Anyone run a Ram 3500 with 6.4 Hemi?

ib516 wrote:

ShinerBock wrote:

IdaD wrote:

Dcarner wrote:
No opposed to a diesel, I have a 2012 f250 psd now. I was just contemplating a big fifth wheel vs large tt and didn't want to shell out 10k + for a diesel if the 6.4 could do the trick. I could sell my truck and buy a new 6.4 for about the same money.

Real world a cummins is about $6k more than a 6.4, if that. And you get at least be that back on resale, not to mention better mileage. I only drove a 6.4 unloaded and it was nice, but it isn't a cummins. At that weight is think hard about a diesel. Just my 2 cents.

X2. Especially if you live around any hills OP! There are a few 6.4L owners here that are a little overly optimistic on what they say that engine can do.

Although to be honest I don't think it is the 6.4L and has more to do with the transmission. The gear ratios in that 66RFE are fine for a diesel since it was modeled after the 68RFE, but Ram should have made each gear a lot shorter for the 66RFE mated to the 6.4L. If you look at the competitors trucks like the Ford 6.2L with the 6R140 and the 6L90 on the GM with a 6.0L, they actually put more torque to the ground in almost every gear due to the torque multiplication of the transmission.

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.

The Ford sounded pretty good until you clouded the comparison with data.

ShinerBock wrote:

IdaD wrote:

Dcarner wrote:
No opposed to a diesel, I have a 2012 f250 psd now. I was just contemplating a big fifth wheel vs large tt and didn't want to shell out 10k + for a diesel if the 6.4 could do the trick. I could sell my truck and buy a new 6.4 for about the same money.

Real world a cummins is about $6k more than a 6.4, if that. And you get at least be that back on resale, not to mention better mileage. I only drove a 6.4 unloaded and it was nice, but it isn't a cummins. At that weight is think hard about a diesel. Just my 2 cents.

X2. Especially if you live around any hills OP! There are a few 6.4L owners here that are a little overly optimistic on what they say that engine can do.

Although to be honest I don't think it is the 6.4L and has more to do with the transmission. The gear ratios in that 66RFE are fine for a diesel since it was modeled after the 68RFE, but Ram should have made each gear a lot shorter for the 66RFE mated to the 6.4L. If you look at the competitors trucks like the Ford 6.2L with the 6R140 and the 6L90 on the GM with a 6.0L, they actually put more torque to the ground in almost every gear due to the torque multiplication of the transmission.

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.

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?

There was a recent test done up the gauntlet on the Eisenhower tunnel towing around 12,000 pounds with the 6.4. If I recall it got 2.8 mpg and a max of 35 mph or so. Go with the Cummins if you want to tow 13,500 pounds up a hill. Truck camper magazine also purchased a 6.4 3500 dually for carrying their cabover camper. They also commented on the fuel mileage. Get the Cummins for better fuel mileage. Get the Cummins for better resale.

My 2005 F250 was rated for 15K lb FW towing. Although it towed 11.5K lbs off the hitch, I also carried another 1K+ lbs of tools and parts in the bed. Later, its role changed to hauling a 4K lb truck camper while towing an 8K lb enclosed trailer. You might just need 19.5" wheels and some suspension help since your Sterling 10.5" rear axle can handle 9750 lbs with the correct supporting parts.

On another truck I had, I got the Cummins and got every cent of it back when I sold it ten years later.
So it's a good investment.

IdaD wrote:

Dcarner wrote:
No opposed to a diesel, I have a 2012 f250 psd now. I was just contemplating a big fifth wheel vs large tt and didn't want to shell out 10k + for a diesel if the 6.4 could do the trick. I could sell my truck and buy a new 6.4 for about the same money.

Real world a cummins is about $6k more than a 6.4, if that. And you get at least be that back on resale, not to mention better mileage. I only drove a 6.4 unloaded and it was nice, but it isn't a cummins. At that weight is think hard about a diesel. Just my 2 cents.

X2. Especially if you live around any hills OP! There are a few 6.4L owners here that are a little overly optimistic on what they say that engine can do.

Although to be honest I don't think it is the 6.4L and has more to do with the transmission. The gear ratios in that 66RFE are fine for a diesel since it was modeled after the 68RFE, but Ram should have made each gear a lot shorter for the 66RFE mated to the 6.4L. If you look at the competitors trucks like the Ford 6.2L with the 6R140 and the 6L90 on the GM with a 6.0L, they actually put more torque to the ground in almost every gear due to the torque multiplication of the transmission.

I think we have decided to go the large TT route. I can pull it with my current truck, and still keep my bed open.

Dcarner wrote:
No opposed to a diesel, I have a 2012 f250 psd now. I was just contemplating a big fifth wheel vs large tt and didn't want to shell out 10k + for a diesel if the 6.4 could do the trick. I could sell my truck and buy a new 6.4 for about the same money.

Real world a cummins is about $6k more than a 6.4, if that. And you get at least be that back on resale, not to mention better mileage. I only drove a 6.4 unloaded and it was nice, but it isn't a cummins. At that weight is think hard about a diesel. Just my 2 cents.

Thank you!

It will do the job, but the diesel will do it better.

I tow about 12k through the mountains and I have no complaints. I have also towed 14k (41' 5er) with my truck as a test, and it did fine.

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