xyz71 the new Rams have a hitch built into the Bumper I am not to sure if it is a class III or IV I would have to check.
 
ineedatruck you can tow up to 10,000# with a class IV hitch if you use sway control bars and electric brakes.........SUPPOSEDLY I would not attach a 10,000# trailer to a reciever hitch if I have that much I would go for a gooseneck

#14 of 19 Bumper Hitch by ineedatruck1

Dec 02, 2001 (10:53 pm)

So the Dodge 1500 with factory towing package come with a hitch attached to the bumper?
 
If so, this should not concern me? The after-market guy behaved as though though someone insulted his mother in describing this as a defective design -- he really discouraged me from the Dodge.
 
Thanks in advance to everyone who answers. I really need advice on this so I do not screw up.

#15 of 19 by jcmdie

Dec 03, 2001 (9:37 am)

There is nothing wrong with the Dodge towing ability or the factory tow package. All receiver hitches bolt to the frame.

#16 of 19 If your trailer... by rsholland

Dec 12, 2001 (6:48 pm)

doesn't have trailer brakes, the tow limit is 2000 pounds for full-size GM and Dodge pickups. This clearly stated in the Silverado brochure, and is a footnote in the Dodge Ram 1500 brochure.
 
I know it sounds nuts, but GM and Dodge are covering their tails here.
 
Bob

#17 of 19 They're not trying to cover their tails..... by twinscrew

Dec 14, 2001 (3:47 am)

..they are trying to make sure your tail is around to buy another truck when the time comes. Have you ever had to stop a truck in a hurry on a wet road with a trailer behind w/o trailer brakes. It can get ugly quick. 2000# seems like 2000 too much in this situation. Dragging a brakeless trailer around with a half ton PU is an invitation to disaster. These rigs ought to have a yellow strobe light on top and be limited to 40 mph.

#18 of 19 Brakes and Hitches by saltysack

Dec 17, 2001 (1:02 am)

My experience in hauling travel trailers included going over mountain passes in Colorado. Without the trailer brakes, I would not have been able to keep my descending speed at around 40 MPH on some of those grades. The tow vehicle alone would have faded brakes that would result in a very scary ride. Trailer brakes allow for balanced braking of your rig which can also be critical on a slippery road. I think Dodge did a great job with the factory installed hitch which includes class IV receiver, 750 amp battery, auxiliary transmission oil cooler, heavy duty engine cooling, and 7 pin wire harness and connector plug. This is a solid value at $465 MSRP and I am surprised that more of the 1/2 ton 2002 Quad Cabs do not come with the factory installed hitch.

#19 of 19 twinscrew & saltysack... by rsholland

Dec 22, 2001 (6:38 pm)

the 2000 pound unbraked trailer restriction, for both GM and Dodge trucks, is for *all* their full-size trucks, including those with dual rear wheels. It's not just for 1/2 tons. Sorry if I wasn't clear here.
 
Don't get me wrong, I don't dispute the value of trailer brakes. The issue I have really is with state laws that say over a certain weight you must have brakes, below that weight there is no need for trailer brakes. Here in Maryland that limit is 3000 pounds, which is also a common figure used in most states. Trying to find a trailer in this state that is rated under 3000 pounds, and with brakes, is next to impossible to find.
 
The other point I was trying to make is that some truck manufacturers suggest that these vehicles can tow great loads—which is true—if the trailer has brakes. However, as far as I know, Ford makes no reference whatsoever to having trailer brakes restrictions on any of their trucks. Does that mean Fords are better at towing? No, not at all. It does, however, *suggest* to customers that Fords may be better, because they are *implying* that trailer brakes are not an issue with their vehicles. Do I agree with that? Absolutely not.
 
Bob

Messages Page 2 of 2

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