1995 DODGE 1500 V8 4X4

[REDPRIDE]

Ok what you guys think will a 1995 Dodge 4x4 V8 (5.2 liter) tow a Mahindra 5530 2wd with FEL and bush hog? I've done all the research and looked at the towing capacities and all that jazz, but just wondering if someone out there has actually tried and how it does. Also think I should use a goose neck instead of a bumper pull. Just wanted to get everyones thoughts...Thanks

 

[LD1]

A 5400# tractor
A ~1500# loader (guessing here)
A 1000# Bushhog (guessing again)

Total of 7900# of towing + trailer

18 year old 1/2 ton with small V8

Personally I wouldnt do it with that truck. Especially any distance at all or any hills.

A couple mile trip down back roads that are flat, maybe????

Those are conservative weights also. Given you are 2wd, do you have wheel weights and/or filled tires?? That could easily add another 1000-2000#

 

[Diamondpilot]

The 318 is a good motor but gutless. My neighbor had a 96 4x4 Ram 360 and a 27' travel trailer and it struggled. He traded it for a 2005 F150 4x4 5.4 and it did much better.

I would say its too much for the 318.

Chris

 

[REDPRIDE]

Kinda what I was thinking, just wanted to check, thanks for the input guys, really appreciate it.

 

[tcartwri]

I foolishly towed a triple axle equipment float loaded with a 3/4 ton ford pickup ( roughly 12,000 lbs ), with my 95 F-150 4.9L six..... It had the power to do it, but at one point the trailer got into a sway and almost jackknifed the truck. Trying to correct it made it worse, so I literally let the steering go where it wanted and thankfully it straightened out. Never again.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I foolishly towed a triple axle equipment float loaded with a 3/4 ton ford pickup ( roughly 12,000 lbs ), with my 95 F-150 4.9L six..... It had the power to do it, but at one point the trailer got into a sway and almost jackknifed the truck. Trying to correct it made it worse, so I literally let the steering go where it wanted and thankfully it straightened out. Never again.

3/4 ton F-150?

Chris

 

[tcartwri]

3/4 ton F-150?

Chris

No, I had a 3/4 ton ford on the trailer. The trailer was about a 12 ton unit.

 

[deerefan]

To the OP, no, I would not. As said, the 318 is reliable but not real powerful for towing. Plus, an 18 year old truck is full of 18 year old parts, making safety a large concern.

 

[Diamondpilot]

No, I had a 3/4 ton ford on the trailer. The trailer was about a 12 ton unit.

Got it. That makes sense.

Chris

 

[LD1]

And drum rear brakes and small disk fronts were anything but ideal

 

[mikehaugen]

A gooseneck on a half ton would be kinda strange to me. I have a '96 4x4 3/4 ton with 5.9. You probably have 3.55's like me and agree that it would struggle. I pulled about 12k a couple times with mine... it would maintain 65 on flat land no problem but would take forever to get there. Once or twice a year under 50 miles on flat land might be okay, but regular towing no.

My dad had a '98 4x4 1/2 ton with 5.9 and I was with him when he pulled about 8 or 9k and he even said he wouldn't want to do it much.

 

[kenmac]

I had a 95 with a 360 .Towing my 20' BP (3000#) and my Yanmar about 3700# was a struggle going up hills and trying to stop going down hills. On a flat surface, it did ok

 

[LD1]

The brakes are what worry me on that truck. They werent great to begin with. Then add 18 year old rusted brake lines

 

[Midniteoyl]

Towed a skidsteer with a 1979 Ford extended with a 390. Guy said weight all up was around 12500lbs. Only did it once, but it was 40 miles each way. With a police directed detour.. oops

 

[94BULLITT]

No plus the trans is pretty weak in those trucks.

 

[LD1]

No plus the trans is pretty weak in those trucks.

Ditto that also. Those trannys werent the most popular. Lots of the issues though were caused by not changing the fluid AND RE-ADJUSTING the bands at the 75,000 miles or whatever dodge spec'ed. The band re-adjustment was a HUGE part of their issues. Cause a slipping band puts all kinds of bad particals in the oil, and makes things stick and not work right.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Ditto that also. Those trannys werent the most popular. Lots of the issues though were caused by not changing the fluid AND RE-ADJUSTING the bands at the 75,000 miles or whatever dodge spec'ed. The band re-adjustment was a HUGE part of their issues. Cause a slipping band puts all kinds of bad particals in the oil, and makes things stick and not work right.

Not sure about the trucks, but in the cars at that time the problems came from using the wrong tranny fluid. They required ATF+4 but the dipstick still said Dextron3.