Looking to tow 8000 lb trailer with a Hemi

AH64ID wrote:
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.

You are correct. If I wish to downshift and run past red line I could probably go faster. Good idea? How does very high temps effect engine and tranny? Good for it?

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.

6200 lbs on 2012 ram 1500. 10% grade according to the sign. Right up the hill 65 mph. The hemi likes to breathe. Let it wind to 5000. That's how it was designed.

I have a Ram 2500 V-10, 8.0L, and pull a 7-8K trailer(GVW or 7700lbs) and have had no problems towing even up 6-8% grades - no slow down and can accelerate if wanted to.
The only time I have been limited in mph is going up a 14% grade.
You should not have a problem towing your TT.

We tow a 8000 to 9000 pound (depending on the load) travel trailer with a 2010 2500, 5.7 Hemi, 4 dr. 4 WD, Ram. The truck works pretty well. I hold the revs under 4000 RPM and it pulls well up 7% grades.
The only issue we had was on Whitebird Hill (hwy 95 Idaho) where the grade taxed the brakes. If we are on a freeway or open highway, going down a steep grade, the truck holds back well at 55 mph with down shifting.
If you own a 5.7 Hemi, use it and enjoy. If you are going to buy new, hook up with a 6.4 Hemi.

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.

AH64ID wrote:

PackerBacker wrote:

AH64ID wrote:
345hp should do a lot better than 35 up a 6% grade with only 5000lbs behind it.

I agree; with my 2003 hemi 5.7L with a 6-speed auto, I often did 6-8% grades at 50 mph towing an 8,000-lbs 5th wheel.

Just as a note, the new ones like my 2014 have 395-hp and 410-lbs of torque with an 8-speed.

Which Hemi had a 6 Speed in 03? I thought they uses the 545RFE.

Sorry my bad! I meant 5 but must have hit 6. :o; likely thinking of the Allison in my coach.

... Eric

Yes, no problem.

Cmon, really? If I can do it with my 300 hp Ferd it should be no problem for a 3/4 ton Ram with a Hemi. I don't see an issue.

PackerBacker wrote:

AH64ID wrote:
345hp should do a lot better than 35 up a 6% grade with only 5000lbs behind it.

I agree; with my 2003 hemi 5.7L with a 6-speed auto, I often did 6-8% grades at 50 mph towing an 8,000-lbs 5th wheel.

Just as a note, the new ones like my 2014 have 395-hp and 410-lbs of torque with an 8-speed.

Which Hemi had a 6 Speed in 03? I thought they uses the 545RFE.