Tow Vehicle question - 2008 Dodge Big Ram 4x4

[RetiredEarly2011]

I was told that I had to get a Transmission oil cooler installed on it before I attempted to tow it, I also was told that RV world was the best place to take it ( I live in the Ocala, FL area )
I know all you fine travelers have some good advice for a newbie.

Can someone give me the break down on what is needed for a setup for my truck?

[sherdep]

is it a 1500 or a 2500?
Diesel or Gas 4.7 or 5.7 Hemi?
Do you have the tow package on your truck?

I have never heard of being told to put a tranny cooler on a vehicle that is dragged behind the Motor Home - besides you should already have a tranny cooler installed from the factory - usually has to have a drive shaft disconnect but since you are 4x4 you can put in Neutral unless you have the switch on the dash to engage 4 wheel drive then that is a whole diffrent story

[RetiredEarly2011]

Originally Posted by sherdep

is it a 1500 or a 2500?
Diesel or Gas 4.7 or 5.7 Hemi?
Do you have the tow package on your truck?

I have never heard of being told to put a tranny cooler on a vehicle that is dragged behind the Motor Home - besides you should already have a tranny cooler installed from the factory - usually has to have a drive shaft disconnect but since you are 4x4 you can put in Neutral unless you have the switch on the dash to engage 4 wheel drive then that is a whole diffrent story

5.7 Hemi ( yes its fast )
1500
Gas
4x4 has the switch on the fly to engage 4 wheel drive
No tow package

[sherdep]

forgot to add you will need to get a wiring harness that will do the light's on the toad (Ram) and applies the brakes and charges the battery.

My Father had a shop install the harness on his Dakota (Motor Home already had one installed) - they did good except forgeting the 12V to charge the battery so had to fix it for him - I think they charged him like $500 to install it in his Dakota and that didnt include the Driveshaft disconnect.

I can ask what he is using as far equiptment and post it back but wouldnt be till atleast tommorow before I could get you more info.

[RetiredEarly2011]

Originally Posted by sherdep

forgot to add you will need to get a wiring harness that will do the light's on the toad (Ram) and applies the brakes and charges the battery.

My Father had a shop install the harness on his Dakota (Motor Home already had one installed) - they did good except forgeting the 12V to charge the battery so had to fix it for him - I think they charged him like $500 to install it in his Dakota and that didnt include the Driveshaft disconnect.

I can ask what he is using as far equiptment and post it back but wouldnt be till atleast tommorow before I could get you more info.

I do have the tow package on my truck, dont know why I said I didnt..
i dont want to do drive shaft disconnect, I was told Blue OX, sway bar, tranny cooler would set me up, but what do I know???
I GUESS I will just handover my wallet at RV World and have them do what they do best, chew up my wallet and hand me shredded leather back......Naw, i was told RV World does a jam up job, but its still gonna be expensive....................
The RV is setup to tow, but of course I aint !

[sherdep]

Originally Posted by RetiredEarly2011

5.7 Hemi ( yes its fast )
1500
Gas
4x4 has the switch on the fly to engage 4 wheel drive
No tow package

I have the Hemi also - Not that fast stock - I have Headers and Superchips to help mine along LOL

switch on the dash - not sure on this one but if I had to guess you are going to need a Driveshaft Disconnect kit to tow it but am not 100 percent sure on this one - I think your drive shafts turn all the time like a awd and has an actuator that engages the front

[RetiredEarly2011]

Originally Posted by sherdep

I have the Hemi also - Not that fast stock - I have Headers and Superchips to help mine along LOL

switch on the dash - not sure on this one but if I had to guess you are going to need a Driveshaft Disconnect kit to tow it but am not 100 percent sure on this one - I think your drive shafts turn all the time like a awd and has an actuator that engages the front

Your killing me

[sherdep]

you can do it a couple of diffrent ways - I am no expert at this but have heard my father talk about enough to know some of it.

Get a dual axle car trailer that will accomadate your truck and tow it that way - not an optimal way to tow but can be done

figure out exactly what you need to just tow it behind your camper
IE - Tow Bar, possible drive shaft disconnect, wiring to use lights and brakes, also the break away / brake kit for the truck so when towing it and it comes off the back of the motor home you dont see it passing you up LOL

Here is something else also - go to dodgetalk.com (I am sherdep there also) go under the 3rd Gen Ram section under towing and post what exactly you have (2008 Hemi Ram, electronic switch 4 wheel drive and you want to tow it behind a motorhome and see what people post - there are probably a few with the same setup as you and could give you better insight then I can. Just a thought

[TURBS]

I can tell you for sure you do not need a transmission cooler for the truck your towing behind the motor home ! Thats just nonsense ! Whomever told you that is not real bright !
I dont own a dodge so I am not sure on if you need a disconnect . if I had to guess it would be no . just put her in neutral . trans and transfer .
I cant believe someone told you you need a tranny cooler ?!?!@#$%^

[Taranwanderer]

I would check on the transfer case in neutral thing. I don't know what Dodge is using (t-case wise) in their trucks lately, but some of those NP cases actually lock the front and rear driveshafts together when it's in neutral-it just disconnects it from the tranny. It'll sound real funny going around corners if the front and rear shafts are locked, not to mention major u-joint wear. I used to flat tow my Jeep before I went the tandem axle car trailer route.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

I would check on the transfer case in neutral thing. I don't know what Dodge is using (t-case wise) in their trucks lately, but some of those NP cases actually lock the front and rear driveshafts together when it's in neutral-it just disconnects it from the tranny. It'll sound real funny going around corners if the front and rear shafts are locked, not to mention major u-joint wear. I used to flat tow my Jeep before I went the tandem axle car trailer route.

I agree !

I would just call your dodge dealer THAT is your best bet !
DO NOT just take someones word for it .

[wnytaxman]

If you check out the Family Motor Coach Association web site, you'll find a listing of all the various vehicles and the towing info from their manufacturers. There are other sites as well to help you. I don't think you need the tranny cooler, but check out the listing on FMCA. You may have to join, but they're a good group so it's worth it.

[sherdep]

He cant put his transfer case in Neutral - he has the push button 4 wheel drive

My parents belong to Family Motorcoach Association - they go on alot of outings during the week too and my parents like the group of people they hang out with so worth a shot like wnytaxman said

[bikendan]

if the truck has the factory tow package, it came with a factory tranny cooler.
if it has an added aftermarket hitch, then it probably doesn't have the factory tow package and doesn't have the tranny cooler.
either way, don't know why the OP would need one installed on the truck, if he's using it as a toad.

[M109Rrider]

All 1500 dodges with the hemi have factory tranny coolers....but it doesn't do anything unless the engine is turning the pump and moving the fluild. You can't just put the trans in neutral, parts of the tranny will be rotating without lubrication. If you can't put the t-case in neutral and don't want to disconnect the driveshaft I think the best thing would be to find a different toad.

[flyrotor]

The ram 1500 can be towed as a toad, I don't know what components it need, but I have seen several behind motorhomes.

Do what sherdep suggested and check the dodge forum for other dodge owners.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by sherdep

He cant put his transfer case in Neutral - he has the push button 4 wheel drive

My parents belong to Family Motorcoach Association - they go on alot of outings during the week too and my parents like the group of people they hang out with so worth a shot like wnytaxman said

I have push button four wheel drive . You just push 4 lo and 4 hi at the same time to put it into neutral. No biggie

[SaskCampers]

Here is the proceedure to shift an electronic 4x4 dodge transfer case into neutral.
1: stop truck
2: shut off engine
3: turn key to on but do not start
4: depress brake pedal
5: shift auto tranny in neutral or depress clutch on manual
6: using the point of a ballpoint pen depress the recessed transfer case neutral button for 4 seconds (below the 4x4 selector knob and to the left of it)
7:after shift is completed and neutral light comes on release neutral button
8: start engine
9: shift auto tranny into reverse
10: release brake pedal for 5 seconds and make sure there is no movement
11: repeat steps 9 and 10 in drive
12 shut engine off and place key in unlocked position
13: shift auto tranny into park or 1st on a manual tranny
14: apply park brake
15: attach truck to tow vehicle
16: release park brake.

[SaskCampers]

And to reingage it
1: stop truck
2: shut off engine
3: turn key to on but do not start truck
4: press brake pedal
5:shift auto into neutral or push clutch on manual
6: ball point pen and press recessed transfer case neutral (N) button for 1 second
7: after neutral indicator light goes out release neutral button
8: after the neutral button is released the transfer case will go into the selected position on the switch
9: shift auto tranny into park.

and there you have it, no kits or $$ thrown away.

[sherdep]

Now thats some good info and I learned something new - I was unaware you could put a push button 4 wheel drive in Neutral
Good find of info guys

I could have searched for it but since I have the shifter on the floor to put the transfer case in Neutral - I never thought to look it up myself