Anyone run a Ram 3500 with 6.4 Hemi?
Looking into a 13,500 lb gvw fifth wheel. It weighs too much for my F250. Does anyone pull anything that heavy with a 6.4? If so, how do you like it? Does it handle the mountains?
Forum Discussion
ib516 wrote:
I'm assuming you are referring to me as the "optimistic owner" :)
I agree that the other trannys (Ford) have better ratios for the gas engines, especially 2nd gear. However, it seems the numbers from actual tests share my optimism :W -- the Ram/6.4L Hemi still outperforms - other than the high altitude towing one where the software limits performance. It clearly makes more power as the specs say it does.
Yes, the 6.4L did perform well in acceleration tests loaded and unloaded, but towing grades while keeping speed seems to be the 6.4L weakness according to PUTC, TFLTruck, and TruckTrend to name a few. I have also read some in the Ram forums I belong to say the same thing that it bogs pulling grades at much lower altitudes than that Ike Gauntlet test. I don't think that software has anything to do with it. If the ECM kept kicking the the transmission up a gear to make it bog down then I would agree with you, but in those Ike tests it held first gear so you can't blame it on software.
My main point is that some 6.4L owners will tell you that it will tow anything(just as some Cummins owners will). However, like anything it has its limitations and I think those limitations are well below what Ram states especially pulling hills. With my limited experience with the 6.4L Hemi towing, I would do 13-14K tops if most of my towing was on flat ground, up to 12k if there were slight grade, and up 10k if there were major grades and maybe a little less if it were high altitude. If the OP is pulling that 13K on the grades, then I would do like the rest as say a Cummins would be the optimal choice. Of course this is towing by my expectations and others may be different.
