May need new cat's(need advice)

I have a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 2wd extented cab pick-up with towing package. I use this truck for towing an IMCA modified. Yesterday on the way to the track the truck lost power going up hills, more than you would expect when towing a 2500lbs race car and trailer. The driver of the truck (I was not able to go with team this weekend) pulled to the side of the road and looked over the truck. It was determined that cat's may be clogged so upstream o2 sensor was removed This seemed to improve condition and truck was brought back to shop. My question is: with these symptoms can anyone think of anything else that may be causing this condition? Also I have heard what I thought was a heat sheild ratteling for the past couple of weeks I'm now thinking this may have been the grids in the cat comming loose.

Thanks in advance.

My cat is rattly too. I just ordered a new one from magnaflow. It does sound like its the cat.

I would just get rid of the cat.

Plugged cats is a common problem on the 96-97. There are numerous posts here about your same condition on other peoples' vehicles.

Sounds like yours need to be replaced (or if non emissions state) removed.

Do not remove the cat's.If you have a shop do it and they are caught doing it,a $10,000 fine.The check engine light will stay on all the time if the cat's are removed

Do not remove the cat's.If you have a shop do it and they are caught doing it,a $10,000 fine.The check engine light will stay on all the time if the cat's are removed

I don't know about the 97 model but removing the cat on a 94 will not make the check engine light come on. I do know that the newer 2000 model trucks can't have the cat removed because of the O2 sensor, just not sure about the mid to late 90's model trucks.

There are ways a shop can do it for you and make it not trace back to them. It's pretty common for people around my area to do this.

If you wanna pull out the cat but not have the check engine light on you can just buy an O2 sensor simulator

Yeah, stictly "off road" trucks are allowed to not have cats.