My husband and I are looking to buy a 1998 26' dunes, we would be towing with a 2002 Dodge 1500 4 door short bed 4x4 w/5.9 and factory trailer pkg. I checked optins list for truck and it has a 3.90 rear end. We aren't looking to be going up in the mountains just towing around the nice and flat midwest. We will forgo the water till we get where we are going but 1000 lbs of harley in the trailer in the trailer is necessary. Ant ideas on if this set up will work at all for us....would be nice to know before our used trailer turns into a new truck.

 

26', I have a 1/2 ton 96' Dodge with 5.9L and factory Tow package. I've pulled sevral differant trailers and Fifth wheels over time. Pulling has never been a problem (plenty of power), it's the stopping that Dodge has a problem with. Here in Oregon we have some pretty good Mountain passes with windy roads and if you're not careful the front brakes will heat up, at least on mine. Maybe there have been improvements since 96' but I changed out my front rotors to the Heavy duty one, I still make sure to manally use the electric trailer brakes when prolonged braking is needed. At one time I had an older 29' 5th wheel, it was a little too much for the truck, but it did pull it just fine. Most likely if your total trailer load stays under 6500 lbs you'll be OK.

 

I have a 24 ft toyhauler pull it with a 2000 extended cab 3/4 ton GMC 6.0, your best tow gearing is 3.73,
i have pulled it with a 1/2 ton GMC Z-71 however it will work a 1/2 ton, go to a 3/4 ton truck it will be worth your extra money

 

HarleyBarbie,

I have a 2001 dodge quadcab shortbed also 5.9L.

and this truck will pull your load, but it WILL have to work HARD to get you thier in a timely manner. If you are pulling against a little head wind, 60mph is about all your going top get from her. My truck has 167,000 miles on it and pulling a trialer that big it will get about 7 mpg on the highway. I also have a burnt valve on cylinder #5, so if that tells you something. This is my company truck, but if it were mine, I would have traded it in for a Cummins, or powerstroke long ago.





Biggerisbetter.

 

4.10 gearing is best for towing. I think you can get them changed out for about $200. That might be a good option. I am not up to what is available on gearing but, I have heard of 3:51, 3:73 and 4.10 but, haven't heard of 3.90??? Please tell me I am just out of the loop. If you have the 3.51 I suggest changing the gearing.

Dang Bigger. . . another burnt valve?

 

We had a 95' dodge 1500 5.9 and towed a 23' dunes toy hauler. It towed it but just barely, it was maxed. It tail wagged alot and i was always on edge when towing it, especially downhills. We since have gotten a 01' f250 powerstroke and life is much better. If you are planning on getting this trailer i would recommend looking at getting a new truck too. We now have a 34' toy hauler and we are close to the limit on our superduty now, whats next? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

1. that is a large trailer for your truck to tow. toy haulers are like parachutes.
2. a gear change for a 4x4 is a lot more expensive than just changing the rear differential gear on a 2 wheel drive.
3. get a transmission temp guage on whatever tow vehicle you end up with.
4. auxillary trailer breaks are nice too

 

LOL!!! yes! I cant seem get away from them![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] You think I'm doing something wrong???[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] LMFAO!







Bigger.

 

check the sticker on the inside of the driver door, it will list the max weight of trailer you can legally tow, id bet it would be less than that new trailer you got..... not to many cops check though.. if you look way overloaded they might... gears on a 4x4 are about min. of $600 for a set of gears and essential bearings.. thats parts ive done many... labor costs can range for $350 to $2000 depending on make and model... the higher the number the lower the gears and better for towing..... however even if you re-gear the cops will still hold you accountable to the door sticker for max load.. i have an 01 F250 with 3.73 gears i re-geared to 4.56 gears for bigger tires and towing... but my max weights dont legally change.. however if you got them from ford with lower gears the tow ratings would be higher... Anyway not what you wanted to hear but probably not the best idea to tow that thing........If you do make sure you have AT LEAST load range D tires.... much rather have E's and pump them up to next to the max pressure... like mentioned before trailer brakes are a must for saftey and give yourself room to slow down, specially if it rains and the trailers pushing you it could take you up to 10X more distance to stop...
be careful, be smart
Jetjock16

 

I can't thank everyone enough for all the input....we are going to look at the trailer again on Sat. and we are going to insist on a trial tow. Not too worried about how fast we get anywhere after all we ride Harleys if we were in hurry we would own sport bikes. lol Thanks again.