2002 Dodge 1500 QuadCab

[Melvin P. Thorpe]

Anyone using this 4.7 engine truck as a tow vehicle? It is rated for 6300#. Got it before the wife said ok to new airstream. On lease so gotta keep it for a few years before that diesel is in the driveway.

[Silvertwinkie]

I took a look at the '03 Dodge site and the 4x4 1500 quad cab w/3.93 gears is rated at 6850lbs. Make sure you have at least 3.73s or the 3.93 they are talking about and any cooling and/or trailer packages and I think you will be fine for anything in the 6500-6800lb range. But do look around, don't take my word as gospel.

Apple1 is also great source for Dodge/Chrysler info.

Regards,

Eric

[Chuck]

How big is the airstream?

I have an '00 ram quad-cab w/ the 318, and it pulls my 23' trailer just fine. slows down on really steep hills in the mountains, though...but what doesn't? (ok, some behemoth 3/4 ton super-duper-costs-twice-as-much-as-my-truck thing).

Anyway...apple1 tells me that the 4.7 is supposed to be "better" than my older 5.2, in terms of horsepower.

[apple 1]

Melvin,
Does your truck have the trailer tow package? If it does should be no problem with a 6300 lb. trailer. The 4.7 is a better engine than the old reliable 5.2 engine in addition the 4.7 has a new and better automatic transmission with better first and second gear ratios. If you do not have the trailer tow package you will need to add a trans oil cooler. The wiring harness with the 7 way plug is avaliable from your Dodge dealer as a kit and connects into the truck electrical system with plugs, so no need for cut and splice type hook ups.
Go get an Airstream and join us on the open road.

Jim

[Melvin P. Thorpe]

Have the TT tow package w/ oil and trans cooler. Wondering if I should add another trans cooler? Dealer said that as long as I was not fulll-timing it and traveling a lot the truck should be ok. I will be taking 200-500 mile roundtrips once a month for long weekends so I don't think I will be abusing the truck. When the lease is up it is diesel time!

[apple 1]

Melvin,
If you have the factory TT package you won't need any additional coolers. Only recommendation is to change rear axle or if 4x4 both axles to 90-140 full synthetic lube. There is a Chrysler part# listed in the owners manual but shoud be avaliable at any good parts store.
Dodge truck TT packages are final verified on places such as Baker grade on I-15, Grapevine grade on I-5, and in Death Valley on Townes Pass and several others. All final testing is performed when temp is 100 degrees or more.

Jim

[Melvin P. Thorpe]

Thanks for all your help. I have already changed to synthetic in the rear end. (2x4) Is there a synthetic for the trans? I was planning on changing trans oil when I change engine oil at every 5,000 miles. I know the weak link is the trans and heat is the enemy there.

[Melvin P. Thorpe]

I forgot to add that I changed tires to LT rated from P rated and changed shocks to Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. I was getting a bounce steer condition that was putting the truck almost out of control at anything over 80mph when hitting a diagonal seam in the pavement. I almost lost the truck one night when I forgot about the spot in the highway where this occurs, was half tired and heading home at about 80.

Dealer has had reports of this but factory doesn't have a fix yet. I kept going over one particular spot that caused the condition and adjusted the shocks until no more bounce steer.
Told the dealer my fix and he is passing it along to others who complain. Since I made these changes I haven't had any problems.

When I hook up I will adjust the shocks firmer a couple of notches.

[femuse]

was half tired and heading home at about 80.

You will be fine. We will be even finer if you stay west of the Mississippi.

[Melvin P. Thorpe]

Wasn't pulling a trailer. 55-60 for me pulling a TT.

In California if you aren't going 80 on the freeways you are getting run over.

[femuse]

OK, you're forgiven then

That'll give you some practice to drive around New York City and Washington DC then.

[apple 1]

Melvin,
Recommended change interval with TT is 24,000 miles, I changed mine to synthetic and use Amsoil product. Last changed mine after 20,000 miles with 10,000 TT miles from trip to California and points north. Could have gone without the change as oil was fine with no burnt smell and no junk in the bottom of the pan. msoil will run cooler and last at least twice as long. I buy mine direct from there web site at "www.amsoil.com". It should never be necessary to change your trans oil at 5000 miles. I also use there oil in my truck and change every 6000 miles even though they recommed every 12,000 with a filter change at 6,000 miles.
Apple1

[Melvin P. Thorpe]

I will check out their website. I know that my trans takes a different trans oil than I have been used to using. I guess I can extend the interval for trans oil changes to 10,000 for a while just to see what is happening with the oil.

[davidz71]

I second apple1's recommendation on the synthetic ATF and also the fact that you do not need to change ATF every 5,000 miles. If you are worried about the regular ATF, keep an eye on the trans. dip stick. If I were full timing then I would probably change every 10,000 with regular fluid. I'd recommend the Amsoil synthetic ATF and you'll enjoy protection for your transmission and increased change intervals.

If you have a 4X4, I've seen the need to fill the front axle with synthetic unless you have a full time 4X4, you spend countless hours back in the woods using 4X4 or you use the front axle in snow all the time. I'm a big synthetic fan and all my 4X4s have synthetic in the rear axle and transmission. Synthetic reduces friction and if you rarely use the front axle, why waste the extra money.

[Melvin P. Thorpe]

Any big difference in Synthetics. Mobile1, Amzol, and the rest?

[davidz71]

I've use Amsoil in my engines for about 7 years now and have been happy with it. I had Mobile 1 in the rear axle of my '92 Z71 because I ran across a sale just before I got ready to order Amsoil. My current 2500hd has Amsoil (light blue color to match my Airstream believe it or not) rear end gear oil and I run Amsoil 5w-30 in the crankcase. When I run across a sale on Mobile 1 5W-30 then I have purchased it but I opt for the Amsoil most of the time. Amsoil ATF has been on the market for years and since I am not familiar with a Mobile 1 ATF, I stay with Amsoil. Other companies producing synthetic products are Royal Purple and Red Line not to mention the oil companies who are handling synblends. All of them are better than regular oil particularly under extreme conditions or extended intervals.