2021 Ram 3500 H.O.

4x4ord wrote:
^^^^ Forget the ratings for a minute and just recognize that an 8 mile run up a steep hill puts the truck at sustained power very quickly. Cummins is often the engine that performs worst in these real world tests. Then there is the exhaust brake issue .....Cummins has the strongest exhaust brake but with only 3 gears to choose from there is only 3 speeds at which it will hold back its maximum force. (2nd third and forth) The competition can choose from more like 6 different speeds. (2nd through 7th). People who understands gearing and pull heavy loads know how important this is.

Yes, and this is most recently. Same could not be said a year ago. I have no doubts Ram will step up transmissions just like the did with the gas HD's which was and is sorely needed with the diesel trucks. Transmissions is always where Ram has been lacking in my book, and I stated before that Ford has the best one.

However, gears are not what we are discussing. Sustained horsepower ratings versus short burst horsepower ratings is. If you want to talk how gearing makes the Powerstroke better then that is another subject, but you didn't say that. You stated that the Powerstroke itself is better due to its ratings which apparently only apply to pickup versions and not cab in chassis versions since the Cummins in those trucks have more horsepower due to it being more of a sustained number. All I am arguing is that short burst power numbers doesn't make one engine better in a towing application, sustained power numbers do.

Take my truck for instance. The fact that it can make over 500 hp at the wheels unloaded means nothing when towing because it can't sustain that power level for long under heavy loads and I would have to back down my power level myself similar to what the computer does in the stock trucks. When towing, I am more concerned about the power level I can sustain which is why I don't run my 500 rwhp tune when towing. The heavier I tow and hotter the outside temps, the lower power level I will select to keep engine temps within safe ranges. Again, same as what the computer does in stock trucks.