How well does the RAM 2500 6.4 Hemi tow?
I'm looking for a new truck to tow an 8000 lb travel trailer and I'm torn between the 2018 RAM 2500 6.4L Hemi and 6.7L Cummins diesel. All the reviews that that I've read show that diesel will tow be...
Forum Discussion
BeerBrewer wrote:I just upgraded (last week) from a 2017 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi to a 2018 Ram 3500 CTD SRW Aisin trans. There is no difference in the ride while not towing - daily driver for commuting to work and back. Have not towed yet - my 275 lb slider hitch isn't even in the bed yet. Towed my 12K fifth wheel with the 6.4. It did the job just fine - did I like how it did the job? No! Towed up the Dames Point Bridge on 295 - it was brutal. Very tired when arriving at my destinations even when we went the back roads to a state park outside Gainsville. The stock transmission is horrible. When I first bought it, we went to Lake Lure in NC - wasn't towing, but lots of mountain driving. Stepped on the gas after coming out of a switchback and the trans didn't know what to do - nothing. Stepping on the gas and no go.
We did look at the 3500s, but they had a much harsher suspension, which made the ride more uncomfortable for my wife, who's got a very bad back.
Yes, the Diesel 2500 payload was a concern (it is around 2300 lbs). Since it's just the wife and I and we don't plan upon getting a huge trailer or 5th wheel at this time, we thought we'd get by with the 2300 lb payload. Also most of the trailers that we liked were all under 30' and not that heavy. The same truck with the 6.4L has a 3300 lbs payload, so we did consider getting a gas powered truck.
OP states he is going to tow 8K. Might be OK. Oil change cost me 73 bucks with a free tire rotation. Don't care to go over payload regardless of what I read on forums - not banging on that advice - just not going to do it. I don't think you need the diesel, but if you want it, get the 3500. I already am not putting as much fuel in it as the Hemi - I can't believe how far I drove it on the first tank of fuel, and it's not even broken in yet.
Had I planed on keeping the 5K GVW Coleman, I would have stuck with the 2500 Gasser.
Good luck OP - have been in your shoes. I was scared of the diesel - a week in and I'm seeing my own footprints on my butt. :B
