Towing capacity Ram 1500, How can i boost it

[RickyBobby74]

Can anyone tell me how to boost the towing capacity on my 2003 Ram 1500 sortbed regular cab, with 4.7l 5speed manual. i love this truck and dont want to get rid of it for the simple fact that it doesnt have enough towing capacity to haul my challenger. It does ok with a open trailer but i want to get an enclosed trailer for it. the towing capacity right now is around 7400lb, i would like to add at least anouther 1000.

[71bigblock]

You're gonna have to get a new truck if you want to tow anything feeling comfortable about it.  The 4.7 just doesnt have enough juice.  I had a 5.2 Ram and hauled a rolling chassis truck that weighed way less than a car, and it had a tough time with it, had to keep the RPM in the stratosphere to go anywhere.  An enclosed trailer is heavy, too, heavier than open.  The one plus that you have is that you have a 5 speed, that helps, but not enough.  I think you would need to do some serious mods to the 4.7 to make it worthy.  This is all just what I'm going by.   

BTW, love the name.  I wanna go fast! 

[Rare_T_A]

My brother in law has a 4 door ram 2X4 automatic with the 4.7. His truck will pull the open trailer with a car around here just fine. I dont think it would be much fun with the enclosed trailer loaded. I have a 4X4 Ram with a 5.9 and automatic. I ported the intake and added a cai system. I also added headers and I run a Hypertech Power Programer. My enclosed trailer is 24ft long and loaded with the car and gear my truck pulls it great. This is the rig I used to tow from Fargo,ND to Carlisle PA. in 05. The trip was around 1800 miles one way. The slowest I got was 50mph climbing the passes in the mountians in PA. If you live in a flat area of the country you my get by. I don't think I would try a cross contry trip with it.

[Jacksboys]

It really depends on how rough you want to be on the drivetrain.  I know a family who had a V6 Dakota and pulled a full-sized camper everywhere with it.  Just make sure you have good trailer brakes or you will not be able to stop in a panic.

[Rare_T_A]

I forgot that if it's a bumper pull you are going to need an equilizer hitch also. Don't even think about towing without it!

[Chryco Psycho]

You need to increase the rear spring rate , Rear sway bar will help as well , but knowing the 4.7 you will lack power

[tactransman]

Load leveler shocks is what I put on mine. It will raise the rear about 2 inches so I added a Summit front end 2 inch leveler kit to level it out. Is yours a 4X4? I noticed a big difference when towing cars with my car trailer.

[ViperMan]

Not even all that, man.

You need to consider the tongue weight in the rear, you need to consider the load on the tires - 1500's came with P-metric tires - you're going to need an LT tire, load range C at minimum.  Rear suspension as CP noted, also rear brakes, better proportioning system, the works...

I say it's the perfect excuse for a new truck.  For as much as you love the truck you have, you'll love a new one better.    That's why cars are better than women - they don't get mad at you when you leave 'em for someone else, and you don't have to leave 'em with half of your stuff...

Jeff

[tactransman]

Brakes will be fine if you have brakes on the trailer.(I wouldn't have a car trailer without 'em) The short wheel base of a short bed regular cab is gonna suck though!

[Chryco Psycho]

Definatly need equalizer bars on a short wheel base truck , just dangerous without them

[RickyBobby74]

My truck isnt a 4x4, infact its been lowered a little. i did put air bags on the back to help with the extra weight. people tell me the manual trans should take the abuse but the motor is just not enough. the motor has minor performance goodies which include a cold air intake, throttle body spacer, and super chip tunner. the tunner i wasnt impressed with, i dont think it was worth the money. someone told me Comp Cams makes a set of cams for the 4.7l that will raise the H.P. to 300. i havent been able to find them though. ive pulled my car only once with the truck on a 45 mile trip. it did okay but a small hill would make me have to down shift to 4th. i figure if i can find a way to increase the torqe it will be okay with an open trailer. what do you guys think?

[tactransman]

If you have brakes on the trailer you should be fine. The air bags have to help,does it bounce much after a dip ?

[tactransman]

These are suppose to work really nice!



http://www.trailerhitches.com/heavy-duty-hitches/weight-distribution-&-sway-control/heavy-duty-hitches/weight-distribution-&-sway-control/curtroundbarweightdistributionhitch.cfm




 

[JS27N0B]

Here are the tow rating for your truck as per the Chrysler web site.

2003 dodge ram 1500 pickup 1500 SLT, REGULAR CAB, 2WD, 6.25 FT Bed, Five-Speed Heavy-Duty Manual Transmission, 4.7L Magnum(R) V8 Engine:

With 3.55 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio You Can Tow 4700 lbs 
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) = 6350 lbs
Payload = 1719 lbs
Curb Weight = 4631 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2614 lbs/2614 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear = 3650 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) = 9500 lbs
 
 

With 3.92 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio You Can Tow 5700 lbs 
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) = 6350 lbs
Payload = 1719 lbs
Curb Weight = 4631 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2614 lbs/2614 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear = 3650 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) = 10500 lbs
 
 

With 3.92 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio You Can Tow 5700 lbs 
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) = 6350 lbs
Payload = 1678 lbs
Curb Weight = 4672 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2629 lbs/2629 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear = 3650 lbs/3900 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) = 10500 lbs
 
 
 
 
 
I think you are overloaded now. You can't increase the capacity of the truck without changing the truck.

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I think you are overloaded now. You can't increase the capacity of the truck without changing the truck.

I agree, and also legally overloading a vehicle. If something serious were to happen, i think there'd be an issue.