neilrvnet
Batesville, AR
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Hi again. Now looking to get advice on if a 2009 Adventurer 950B can safely go on my 1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Turbo Diesel Dually Longbed 4WD 5.9L 24V Laramie SLT Extended Cab
Tires: Firestone Transforce HT2 235/85r16 Rated E at 3,000 lbs each.
Axle Ratio-
Front: Dana M60 4:10
Rear: Dana 80 Hybrid anti-spin differential 4:10
GVWR: 11,000 lbs
GAWR: 4,850 lbs front axle
GAWR: 7,500 lbs rear axle
GCWR: 18,000 lbs Gross Combined Weight Rating (Truck, Trailer, Cargo)
The closest I can figure, going to the Cat Scales, is the truck is about 7,000 lbs curb weight, leaving about 4,000 lbs for payload. Just talking to several different people, they said that I am probably totally safe going 500 pounds over payload, several people said 1,000 lbs over payload, because that truck was made to handle it. Just trying to do my research and see what I can learn. I thank you all in advance for your comments. Neil
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Joined: 05/06/2013
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You have a Dana 80 rear axle. It is an 11klb axle. So tires wheels axle is rated far heavier than the truck rating.
On paper you have about a 4klb payload, so your math is correct.
Leaves the 2 main concerns being frame and springs.
Both will handle a large camper no problem except for spring rate. You may/will need to add/modify the rear suspension to handle 2 tons plus in the bed.
The last concern is the condition of the truck. At almost 25 years old, it could be anywhere on the spectrum. My recommendation only applies if it’s in good well maintained condition.
Biggest difference from a high cg weight hauling perspective compared to newer trucks is the 2nd Gens aren’t a fully boxed frame so they aren’t as torsionally stiff.
It’ll be a little more of a noodle than if on a newer truck. Makes having sufficient suspension upgrades including heavy duty sway bars more important to control body roll.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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covered wagon
USA
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Joined: 05/01/2004
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It will be fine. It's a great combination and your truck has just about doubled in resale value in the last 3 years. It's perfect. Remember American diesel does not meets Bosch specs so you have to add an oz. of 2 stroke oil to ea. gallon of fuel when filling up.
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KD4UPL
Swoope, VA
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Joined: 03/16/2008
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You will be over GVWR. Just be carefull about not exceding tire and axle ratings. I carried a TC on my 2005 Chevy Dually rated 11,400 GVWR. I was at 13,000 with the boat hitched up. Thousands of miles in many states and never a problem.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Only way to exceed tire and axle ratings would be to haul 2 campers at once. And even then might be under by a skosh….
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neilrvnet
Batesville, AR
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Awesome info Grit Dog & Covered Wagon! First, I just bought it last month. My mechanic says with 184,000 miles it is in great shape. I put 6 new 10 ply, 3,000 lb tires and new Bilstein B6 HD shocks. I spoke with Devin at SD Truck Springs. He says I have 3 over 1 leaf springs (34-1343) rated at 2860 pounds per side, and I should upgrade to 4 over 1 (34-1343HD) rated at 3600 pounds per side, giving me 7200 lbs across the rear. Also said to put in a Hellwig 1 1/8” diameter solid steel rear sway bar. And, add PacBreak Leveling Airbags to the rear. And, put in new front coil springs with a 35% capacity increase. He said I should be able to carry 5000 pound payload instead of 4000 pound payload. What do you think of his recommendations?
Regarding: American diesel does not meets Bosch specs so you have to add an oz. of 2 stroke oil to ea. gallon of fuel when filling up. i’ve never heard of that and nobody has mentioned it to me including my two mechanics. Please tell me a little more. Thanks!!!
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covered wagon
USA
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Joined: 05/01/2004
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The scoring values of American diesel fuel is too high for the Bosch injection pump specs. So by adding 2 stroke oil during ea. fill you lower the scoring and increase lubricity to the level accepted by Bosch. 2 stroke oil has been tested for its score value and is near the top of the list for lubricity adjustment. Optilube had the best test results but, TCW 3 did well also. Using 2 stroke oil with its typical low ash content will keep injectors clean. Never use dieselKleen nor any solvent type. You need to have good filtration instead with a primary filter and then the factory filter is good as the secondary filter.
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neilrvnet
Batesville, AR
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Great info Covered Wagon. Thanks! Does it matter that the guy I bought it from put in a $2500 FASS fuel pump/filter system? I’m trying to send you a photo of the fuel FASS system but I can’t see how to attach a photo in this forum. Do you know how?
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covered wagon
USA
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Joined: 05/01/2004
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I know what it is. It's good but, you have to make sure the lift pump is running off the batteries instead of the factory ECM lift pump power lead because when the lift pump starts to go out it places excess load on the ECM and can burn it up so it should have the original power lead from the ECM going to a relay that it can trigger a relay that runs the lift pump off the batteries. It's an easy fix and there are simple aftermarket harnesses you can buy. Too bad this forum can't allow me to recommend good vendors.
Anyhow it may be already set up with the harness, you just have to see where the lift pump power is coming from and note the location of the relay. Sometimes when the lift pump goes you should change the relay (carrying an extra one under the seat) because it may be that it's a bad relay instead of the lift pump.
BTW, don't go for the leveling springs that lift the front a couple inches. It gets expensive to do it right and messes with the steering dynamics. Even when you go with all the upgrades to do it you will regret it. I have 2 second gen trucks, been hauling 2425 lb camper (dry weight) for 20 years on a single rear wheel camper w/o problems.
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neilrvnet
Batesville, AR
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Am I allowed to give you my email address?
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