Beefier towing rig

[doc-ketamine]

I haven't towed with my JTR yet, but I know its limits. I have a YJ that I've been building up, and my buddy has a TJ ... I would love to be able to tow the two vehicles to some remove places (Moab?) on a trailer, so I'd need to be able to two at least 10,000lb. So I'm looking at beefier rigs, but don't have a lot of experience and am getting a lot of conflicting infos. My Dad, who has been towing large boats for decades, and has a lot of friends who tow, says all the marques are reliable except for Dodge Ram (something something overheating trans). But those rigs have spring suspension in the rear and are supposedly cush for long distances. I hear both good and bad things about Ford (and I could make either an F150 or F250 work, I guess) and I know nothing about Chevy or GMC.

My question ... where should I start digging to learn a little more about reliability and real-world use? I just started stalking the RAM forums.

Sponsored

 

[Mbryson]

You'll get every opinion under the sun. Ford vs GM vs Dodge. Gas vs Diesel.... Go drive some 1 ton trucks. Anything 5 years or newer will take care of two rigs on a trailer. I've hauled two rigs on a trailer the past 15 years.

I like the lighter weight of the bumper pull trailers (I've had a 26' two axle unit and a 36' three axle) with a 14k Equalizer hitch (I prefer that brand personally---Ford vs Chevy again there) over a heavier gooseneck. The goose tows betterer. The bumpers are safe and reliable as well.

Edit:. Thought it prudent to post up unloaded trailer weights:
26' bumper pull=3900 lbs
28' PJ goose = 5900 lbs


Trucks I've towed this load with:

'99 crew, short bed 7.3L F250 Super Duty (added F350 springs---this was maybe my favorite truck ever) 9-10 mpg with two rigs on
'04 "crew", short bed 2500 Dodge Cummins (gorgeous truck, towed ok (not as well as the Ford but just fine) and I LOVED the engine. The rest of the truck was a total pile of junk) 10-11 mpg with 2 rigs on.
'01 crew, long bed 7.3L F250 Super Duty -- Not as reliable and didn't have this truck as long as the early '99. I'm a 7.3L fan. 9-10 mpg with two rigs on.
2010 F350 V10, crew, short bed. This is a VERY close 2nd to the early '99 truck. Towed almost as well. Use the RPM the engine makes. V10 is reliable as a brick. Likes fuel. 6-7 mpg with 2 rigs on.

This WILL max out your tow rig. (and I'd imagine I was over weight on some/all of those trucks?) All the newer trucks and powerplants will handle this load. Know your vehicle weights and know your trailer weights.

V10 and my son's and my Jeep.

'99 Powerstroke

'04 Dodge

I've sold the big trailers and the 1 ton truck. Daily drive my JT on 37" tires. Still trying to sell my "YJ" based one ton/Suburban stuffed in a Jeep trail rig ($12k).

If I had to start over again and had to haul two rigs everywhere, I'd seriously consider and F450/F550 or 4500/5500 truck just for insurance reasons. I probably have about 35-40k miles towing the above setups in the last 15 years. Have had to do a few emergency maneuvers and fast braking while driving. All of those trucks handled the load fine and with an integrated brake controller handled panic stops even better than the units I had a brake controller in.

I've hauled from Salt Lake to Moab quite a bit. A fair amount from Salt Lake to St George, UT. 3 trips from Salt Lake to Rubicon. (the V10 got it's "Sweaty Betty" name on one of those trips--that was a great truck) I usually hauled with a good friend that runs the same bumper pull 26' trailer that I had. He's towed with a breathed on 7.3L Excursion for about the same miles as I have (maybe more, maybe less) and now has a 2012 F350 with 6.7L. Truck is night and day difference than his modded (F350 springs and air bags in the rear) Excursion.

There's also the argument that you could buy a well loved and well serviced class 8 truck, build a flatbed where the fifth wheel hitch was, tow a Jeep up there and use a normal car hauler. That could get pretty snazzy with the right powertrain/sleeper combo and that truck would be bored out of it's mind with your 15-18k lb load. You'd get the same mpg and likely better than the pickup based haulers? I call this the "self propelled" trailer concept. You'd not want to daily your FreightPeteKenMackVolvoStar truck. (maybe you would? I wouldn't) I do think if you got a rig with a good clutch, fresh brakes and a good maint history, you'd really be ok? Easy to get parts and such. Just an area I don't have any experience in.

Driving across 15-20 states from PA to hit Moab and possibly Rubicon, I'd want to have my ducks in a row with regulations and insurance. My State Farm agent said as long as I'm within the published capabilities of the truck/trailer, I would be good from their perspective. This is my agent, not an adjuster or a lawyer, so take that for what it's worth.

In our hyper legal society, I'd want as good of cushion as I could possibly get in case of litigation.

I got tired of maintaining the trailers, daily driving a one ton and also maintaining a trail Jeep. I sold it all (well, except for the trail Jeep---it's for sale) and bought a JT. It's a compromise but so far, so good (I'm 5 months into the JT ownership)

 

[doc-ketamine]

You'll get every opinion under the sun. Ford vs GM vs Dodge. Gas vs Diesel.... Go drive some 1 ton trucks. Anything 5 years or newer will take care of two rigs on a trailer. I've hauled two rigs on a trailer the past 15 years.

This sort of real-world experience with multiple marques is exactly what I was hoping for - thank you.

 

[ATL_Rubi]

What Mbryson is spot on. The 1 tons these days are all way more capable and 90% of the population will use them for. Go find one that is comfortable and fits your budget. A good buddy of mine hauls horses and used to drive a Ram and swapped to a Ford, he said he noticed no real difference. My only caveat, some of the newer rams (i think) use a variation of the CP4 fuel pump that the Eco diesel also uses. Check the fuel pump manufacturer prior to buying.

 

[doc-ketamine]

My only caveat, some of the newer rams (i think) use a variation of the CP4 fuel pump that the Eco diesel also uses. Check the fuel pump manufacturer prior to buying.

Thanks!

Is that CP4 fuel pump a common failure point?

Anyone hear about transmission issues in the RAM trucks when towing? My father had raised that as a concern, stating they required an aftermarket transmission cooler.

 

[ATL_Rubi]

Thanks!

Is that CP4 fuel pump a common failure point?

Anyone hear about transmission issues in the RAM trucks when towing? My father had raised that as a concern, stating they required an aftermarket transmission cooler.

It can be if the fuel you're getting is bad. Most people use EDT (Every day diesel treatment) to add lubricity back to the fuel, that usually alleviates any issues. For the Transmission, I belive it's an Aisin unit, I am not sure on the cooling needed in addition to any stock build..

 

[Lost1wing]

I tow an 11k tractor occasionally about 10 miles on paved roads then another 10 miles on sandy/ muddy roads with my 2500hd. It gets the job done but it is not something I would want to do on a regular basis. It is a bumper hitch and I haven't tried a gooseneck setup. I think you would be happier with a 1 ton and more braking capabilities.

 

[Mbryson]

Thanks!

Is that CP4 fuel pump a common failure point?

Anyone hear about transmission issues in the RAM trucks when towing? My father had raised that as a concern, stating they required an aftermarket transmission cooler.

I believe the CP4 is in the Powerstroke, Duramax and Cummins (just googled that to confirm)? Re: the transmission questions, I think a quick call to a transmission shop wouldn't hurt? I was under the impression the 8 and 10 speed transmissions were pretty solid but honestly don't know.

Just like with a JT, if I'm under warranty, I'm not doing anything that's going to threaten any warranty claims. I've voided any/all warranty issues with the suspension but have been EXTREMELY careful about the vehicle's electrical system, powertrain and axles keeping them as undisturbed as possible. Preventative maint as the mfg prescribes is required in my opinion. I prefer to do mine at the dealer so if there is a warranty issue, a) they know me and b) they have the service records for the truck. You'll save a few $ getting those things done elsewhere but it's worth it to me to have the records and relationship in case there is a gray area.

 

[whiteglad]

I tow with a 2013 Ram 3500 Cummins/Aisin and would choose it again. Effortless, stable towing.

 

[Kevin_D]

Anyone hear about transmission issues in the RAM trucks when towing? My father had raised that as a concern, stating they required an aftermarket transmission cooler.

Dodge trucks from the early-mid ‘90’s were known to have transmission issues.
That’s probably what he’s referring.

Kevin

 

[Mbryson]

Dodge trucks from the early- ‘90’ to mid 2000's were known to have transmission issues.
That’s probably what he’s referring.

Kevin

Fixed it for you. :D In my experience (and friends that tow with me), the Dodges with a 4 speed auto are craptastic. No experience/knowledge on the 6 speeds and other autos

 

[whiteglad]

The Ram 6 speed autos are far better. The 68rfe is reliable and the Aisin AS69RC weighs almost 100 lb more than the competitors, and has the reputation of not breaking.

Sponsored