Forum Discussion

LeonineThor's avatar
LeonineThor
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014

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 Rocky Mountains this last week and it was SCARY - we could barely make it up the big passes, and we didn't even have any water on board! We live in Colorado, so mountain towing is an every week scenario through the summer. We are going to suck it up and buy a new truck, but I'm scared of making the same mistake twice.

Rig:
Keystone Laredo 275SBH - shipping weight is 7155, carrying 2845 = total 10,000. Specs say the pin weight is 1200, but I put it higher. This camper is billed as a "light weight" option.

Current Truck - RAM1500m 5.7L V8, payload 1720, tow 10,450, Horsepower 395, Torque 410

Truck desire - Ford 250 6.2L Gas V8 4x4 (because it is still my grocery getter with the kids and all errands are within 5 miles of my house I don't want diesel). Horsepower 385, Torque 405. I also have a decision on the Axle ratio... 3.73 Axle Ratio puts towing capacity at 12,000, and 4.3 Axle Ratio puts towing at 15,000

Questions:
1. Is the difference in engine size really going to help me up the mountains?

2. What does the horsepower/torque of the 6.2 (Ford250) versus the 5.7 (RAM1500) really mean?

3. If the horsepower/torque doesn't change with the axle ratio - how does the towing capacity increase so dramatically?

Please put your responses in "English" your wife would understand :)

Thank you!
Leo

50 Replies

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  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Mar 25, 2014
    The Ford 6.2 is going to pull stronger than your 5.7, never mind the numbers on paper.

    If you are set on gas, but will be pulling in the mts., I would go with the Ram 2500 6.4, with a 4.10 axle. I'm thinking you will make the best deal, trading Ram for Ram.

    If for whatever reason, you want a Ford, then I would get the 250 6.2, with the 4.30 gears. I have the Ford, and can tell you that you will like the 6.2, and the brakes, on the 13 and newer. Ford also has a very good integrated brake contoller.

    I'm still wondering why you would not just trade for the new Ram?

    Jerry
  • LeonineThor's avatar
    LeonineThor
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    I don't expect to be flying up the hills, but I really felt the truck was struggling too much. We were doing maybe 30mph at 5000rpm in 2nd gear. I kept thinking I hope I don't stop or I will never get started again. Interestingly enough, I felt fine with the truck holding back the weight on the downhill side of the pass.

    It is really a struggle to find the balance between a truck I will use to pull this rig 7-8 times a year, and a truck I run around town in. To answer the question about the gas RAM2500....There are some things I'm not super thrilled about with the RAM in general, so was thinking this is the opportunity to get away from those....."maybe"
  • oweninthekeys's avatar
    oweninthekeys
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    Dandy Dan wrote:
    Leo, If your Ram 1500 is new why not go to the Dodge dealer and see about trading for the 2500 series Ram with the new 6.4 gas and 6 speed tranny. I believe it is over 400 horse and has good torque rating. If I were to buy a new one I would get the 4x4 quad or crew cab with 8' bed.
    As you can see in my signature I have a 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi with 3.73 gears. If I were to get a new one I would probably get one with 4.10 gears. We have put around 35000 miles on the truck pulling a 5er and it has served me fairly well.

    If you don't want a diesel the diesel then I think the 6.4 Hemi sounds sweet. There have been threads on the new Dodge possible in the towing forum. Good Luck and Happy Camping.


    I have to second Dandy Dan. Love my 2014 2500 with 4:10
  • jay5er's avatar
    jay5er
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    First thing do not believe your sales person--I sold for 12 years and it is amazing how dumb some can be for towing. The three most important number are, 1-load weight-- what can you put in the bede of your truck,--2- Towing capaciry, -3- GVWR or grossw vehicle weight raing--rhis is the total weight of your tow vehicl, tthis includes a full tank of gas, total weight including passengers and anything else in the truck or the bed of your truck. I always shoot for a 15 to 20% safety factor. Like I said do not believe your sales person--they have brochuers with all these numbers. Good shopping and be safe.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Mar 25, 2014
    With a gasser in the mountains, get the 4.10 rear end. Just means the engine has to turn more RPM for the same speed. Yes, you won't be flying up any mountain grades, but you shouldn't be doing that anyway. It =will= help on downgrades in that the rear-end will turn the engine at a higher RPM as you slow, so you get more braking. Don't be scared to run your engine up to what you think is a high RPM, either. You'll actually work the engine =less= hard at 4-4.5k than up-shifting and trying to run at 3.5-3.8k. My dad proved this to me on a trip from PHX to Porterville CA towing our big gooseneck. I had an old 3/4 ton with a Turbo 400 and GearVendor OD. I'd run a lower RPM, Dad would run one step higher and he consistently got 1-1.5 mph better than I did running the same speed. If you do plan on longer trips or =many= trips, do consider the Duramax. Overall, you'll tend to get better mileage and towing is just easier. I know I'll never go back, if I have the choice.

    Lyle
  • Dandy_Dan's avatar
    Dandy_Dan
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    Leo, If your Ram 1500 is new why not go to the Dodge dealer and see about trading for the 2500 series Ram with the new 6.4 gas and 6 speed tranny. I believe it is over 400 horse and has good torque rating. If I were to buy a new one I would get the 4x4 quad or crew cab with 8' bed.
    As you can see in my signature I have a 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi with 3.73 gears. If I were to get a new one I would probably get one with 4.10 gears. We have put around 35000 miles on the truck pulling a 5er and it has served me fairly well.

    If you don't want a diesel the diesel then I think the 6.4 Hemi sounds sweet. There have been threads on the new Dodge possible in the towing forum. Good Luck and Happy Camping.
  • lee_worsdell's avatar
    lee_worsdell
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    your towing mountains with a gas truck. trade for a duramax or ford powerstroke
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    I would say your towing experience won't change much between the two trucks. They are nearly equal in horesepower and torque...it's the torque and gearing that helps going up hills. Downhill the F250 may work better due to weight and braking capability.

    That being said keep in mind you can't expect to fly up hill with a 10,000lb. plus 5th wheel. On a 6% grade you will be lucky to hit 45MPH. Semi trucks have 9 to 12 gears and up to 1000 pounds or more of torque to give the best performance up hills.

    I'm happy with my 15,000 lb 5th wheel towed by my C4500 diesel truck to go up a 6% grade at over 45MPH. In my old gas engined 3500 I would be at 22MPH.
  • oweninthekeys's avatar
    oweninthekeys
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    I am going to leave the detail reply to the experts but all I can say is "You have more nerves than me and I would never attempt that feat".

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