Club cab long bed with auto transmission. Not a dually.

I will have a bumper pull eq. trailer. It will weigh 3500lbs +-. Can I tow an 8000lb machine. That would put me close to 12000lbs.

The GVWR and GCWWR should be on a sticker in the door jamb.

Check data plates inside of door frame for recomended weight limits... instead of bumper pull what about receiver plug in hitch style that is height adjustable...will give a smoother pull with less pulsating pull and bounce of a true bumper pull....... drill sgt.

The term "bumper pull" in these days means a travel trailer or non fifth wheel. As said above the capacity plates will tell you how much capacity you can pull. Keep in mind that the trailer specs are dry weights, Add gear, water @ 8.5 lbs. per gallon on to the weight of the trailer. The truck weight also does not contain fluids or passengers. It's not just about what you can pull it's also about what you can get stopped.

You will also potentially need to look into anti-sway and load leveling AKA class 3 or higher.

He specifically stated equipment trailer weighing 3,500 pounds with an 8,000 pound piece of equipment on it. No where did he say camper.

I think Dodge will say about 8,500 pounds. That’s 4,000 under what you are thinking about.

I assume by gen 2 you're referring to the engine. Of course that's not what determines towing capacity. A little google fu and I come up with 13400 to 14150 lbs. I presumed model year 2001. I agree with bigwagon, check the door jamb, it'll tell you what it is for that specific truck. Looks like you'll be okay. Be sure to install appropriate hitch, trailer wiring including brakes which will need a brake controller.

Are you asking legally or capability? One time thing or on a regular basis? Quick trip across town or a long drive? The transmission in that truck would factor into my answer based on how you would answer these questions.

Chiming in to say check your sticker on the door jam.


I believe there are differences between the years (2001-2003) and various configurations (auto vs manual, 4x4 or 4x2,...).

I tow a Yanmar 100 quite regularly with an f450 with a gooseneck trailer, I know it’s probably bigger piece of equipment than you are talking, it’s has powerstroke in it, it escapes me which one but I’d really be hesitant to bumper tow anything in that size range equipment wise. It’s all that 450 can handle, it’s not like towing a camper, you have an object chained down to a trailer, any number of mulligans can and do happen. Check your sticker on the door post, I’d have to believe that it will be overweight on bumper pull, if it was a short distance I’d do it no problem , long distance I’d be Leary

I just looked up the weight on the Yanmar, it’s substantially heavier than your 8 thousand pound machine, more like one of our Yanmar 50s or Tackhuchi 35s we have..

quote:

Originally posted by bigwagon:
The GVWR and GCWWR should be on a sticker in the door jamb.

Do NOT forget that the GVWR and GCWR includes the weight of your Truck (the tow vehicle), as well as any passengers, cargo, fuel, tongue weight of the trailer, etc! So for GCWR that's the total combined weight of the Trailer (12,000 lbs) PLUS your Truck!

and the hitch itself may have a rating lower than the truck allows. I know mine does.

How far and how fast? If it’s not a big trip just send it. 13k will be ok. Just make sure your trailer brakes are working.

I'm showing max trailer weight of 8,100 to 8,700 pounds. Can you overload it? Sure. By 3,000 plus pounds? I might not chance that.

Most of the rental places around here require a minimum of a 1 ton truck to pick up any of their equipment.

As was mentioned about the trailer brakes: It's not the going that's a problem, it's the stopping/steering/handling.

Don’t forget the payload rating = trailer tongue weight plus passengers, gear, hitch, etc.

Thanks guys, Yes I hear you on the published ratings. I knew this was going to be pushing it.
Was looking for "real life" experience based on the rig. Yes it is 4wd with auto trans.

I appreciate the technical advice.

 
My wife towed an 11k pound 5th wheel with her 2005 Dodge 2500, cross country. The tongue weight was right at the maximum for the bed.

12000 pounds with a 10-15% tongue weight would require a capable hitch. Unless you have a Class V hitch, the load on the hitch would exceed its rating.

I had a 98 12v for years that was very capable of pulling heavy. The weakest link is the Automatic transmission,specially if the motor is tuned up. The brakes are the other side of that getting it to slow down safely. An exhaust brake would be very helpful..