what does it take to pull a mahindra?

jwcinpk · Jul 13, 2006

Don't limit yourslef to a Dodge. There are several older 6.5 chevy's and powerstroke fords out there to be had a lot cheaper than the dodges. I gave less than $10000 for mine 2 years ago with less than 100k on it.
The Cummins deisels are nice, but they are not the only ones out there. Also don't forget about the good V8 gas motors.

Charlie_in_TX · Jul 17, 2006

If you are only towing 12 miles with the goose neck, the truck will be fine. Nothing will get to hot.

In my humble opinion there are 2 ways to look at towing. One is 'will it kill my truck getting this load going'? You have, IMO, passed that test. The more important question 'will I kill anyone else trying to stop the load'? If that goose neck has good brakes it will be safe.

Even at 65mph!

InlineDieselFan · Jul 17, 2006

Do limit your self to the Dodge/Cummins they arethe best!! IMHO

But as JWCINPK points out you can buy a lot of others out there for a lot less. I personnally have never been a 6.5 GM fan but they do a nice job towing, My mom towed a 27' 5th wheel for over 100,000 miles and never had a problem. My brother had one along with a lot of problems but when it ran right he loved it.

you can buy 6.9 and 7.3 Fords all over the place, since you want a Dodge with a stick and most people want an auto I am sure you can find a real good deal on a used Ford, and as much as it pains me to admit I like the way the Fords manual tranmissions shift, they just seem smoother than the Dodge.

steve

hudr · Jul 17, 2006

I pull my 5005DI w/ FEL and loaded tires (and anything else that comes along) w/ a '95 3/4 ton, regular cab Chevy.It has a 6.5 Turbo diesel and 5spd tranny. I have pulled it on a 16' bumper hitch w/ 1 7k axle and 1 trailer house axle (don't ask about that) and I have pulled it w/ my 24' gooseneck w/ 2 7k axles. No problems w/ either config. I do like the gooseneck better as it rides/handles better. Also, growing up around OTR trucks, the gooseneck "bends" in the right spot when backing.
I have also pulled a 4320 JD(not the new model) on a 3 axle trailer back from an auction ~60 miles away(slowly).
In my experience, it is not towing capacity, but STOPPING capacity that is lacking in these pickups. I get passed all the time by folks in their Fords and Dodges running 75-80, pulling 30' goosenecks full of heifers. Woe be unto them if someting comes loose. And most of the time I catch them at the next light or on the off-ramp.

I don't like to pull loaded trailers fast. Of course, growing up we were usually only a cracked weld or busted shackle away from pulling a sled anyway.
My .02, your mileage may vary.

jwcinpk · Jul 18, 2006

InlineDieselFan said:
Do limit your self to the Dodge/Cummins they arethe best!! IMHO

Now, Now that's just your opinion. Personally I would prefer a new duramax with the allison auto. Can't quite swallow the price even with the GM discount my x wifes uncle will get me.
My dad bought a new 1 ton Dodge dually extra long wheelbase tool bed 4x4 with the cummins and 5 speed in 96 or 97 and hasn't had a major brakage in over 200,000 miles. No question they are better than most, but also cost much more used than a comparable ford or chevy.

David Jackson · Jul 19, 2006

For about 4 years I used a 1975 Dodge 1/2 ton pickup which I had installed an earlier 440 cu.in. motor in to pull my Kubota L3350 DT with loader, Gannon, and sometines a hoe on the tractor and the Gannon stored on the trailer. It had 3.76 gears and was full time 4wd.

I think my all up weight was about 10,000 pounds. I had an eazy lift hitch on the back of the truck and large ball (2").

All was fine until one day the engine got really loud for a short time and then really really quiet.

Without the big block I could not have done it.

Dargo · Jul 22, 2006

I just saw the first national Mahindra commercial I've ever seen on TV. It looked like they were using a 5500 in the commercial. Also, my only local dealer (and therefore me too) have been mispronouncing Mahindra. I thought it was pronounced with a long i since that is how my dealer pronounced it. In the national ad (nice ad by the way), they pronounced it like (ma hen dra).

Sorry to be off the subject a little, but I think they did use the 5500 in the ad, and I've never seen a national ad from Mahindra before. Pretty neat! Good luck!!

KennethBrown · Jul 22, 2006

I have a 2wd 5500 with FEL. I pull it with a 89 f250 w/351W and 5 spd that now has a 90 F350 rearend with DRW and 411 gears. I don't have much problem getting up to speed but stopping is a concern. If the brakes aren't hooked up on the trailer you definetely know it. I have a 16' GN that weighs about 2400, steel floor. I also use my dads 16' BP that weighs in about 1300.

rback33 · Jul 24, 2006

I don't know if you can find the numbers on older vehicles, but on newer ones they are listing two different hauling capacities. One is the standard GVWR. Which basically tells you what the max total weight on the two pick-up axles can be combined. The other is a variation of that with the max towable weight. This differentiation is important. My guess most any 3/4 ton pick-up should pull it fine on a properly equipped trailer. Max trailer weight on Ford SD withe the 5.7L v8 was 10,000 lbs, with the 6.0 diesel much higher. Even that (the 5.7) could probably handle it.