what can i pull?
 

i bought a 06 dodge 2500 4x4 quad cab long bed with a hemi and 4:10 axles. i have been looking around on here and it looks like these trucks dont get good towing reviews. i am looking for i new (to me) boat but not sure what this truck would be comfortable pulling. been looking at late 90s 29 outlaws or scarabs. but if the truck is not up to it maybe 27s or 25s. its about 20min ride to river mostly flat some hills though and once or twice a year a 2 hour ride to smithmoutain lake in the moutains. so what do you guys think?

I have a 06 ram 2500 Hemi with the 3:73's and I tow a Formula 242 with twin 383's about an hour and a half when I go and it is no problem. A friend has the same truck as you and tows a 27 Fountain with no issue either. I would think you could tow a 29 Scarab or Baja without much issue. I have also seen some people tow a 35 with the same truck. I think that is a little much.

I wouldn't think you'd have any issues pulling a 29 with that truck... go for it!

I have an 03 with a short bed QC with 35 inch tires, and I tow my 31 sutphen with OB's all over the place . 120K on it and it still pulls really well. I finally smoked the 545RFE trans at 115K and when I pulled it apart there were no broken parts just worn clutches so Thats tells me its plenty strong if you treat it right. I also tow a 5800 LBs bobcat with it regulalry on a full steel deck trailer and my 3200 LB race car on that same trailer for 3 or 4 hr tows all the time.

I take good care of it with lots of fluid and filter changes but beyond that its needed very little to stay up and running well.

Awesome truck! You will easily be able to tow most boats. Your frame, brakes, front axle, are all the same as the 3500 diesel. The only difference is the rear might be a AAM 9.25 instead of the 10.50. (ford diesel rear axle is larger then the 9.25 but smaller then the 10.50 just for comparison). Plus you have the 4.10 gears which help tow. Your truck is rated to tow around 12,000lbs. And you know how many hot shot haulers (with diesels) are towing 30,000lbs around the country!

Your truck is perfectly capable to handle most performance boats.

To help ANY truck tow better:
Properly inflated load range E tires
Firestone (or similiar) air bags rear $289
Properly adjusted hitch height
Working Trailer brakes
Properly inflated trailer tires in good condition
Some COMMON SENSE behind the wheel!

The other thing to remember is the more often you tow the better you should maintain your truck. Oil changes, trans fluid, axle fluid etc. If you work it harder but maintain it better I am confident it will last you!

What boats can you tow? Its hard to list a size range, depending on the model you can easily tow a 35-38ft boat. (Obvioiusy a 38 fountain sport cruiser would not be included)

cool, thanks, that makes me feel better, my wife runs a carwash and quick lube, so it gets changed early everytime with oil, trans, and diff with amsoil and lucas oils. i think i will add a trans cooler for alittle extra protection.

No prob. Add the trans cooler and air bags for the rear.
Here is 97 2500 5.9 Mag and 4.10 pulled the 35' for 8 yrs.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...35/35-3oso.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...35/35-1oso.jpg

The 42 was overboard but did the job. EOH brakes helped a bunch.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...0381Medium.jpg

Why did you get the Hemi? You find lots of 3/4 ton GMs and Fords with gas engines but very few Dodges. There is a reason for that and it starts with the letter 'C'.

Anyways, your truck can tow anywhere from 8560-10,700lbs. IMHO airbags are overrated on a 2500. These would be better;

http://mrtruck.net/springs.htm

http://www.loadhelper.com/

Almost any boat under 35 would be fine,I would try to get an aluminum trailer to save weight on anything over 30 though.

i got a hell of a deal on the truck this past october and couldnt pass it up. if i could have afforded it i would have gotten the diesel, that what i was looking for, but came across this. i wont be looking for anything over 30ft because of my parking situation so i guess i will be ok. i found a 29ft scarab with single motor and aluminum trailer, that should work good dont you think?

I like the 29 Scarab with twin small blocks and Bravo's, you can limp home on one better than none and easier to dock with twins.

I love twin engines and will never drive a single again!

Sounds like you take great care of your truck. The trans cooler is a great idea, forgot to mention that. Or you could get a double deep mag tec trans pan. even with out you will be fine towing.

Do you have a price range for the boats your looking at? What have you had in the past?

Dave,
That picture of your 42 looks like it's at Bob Smiths building, I use to store there. I see you're back on the board after a little break, getting the itch again? :drink: Steve

trying to stay around 25k, my current boat is a 23ft proline walkaround with a 5.7. bought it to fish out of and i think in 3 years i have fished maybe 5 times. the rest of the time its from the dock to the gravel pits and back, maybe alittle cruising. so why not do it alittle faster and look better doing it?

Hi Steve yes that is Bob's place. In the Vietnam era he was contracted building ammo 24/7 365 in there. Wonder if the casket is still by his office?

Your new boat is awesome, I saw you headed west last summer on maybe a Sunday, maybe I can take a peek this season?? :cool-smiley-011:

Pull 29 Scarab no prob with that truck.....

Yours should have a trans cooler from factory. Mine does.

06 towing guide
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/a...wing-guide.pdf

Had to option tow pkg in '97.

You should be ok with that rig. You can always upgrade your brakes if you feel the need.

Well I like your boat. Any pics of it in the Nor-Tech forum?

Caskets still there, I store my snowmobile trailer with him for off season so I see it every year! Maybe we'll cross paths this summer!
Steve

I towed a 29OL with a 2009 Chrylser Aspen. I think in '09 they upped the torque and HP in the Hemi. You won't have any isses with a 3/4 ton and that engine.