Forum Discussion
41 Replies
goducks10 wrote:
I'd like to see how it performs towing behind a long row of cars. You know like you do most of the time running down the road at 55-60 mph just following everyone else. Thats real world. If I ever do get to tow over the IKE I'm definitely not going to run pedal to the metal up it.
Really? No kidding. I'll go out on a limb and say that it is proportionally less stress on the engine the further one gets away from full throttle. If they weren't trying to simulate worst case scenario everyone else would have said "why are they showing normal towing, that proves nothing". Lol- I'd like to see how it performs towing behind a long row of cars. You know like you do most of the time running down the road at 55-60 mph just following everyone else. Thats real world. If I ever do get to tow over the IKE I'm definitely not going to run pedal to the metal up it.
- In one way it's not a very good comparison due to the altitude they're at. The turbo's compensate a lot for the thinner air at altitude while the naturally aspirated motors, like the 6.2, are at a real disadvantage. They do some great tests, but how many of us spend much, or any, time at 10,000-11,000 feet? I'd love to see this same, or a similar test, done at more realistic altitudes and maybe in the heat of summer instead of the cold of winter.
- Another thing working in gassers favor is the modern day insulation in the cabs. I noticed a HUGE difference between my 2006 and 2014 trucks. 20 years ago you couldn't even hear your own thoughts with the RPMs raging.
Nothing is a substitute for a diesel with the way it effortlessly pulls but the improvements on these gassers are great. It use to be you'd struggle to pull over 10K with gas. Now, it's becoming much more manageable. - tvery impressive but cost included, i'll keep my diesel for the peace and quiet at the wheel and the downhill performance alone. I just got back from a 5000+ KM trip and I averaged 11mpg towing, I'm sure with a gasser I would have been around 7-8mpg at best.
skidooman93 wrote:
Its amazing what good tranny gearing and proper engine management can do to the gas engines.
I would like to see that truck pull a full profile 5th wheel with that weight in adverse conditions and see how it does though. Wind and air resistance creates a lot more drag then the bed full of a water tote and a truck on a trailer.
I pull an equipment trailer and find my fuel economy is often a lot worse pulling it than my 15000 lb RV.- The gas engine in both trucks got there and they performed very well within rated specs. That is fantastic and reinforces that diesels aren't always needed for all tasks.
I pulled with a 2500 gasser for 11 years. The chevy 6.0L was rock solid and always got me there. What I didn't like was climbing coolant and tranny temps on the uphill runs but worse yet was listening to the engine roar at 4300 RPM for minutes on end as I went up elevations. In the 6.2L tow test they showed 73.5 db as they went up the hill. That's really loud
This summer I pulled Teton Pass west of Jackson, WY. I've never been on the Super Ike, but Teton pass is about 9 miles up and down, winding, with many sections at 10% grade. I think that's probably a pretty fair comparison to the Ike. The diesel in my RAM worked hard for sure but it didn't scream like the old 6.0L. Plus the exhaust brake made the decline so effortless that I used the brake pedal minimally.
So yeah, I've pulled grades with both small block gas and diesel. The RAM does cost more to maintain than the old Chevy. Okay, that's fine but I'll take the power and increased capability any day. Nobody should ever think you can get higher performance without paying extra for that capability. In the end I need the power to tow my trailer and at the RAM does everything I need.
Oh, and this weekend I made two, 260 mile round trip runs driving the RAM solo. My fuel mileage for the weekend running 70MPH was 24.8MPG. The absolute best economy I EVER got out of the 6.0L was 16MPG and that was babying the throttle all the way.
KJ - Ask me if I am surprised...snore...zzzzzzzz.
Diesel still has a place...but its a dying breed. Just wait till the more honest owners come out and tell the truth about cost of ownership. "Pay to play". - Its amazing what good tranny gearing and proper engine management can do to the gas engines.
I would like to see that truck pull a full profile 5th wheel with that weight in adverse conditions and see how it does though. Wind and air resistance creates a lot more drag then the bed full of a water tote and a truck on a trailer. - Certainly looks like a good truck.
I'd like to see how it would do in a 350, with the 4.30 and a 15k fifth wheel on a good climb like the Ike. That's traditionally diesel territory. But at some point, gassers like this might grow be a viable alternative. This one sounds like it's getting close, based on the weights in the video test.
Would be nice to avoid the diesel surcharge in a future truck..
