First Tow with the Eco-diesel
OK first I did not tow a RV I towed the boat I bought. It is an older 1984 Larson 24' Admiral Day 8000 that weighted in at the scales @ 5220# boat and trailer.
The GOOD.
Backed the truck under the trailer lowered the trailer onto the hitch and she only dropped about 2". I was going to buy a set of Air Lift 1000 bags thinking the coil springs would drop more then they did. But I decided to wait and see what the truck did and how it handled the load first. Glade I waited as she didn't need the help at all!
Towing with this under powered cheaply made VM diesel, or as a few on here would like everyone to believe was very fun! The truck towed it effortlessly without any issues at all. The ZF 8 speed shifted flawlessly and all the way into OD at highway speeds. The tires on the trailer were all at 22 PSI so I kept speeds under 40 MPH until I got to the first station with air. Filled them up to 32 PSI (they are dry checked and I have ordered four new tires) and we where back on the road.
The ride and handling were unmatched and I had zero sway, even when I tried to get it to sway it would not. Now yes I was towing a boat but I have seen plenty of boats being towed that would sway. The hyd surge brakes took some getting used to, for the DW anyway. As most know when you apply the brakes the tongue will move forward applying the trailer brakes. Then when you take off there is a slight jerking and loud clunk. This was very disheartening for my wife, even though I told her about it before we pulled out.
The EVIC showed mileage at 60 to be 17.3 mpg and at the end of the trip was down to 16.2 mpg. More then half of the tow was in city so I'm happy with that!
The Bad
Rams new tow mirrors leave something to be desired. The spot mirror is located on the bottom when the mirrors are in the up position and are about worthless IMO. I could not get them adjusted so I could see the rear of the truck and would loss a car between the rear door of the truck and the front of the boat! Also the mirrors auto drop when you put the truck in reverse and this makes backing a PITA. Yes you can readjust them but it was like WTH I can't see anything!
That's about it for the negatives.
All in all I have to say I would recommend this truck to anyone looking to tow light to medium RV's. As I said the boat weighted in @ 5220# and the truck towed it with ease. I would expect it could tow a 7000# RV without issue also.
Don
The GOOD.
Backed the truck under the trailer lowered the trailer onto the hitch and she only dropped about 2". I was going to buy a set of Air Lift 1000 bags thinking the coil springs would drop more then they did. But I decided to wait and see what the truck did and how it handled the load first. Glade I waited as she didn't need the help at all!
Towing with this under powered cheaply made VM diesel, or as a few on here would like everyone to believe was very fun! The truck towed it effortlessly without any issues at all. The ZF 8 speed shifted flawlessly and all the way into OD at highway speeds. The tires on the trailer were all at 22 PSI so I kept speeds under 40 MPH until I got to the first station with air. Filled them up to 32 PSI (they are dry checked and I have ordered four new tires) and we where back on the road.
The ride and handling were unmatched and I had zero sway, even when I tried to get it to sway it would not. Now yes I was towing a boat but I have seen plenty of boats being towed that would sway. The hyd surge brakes took some getting used to, for the DW anyway. As most know when you apply the brakes the tongue will move forward applying the trailer brakes. Then when you take off there is a slight jerking and loud clunk. This was very disheartening for my wife, even though I told her about it before we pulled out.
The EVIC showed mileage at 60 to be 17.3 mpg and at the end of the trip was down to 16.2 mpg. More then half of the tow was in city so I'm happy with that!
The Bad
Rams new tow mirrors leave something to be desired. The spot mirror is located on the bottom when the mirrors are in the up position and are about worthless IMO. I could not get them adjusted so I could see the rear of the truck and would loss a car between the rear door of the truck and the front of the boat! Also the mirrors auto drop when you put the truck in reverse and this makes backing a PITA. Yes you can readjust them but it was like WTH I can't see anything!
That's about it for the negatives.
All in all I have to say I would recommend this truck to anyone looking to tow light to medium RV's. As I said the boat weighted in @ 5220# and the truck towed it with ease. I would expect it could tow a 7000# RV without issue also.
Don
