Ram 2500 with 6.4 Hemi

After getting the truck back together I finally took off for the mountains west of Denver, and just couldn't get there. With empty tanks and modest gear (just cargo for one person, no generator, no special equipment, etc.) I couldn't even get to the Eisenhower tunnel coming up I-70 from Denver, much less attempt Vail pass or over the Continental Divide. Within 10 miles of leaving Golden the truck maxed out around 6,000 RPM and stayed there, getting less than 2 MPG and going about 35 MPH with the pedal literally on the floor. Because of the earlier trouble I turned back, but I think that's standard performance with this engine, everything else aside.

I don't understand most of your post? :h

First you say you "couldn't even get to Eisenhower tunnel" then you say you were at "6000 RPM and going 35 MPH with the pedal literally on the floor."

The math says you're going to have about 300 HP around where you were on the mountain and with a 10,000 lb 5er and a 8,000 lb truck, 18,000 combined gross weight rating, 35 mph on the floor is about right.

Again the math says about 270 ft/lbs of torque and if you were in-between gears you will be making a lot less than 300 HP and 270 ft/lbs pulling this mountain.

You don't say how hot it was while doing this towing? If it was even warm this will make the engine not make the rated HP and even de-rate depending on how hot it was with the fan taking away another 20 to 30 HP. :E

As far as the Ecodiesel goes, sorry but at only 240 HP it would be even slower. I towed that same mountain with my 200 HP 425 ft/lbs of torque turbo diesel with a 7000 lb TT on the back and I was down to less than 30 MPH. And this was with a 4:10 gear at around 15K CG.

All in all, it is what it is and the numbers pretty much fit IMHO. This is a tough tow for any TV, gas or diesel. There is a reason they test TV's on the mountain.

I would take AH's suggestion and have your rig weighed. It wouldn't be the first time weight surprised someone.