Sucker born every day

[Glenn5995]

Originally Posted by troyt

...

--It pulls fine, I can keep hwy speeds and handles well, just concerned about the tranny. It does dog on the hills though. Thinking about getting a temp gauge...

My Power Wagon with the 5.7L Hemi utilizes the same 545RFE transmission that you have and mine has been towing more weight than you for almost 6 years now and over 60,000 miles without incident. Are you using the "Tow/Haul" and "Overdrive Off" features? Don't be afraid to lock out 4th and 5th gears and let the Hemi perform at the RPMs it was designed to when needed. The 545RFE has a temperature sensor and a warning light in the instrument panel to warn you if it gets too hot. Unless you just want to actually know the temperature, a gauge is not necessary, it will advise you if it is getting too hot. I have never had a transmission temperature warning, even towing on 100+ degree Arizona days on 6% grades for miles.

Relax and enjoy!

[mtnguy]

Originally Posted by troyt

With 3.92 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 8450 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 6700 lbs
Payload [i] = 1288 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 5412 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 3152 lbs/3152 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 3900 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 14000 lbs

Where did the curb weights Front/rear = 3152 lbs. each come from ??? I presume the the other weights are from your door sticker/manual/Dodge website ???

As with many 1/2 ton trucks, keeping the GVWR under control is going to be the main problem......I am approaching my limit with a much smaller trailer. With a listed dry tongue weight of 948 lbs. on that trailer, 1200 lbs. is going to be a more realistic number camping ready. That is almost the entire "listed?" payload of the truck. Add some people and gear to the truck, and my guess you are going to be way over the GVWR. You may be able to shift 200 lbs. or so of that tongue weight back to the trailer axles by using a WDH, but you are still looking at ~1000 lbs. added to your truck before adding anything else, including passengers.

If the 1288 lbs. is listed payload, then that is probably not the actual. I had a listed payload of about 1700 lbs. on my truck, but 1200 lbs. is the real number, with me sitting in the drivers seat......and no I don't weigh 500 lbs.....more like 190 lbs.

You will have to do some careful weigh-ins with the camper attached and loaded for camping to see if you that combo will work.

[mtnguy]

Originally Posted by troyt

--It pulls fine, I can keep hwy speeds and handles well, just concerned about the tranny. It does dog on the hills though. Thinking about getting a temp gauge.

If your truck already has the tranny temperature in the the OBD system, then you may be able to add a auxiliary device such as the Aeroforce or ScanGauge to your truck. I use the ScanGauge in my 2006 F150 to monitor my tranny temperature along with a bunch of other stuff.

[ng2951]

Besides what you can tow, the GCWR is extremely important. That number has a lot to do with handling and stopping. Also remember that number includes what the TV weighs with all its cargo.

I don't carry much water when I am towing. I carry just enough for washing, toilet, and drinking for the trip. If I am dry camping, I top off when I get there.

I agree with the other poster about the ScanGauge. If you are going to add a a transmission temp gauge, I would buy the ScanGauge.

Finally, if you do not have a transmission cooler I would get one.

[acadianbob]

ScanGaugeII X3! Extremely useful tool; and fun too!

[lbrjet]

Make sure the Scangauge will work for your dodge before you buy it. I think they are beginning to support dodge but not sure if they do yet. I believe they are in beta testing right now. Worth a phone call to be sure since they aren't cheap.

[Glenn5995]

If it doesn't, the Aeroforce Interceptor will and it will fit into a SRT A-pillar pod.

Aeroforce Technology Inc | Products - Interceptor

[troyt]

Thanks for all the tips and recommendations! I can breath a bit easier. I know that a 3/4 ton is in our future. I'm putting two boys through collage right now and it maybe a couple of years down the road. So until then, I'll take these tips and suggestions and keep it close to home. Would like to go to Yellowstone. I've not been there since I was a kid.

[Timex]

I pull my 2012 Flagstaff 30WRLTS with a 2005 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab, 3:72 transaxle, all the coolers and such and I won't lie to you, I feel that trailer behind me. I take it slow and easy when I can, try not to go over 60 MPH(for better fuel mpg) and have the trailer brakes set pretty firm. My truck is rated for 9200lbs and that Vlite takes every bit of it. If you are having to drop it down into 2nd or 1st gear alot to take off/slow down, a new/larger truck is in your near future!

[trudinator]

Originally Posted by troyt

Thanks for all the tips and recommendations! I can breath a bit easier. I know that a 3/4 ton is in our future. I'm putting two boys through collage right now and it maybe a couple of years down the road. So until then, I'll take these tips and suggestions and keep it close to home. Would like to go to Yellowstone. I've not been there since I was a kid.

We have a 2012 8293RKSS, 32'2' overall which we pull with a 2006 Dodge Cummins Turbodiesel 2500 Quad Cab. My DH says he doesn't even know the TT is behind him. We weren't going to buy a truck, as DH said he could pull the TT with a 2002 Dodge Durango. This DW wasn't so sure and was shaking in her boots just thinking about it. Well, long story short, DH was at the dealer for an unrelated matter, 6 days before we picked up our TT, and he saw "the" truck - everything we wanted. It was karma. We picked up the "new to us" 2006 Dodge Ram on Friday night and 16 hours later we were at the dealer picking up the new TT. We're now broke, but we're living our dream after tenting it for 20+ years. No kids in college, thank goodness, or we'd be tenting it for another 20 years or so! We have friends that pull a similar TT with their 2004 Dodge 1500 and other than it bogging down on some hills, it pulls fine. My DH is going to help him install helper springs over the winter. Good luck with your TT and happy camping!!