2006 Dodge Ram 2500 v-8 gas toeablility

[Casinojunkie]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab 2wd with 8'box, automatic transmission, gas engine, 98,000 miles on odometer. Not sure what engine it has, what size gas engine should I be looking for?
Will this truck pull my 5th wheel which weighs about 12-13,000 #'s loaded.
I am now pulling with a 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 dully diesel. No real issues but truck is getting close to 300,000 miles on odometer.
Suggestions and advice appreciated. Thanks

[APT]

Ford's V10 was up to 362hp/457lb-ft in 2010.
GM's 8.1L was up to 340hp/455lb-ft.

[Dave_H_M]

JIMNLIN wrote:
A '06 2500 Dodge will be the 5.7 hemi which has a 8k-11k tow rating.
Those older smallblock gas engines are down on hp power/torque numbers so I would stick to a 9k-10k gross weight trailer.

A 8.1 GM or the Ford V-10 gassers of that era has the hp to handle 12k-13k trailers.


Looks like Jer beat me with that info.

How many ponies did the two gassers referenced have?

[Hannibal]

The 5.7L Hemi will spank the **** out of the 12v Cummins at lower altitudes unless it's been modified. That is however, at high rpm. I'm a fan of the Cummins as well as the Hemi but, I wouldn't want to tow that much weight with the Hemi. We towed our 10,400 lb actual weight high profile Jayco 5th wheel all over the southeast with our '05 Hemi powered 2500HD Ram. It did a fine job but Monteagle was the only pass we crossed with it. The rest was just rolling hills. 2700~rpm on the flats and 4200rpm on the uphills. It won't hurt the engine but cringe will give you a migraine and ruin your trip. Didn't bother me a bit but most folks wet their skivvies at the first downshift. I liked the sound. I traded my like new Hemi Ram with 120k miles on it. Didn't burn oil and still ran and looked like a new truck. Nice find but I vote no for that amount of weight.

[rhagfo]

Casinojunkie wrote:
I have an opportunity to purchase a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab 2wd with 8'box, automatic transmission, gas engine, 98,000 miles on odometer. Not sure what engine it has, what size gas engine should I be looking for?
Will this truck pull my 5th wheel which weighs about 12-13,000 #'s loaded.
I am now pulling with a 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 dully diesel. No real issues but truck is getting close to 300,000 miles on odometer.
Suggestions and advice appreciated. Thanks

Keep it and keep on trucking Cummins 12 Valve are good for an easy 500,000 miles, and many have gone a million.

If you want to get newer go with another Cummins, up to 2007.5 still the 5.9 and no emissions.

[valhalla360]

As others have said, check the tow ratings and you will likely be over on a number of catagories.

[APT]

You will be very disappointing with performance and no way enough suspension from 3/4 tons of that era. Keep what you got and save for a newer diesel dually.

[Tankcar]

Hi. Is there anything wrong with the existing Truck? It may be cheaper to re-build existing power vice a new?

[JIMNLIN]

A '06 2500 Dodge will be the 5.7 hemi which has a 8k-11k tow rating.
Those older smallblock gas engines are down on hp power/torque numbers so I would stick to a 9k-10k gross weight trailer.

A 8.1 GM or the Ford V-10 gassers of that era has the hp to handle 12k-13k trailers.


Looks like Jer beat me with that info.

[jerem0621]

I'm a huge gasser fan, and I am of the opinion that 12-13k is way too much for a mid 00's Hemi V8. It would be at the upper end of the rating for a new 6.4 Hemi.

Not trying to discourage you because the 5.7 is a great motor and can pull a heavy load, but that's a lot for that motor.

Quick search shows that the 06 5.7 Hemi tow rating can vary from around 8800 lbs to about 11,500.

IMHO.. Look for another Cummins to pull it with if you are staying in the Mid 00's.

Thanks!

Jeremiah