Looking to tow 8000 lb trailer with a Hemi
I am considering an 8000 lb TT (loaded weight) that I would like to pull with a 3/4 Ram with a 5.7 Hemi. I have WD and sway control on both sides. Anyone have a similar set up and do you tow okay with...
Forum Discussion
mileshuff wrote:AH64ID wrote:
345hp should do a lot better than 35 up a 6% grade with only 5000lbs behind it.
Torque has more to do with it. Yes the ratings would indicate it could go faster. It will do a bit better, but those specs are near red line at sea level. How much should one push it? To the red line for an extended period of time, especially when its 100F+ out? I suppose the bigger issue is that the highways I climb are at 5000-8000+ elevation. Engine isn't cranking out nearly that much HP/Torque. At 35mph up a 6% grade the engine was working rather hard in 3rd gear (5spd tranny). Dropping to 2nd would have meant red line. Faster would have meant high temps.
it sounds like you just didnt want to push it. you were liminting it to 35, not the engine.
Modern engines are fine at higher rpm, and need to run higher to make their power.
Horsepower is the rate at which work is done and cannot be increased with gearing. Torque is how much work is being done and is effected by gearing. Dropping to 2nd would have increased wheel torque and horsepower, meaning less work at the crank for the same speed which generally decreases temps.
Yes elevation plays a role but even at 8,000 feet you should be able to make 270hp, which is a lot for a 5,000lb trailer.
Tow how you want to, but it is not a fair review if you dont feel like pushing your rig within its design specs and then saying it wasnt enough. It may have been enough but sounds like you didn't want to push it.
