LOL! I got hammered for wanting to extend a 1500lb GVWR utility trailer. I have popcorn and a cold beer, let it begin!

 

This is a big bit if stuff to chew on.

I will start by saying I had similar dreams once, also. I also liked the extra cab Ford, but wanted a longer bed. So what I did was found a dbl. cab F350, and laid the 250 extra cab on it. I got a service bed that was 9'5" long. In short, a sheet of plywood, and a 5 gal. bucket in front of it. This was actually easier and safer than the cut/ weld scenario.

I'll point you in this direction; look for a truck with a heavier chassis, and move your cab over. Or, sell your truck, and get the one you NEED. Don't cut it up and hose yourself. If you are overloaded, you will do nothing but create misery stretching an over-stressed chassis. When this overweighted, cut and stretched chassis fails on the highway, and kills someone...... you will be going to PRISON for gross negligence/ vehicular manslaughter, if you survive the crash. Cutting chassis' and monkeying around is for offroading, where you are not breaking on a crowded highway.

Not to mention, you have safety inspections in your state???? You are not going to look to good in the test station, and the truck will be un-sellable after you butcher it.

Rethink this.:nono:

 

Thanks Paul!

 

if you do go that route i would reinforce the frame from the Trans cross member back. those dodges liked to fold right behind the cab.

 

not to start an argument about what should or should not be done but in most state it is not illegal to shotrn or streatch frames. that being said one must ask himself Do i have the knowledge and the skills to properlly engineer this so that it will not fail? thats a tall order that you sre suggesting. I have done some frame mods I made 50's chevy 4x4 but that is not half the stress that you are talking about.

One thing that if you do stretch the frame it would add a loot of strength the the frame if you boxed the area after you do the stretch.

sorry about my speling its 1:00am and a week of very little sleep so forgive me if this reads a litte joofy, it just the insomnia:sleeping:

Anthony

 

not to start an argument about what should or should not be done but in most state it is not illegal to shorten or streatch frames. that being said one must ask himself Do i have the knowledge and the skills to properly engineer this so that it will not fail? thats a tall order that you sre suggesting. I have done some frame mods I made 50's chevy 4x4 but that is not half the stress that you are talking about.

One thing that if you do stretch the frame it would add a loot of strength the the frame if you boxed the area after you do the stretch.



Anthony

Okay, while it is not illegal to stretch a non-commercial hauling vehicle, it is VERY much so illegal to knowingly compromise the integrity of commercial hauling vehicles. The rules for frame stretching vary widely, but the fact remains a vehicle in an accident that fails because of a frame alteration or driveline alteration will cause the blame to be squarely laid upon the owner of the vehicle, the driver, the fabricator, and ANYONE involved with said fiasco.

To your second highlighted point; while strengthening a frame can be done in many cases, the leverage/ physics associated with stretching a hauler frame 2-3ft. will completely overcome the added material. Expect to see a failure on the other side fo the boxed section, or on both sides of the patched area. Simply put, a 2x4 joist will carry only so much on a 10ft span. Stretch it to 12ft, the load goes down considerably. Add 2 2x4 together, and the fact remains that while yes, they are stronger than 1, a 12ft 2x6 will resist flexing and carry the load much better. Longer, bigger frames need bigger pieces, not just more smaller pieces.

i stink i smells a troll... :laugh:

Agreed. Thread is DEAD.:dizzy:

 

Its an 01 model. It had gaven me over 200,000 miles without a breakdown plus it is one of hte last cummins engine with all parts are mechanical and not electonic like the new ones. My inspector is um lets say just write the paper without looken SHHHHHSSSHHHH

 

An 01 truck has an electronic VP-44 injection pump, it is NOT all mechanical. And 50,000 lbs????? Are you guess and over estimating? I hope so because that is severely over loaded and far in excess of any load range "E" tires.

You're just trolling right?

 

Where are you getting your gross weight and loaded weight from I have read it twice to make sure I am reading it correctly? 50,000 pounds would snap a one ton truck frame and spin the pinion off. I have seen some dodges with 25k truck and trailer and it was hating it. 50k is getting up to where you need a tractor trailer.

 

I'm not sure our R model Mack with the heavy trailer went 50K and you want this in a Dodge!


Newer trucks use high tensile frames and many are tempered or heat treated. Almost all manufacturers recomend replacement rather than welded repairs on them. Most have a sticker that specifically states "DO NOT WELD" right on the frame. There are very special procedures and steps for steel like these frames are made from. It's not a process for the average skilled welder, let alone someone who says they are "Im only 18. and experinces is a lil low for me."

As suggested you need to look at a bigger vehicle. Even my F550 isn't rated for that sort of weight. Mine is an 11' bed and the weight for the GVW for truck alone is 19.5K IIRC. With trailer it's 35K I think. You can find some nice deals on F650-750 /6500 series trucks if you look a bit, often with 11-14' landscaper flatbeds or 9-11' dumps. Also I looked at any number of Sterlings, Topkicks, Freighliner box trucks that you could replace the box on cheap. With those if anything you'd be shortening the frame not lengthening it.

 

If it's a crew cab, remove your back seat and mount it inside the truck. If not mount it to the roof of the cab.:laugh:

Problem solved!:gunsfirin

 

Quad cab or Mega? You have options though not sure about a full 3'.

http://www.megacablongbed.com/

http://www.longbedmegacab.com/

http://www.innovativecustoms.net/mega_cabs.php



As for the weight and how you're loaded. that's a different story. Its not about what the engine will pull it's about what the brakes can stop. I recommend beefing up those brakes. You're setting yourself up for heartache otherwise.

I'd have a good hard look at the Ram CC 4500 & 5500 trucks for grins and giggles.

Last but not least I'll suggest you also make this post on a Dodge Cummins truck forum. I think the guys there would love to have a crack at this idea :drinkup:



Edit: scratch those links, you're in an 01, I was thinking you're in a 3rd gen.

 

50K lbs?
In a DODGE?????
Highly unlikely..

I have a '99 F-350 4X4 Diesel dumptruck and the G.V.W. is only 12.5K
If I get pulled over at a weigh station and am over the limit?
I get SCREWED!!!!


Someone needs a new scale.

...zap!

 

if your willing to spend money just trade it in on the right truck, 35000 -50000 lbs ??????
what the heck have you got that thing loaded with ? im not so sure about that

 

i hual an exavator with it. it no more than 15 miles on back roads bout every 2 months. hell i drive 1st n 2nd gear n thats the fastest i go. what bout 2 and half feet. would that work??. if it cant handle the weight no more then i guess ill have to find a new way to move it.

 

In a case like this, if you have to ask you shouldn't be screwing with it...

P.s. the 12v is the "mechanical" version of the cummins.

If you really want to keep it look for a company specializing in frame stretches, if you find that too expensive (and you probably will) go buy yourself something a little bigger.... most cities will sell their old dump trucks pretty cheap and 4500's 5500's are easy to find for cheap... if your going 1-2 miles on a back road, just drive the damn backhoe.

 

If you really insist on doing it then find a Semi company. They do frame work on these all the time. Hell we do quite a few at work a week. But without experience, if you do this then let me know so I can warn any bus loads of nuns in your area.

 

I have an 01' Dodge Ram 1500 and have owned an 01 Dodge Ram 3500 5.9L CTD. First off, the 01' Cummins uses the VP44 which is an electronicly controlled injection pump. My 93' Cummins uses a Bosch VE which is a purely mechanical. None of the 24v Cummins engines found in Dodges from the factory are purely mechanical. I just had to say that because it was really bugging me. :realmad:

2nd off, you're insane. 50k is suicidal in your truck which is not designed to in an way tow that much weight. Never mind your frame. Your brakes are not designed for this! This is an extreme safety hazard and completely illegal in your truck. I'm pretty sure towing over your GCVWR (gross combined vehicle weight rating) is illegal in any state.

GET A SEMI-TRACTOR!

I will not tow over 8000lbs with my Ram 1500 even though I have a 3.9L Cummins and NV5600 transmission. Why? My brakes are stock.

 

lol I concur with sirhannick on the Dodge facts

-98.5 are 12v (mechanical)
98.5-02 are 24v (VP44)
03- are common rail (CP3)

 

http://dodgeram.info/2001/towing-charts.html I was hoping 50 k was a typo Max trailer weight is 13,500 which is a big enough load to try and stop with a 1 ton truck. 50,000 pounds with a one ton truck is just crazy

 

If you have and excavator to pull, create a quick way to mount and release the welder, If you only pull this trailer occasoinally pluck the welder from the truck bed with the excavator, there's 1400 lbs gone and no clearance issues. if you need the welder drop it on the tounge of the trailer, I assume it is a gooseneck. What is the excavator, mini or full size. I think the absolute largest you should be pulling is 16K on a pickup and trailer of any size. If you are truly approaching 50K your killing your truck , endangering anyone around you and I would not want to be you on a down hill when any of it fails. If it goes bad and you are unhurt you will likely be out a truck, trailer and excavator in a best case scenario, give it some thought. If you want to stretch your truck for average use, no biggie, but even left alone what you say you are doing, is dangerous to you and others. Do you want to be responsible when that kid on a bicycle appears in front of you without warning where he really normally wouldn't be? Your 18, you probably don't think about things like that cause your not that far from a bicycle. No offense meant. Just don't have the experience to know how much trouble your courting.

 

Pulling that much weight with a little truck is as smart as using an arc gouger in your lap.

I love the truck and do not want a differnt one.

It isn't about what you "want", it's about what you need. Think like a man.

If the job makes money, spend the money to get the excavator hauled or to buy something that will haul it:

http://www.whiteowl.com/25TONCLASSTRUCKS.html

If the job doesn't make enough money, stop doing the job. "Git 'er dun!" kills innocent people every year, even on back roads.

 

Agreed with the above on the injection pump specs..BUT...it is completely doable and relatively inexpensive to retrofit a p-7100 mechanical pump on the 24-valve Cummins. Pump, front cover, lines, and a few misc parts.....no more vp-44!

 

Do yourself a favor and look for a used F600/700/800/650/750 truck or equivalent Chevy/GMC, Mack, Freightliner, Sterling, Kenworth, Peterbilt, etc, medium/heavy commercial truck to haul the trailer with. Something with a GCVWR of more than 50K lbs. Your '01 Dodge 3500 diesel is rated down about 23K lbs GCVWR if it has the 4.10 axle. You're about double over the rating.

The last year for the mechanical 12 valve Cummins 5.9 was 1998. Your 2001 is a 24 valve computer controlled engine.

 

Okay, so this guy says he's from Oklahoma yet his location lists him from Missouri, he drives a '01 24 valve Dodge that he doesn't know isn't equipped with a P-7100 pump, says his vehicles GW is 32,000 pounds, he's 18 and has already driven 200,000 miles on the truck? I'll agree that this seems a bit much to swallow.

How about a picture of your rig hauling this load, fully loaded, so all can see ewhat might be the best way to resolve your issues?

 

 

Hey Dualie, i used to operate heavy towing/recovery units and I've seen where guys have done that to big units too as a result of getting stupid and anchoring the front down so it didn't lift off the ground when attempting to lift/recover something too large for the unit. That's why they (operators) are called "wreckers" same as I would a couple of those goof balls on the TV show.

Used to install rollback and recovery bodies and did my share of successful frame stretches but I refuse to get involved in those discussions.:dizzy:

:drinkup: