Is there a way to beef up power and load capacity?

[vipermanden]

Is there a way to beef up hp/torque and load capability of a RAM 3500 dually with the 900 ft. lbs. of torque Cummins diesel and HD Aisin 6 speed transmission and 4.1 gears and auto load leveling? Or do I have to go to a bigger truck, and if so, what would that be?

[BuilderBob]

You can do a programmer to get some more out of it but y are you over loaded?

Bob & Carol
Washington ST
2017 352RL 2008 Dodge 3500 DRW crew cab 4x4 LB 6.7L

[WeBeFulltime]

I don't understand. You have PLENTY of truck for your Montana now.

[vipermanden]

I might upgrade to a heavier Montana, and our SOB? Just wondering way before I do anything.

[BuilderBob]

That Dodge can pull any Montana they make you don't need bigger truck I pulled a 41' toy hauler before we bought are Montana and have never needed a bigger truck! like I
said before just do a Programmer if you think you need more.

Bob & Carol
Washington ST
2017 352RL 2008 Dodge 3500 DRW crew cab 4x4 LB 6.7L

[WeBeFulltime]

You could also just do a delete on the 3500. That will REALLY wake it up!

[jlb27537]

A tuner will make the truck illegal as will deletes. The trade in value on a deleted truck will be back about 10-15K of what it should be worth. That is if you can find a dealer that will trade for a deleted truck.

You need more power for what reason?

Your next step will be a class 8 for a tow rig. Escapees RV Club has a BOF for folks that haul heavy. Go here and read:

https://escapees.com/fun/2015-02-07-...scapade?id=322

[vipermanden]

OK, I confess, my 3820FK is the heaviest Montana they make, and when I recently took it over the Teton Pass, and could only maintain 40 mph, I was somewhat OK with that, but the empty weight of the 3820 FK is 14,000 lbs. and the pin weight is 2,810. The 5th wheel I'm thinking of getting has an empty weight of 20,000 and a pin weight of 3,000 pounds, so I am just wondering if I ever have to go over Teton Pass again, how I will do it?

[BuilderBob]

What SOB are you looking at? that sounds like a big toy hauler.

Bob & Carol
Washington ST
2017 352RL 2008 Dodge 3500 DRW crew cab 4x4 LB 6.7L

[sambam]

What others say about a tuner or delete is true, but they are illegal, at least here in Massachusetts. Nothing will change your GVW or tow rating, though. That's a heck of a lot of pickup as it is, way more than my ratings. You'd probably have to go up to a GM Topkick or one of the Ford F-series like a 550 or something. I don't know what Ram makes in that neighborhood, but how about a semi? There are (or were) a couple members here using those. I don't know how high the Teton Pass is, but the altitude may be messing with your performance, as well.

[dieselguy]

Just to put this out concerning deletes or programmers on newer trucks ... sure a dealer will not be too interested in your truck for premium price, but here in the middle of the US west of the Mississippi ... all you have to do is place an ad in about any auto trader magazine or similar and it'll be gone in no time.

[coachgrowl]

Smarty tuner cannot be detected by dealer. Does no damage I used one on my 1999 ram 2500 for 8 years. Passes smog no problem and I live in Kalifornia.

[prndl]

Tuners cause higher than normal heat so you need to make sure your cooling system can take it,

[WeBeFulltime]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

Just to put this out concerning deletes or programmers on newer trucks ... sure a dealer will not be too interested in your truck for premium price, but here in the middle of the US west of the Mississippi ... all you have to do is place an ad in about any auto trader magazine or similar and it'll be gone in no time.

EXACTLY! And who wants to practically give their truck to a stealer even if it's stock when they can sell it for real money?

[scottz]

You could always get a Ford

Just kidding; you have a lot of truck. I've been over Teton Pass several times; like many of the passes in the Rocky's it is a hard pull. Why would you want to be going much faster on that hill? If you modify your truck to put out more power you are probably going to still be limited by your cooling system.

Relax and enjoy the scenery.

[PNW Fireguy]

Similar truck and 5th wheel weights, and my 2011 RAM pulls the weight of any Montana on the market however I have concerns with the weight ratio. More precisely the tail wagging the dog scenario. We are also looking at a significantly heavier SOB and are in the process of examining a class 8 HDT as an option. It's not for everyone but if you are looking at 4500 or a 5500 IMHO you owe to yourself to educate yourself on the use of an HDT for your needs. The increased braking is reason enough to look into them. Surprisingly if you are already looking at the aforementioned 4500-5500's you are in the price range already. It is not a path for everyone.

Oh btw I was just over the Teton pass this last summer for the rally. Don't think I got anywhere near 40 mph toward the top of the winding curves, but there were cars in front of us setting the pace. Engine brake and 2nd gear descending. The truck is a beast!

[vipermanden]

My first attempt to look on line at the HDT RAMs, and all I saw were the trucks without beds in the back? Where do you see 4500 and 5500 RAMs with 8' beds on them? Do you have the link? I agree with ScottZ, that I need to relax and enjoy the ride more, just nervous how slow would it go with the heavier rig behind me? Also hoping i don't have to go over another 5 mile long 10% grade again like the Teton pass! :-)

[twindman]

Originally Posted by vipermanden

My first attempt to look on line at the HDT RAMs, and all I saw were the trucks without beds in the back? Where do you see 4500 and 5500 RAMs with 8' beds on them? Do you have the link? I agree with ScottZ, that I need to relax and enjoy the ride more, just nervous how slow would it go with the heavier rig behind me? Also hoping i don't have to go over another 5 mile long 10% grade again like the Teton pass! :-)

You can try the 'Oh my God' hill going up the western side of the Big Horns if you are really looking for a steep grade. 8 miles of 8% and then 10 miles of 10%. I did it in 2006 or 2007 with my 2004 Silverado and a 12000 lb. Montana. Pretty much 25 mph the whole way. I now have a newer and more powerful Chevy and a 13500 Mountaineer, but the wife refuses to go up this hill!!! (Oh, the Oh my God is from the Mountainous driving book)

[WeBeFulltime]

Don't the RAM 4500 and 5500 have the same 6.7 Cummins engine as the 3500? You don't really need an excuse to buy a new truck if you want it. Go ahead!

[DadsHemi]

The 5500 you need to buy a bed for them, you can get 4:88 gears and all around heaver duty truck. They come in a few different chassis Lengths and I’ve seen them with the stock 3500 bds on them.