Posted 2006-08-27 11:37 AM (#47477) Subject: DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 CONVERSION TO 3500 DUALLY
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Beaver, PA
My husband is trying to find some information about increasing the maximum legal tow weight on our 2001 Dodge Diesel truck (2500) in order to tow our 3 horse CM Trailer w/living qtrs (5-1/2'). We live in PA and the DOT has recently starting cracking down on horse trailers, especially those used for businesses.
If someone could help us, we would really appreciate it.
Below is more information:
The owners manual for my truck say's 2500 reg.cab.4-wheel drive 8800 5.9-24v Auto 3.54 16000 GCWR. 4.10 @ 18000 GCWR. The 5.9 HO W/6-spd. All Axle ratio 20000. Is the only difference the 6-spd & HO? I am towing a horse trailer that weighs 12000 What do i need to change to make my truck to get it to 20000 or 21500 GCWR . Im not afraid to do a reconstructed title on the truck. Is the frame on the 2500 the same as the 3500? is the rear axle on the 2500 the same as the 3500? Can i bolt dulley fenders on my bed sides? I Live in Penn. Been hearing about alot of people getting big $ fines in DOT stops. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Posted 2006-08-27 8:11 PM (#47492 - in reply to #47477) Subject: RE: DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 CONVERSION TO 3500 DUALLY
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: La Crosse, WI - God's Country
Legally? Buy another truck. Aside from the mods required to "make" your 2500 "like" a 3500, you'll have a tough time getting a sticker from Dodge saying that it's got the capacity...
Posted 2006-08-27 11:41 PM (#47499 - in reply to #47477) Subject: RE: DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 CONVERSION TO 3500 DUALLY
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 544 Location: Claxton, Ga.
Legally you can't do anything. You could change the springs to 3500 springs but the limit of your truck will not change due to what it is. If you mod the suspension it will only be wasted money because of the limit Dodge put on the truck from the factory. Wish I could help.
Posted 2006-08-28 7:21 AM (#47504 - in reply to #47477) Subject: RE: DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 CONVERSION TO 3500 DUALLY
Expert
Posts: 2689
As previous replies indicate, getting it up to the task mechanically is one thing, making it legally so is another. You would probably find it cheaper to trade up to a fer real 1 ton duallie, especially with people selling them off due to fuel prices. BTW, I think folk are getting used to > $3 a gallon, so the great deals on duallies might not last much longer.
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Hmmmm, I didn't even know that Bruce could (legally) HAVE a husband in PA, I thought that was reserved for Mass residents. None of my biz I guess (-:
Posted 2006-08-28 8:23 AM (#47506 - in reply to #47477) Subject: RE: DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 CONVERSION TO 3500 DUALLY
Elite Veteran
Posts: 671 Location: THE GREAT NORTHWET, OREGON(THE REAL GODS COUNTRY)
Now is the time for all the people who say you don't need a bigger truck or more power or bigger brakes to step up and tell you how to get out your magic wand and make it happen without buying a bigger truck.
Posted 2006-08-28 9:40 PM (#47541 - in reply to #47477) Subject: RE: DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 CONVERSION TO 3500 DUALLY
Veteran
Posts: 247 Location: La Crosse, WI - God's Country
Ok - so fact is that you can't legally gain any GCWR with mods.
As a matter of trivia, the newer model 2500 with the diesel specs out at max 20000 GCWR and 13,050 "maximum trailer weight" based upon Dodge's literature.
Not sure about the 2001, but I tow an aluminum 4H LQ that has a max gross of 13,000, my truck maxes at 13,050 ("max trailer weight" - 50 lbs for the missus, donchaknow...).
All things being equal, and opinions may vary, I'd tow that trailer with the 2500 cummins assuming long enough wheelbase (quad cab short box or std cab long box, definitely with a quad cab long box!). You may, in fact, be legal (go to a scale and check it!).
Posted 2006-08-29 6:15 PM (#47597 - in reply to #47477) Subject: RE: DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 CONVERSION TO 3500 DUALLY
Member
Posts: 9
Location: Beaver, PA
Hi all,
Thanks for the information, especially the towing capacity link. Thanks LaxPatrick! Sorry for the confusion in my post. I cut & pasted my husband's request from another website (DieselRam.com) to see if anyone on this website had a similar problem. I guess it was a little confusing Reg... I do appreciate your help.
DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 CONVERSION TO 3500 DUALLY
![[Big Grin]](http://dieselram.com/ubb/biggrin.gif)
. Im not afraid to do a reconstructed title on the truck. Is the frame on the 2500 the same as the 3500? is the rear axle on the 2500 the same as the 3500? Can i bolt dulley fenders on my bed sides? I Live in Penn. Been hearing about alot of people getting big $ fines in DOT stops. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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