I towed with diesels in the past and now with a 5.7 Hemi. Since I downsized to a 30 ft 8500 lb loaded weight 5 wh, I couldn't justify the up front cost and added operational cost of a diesel. So far, we pulled our trailer from Pa to Ca to TX, Fl and back to Pa. We wintered in Tex for the past three years with our present truck, a gasser. We are very satisfied with the performance, including pulling the grades in the western states and the 11 mpg when flat ground towing doing 60. It will be interesting to see if the engine last 150,000 miles. If it does without issues we will definitely stay with a Hemi. Has anyone towing with a similar rig been satisfied with their choice?

our son's work truck is a state vehicle. the last one was a dodge hemi. at about 125K miles he got a new ford, the old dodge went to rangers at parks.he did lots of towing with it, towing a 10,000 lb v nose filled with motorcycles quads and side by sides around the state. His co worker with the same truck is getting a replacement. I believe his co workers has around 150K miles on it. he also tows the same trailer around the state as well.Neither has had any engine, transmission or drivetrain problems. Few other problems with some other functions, but nothing major.

I think the hemi is a great motor. I do know of a chp charger that had valve train failure and went to auction at 95k miles. In its defense it needed rear tires and brakes every 5k miles from rapid acceleration runs. It is a nice alternative for towing lite but for my 13.5k fiver the cummins is king of Mopar. I think I have sidestepped the which brand is best argument. LOL.

I don't see any reason you can't get 200,000+ out of it or even more.

My '05 5.7L Hemi powered 2500HD had 125k miles on it when I traded it for my F250. Other than the AAM rear end, ball joints and a/c evaporator, it was a good truck. The 5.7L Hemi ran like a new engine. No oil consumption, Hemi tick or any problems. We towed our 10,400 lb weighed high profile 5th wheel all over the southeast with it. The 545RFE faux 5spd trans had the worst ratios and no way to lock out O/D but it never gave any trouble.

My aunt has a 2500 seri s dodge with the 5.7 pulling a heavier fifth wheel. Yes over 150k at this point and no issues. Any gasser if taken care of will pull its expected wieght and last a long time. I have spoken with many GM 6.0 owners that have over 200K pulling campers that are full timers. Again no issues, and they last. Now there are other things that go wrong on the truck of course.... But that's another story. Seems like drive trains these days will outlast the truck...lol

hemi longevity | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

cmeade
Explorer
Jul 15, 2017
I think the hemi is a great motor. I do know of a chp charger that had valve train failure and went to auction at 95k miles. In its defense it needed rear tires and brakes every 5k miles from rapid acceleration runs. It is a nice alternative for towing lite but for my 13.5k fiver the cummins is king of Mopar. I think I have sidestepped the which brand is best argument. LOL.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2017
our son's work truck is a state vehicle. the last one was a dodge hemi. at about 125K miles he got a new ford, the old dodge went to rangers at parks.

he did lots of towing with it, towing a 10,000 lb v nose filled with motorcycles quads and side by sides around the state.

His co worker with the same truck is getting a replacement. I believe his co workers has around 150K miles on it. he also tows the same trailer around the state as well.

Neither has had any engine, transmission or drivetrain problems. Few other problems with some other functions, but nothing major.

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hemi longevity

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