i recently purchased a 1997 dodge 3500 4x4 cummins turbo 12 valve automatic the first two days i drove it had no problems then i was hauling my two horse trailer and when trying to climb a small incline the truck actually bogged down and died did this three times before i got it home the next day had the trailer unhooked from it didnt seem to have any trouble pulling the same inclines can anyone tell me what may be goin on

 

Could be your overflow valve, but most likely the lift pump.

 

I second the lift pump

 

thanks i will check that first then is there anyway to test if either is bad before i replace them

 

check the pressure coming out of the lift pump should be above 25 psi someone correct me if im wrong

 

I'd replace the fuel filter first. Then, I'd drop the little plastic mesh screen off the bottom of the fuel heater near the lift pump and clean it. I seem to recall that the housing the mesh is in is removed with a 17mm socket on an extension from below.

It's also possible that there is a restriction somewhere before the lift pump. That would cause the lift pump to fail the pressure test under heavy load even if the pump was not the problem, as the pump would not be receiving enough fuel to develop normal output pressure. I went through total hell with exactly the same problem on my '98 12v. You'll never guess what it was...there was a 4th fuel filter in the system. I don't know if your truck has it or not, but it was INSIDE the pickup unit in the tank. NOT the little mesh screen on the bottom of the pickup, but actually inside it. It was clogged beyond belief. I simply took it out and threw it away. I can't remember whether I had to extend a hose to make up for the loss of the filter or not, but I do remember that getting rid of it was easy. It just sucked having to drop the tank to get to it. At the time, nobody on the internet seemed to know about this filter. I posted pictures of it (can't remember which forum) and a lot of people were surprised. I never had another fuel starvation problem again.

 

thank for that info i will check all that first dropping the tank to me right now sounds better than replacing a $200 lift pump but will start with the filter and fuel heater

 

changed fuel filter seemed to take care of the issue took it down the road 70mph hooked up 5,000lb trailer took it down the road got up to 60mph and up steep hill at 40 mph no issues get home unhook trailer start to take off on level ground and truck tires to bog down and die but i let off throttle and it stayed running im very puzzled is there any other problem that someone might know of before i change the lift pump

 

you can test your fuel pressure. but if you don't want too just replace the lift pump. its not to pricey and its easy to install.

 

Testing your fuel pressure would def. go a long way in figuring out what your problem is. You could try diagnosing the overflow valve. Here is a good resource:

Ram Diesel Injector Pump Problems