Anyone tow their viper with a SRT 10 truck?

[TwinVipers]

It has a tow rating of 7500 lbs but I keep reading that it is not recommended to tow with? Anyone here tow with it and how has it been for you? I'm looking at picking one up with an automatic. Is that better than 6sp for towing? Thanks.

[ACRucrazy]

You want the 4 door auto to tow with. It uses a version of the Cummins transmission. The T56 transmission in the 2 door is not up to the task.

[Black Pearl]

Look for a SRT10 quad cab. Check out the forum VTCOA.

[ViperPete]

You don't need the 4 door truck to tow a Viper

A regular cab truck with the T56 will do just fine. I have a 2005 Quad Cab that I converted to a T56. With it was automatic I towed with it. Now that it is a stick, I tow with it. No difference except a lot better fuel economy and a lot more fun! The frame is the same regardless of the transmission. The T56 in the SRT10 ram is the strongest version of the transmission ever made. Frankly I hated the 48RE automatic transmission. Its clunky, heavy, and the gear ratios were a lot to be desired.

A good friend of mine tows his regular cab Viper truck with his regular cab Viper truck.

So go ahead. SRT10 Rams are still 1500 Rams, strong back bone, 4.56 rear end, 15" brakes, fat sway bars, 305mm tires..... a lot of good.

Ive had my truck for 6 years and put around 45k on it. I drive the truck hard and have not yet had anything mechanical break other than a belt tensioner.

And yes check out the VTCOA. Great tight-knit club.

[TwinVipers]

Thanks guys! The truck I'm looking at is the quad cab with auto. Not too happy about the auto also but for towing it's practical.
Viperpete how much of a pain in the ass was the conversion anyways?

[ViperPete]

Thanks guys! The truck I'm looking at is the quad cab with auto. Not too happy about the auto also but for towing it's practical.
Viperpete how much of a pain in the ass was the conversion anyways?

Extremely easy. Literally just swapped parts. A 1 piece driveshaft is needed. But you can buy that from a vendor on VTCOA.

In total the swap took me around 6 hours. Cost was around 5k.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

[DublinOH]

I tow my viper and prowlers behind my Srt10 quad cab. I used to pull a 24' enclosed trailer, but switched to an Aluma open trailer. I was never comfortable pulling the 24'. The half ton suspension had too much sway for me. Power wise, it would go anywhere without downshifting if you kept it above 65 mph. No issues whatsoever with the open trailer.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

FACT: One of the primary reasons for the reduced towing capacity of the SRT10 Ram is the increased octane requirement under heavy loads. Pinging under Load WILL damage the engine, so the load was limited. If you run 93 octane, no issues. If you run 91 or 92 you can use a non-alcohol an octane booster.

Do use a load-leveler / anti-sway-hitch with the 2 bars/chains to minimize short wheelbase swaying. Works GREAT !

[swexlin]

FACT: One of the primary reasons for the reduced towing capacity of the SRT10 Ram is the increased octane requirement under heavy loads. Pinging under Load WILL damage the engine, so the load was limited. If you run 93 octane, no issues. If you run 91 or 92 you can use a non-alcohol an octane booster.

Do use a load-leveler / anti-sway-hitch with the 2 bars/chains to minimize short wheelbase swaying. Works GREAT !

Excellent information from Jon B! I never knew this.

[Vprbite]

Excellent information from Jon B! I never knew this.

Neither did I. Good info to have.

[TwinVipers]

Great info, thanks everyone. Now to get that truck that's currently in Canada brought back to the states.

[ViperPete]

There are a couple nice machines for sale on VTCOA.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Important PS to towing with Ram SRT10 / T56 6-speed:

The octane requirement under load also dictates that you should NOT use the two "overdrive" gears 5th and 6th when towing/accelerating under load. Down hill slight grades no problem, obviously. But when your RPMs drop while crusing, you need to get that motor back in its torque band and avoid ANY lugging or pinging, even for a short few seconds! SRT lowered the towing limits for engine protection, so dont try for improved gas-mileage when towing your Viper.

Pinging = death! Good plugs, good wires, good octane, then tow....

[Mopar'er no car]

It's not an issue..With common sence and basic towing knowledge. The 505 really dosent mind to be lugged a bit, a fellow VOA member uses them as work trucks.(all reg cabs) I know he's put around 150k on them combined, and has towed a few more #s than i would feel safe with.LoL .I'll see if he will post up..Myself I would set my SCT to the 87 tune with 93 in the tank.

[ViperPete]

It's not an issue..With common sence and basic towing knowledge. The 505 really dosent mind to be lugged a bit, a fellow VOA member uses them as work trucks.(all reg cabs) I know he's put around 150k on them combined, and has towed a few more #s than i would feel safe with.LoL .I'll see if he will post up..Myself I would set my SCT to the 87 tune with 93 in the tank.

My truck has a regular gas tune as well. I get free gas and my truck is my daily so it just made sense. It still pulls like crazy and hev never noticed any pinging or anything out of the ordinary.

[viperhauler]

I have owned 3 RC viper trucks and have put well over 200k miles on them collectively, and have towed with all of them.
I own a construction company and have used each of them for daily use.
I tow my enclosed trailer, my car hauler, dump trailer, utility trailer - you name it.
I only run 93 octane and have from day 1.
There's ZERO issues with towing with a regular cab 6spd, or converted quad cab.
All this nonsense about tuning, and fuel, and this and that is unfounded.

[Mopar'er no car]

Hi Dan!!

[viperhauler]

Hi pookie pants!

[ViperPete]

Hi pookie pants!

Hello

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

"All this nonsense about fuel" ?? My only advice (correct) was to use 93 octane as you do, if you wanna tow safely with SRT RAMS, esp w/ a T-56.

I have owned 3 RC viper trucks and have put well over 200k miles on them collectively, and have towed with all of them.
I own a construction company and have used each of them for daily use.
I tow my enclosed trailer, my car hauler, dump trailer, utility trailer - you name it.
I only run 93 octane and have from day 1.
There's ZERO issues with towing with a regular cab 6spd, or converted quad cab.
All this nonsense about tuning, and fuel, and this and that is unfounded.

[TwinVipers]

After two weeks of waiting for border paperwork, I finally flew out to get this beast from Canada. Awesome truck for sure with great mods! Thanks everyone for your help.

[ViperPete]

After two weeks of waiting for border paperwork, I finally flew out to get this beast from Canada. Awesome truck for sure with great mods! Thanks everyone for your help.

Nice truck! I think i saw your post on facebook.

[TwinVipers]

Thx!

[Viper Girl]

"All this nonsense about fuel" ?? My only advice (correct) was to use 93 octane as you do, if you wanna tow safely with SRT RAMS, esp w/ a T-56.

Your advice was and is correct Jon... I don't think he was actually referring to your posts...

We all know you are the Viper GodFather... and have forgotten more things than most ever knew about Vipers...

[Banzai88]

Congrats on the truck, it looks awesome! I have a '05 quad cab w auto that I have been using as my tow vehicle for 3-4 years now and it's been fine. The gearing is not the best, in my opinion there's too much difference between 3rd and 4th. It could use more gears like newer trucks. I have the Torrie tune set at 91 octane and push the tow mode button (which turns off overdrive,4th) whenever there's any load on it like slight inclines. I tow an all aluminum enclosed trailer that weighs 6300 lbs fully loaded. What's also cool is I took the truck to the drag strip and it ran 13.9 in the quarter, beat my son in his 350z! I'm sure you will enjoy your viper truck with the exception of the gas mileage, it's a guzzler!