Truck advice for pulling 3H GN trailer

[cmyoung2]

I have a 99 250 sd super cab, v10 5 speed. Empty I get about 13-15, trailer 9-11. V-10 is a good motor, I think I would like it better with an auto. I have blown 1 plug, shouldn't be a problem 2000 up. I wish I had a crew cab, and my kids are grown Had one before this one and I do miss it. If the short bed is not long enough, I just hook up the trailer.

 

[RobertN]

As I mentioned earlier, I have put almost 165k on my truck since new; '01 Ram2500 CTD/auto. Most towing has been local(within 150 miles or less) with 7klb or less(tractor on trailer, two-horse trailer etc), but had one 4500 mile trip with 7500lb 5th wheel.

From web posts mine is supposed to be bad transmission, but it has worked fine with normal scheduled maintenance.

My 5th wheel is about equivalent to your 3H GN; I would not hesitate to tow your trailer anywhere(have towed horse trailer/live loads before when we had horses).

FWIW, I like both Ford and Dodge trucks. And would not have a short bed...

Is there truth to the dodge transmition problem rumor? what years to stay away from?

 

[Diamondpilot]

As I mentioned earlier, I have put almost 165k on my truck since new; '01 Ram2500 CTD/auto. Most towing has been local(within 150 miles or less) with 7klb or less(tractor on trailer, two-horse trailer etc), but had one 4500 mile trip with 7500lb 5th wheel.

From web posts mine is supposed to be bad transmission, but it has worked fine with normal scheduled maintenance.

My 5th wheel is about equivalent to your 3H GN; I would not hesitate to tow your trailer anywhere(have towed horse trailer/live loads before when we had horses).

FWIW, I like both Ford and Dodge trucks. And would not have a short bed...

I will say this. I put three in 68,000 miles on my 2500 Hemi and our shop vehicle, a 96 Dakota got one at 110,000 miles. Both are gone now. I have owned about 25 vehicles in my life and never had a single other issue. These are GM, Ford, Honda, Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, ect.

So my faith in Dodge Trannys is not strong.

Chris

 

[RobertN]

I've only had to replace the tranny in the '89 F250 of the dozen or so vehicles I have had(was hard on the Jeep, Roadrunner, and Trans-Am too). That 5spd stick in the F250 did make it to 160k; replaced it with a stronger granny box.

Broke other stuff on the Jeep(spiders), but that was on Rubicon.

As they say, IMHO, your mileage will vary. But that is my real life experience.

I would not hesitate to hook up to that GN and go anywhere even with the miles on my truck. Had to help rescue friends with broke down trucks and horses before; if you think sitting on the side of the road with a boat sucks it is 100 times worse with live hot tired annoyed animals.

I will say this. I put three in 68,000 miles on my 2500 Hemi and our shop vehicle, a 96 Dakota got one at 110,000 miles. Both are gone now. I have owned about 25 vehicles in my life and never had a single other issue. These are GM, Ford, Honda, Lexus, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, ect.

So my faith in Dodge Trannys is not strong.

Chris

 

[sd455dan]

I've only had to replace the tranny in the '89 F250 of the dozen or so vehicles I have had(was hard on the Jeep, Roadrunner, and Trans-Am too). That 5spd stick in the F250 did make it to 160k; replaced it with a stronger granny box.

Broke other stuff on the Jeep(spiders), but that was on Rubicon.

As they say, IMHO, your mileage will vary. But that is my real life experience.

I would not hesitate to hook up to that GN and go anywhere even with the miles on my truck. Had to help rescue friends with broke down trucks and horses before; if you think sitting on the side of the road with a boat sucks it is 100 times worse with live hot tired annoyed animals.

It's not much fun when they try to install their own exit, with hoofs
Agree about the Cummins equipped dodges pulling long distance my o3 used to pull from a Mexico summer home to Idaho round trip with a large fifth wheel distance- 6000 miles, a full 3000 one way, the first 100k miles the trucks problems ( cooling fan bolts tightened tsb,right power seat stuck, power window for pass. only works from driver seat. and at 103k right front out u-joint,and at 103.5k waterpump) no problems that stopped the truck in the first 100k miles mostly towing the fifth wheel...and I believe the Cummins is actually broke in now- the mileage is the best it's ever been...:thumbsup:

 

[Quickster2]

Dodge did make a limited number of 2500 & 3500 V10's in 2003 (last year for this motor) before the Daimler crew killed the motor. I have a 2500 Laramie 4X4 V10 loaded bought new with only 58k on the clock. If you can find a V10 they are pretty cheap due to the mileage. Keep up on oil changes. spark plugs, and spark plug wires and the motor is pretty much bullet proof. I tow a 4H 6' short wall and a 25' SureTrac and several smaller trailers.