Will my truck work?

[back_the_pack]

I have a Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 with the 5.2L V8 engine. I would like to know if it will pull a compact tractor safely. I don't have a tractor yet, but I want something in the 30 hp range with FEL and backhoe. Is it going to be possible, or am I going to have to use the old ton truck??

 

[Soundguy]

I'll tell you what I've got.. then let you decide. Ive got the 1500,v8, with the 5.9 with a custom towing package ( changed out rear end, 3" body lift, gooseneck hitch in bed, and a heavy hitch on the rear.)

I pull a 16' car hauler flatbed trailer, ( 1720 lbs ) and a NH 1920 tractor 3500 lbs ) and usually about 400- 600 lbs of impliments.... thats a little less than 6k

Pulls fine. 1 trailer axle has breaks. I also have a gmc yukon with a 5.3v8 and pull my horse trailer loaded with two equines. That's around 1500+900+1100

Have no problems.

Just depends on what you are doing.. if comercial.. I would think you may wear you truck over time.. if limited use, you are probably fine

Soundguy

"""I have a Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 with the 5.2L V8 engine. I would like to know if it will pull a compact tractor safely. I don't have a tractor yet, but I want something in the 30 hp range with FEL and backhoe. Is it going to be possible, or am I going to have to use the old ton truck?? """

 

[ByuBill]

When I had my Long 2360 delivered, it was brought over from Franklin on a 16' trailer pulled behind a 1982 , 2 wheel drive, automatic, ford with a 302. Over Cowee Mtn no less. (No, not up my driveway) Your Dodge should do fine in most cases.
<font color=blue>FYI</font color=blue>
I'm not for sure when yet but my neighbor says that there is supposed to be an open house or tractor show or something in Franklin next month. I'll see what I can find out.

 

[fishman]

back_the_pack,

I don't see why not. Towing capacity on a truck like that should be in excess of 6000 lbs, perhaps 8000 or more. As a comparison, my Chevy half ton 4x4 is rated for 8100 lbs. It tows my Kubota 2910 and a 16' trailer with ease. Although my trailer has no brakes, I would recommend them for an extra margin of safety. If you have little or no towing experience, I would do some trial runs without the tractor in the trailer to get a feel for it. Also, bind the tractor to trailer to keep it in one place, and make sure it is positioned correctly, with enough weight on the tongue to keep the trailer stable, without exceeding the recommendation in your owners manual.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, I would get a receiver hitch installed. I would not rely on the bumper.

 

[back_the_pack]

Thanks guys, your help is great! I hope I have found a tractor, but it is 350 miles away! I would like to go and get it myself to save a few $$. Hey Byu, I saw you got some seat time yesterday! Nice looking rig you got there. I would have stopped, but I had the wife and dog with me!

 

[ByuBill]

<font color=blue>I saw you got some seat time yesterday!</font color=blue>
Yeah, every chance that I get. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif If I keep moving this dirt and rocks around, my house is going to be at the bottom of the hill. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

 

[back_the_pack]

Maybe some of you can clear this up for me. I was told by a friend that if I do tow a tractor, I should not put the truck in 5th gear (it is a five speed manual). Is that true? Will it damage my transmission if I do? It seems like 350 miles is a long way to go in 4th gear!

 

[Soundguy]

I know on an automatic xmission, the larger vehicles usually have an overdrive lockout feature, keeping the torque converter from locking up, so it does not continually engage/disengage with the load shifting back and forth .
I don't tow with a stick but would imagine that in 5th gear... any slope whatsoever is going to require a downshift.

Soundguy

 

[ByuBill]

<font color=blue>I should not put the truck in 5th gear</font color=blue>

From my past experiences of trailer towing, on flat to rolling hwys, you should be able to use 5th gear as long you can keep your speed up. From living in this area you just naturally know when you have to down shift. Expect to down shift a lot more, for longer periods of time. Expect to be pushed downhill also. If you are new at pulling trailers in the mountains, it is an experience. I hope that it is a good one.

Now you have to tell us what kind of tractor you are looking at, where it is, what attachments you are getting with it, ect. ect. You know that we have to know all of these things./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Oh, don't forget to take your camera on the trip. We'll want to see photos also. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Good luck and have a safe trip.

 

[back_the_pack]

Well, what I am looking at is a NH 1920. It is a 1998 model with 4x4, FEL and backhoe. It has a little less than 500 hrs on it. I haven't seen it yet, but I am going to inspect it hopefully this Wednesday. I will keep you posted.