OT: got the trailer at last! - 1st weekend.jpg (0/1)
From : mac davis
Q: we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... thanks again gang! mac .
Replies:
From : tbone
on thu 13 nov 2003 041532 gmt fmb fmbb@sbcglobal.net wrote better the navigator wanting the painting done than having to pull your trailer with a navigator.. why do you say that the navigator is a good looking truck and the two people that i know that own them love them. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving .
From : brian a irwindenny
hello. hope everyone is well. can someone please provide me with information build info/sheet on the used dodge truck i just recently purchased. it would save me a trip to the local dodge dealership. 1997 dodge 4x4 2500 cummins turbo diesel xcab. vin# 3b7kf23d4vm550002 sault ste marie on canada thanking in advance for any replies i get! .
From : denny
we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... thanks again gang! mac hey mac dont those little square things under the corners of the trailer scrape the hell out of the ground going down the road g denny .
From : miles
mac davis wrote we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... have you towed it up any mountain grades i have a 2001 1500 qc 5.9l 3.55 axle and have been looking at trailers around 4500lbs dry. i live in az where steep grades are common. i currently tow a 2500lb pop up trailer. it does well but im down to 35mph up the grades. it feels like i have plenty of power left but the rpms get up there. just wondering what to expect with 5000lbs or so. i was thinking of having the gears changed to 3.92 but some told me its more hassle than i thought. am told issues with the speed sensor reprogramming abs brake issues etc. have to be resolved. .
From : mac davis
on wed 12 nov 2003 013504 gmt denny wddodge@woh.rr.com wrote we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... thanks again gang! mac hey mac dont those little square things under the corners of the trailer scrape the hell out of the ground going down the road g denny nah... theyre bunny scrapers... helps keep the trailer clean after running the lil buggers down... .
From : mac davis
on wed 12 nov 2003 132647 gmt fmb fmbb@sbcglobal.net wrote thanks! well meet at some campground or rv park yet... congrats mac. hope you have a safe and great time campin. fmb we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... thanks again gang! mac .
From : fmb
sounds good to me. im ready this weekend but the navigator said something about painting our bathroom. whats up with that fmb on wed 12 nov 2003 132647 gmt fmb fmbb@sbcglobal.net wrote thanks! well meet at some campground or rv park yet... congrats mac. hope you have a safe and great time campin. fmb we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... thanks again gang! mac .
From : mac davis
on wed 12 nov 2003 062557 -0700 miles unknown@unlistedspam.com wrote mac davis wrote we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... have you towed it up any mountain grades i have a 2001 1500 qc 5.9l 3.55 axle and have been looking at trailers around 4500lbs dry. i live in az where steep grades are common. i currently tow a 2500lb pop up trailer. it does well but im down to 35mph up the grades. it feels like i have plenty of power left but the rpms get up there. just wondering what to expect with 5000lbs or so. i was thinking of having the gears changed to 3.92 but some told me its more hassle than i thought. am told issues with the speed sensor reprogramming abs brake issues etc. have to be resolved. well only one trip so far and no real grades... just rolling hills... we locked out od for the hills and went with moderate throttle trying to keep between 1800 and 2200 rpm... our comfort range as when not towing thats freeway speed rpm we held about 40 or 45 without trying too hard though it did hit passing gear a few times... were heading for the coast this weekend and should hit some steeper longer grades.. most on winding roads so that should be a better test... 99 ram qc 5.9 / auto / 3.55 gears just wondering tho.. if you feel like you have plenty of power but high rpm wouldnt the 3.92 gearing give you more power and higher rpms .
From : budd cochran
the lower higher numerical gearing requires more rpm for a given speed and usually more fuel lower mileage. -- budd cochran in tribute to the united states of america and the state of israel two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and terrorism. ------ on wed 12 nov 2003 062557 -0700 miles unknown@unlistedspam.com wrote mac davis wrote we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... have you towed it up any mountain grades i have a 2001 1500 qc 5.9l 3.55 axle and have been looking at trailers around 4500lbs dry. i live in az where steep grades are common. i currently tow a 2500lb pop up trailer. it does well but im down to 35mph up the grades. it feels like i have plenty of power left but the rpms get up there. just wondering what to expect with 5000lbs or so. i was thinking of having the gears changed to 3.92 but some told me its more hassle than i thought. am told issues with the speed sensor reprogramming abs brake issues etc. have to be resolved. well only one trip so far and no real grades... just rolling hills... we locked out od for the hills and went with moderate throttle trying to keep between 1800 and 2200 rpm... our comfort range as when not towing thats freeway speed rpm we held about 40 or 45 without trying too hard though it did hit passing gear a few times... were heading for the coast this weekend and should hit some steeper longer grades.. most on winding roads so that should be a better test... 99 ram qc 5.9 / auto / 3.55 gears just wondering tho.. if you feel like you have plenty of power but high rpm wouldnt the 3.92 gearing give you more power and higher rpms --- outgoing mail is certified virus free by avg and norton checked by avg anti-virus system http//www.grisoft.com. version 6.0.537 / virus database 332 - release date 11/6/2003 .
From : mac davis
on wed 12 nov 2003 182955 gmt budd cochran mr-d150spam@citlink.net wrote the lower higher numerical gearing requires more rpm for a given speed and usually more fuel lower mileage. right... so that would make the rpms higher when pulling a grade right .
From : yonzie
why cant i see the pics mac davis mac.davis@comcast.net wrote on wed 12 nov 2003 013504 gmt denny wddodge@woh.rr.com wrote we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... thanks again gang! mac hey mac dont those little square things under the corners of the trailer scrape the hell out of the ground going down the road g denny nah... theyre bunny scrapers... helps keep the trailer clean after running the lil buggers down... .
From : billgtbone
yup. o goo1959@cableone.net wrote hey sandman where are you yonzie he must be ignoring you guys he posted in alt.atv 11/12/03. greg have to go over there and see how he likes his yamaha rhino did he get one already i thought he was still waiting. greg .
From : yonzie
tell the navigator that paint does not stick too good on weekends monday is the best day for painting something to do with them stocking up fresher paint on mondays they try to get rid of the old shit on weekends. ezdsb.6720$qa1.6308@svr29..prodigy.com fmb fmbb@sbcglobal.net wrote sounds good to me. im ready this weekend but the navigator said something about painting our bathroom. whats up with that fmb on wed 12 nov 2003 132647 gmt fmb fmbb@sbcglobal.net wrote thanks! well meet at some campground or rv park yet... congrats mac. hope you have a safe and great time campin. fmb we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... thanks again gang! mac .
From : mac davismac davis
on thu 13 nov 2003 050910 gmt budd cochran mr-d150spam@citlink.net wrote is there a website with info on building the scale models ive had a fascination with ancient weaponry since high school. i think that most folks start at the grey companys page budd... http//www.iinet.net.au/rmine/gctrebs.html they have some great current and historical info and links to several good sites... .
From : mac davis
on wed 12 nov 2003 212133 -0700 miles unknown@unlistedspam.com wrote mac davis wrote right... so that would make the rpms higher when pulling a grade right yep and thus a bit more power. yep.. but the part i was wondering about is when you said that the rpm was already pretty high when climbing grades.... it would seem that youre in a good gear ranges now but if the rpm was going down a lot on grades then youd go with lower gears sorry if im sounding redundant here im very new to towing.... .
From : mac davis
on thu 13 nov 2003 041532 gmt fmb fmbb@sbcglobal.net wrote i hear that... going to morro bay this weekend then spending the following weekend on honey dos around the house.... but were doing thanksgiving with the grand kids in the trailer... should be interesting... look at the good side... better the navigator wanting the painting done than having to pull your trailer with a navigator.. sounds good to me. im ready this weekend but the navigator said something about painting our bathroom. whats up with that fmb on wed 12 nov 2003 132647 gmt fmb fmbb@sbcglobal.net wrote thanks! well meet at some campground or rv park yet... congrats mac. hope you have a safe and great time campin. fmb we picked up the trailer last weekend after completing the refi from hell... the ram handles it really well glad we arent pulling it with the dakota as planned... thanks to all here for their advise and cautions.... we love the dakota but trying to tow 5000 pounds would have been unsafe.... thanks again gang! mac .
From : budd cochran
you can mac or shift down and keep the rpms up and have better economy when not loaded. when i moved to ut my truck has the 3.55 axle and the 318 yet i towed a combined weight over vail pass of around 10000 pounds. in places i was on the shoulder moving very slow with the engine at 4000 to 5000 rpm but thats when i also passed some lighter loaded trucks straining in too high of a transmission gear. with the 727 auto i have it reduced trans temperature to shift down as well. theres no law saying you have to climb a hill or tow at 70 mph. with a trailer its not often a good idea anyway. for example how steep is the downgrade on the other side braking what if something tumbles loose in the trailer and shifts the weight stability how will the trailer act when a semi passes me going the other way at a closing speed of 120 mph sway how bad will it dance if a crosswind of 40 mph hits it trailer stability some of these things you cant know until they happen but the main thing to remember is if you have a good weight distributing hitch then your safest response is a firm steady grip on the wheel and dont try to reduce sway by trying to out drive it. btw one factor thats easy to check on the stability of the trailer is to check the tongue / axle track ratio. if the tongue measurement from the trailer front axle to the hitch ball is 3 or more times the track width from the center of the width of the tire tread on one side to the enter on the other the trailer will tend to sway less. this is a trailer industry guideline btw from a few years ago. -- budd cochran in tribute to the united states of america and the state of israel two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and terrorism. ------ on wed 12 nov 2003 212133 -0700 miles unknown@unlistedspam.com wrote mac davis wrote right... so that would make the rpms higher when pulling a grade right yep and thus a bit more power. yep.. but the part i was wondering about is when you said that the rpm was already pretty high when climbing grades.... it would seem that youre in a good gear ranges now but if the rpm was going down a lot on grades then youd go with lower gears sorry if im sounding redundant here im very new to towing.... --- outgoing mail is certified virus free by avg and norton checked by avg anti-virus system http//www.grisoft.com. version 6.0.537 / virus database 332 - release date 11/6/2003 .
From : milesmiles
mac davis wrote yep.. but the part i was wondering about is when you said that the rpm was already pretty high when climbing grades.... it would seem that youre in a good gear ranges now but if the rpm was going down a lot on grades then youd go with lower gears sorry if im sounding redundant here im very new to towing.... my rpms are fine towing my 2500lb trailer. but i am looking at getting something closer to 5000. with the 3.55 i imagine ill be much slower. lower gears higher # should allow me to tow a bit faster and yes for a given speed higher rpms. you said you towed at a speed of 40-45mph thats rather slow for a long interstate trip. currently i tow at around 60mph 35mph up steep hills. really steep hills i have to drop to 15-20mph but thats because i drop into 1st and rpms are way too high to go any faster. lower gears should allow me to stay in 2nd longer. still not sure its worth it to change though. .
From : miles
budd cochran wrote you can mac or shift down and keep the rpms up and have better economy when not loaded. when i moved to ut my truck has the 3.55 axle and the 318 yet i towed a combined weight over vail pass of around 10000 pounds. what bothers me is this. what would have happened if you had to stop completely while going up that steep grade could you have started it moving again thats one neat thing about a 4x4. just drop to 4wheel low for a bit! my current truck is 2wd though. .
From : tbone
the problem with 4 wheel low is it is not a shift on the fly gear. once in it you have to come to a complete stop to shift back to 4 wheel high so if you use 4 wheel low youre stuck in it until you can stop again. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving budd cochran wrote you can mac or shift down and keep the rpms up and have better economy when not loaded. when i moved to ut my truck has the 3.55 axle and the 318 yet i towed a combined weight over vail pass of around 10000 pounds. what bothers me is this. what would have happened if you had to stop completely while going up that steep grade could you have started it moving again thats one neat thing about a 4x4. just drop to 4wheel low for a bit! my current truck is 2wd though. .
From : budd cochran
i had no trouble with the load i had but i have to admit i could watch the gas gauge drop as i got rolling. with a manual id want an underdrive auxiliary trans and then run an economy axle. -- budd cochran in tribute to the united states of america and the state of israel two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and terrorism. ------ budd cochran wrote you can mac or shift down and keep the rpms up and have better economy when not loaded. when i moved to ut my truck has the 3.55 axle and the 318 yet i towed a combined weight over vail pass of around 10000 pounds. what bothers me is this. what would have happened if you had to stop completely while going up that steep grade could you have started it moving again thats one neat thing about a 4x4. just drop to 4wheel low for a bit! my current truck is 2wd though. --- outgoing mail is certified virus free by avg and norton checked by avg anti-virus system http//www.grisoft.com. version 6.0.537 / virus database 332 - release date 11/6/2003 .
From : fmb
might be good lookin but a 03 dodge 2500 4wd lb ctd ho laramie it aint. on thu 13 nov 2003 041532 gmt fmb fmbb@sbcglobal.net wrote better the navigator wanting the painting done than having to pull your trailer with a navigator.. why do you say that the navigator is a good looking truck and the two people that i know that own them love them. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving .
From : mac davis
on thu 13 nov 2003 171128 gmt budd cochran mr-d150spam@citlink.net wrote thanks budd... im filing away a lot of info figuring that over educated is better than under... the equalizer hitch seems to work very well no noticeable sway from trucks passing the other way etc... were taking it slow and easy using the theory that when you stop being a little afraid over confidence bites you in the ass... you can mac or shift down and keep the rpms up and have better economy when not loaded. when i moved to ut my truck has the 3.55 axle and the 318 yet i towed a combined weight over vail pass of around 10000 pounds. in places i was on the shoulder moving very slow with the engine at 4000 to 5000 rpm but thats when i also passed some lighter loaded trucks straining in too high of a transmission gear. with the 727 auto i have it reduced trans temperature to shift down as well. theres no law saying you have to climb a hill or tow at 70 mph. with a trailer its not often a good idea anyway. for example how steep is the downgrade on the other side braking what if something tumbles loose in the trailer and shifts the weight stability how will the trailer act when a semi passes me going the other way at a closing speed of 120 mph sway how bad will it dance if a crosswind of 40 mph hits it trailer stability some of these things you cant know until they happen but the main thing to remember is if you have a good weight distributing hitch then your safest response is a firm steady grip on the wheel and dont try to reduce sway by trying to out drive it. btw one factor thats easy to check on the stability of the trailer is to check the tongue / axle track ratio. if the tongue measurement from the trailer front axle to the hitch ball is 3 or more times the track width from the center of the width of the tire tread on one side to the enter on the other the trailer will tend to sway less. this is a trailer industry guideline btw from a few years ago. .
From : mac davis
on thu 13 nov 2003 183022 -0700 miles unknown@unlistedspam.com wrote miles.. the 45 i mentioned was up a mild grade on a fairly twisty stretch of 2 lane road 55 mph speed limit.. also on the 1st day we ever towed anything so i was being very careful the truck had a lot of throttle left and the rpms were at maybe 3000... i could have given it more throttle hit passing gear and gone faster but it only took us 45 min from home to campground so there was no hurry.. were following some friends to morro bay tonight and im sure that on a 3 hour trip well be trying for a little more speed on hills... the truck/trailer combo feels very comfortable cruising at 60 or so but most of calif has a 55 mph limit for trucks & trailers.. i looked into changing from 3.55 gears to 3.9 and it was over $1200... not worth the investment imho... especially since with the 3.55 were still expecting to only get 8 to 10 mpg towing mac davis wrote yep.. but the part i was wondering about is when you said that the rpm was already pretty high when climbing grades.... it would seem that youre in a good gear ranges now but if the rpm was going down a lot on grades then youd go with lower gears sorry if im sounding redundant here im very new to towing.... my rpms are fine towing my 2500lb trailer. but i am looking at getting something closer to 5000. with the 3.55 i imagine ill be much slower. lower gears higher # should allow me to tow a bit faster and yes for a given speed higher rpms. you said you towed at a speed of 40-45mph thats rather slow for a long interstate trip. currently i tow at around 60mph 35mph up steep hills. really steep hills i have to drop to 15-20mph but thats because i drop into 1st and rpms are way too high to go any faster. lower gears should allow me to stay in 2nd longer. still not sure its worth it to change though. .
From : mac davis
on thu 13 nov 2003 110347 -0500 tbone fatchance@noway.now wrote on thu 13 nov 2003 041532 gmt fmb fmbb@sbcglobal.net wrote better the navigator wanting the painting done than having to pull your trailer with a navigator.. why do you say that the navigator is a good looking truck and the two people that i know that own them love them. combination of warped sense of humor and having 2 dodges i guess... *g* .
From : budd cochran
no problem. i taught truck driving including trailer towing to national guardsmen and a lot applies to your rig as well. if i can be of further help just email me. -- budd cochran in tribute to the united states of america and the state of israel two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and terrorism. ------ on thu 13 nov 2003 171128 gmt budd cochran mr-d150spam@citlink.net wrote thanks budd... im filing away a lot of info figuring that over educated is better than under... the equalizer hitch seems to work very well no noticeable sway from trucks passing the other way etc... were taking it slow and easy using the theory that when you stop being a little afraid over confidence bites you in the ass... you can mac or shift down and keep the rpms up and have better economy when not loaded. when i moved to ut my truck has the 3.55 axle and the 318 yet i towed a combined weight over vail pass of around 10000 pounds. in places i was on the shoulder moving very slow with the engine at 4000 to 5000 rpm but thats when i also passed some lighter loaded trucks straining in too high of a transmission gear. with the 727 auto i have it reduced trans temperature to shift down as well. theres no law saying you have to climb a hill or tow at 70 mph. with a trailer its not often a good idea anyway. for example how steep is the downgrade on the other side braking what if something tumbles loose in the trailer and shifts the weight stability how will the trailer act when a semi passes me going the other way at a closing speed of 120 mph sway how bad will it dance if a crosswind of 40 mph hits it trailer stability some of these things you cant know until they happen but the main thing to remember is if you have a good weight distributing hitch then your safest response is a firm steady grip on the wheel and dont try to reduce sway by trying to out drive it. btw one factor thats easy to check on the stability of the trailer is to check the tongue / axle track ratio. if the tongue measurement from the trailer front axle to the hitch ball is 3 or more times the track width from the center of the width of the tire tread on one side to the enter on the other the trailer will tend to sway less. this is a trailer industry guideline btw from a few years ago. --- outgoing mail is certified virus free by avg and norton checked by avg anti-virus system http//www.grisoft.com. version 6.0.537 / virus database 332 - release date 11/6/2003 .