So, thinking about selling the X and buying a newer 5.7 Hemi Ram. I was considering an 07-11. But after doing more research I`m thinking I may want a 12-13 with the 6 speed auto. they have 3.73 and 4.10 gears, which there seems to be a good supply of both. the 3.73 will tow my trailer fine, but the 4.10 is always the better option especially with the 6 speed auto. The reason for the switch is the extra bed space for dirty/wet stuff and hauling around home, and maybe loading a snowmobile in the bed instead of towing a trailer. And also having a 10 year newer truck. I may also consider a newer lightweight fifth wheel If we don't do a DP in the next couple years.Thanks in advance.

Had a ‘14 Ram 2500 5.7. Key word is had. Worst vehicle I have ever owned. Apart from the many problems (pm if you want those details), I hated driving it. The transmission gearing paired with 3.73s was horrible. I’ve heard it’s not any better with the 4.10s. It was always bogged down in the wrong gear, towing or not. The spacing between 1st and 2nd is too big and it always wanted to start out in 3rd. I saw many others complain about the same when I posted about it. After a year and a half I traded it for truck in sig.My tt is only 7600lbs and the truck would struggle to pull hills from a standstill. It would pull hard in first to high rpm ( in the power band) but then the shift to 2nd would drop the rpm so much that it bogged down and couldn’t accelerate until it slowed and shifted back to first. Several times I’ve had to climb hills at redline in 1st, holding up traffic. I’m talking the Adirondacks (small hills), not mountains. My old Tundra accelerated up bigger hills with ease with the same tt.

While the 5.7L Hemi is a pretty stout engine, I think the 6.4L is a better choice for a 3/4 ton gasser. They came out in 2014. I hauled 12k with the 6.4L/4.10 axles combo and didn't have any of the issues described above with inadequate power. I will agree the gap between 1 and 2 was too big and when towing with the gas to the floor from a stop, it would take a second or two for the power to recover after the upshift from 1st to 2nd.On a specs sheet, the 5.7L and 6.4L don't look too far apart, but the power is available much lower in the RPM band with the 6.4L. Mine would happily cruise along at 21k combined (on flat terrain) in 5th at about 2200 RPM. I have a video of that on Youtube. I doubt a 5.7L Hemi could do that. I recall in the press videos released around the 6.4L that the engineers stated the power is available about 800 - 1000 RPM lower than the other guys (meaning the Ford 6.2L and the GM 6.0L gasser) at the time.

ib516 wrote:I hauled 12k with the 6.4L/4.10 axles combo and didn't have any of the issues described above with inadequate power.The 5.7 has plenty of power it just isn’t able to use it because of the poor transmission gearing. Highway cruising with the tt it would be in 4th all the time. Only time it would go into 5th would be downhill with a tailwind. Even non towing it couldn’t hold speed on even the slightest incline. It would drop 6-8mph before it would finally downshift but then it would drop 2 gears and go like a bat out of hell. Very annoying.

camp-n-family wrote:ib516 wrote:I hauled 12k with the 6.4L/4.10 axles combo and didn't have any of the issues described above with inadequate power.The 5.7 has plenty of power it just isn’t able to use it because of the poor transmission gearing. Highway cruising with the tt it would be in 4th all the time. Only time it would go into 5th would be downhill with a tailwind. Even non towing it couldn’t hold speed on even the slightest incline. It would drop 6-8mph before it would finally downshift but then it would drop 2 gears and go like a bat out of hell. Very annoying.That would be annoying. VideoHere's the video I'm referencing. Mine putts along at just over 2k RPM on the flats towing a 37' 5er with 3 slide outs.

2010-2013 2500 Hemi Ram towing? | Good Sam Community

rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2019
2012Coleman wrote:
dodge guy wrote:
Not sure on payload. I did see a few I was looking at had a 2200lb rating. That was for a 3/4 ton.
My previous TV was a 2017 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi and had a payload of 3025 according to the door jamb sticker.

Well previous to the frame changes in 2013 for 3500’s and 2014 for 2500’s Rams had pathetic GVWR’s. My 2001 was 8,800#, I believe that best before 2014 was 9,200#. I would look at a 2014 or newer 2500, or better yet a 2013 3500 SRW.
Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2019
We owned a 2010 2500 CC 4WD 5.7 -- Pulled a 9900-10,000 trailer with out much problem. The gear issues mentioned did crop up, but we dealt with it. We sold and bought a 2016 Ram 2500 6.4--also a pretty good truck.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Feb 25, 2019
dodge guy wrote:
Not sure on payload. I did see a few I was looking at had a 2200lb rating. That was for a 3/4 ton.
My previous TV was a 2017 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi and had a payload of 3025 according to the door jamb sticker.
mlh
Explorer
Feb 25, 2019
I had a 2009 Ram 2500 with the 5.7, 6 speed, and 3.73. I was pulling a Puma 27FQ. Not sure what the weight was, but it pulled it fantastically. I took several trips into the mountains and besides revving up a little (which is what it is supposed to do) it was no problem at all.

I don’t know if there’s much of a difference from the 2009 to the 2012, but I did not experience what some of the others here are describing.

I now have one with the 6.4, 4x4, 3.73, 6 speed pulling a Puma 29QBSS. I couldn’t be happier with it.
ib516
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2019
rhagfo wrote:
Did Ram do the split year upgrade to the 2500 and 3500? I know the 3500’s took a huge leap in payload in 2013, not sure if 2500 took the step in 2012 or 2013.

The 2500s got the new frame and upgrades for 2014, 3500s got it in 2013.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 24, 2019
Power wagon would be sweet and it’s still a real 3/4 ton. Just needs some bags, overloads or different springs if heavy hauling.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 24, 2019
2500s got the new chassis for 2014.
Yes, the 4th gen chassis changes in 2013/14 are significant, however the 3rd gen chassis in years prior is more than heavy enough for anything you could reasonably or safely do with a pickup. Especially a gasser if talking towing.
Millions of 3rd Gens working hard every day still.
Pre 2014 5.7s are a good value IMO if massive towing power is not your end game.
Since they take a back seat not only to the diesel but also the 6.4, resale ain’t as good on them.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2019
Not sure on payload. I did see a few I was looking at had a 2200lb rating. That was for a 3/4 ton.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Feb 24, 2019
Did Ram do the split year upgrade to the 2500 and 3500? I know the 3500’s took a huge leap in payload in 2013, not sure if 2500 took the step in 2012 or 2013.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2019
Thanks. I know all about the gear spacing. my V-10 Excursion w/4 speed auto and 4.30`s has quite the spacing. I lose approx. 2k rpm on the 1-2 shift! but it picks back up fairly quickly. I would love to do the 6.4L but I`m trying to do this without any out of pocket money. that's why I was going to go with 4.10`s and the 6 speed auto with the 5.7L. I did find a power wagon with the 4.56`s. I know they don't have the payload of a true 2500, but the towing performance will be there! Although I could regear it to 4.56 which for me isn't an issue.

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