How do you people think this 1/2 ton pickup will tow it has 500 HP and 525 FT-Lb of torque 6 speed manual trans and four wheel disc brakes I drove one the other day and am going to order it this weekend. <BR> <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/68242.jpg" alt="">

I would think that pulling a trailer with a manual transmission would just be an added headache. MPO

It will probably pull anything... Will is stop it is the questions!

It will tow the hell out of your boat. It has enough low end torque that getting started on the boat ramp shouldn't be an issue.

i see the problem as too much torque and spinning the wheels at the ramp. this is my main concern with the idea I have of getting an F150 lighting when I am done with grad school.

Make sure you check the tow rating. My buddy had a Dodge Dakota SRT-10 (or something like that) with the 5.8ltr. motor and it only had a tow rating of 2000lbs! I'm not saying the V-10 motor wouldn't be capable of towing that much, but they may have tuned it for light duty/ sport performance only.

Looks nice lead foot! But why would you spend all that money to take only one other passenger to the lake? And is the speedo calibrated for those "dubs", how about the brake capability in addition to your towing? Performance rated tires with weight and torque on a wet boat ramp? Spin city baby........Probably be a fun tow rig once in awhile (when you want to be the first one to the lake) but you still have to wait for your 3rd to catch up! I am sure there are plenty of other choices for that kind of money for tow-related sports? How about one of their pissed off Hemis in a 3/4 ton with 4 doors? Now you're talking.... Oh well, be sure and post some pics when she arrives!

When does it come out? Also what is the sticker? I was thinking about getting a lightning, but this could chance my decision. <BR> <BR>Also how does it drive? and how do you keep the back wheels from spinning?

If it ain't 4wd then all the horsies in the world won't help you pull it up the ramp... That's why I keep my boat in a slip and drive my Subaru there...<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/biggrin.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>Plus the spoiler on the back of a pickup looks quite gay don't you think? <BR> <BR>(Message edited by bigd on May 22, 2003)

Brakes are more heavy duty than the 3/4 ton, you can seat 3 and it gets pretty good traction for all that power so I don't think I will have any problem pulling it up the ramp, it has the same tow rating as a regular ram 1500. the 22 inch wheels are stock so the speedo is calibrated for the tire and wheel package and I drove both the lightning and srt-10 and the Dodge smokes the Ford <a href="mailto:13.2@106">13.2@106</a> mph qtr mile time 0 to 60 in 5.2

2004 lightning might be a little closer to those numbers. and you can't deny that the lightning looks one heck of a lot better (both current stlye and 2004.

The truck will be available in early 2004. Sticker price is estimated at under 50K. I don't think a tow package is even an option for 2004, but 2005 there is going to be a quad cab version with tow package. The idea is for Viper owners to pull there car behind there trucks. No 4wd available and it does get real loose on wet pavement.

I'm with Ryan, nice truck but you can't take your friends with you. Just a thought but you may want to look into a four door truck.

I think the Dodge looks a hell of a lot better than the lightning, plus it'll smoke it on the track. You won't have any problem towing a tournament boat with it and the 4 wheel discs will stop it better than most heavy trucks. I'd personally go with the hemi 1500 or 2500 4-door. You'd still have plenty of power, you'd be able to bring friends, and you'd save 20 grand.

for crying out loud. its a race truck, not a tow truck. almost 50 k 4 that? u gotta be kidding. <BR>ill stick with my 2002 gmc 2500 hd crew cab 4x4. now thats a tow vehicle. <BR>im with ryan. <BR>pic in profile

Are you sure the tow rating is the same as the 1500? A buddy of mine just bought the F150 Harley Davidson and while it is 345 hp supercharged V8, it is tow rated to tow 2000 lbs less than the standard F150 because it is tuned out for performance, not hauling. I would be worried about wet pavement at launch ramps too, but if the grade isn't too steep, you may be alright. <BR> <BR>I have to agree with the others on here, looks nice, I'm sure it is fun to drive, but I don't think it is much of practical tow vehicle. <BR> <BR>JB

Sweet Truck and a great toy but I'll stick to my Escalade EXT for towing the boat. Room for 5, AWD, Skid Control, Traction Control and Auto Trans for those delicate ramps. For the days when I need a pure POWER rush I drive the Vette.

Tom, <BR>That’s a nice looking truck… not enough seating for me but I am sure it will be fun to drive. Not sure how heavy your boat is…double check the tow rating. I know when I looked at the Durango and the Durango RT there was a difference in the tow rating base on the different transmissions and tuning. Been a while so I don’t remember the exact numbers. <BR>If that’s your Dodge in your profile pic, I would keep that to tow with that and use the new one for fun driving. <BR>