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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: morefire on March 05, 2012, 06:35:15 PM

Title: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: morefire on March 05, 2012, 06:35:15 PM
Does anyone here have any experience using an 06 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 as a TOAD?
This one has an automatic transmission, but a manual shift transfer case  selector to put it in 4x4 high, low or neutral.
I am hoping I wouldn't have to disconect the drive shafts if I were to use it as a TOAD.
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: Ralph7 on March 05, 2012, 07:10:59 PM
 I wish my 98 Dodge 2500 4x4 had front lockout hubs. Check your book, mine shift transfer case to neutral(make sure it's in N).
    I was informed that Ineeded a 10,000 lb. towbar.
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: Seayfam on March 05, 2012, 07:25:45 PM
Ralph7,
You can convert that easy enough. Just use the parts off of an older Ford F350 with the Dana 60 front end. You will need everything from the ball joints out.

David,
I'm not sure if the 2006 Dodge has it or not, but other brands of trucks that year have pumps in their transfer cases. I would definitely check with Dodge on it unless someone on here knows for sure.

Good Luck
Gary
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: thomasinnv on March 05, 2012, 09:00:44 PM
according to page 27 of the 2006 dinghy towing guide it is towable without any modifications. I can email you the whole guide if you like.
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: TomC on March 06, 2012, 07:52:37 AM
While you have more then enough power to pull it, it is still an awfully large toad to pull. Make sure you're welding the 10,000lb hitch to the frame of the bus and not the engine cradle.  Most 4x4's with manual transfer cases that have a neutral position are towable.  Make sure when towing the transmission is in park.  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: 06 Bill on March 06, 2012, 08:06:58 AM
I pulled my 97 dodge 1500 4X4 extra cab for a few trips. Put transfer in N & go. Never a prob with truck however feels like you are towing another bus. Pulled & stopped with some anxiety. Would not do again to heavy.   06 Bill
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: morefire on March 06, 2012, 01:01:47 PM
Quote from: thomasinnv on March 05, 2012, 09:00:44 PM
according to page 27 of the 2006 dinghy towing guide it is towable without any modifications. I can email you the whole guide if you like.

Great news.  I've done some researche, and several people in the "know" have confirmed that you can.   Thanks
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: thomasinnv on March 06, 2012, 03:56:39 PM
I pulled a Ford Super Duty extra cab diesel long box truck (can you say heavy?) for about two years. I definitely knew it was back there. I now have a explorer, about half the weight. Definitely tell the difference. I would never tow a full size pickup again.
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: Uglydog56 on March 06, 2012, 04:23:53 PM
Yeah but David's got 1.21 jigawatts of horsepower.  He could probably flat tow my bus up a hill faster than I could drive it up, even after I get the turbo on.  I don't think he needs to worry about the weight of his toad.  The only precaution I would take is to check your state's laws regarding auxiliary braking.  The states are all over the place on brake assist in a toad.
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: Seayfam on March 06, 2012, 07:35:54 PM
Quote from: Uglydog56 on March 06, 2012, 04:23:53 PM
Yeah but David's got 1.21 jigawatts of horsepower.  He could probably flat tow my bus up a hill faster than I could drive it up, even after I get the turbo on.  I don't think he needs to worry about the weight of his toad.  The only precaution I would take is to check your state's laws regarding auxiliary braking.  The states are all over the place on brake assist in a toad.

No doubt, 675hp would be considered a big engine in A truck towing 85k. I was pretty happy to have 500hp in the truck.
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: thomasinnv on March 06, 2012, 08:40:14 PM
Yeah i forgot about the big power plant he has in there. If I had his problem, I would never have sold the pickup. I miss my powerstroke.
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: buswarrior on March 06, 2012, 11:09:43 PM
David doesn't live in a state.

happy coaching!
buswarrior
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: Uglydog56 on March 07, 2012, 08:20:24 AM
Der, thank you, and I even checked his sig for his name.  Where's the facepalm smiley?
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: Busted Knuckle on March 07, 2012, 09:15:01 AM
Don Fairchild tows a 4 door Chevy 3500 4X4 everywhere he goes. And loads the bed of it with parts & tools and what ever else other busnuts find for him to haul coast to coast for them! LOL!
I wouldn't be afraid of pulling a truck that big, just finding the fuel $ to pull it!
;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: belfert on March 07, 2012, 10:31:21 AM
Quote from: buswarrior on March 06, 2012, 11:09:43 PM
David doesn't live in a state.

Most provinces are even more strict that US states on having auxiliary braking for toads.  I would also assume David isn't going to limit his travels to only Canada.
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: morefire on March 07, 2012, 06:02:35 PM
Thanks for all the replies.  I am in Toronto/Ontario, however I do most of my traveling down to the US.  
Allot of trips through Western NY for my sons Motocross racing, and down to Florida and Georgia through out the winter.
I dont unerstand how the TOAD Brakes work? or if I HAVE to have it.

Now I just need to find a deal on a Good Hitch rated for at least 7000LBS
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: thomasinnv on March 07, 2012, 06:29:45 PM
Quote from: morefire on March 07, 2012, 06:02:35 PM
Now I just need to find a deal on a Good Hitch rated for at least 7000LBS

I would go with a 10k blue ox setup. Very sturdy, easy for one person to handle, and the towbar can be used with any vehicle you might happen to get in the future, just install a baseplate on the toad. if you have more than one toad this setup would really be the way to go.
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: Uglydog56 on March 07, 2012, 06:38:39 PM
http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm (http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm)

Without actually plotting a route on google maps, it doesn't look like you would need brake assist in your pickup.  Ontario and New York do not require it according to the link.
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: morefire on March 07, 2012, 06:46:58 PM
This is great news!  Thanks

Anyone have a good deal on a Blue Ox set up for me :)
Title: Re: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 as a TOAD?
Post by: jmblake on March 07, 2012, 07:45:30 PM
David
I used to pull a GMC Envoy with no brake assist and if I would of had a emergency stop situation I probably wouldn't have been able to stop. Then last year we traded cars and I wanted to be able to haul our golf cart also so I got the base plate for my 3/4 ton extended cab 4x4 gmc and put the M&G air brake assist on the truck and I couldn't believe how big the difference in stopping was. I wouldn't tow with out one now that I used one. Here is a link to there web site  http://www.m-gengineering.com/ (http://www.m-gengineering.com/) they work of the air brake on the bus and have a emergency breakaway also and installed in about 2 hours plus if you trade vehicles you can trade in for your new vehicle with a small price. Good luck Jason