Re: Looking for more truck
Check with Chrysler or the dealership regarding a towing guide. <br />This will give you a reference with axle ratios and engine sizes and show you what your truck is comfortabley capable of towing.<br />Assuming you have the factory tow package with transmission and oil coolers and the truck and trailer brakes are good to go then I do not see you having a problem with that load as you have the bigger engine and the middle axle ratio. The less weight for the trailer the better, because the higher you climb the less HP the engine produces.<br /><br />There are ways to lighten the load you tow. Empty the boat of any water(if you have any holding tanks/porta poti) and get as much of the fuel out of the boat as possible. Water and fuel weigh more than 5# per gallon.<br /><br />During the towing at rest stops, give the trailer hubs a touch with your hands to make sure the trailer bearings and brakes are not ready for a melt down. Keep an eye on your coolant gauge and slow down as required if it gets too hot.<br />Carry some spare tools and at least 1 spare tire and a set of spare bearings with grease for the trailer just in case. <br />A transmission shifting in and out of o/d (if you have o/d) more than a couple of times on 1 hill will generate some extreme heat, so shift to 3 at the bottom of the incline. You can also use 3 to keep the truck from going too fast down the hills too which means you still have some brake pads for the next stop.<br />Depending on the size of your mountain range(s), it would not hurt to get the trany fluid changed after the trip to help it last for the next big tow.<br /><br />Make sure the boat cover is tied down as well as the boat itself and watch out for any road animals. If the tow is a long one, I also use an extra tie down on the nose/bow eye and wrap it underneath <br />the trailer frame to keep the bow snug in the front stop. This stops any bouncing over some of those expansion strips or worse.<br /><br />Let the forum know how you made out after you get back!<br />Good luck.
