What does all this MEAN? TV help.
So, we bought a truck last year on a whim (Ram 1500), and then bought a rig. Didn't plan the 2 purchases out very well. Technically the 5er is within the specs of the truck....but we towed over I-70...
Forum Discussion
Op. If your pocketbook can handle a diesel then by all means go for it. Just take if for a long 30-60 mile drive every week or so and it will be fine.
I really like the new GM HD trucks.... The 6.7 in the Ford is smooth but there are some reservations I have about it. I test drove a 2013 HD Silverado crew cab dually Duramax. Talk about a nice truck!!
Of course any gasser you are going to have is going to rev and slow down on big hills some. Depending on the grade and the highway 30 mph is not unreasonable. Just let it rev and it will do the job. Note...I agree that your current gasser half ton is too small for the trailer you have.
I do want to give you my experience pulling my 7000 ish lb TT with three trucks.
1) 2000 5.4 Expedition 4x4 with 3.31 gears and 5400 ish lb tow rating
The trailer owned this truck. The transmission stayed in second gear all the time. White knuckled trip due to the wheel base and engine living in high RPM's
2) 1997 5.4 (less hp and tq than the expedition) F150 SuperCab 2wd with 3.55 gears and 8,000 lb tow rating
The seemingly small change in gearing and smaller overall diameter p plus rated tires plus the longer wheelbase made for a much more comfortable tow. The transmission stayed in third much more often and rarely lost speed on hills on the interstate when down shifting. The truck handled the trailer so much better.
However on a 6% grade I was pulling at 35 mph and 4500 rpm by the time I reached the top. Once I got down to 35 mph the truck just chugged right up the grade. No sweat.
3) 1999 F350 V10 Dually Crew cab 2wd with 3.73 gears.
The chassis and wheelbase made for an amazingly stable platform. The V10 in 3.73 gave me ZERO additional engine performance over the 3.55 F150. They were both in the same engine class (Modular motor family) they both revved at the same times over the same roads. I wished I had 4.30 or 4.56 gears. That would have made that v10 into a monster.
I wanted to share that to illustrate that there is more to towing performance than the class of the vehicle. If you get a 6.2 F250 with 3.73 you may be surprised to find out how well your Hemi Ram actually did. Same if you get a 5.7 Hemi 2500 ram or a 2500 Silverado with the 6.0 all with 3.73 gears. The newer transmission do make things better now than my old 4 speeds.
If you get a Gasser get the lowest gear ratio available and your experience will be better.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
I really like the new GM HD trucks.... The 6.7 in the Ford is smooth but there are some reservations I have about it. I test drove a 2013 HD Silverado crew cab dually Duramax. Talk about a nice truck!!
Of course any gasser you are going to have is going to rev and slow down on big hills some. Depending on the grade and the highway 30 mph is not unreasonable. Just let it rev and it will do the job. Note...I agree that your current gasser half ton is too small for the trailer you have.
I do want to give you my experience pulling my 7000 ish lb TT with three trucks.
1) 2000 5.4 Expedition 4x4 with 3.31 gears and 5400 ish lb tow rating
The trailer owned this truck. The transmission stayed in second gear all the time. White knuckled trip due to the wheel base and engine living in high RPM's
2) 1997 5.4 (less hp and tq than the expedition) F150 SuperCab 2wd with 3.55 gears and 8,000 lb tow rating
The seemingly small change in gearing and smaller overall diameter p plus rated tires plus the longer wheelbase made for a much more comfortable tow. The transmission stayed in third much more often and rarely lost speed on hills on the interstate when down shifting. The truck handled the trailer so much better.
However on a 6% grade I was pulling at 35 mph and 4500 rpm by the time I reached the top. Once I got down to 35 mph the truck just chugged right up the grade. No sweat.
3) 1999 F350 V10 Dually Crew cab 2wd with 3.73 gears.
The chassis and wheelbase made for an amazingly stable platform. The V10 in 3.73 gave me ZERO additional engine performance over the 3.55 F150. They were both in the same engine class (Modular motor family) they both revved at the same times over the same roads. I wished I had 4.30 or 4.56 gears. That would have made that v10 into a monster.
I wanted to share that to illustrate that there is more to towing performance than the class of the vehicle. If you get a 6.2 F250 with 3.73 you may be surprised to find out how well your Hemi Ram actually did. Same if you get a 5.7 Hemi 2500 ram or a 2500 Silverado with the 6.0 all with 3.73 gears. The newer transmission do make things better now than my old 4 speeds.
If you get a Gasser get the lowest gear ratio available and your experience will be better.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
