Towing Capacity of a 2004 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Pickup

Question

Question:

Hi, Recently I had a conversation with a person who owns an aftermarket trailer hitch company, and the conversation left me totally confused. I tow a 2001 Bayliner 2855 LX on a triple axle aluminum trailer with a 2004 Dodge Quad Cab, Long Bed 3500 HO Cummins, with a 3.7 axle. I had the boat and trailer weighed about 3 years ago, the boat had just under a quarter tank of gas, about 4 gallons of water, ski’s, wet suits, tanks, a West Marine dingy, 3.5hp outboard and various supplies in it. 9278lbs on the scales. When I tow the boat, I usually have the outboard, dingy and tanks in the truck. During the last 4 years I have, on many occasions, taken the boat from CA to Utah, Nevada, Texas, and Mexico. I would estimate these trips total over 8,000 miles. The Dodge was ordered with the optional tow package, Class 4 hitch etc. I have a 10,000lb ball and a 12,000lb ball mount. Dodge state that this set up is good for 9,900lbs but do not state if this is with or without weight distribution. My local Dodge dealer has told me that there is no weight distribution stipulation for this rating, and unlike my friends Excursion, the hitch has no information on it. The aftermarket tow hitch owner told me that I shouldn’t tow more than 5000lbs without weight distribution or a welded hitch, even though Reese and others offer 10,000lb bolt on, non WD hitches. He also told me that without manually adjustable brake bias I was heading for disaster. I have since contacted other aftermarket tow hitch companies and they all say pretty much the same thing, no more than 5000lb, almost textbook response. I find it hard to accept that according to the aftermarket tow hitch companies that I contacted a Dodge 3500 Heavy Duty, with a Class 4 Tow Package, shouldn’t tow more than a Dodge 1500 light duty truck can tow on its BUMPER ! One company told me that I was lucky that the whole lot hadn’t sheared off ! I’m planning two more one thousand mile trips this summer and, a don’t want to potentially put myself and my family at risk but don’t want to be conned into spending a lot of money that I don’t need to..I don’t doubt for one minute that a welded hitch, weight distribution and adjustable brake bias provide the best towing set up, but am I safe towing 9000lbs without it ? Are your 10,000lb bolt on hitches better than my OEM class 4 ?

asked by: Mike S

0

Expert Reply:

I can not speak for any manufacturers ratings either on your truck or on your OEM hitch. That being said you would need to talk to someone at the Chrysler/Dodge dealer to obtain the actual ratings on your hitch and truck. You should be able to find the tow ratings on your truck in the owners manual or inside the drivers door jamb.

Also if you could find out the manufacturer of the hitch on your dodge that would help. Reese and Draw-Tite do extensive in-house testing that insures the hitches they make will hold up to the ratings they put on them. As far as the standard textbook response of 5000lbs and above needing weight distribution, that is the general rule in the industry and that is the answer everyone will stick to, liability and all.

If you are towing the boat without the weight distribution and your truck is not sagging in the rear, and you are having no issues, and the hitch and truck are rated for the proper tongue and tow capacity, you will probably be okay. The weight distribution system takes much of the downward force off of the tongue hitch area and transfers it to the trailer and vehicle axles and reduces stress on the components, increasing towing capacity.

Adjustable brake bias is a term I am not familiar with, I suppose you have brakes on your trailer, at 9300lbs I would want those brakes working for me. If you have electric brakes we carry the Prodigy P2, # 90885 and wiring adapter # 3020-P, and it is a very good brake controller that has a boost feature that gives you more initial braking power when towing heavier trailers.

If you have a hydraulic brake actuator on your trailer, which many larger boats do, then the only wiring you may need is for a reverse lockout for backing the trailer. If you decide that you want to change out the hitch on your vehicle we carry several hitches that are bolt on applications and are rated over 10,000lbs for your truck. The Draw-Tite # 41929 hitch is rated for 12,000lbs towing and 15,000lbs weight distribution and mounts underneath your OEM hitch so it is still usable.

If you want the safest towing situation then brakes, weight distribution, and a hitch rated above the weight you are towing are recommended. You have your family and a lot of dollars involved already, you may want to purchase the added insurance of the best towing system to keep all safe. In the end it is your call and responsibility to have a safe towing rig going down the road.

Below I have posted links to the items I have mentioned and to a weight distribution system that should work for your vehicle. Also there is a link to our weight distribution questions page that may answer some questions for you.