2014 Ram 2500 6.4L Tow Review

[e-light]

Today I took my new Ram for its longest tow to date, a 350 mile trek through Ky and and the Smokey Mountains ending the day in NC. This was a good test with light to heavy rain all day, low visabilty and lots of elevation and long sweeping turns at grade. Overall the Ram performed amazingly.

The cargo was my 8000 lb travel trailer, my family of four and my 60 lb pit bull. The 6.4L hemi handled the workload with ease. On flats I was able to run 60-65 at around 2000 rpms in 5th gear. On slight grades 4th gear and 2500-3000 rpms did the trick easily. On severe grades 3rd gear at 3000-4200 rpms was the ticket. 99% of the time the truck stayed between 1900 and 2500 rpms. The low rpm torque is evident, especially coming from a Tundra that loved to rev.

The transmission is also great. In tow mode it holds gears perfectly up grade and downsifts to utilize engine braking on the way down. On severe grades I used the manual mode to hold gears up and down the slopes. I rarely had to use the brakes, only when slower vehicles left me pinned in a lane. And this was all the way through I40 and the Smokey Mountains to Ashville. Quite a workout for sure. The Ram handled it with ease.

Temperatures stayed consistent all through the trip. Coolant running 195-210, oil temp 195-215, trans temp stayed at 160-165.

I am extremely happy with my purchase. I love my truck.

A shot at the campground this evening.

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ib516 wrote:
I'm really going to put mine to the test. 12,000#, 37' 5er, and mountains. Went to see if I could yank the RV out, but the storage yard still has about 12 to 18" of snow that needs to melt first 😞 Don't have the truck yet anyway.

Oh man, I cant wait to hear how it does. Ive been eye balling the 5ers around me. One of them is being pulled by a F150. There is a Silverado 2500HD 6.0 Vortec on one side of me and a brand new white Silverado 2500HD Duramax on the other. The white Duramax is loaded, beautiful truck. The Vortec looks like a 2010 model maybe, its pulling a large 5er Ohio plates so it made it through the mountains...and I know our 6.4 has more HP and Tq...

[e-light]

transamz9 wrote:
That is a beautiful place and happy you had a great safe trip but you are going to have to change that dang plate on the front of the truck! HAHAHA!!

Lol, glad the Cats beat Michigan. Now that my Cards are out its up to the Cats to bring home the title.

[NC_Hauler]

Great looking set up, and as transamz9 stated, nice looking location to do one's camping...:)

[transamz9]

That is a beautiful place and happy you had a great safe trip but you are going to have to change that dang plate on the front of the truck! HAHAHA!!

[e-light]

45Ricochet wrote:
Ahh nice pic..... err forget it :W

Lol, the wifi was terrible here last night...here is the pic 🙂

[ib516]

I'm really going to put mine to the test. 12,000#, 37' 5er, and mountains. Went to see if I could yank the RV out, but the storage yard still has about 12 to 18" of snow that needs to melt first 😞 Don't have the truck yet anyway.

[autorot8]

Thanks for the reviews. My trailer is probably about the same weight (6500 lbs dry, so guessing around 8k loaded) and it's good to hear such a positive experience regarding the 6.4l hemi.

[45Ricochet]

Ahh nice pic..... err forget it :W

[e-light]

ib516 wrote:
Thanks for the review I am still waiting for mine to arrive. I have about $1500 in accessories on order as well that I will install myself. Tube steps, tonneau cover, mud flaps, that kind of stuff.

Be sure to post pics! I am going to get some of the same stuff...def tube steps.

Thanks for the well wishes all.

Today was a helluva test. Leaving out of Ashville there was a steady 20-30 mph wind with even bigger gusts. The flatter terain of SC was actually rougher than the mountains of NC. The wind was brutal blowing the travel trailer all over the road. The truck did a great job handling the wind, as good as can be expected.

I am getting used go the engine braking of the transmission. It really is impressive. The last 50 miles or so to Myrtle Beach is a highway with plenty of stops. Letting off the gas and anticipating the stops means you barely have to use the brakes. And the rig loves the 50-60 mph range pulling the trailer. Stays in 5th gear around 2k rpms for cruising and 4th at 2500-3k for the hills.

I think I am most impressed with the transmission. The engine braking and tow/haul mode are very good. Its like the tranny knows when to hold gears and when to downshift. The tranny doesnt hunt for gears. And learning to use the engine braking is simple if you anticipate your stops and let the tranny do its thing.

Anyway here is a pic of our site at Myrtle Beach state park. Beautiful place...

[NC_Hauler]

SooperDaddy wrote:
Well "e-light"....all I have to add is that regarding your new "2014 Ram 2500 6.4L Tow Review", are you sure about your choice of new truck?

A DODGE RAM? What were you thinking!?

Now I've had Ford products my entire life, that equates to right around 17 brand new Fords since High School. And one FIAT! :E

Right about now you Dodge/Ram/Chrysler folks should be getting up a head of steam, flaired nostrils, increased heart rate and higher blood pressure!

As I just said...I've owned Fords...lots of Fords. Now I own NO Fords and own a gaggle of new KIA's, one brand new 2014 Jayco 340 HP Freightliner Chassis Seneca Super C Motorhome 36FK...

And after exhaustive research I am soon ordering a new 2014 Ram 2500 Diesel. Soon as I get home from our trip.

They are one heck of a truck...in my opinion the best of the best.
Truck of the Year for 2 years running, (2013/2014 1500 RAM) back to back...and this will be my first ever Ram!

And yes I know the 1974 FIAT 128SL I had in high school is the same FIAT that owns Chrysler now! Small World. Ironic...huh!


Congratulations on yours!

Enjoy yours e-light! I know I will too!

Welcome to the "Dark Side":B...I'd have to think a bit if trying to fingure out how many new Chevy's I've owned over the years, loved them...Now truck in my sig is my 3rd. Dodge/Ram truck...love it even more. One heck of a towing machine.

OP, nice review, glad you're happy with your truck...I live in Western NC and tow all over the mountains in SC, NC, TN, VA and WVa and these trucks are towing machines.....Good luck, be safe and enjoy your time off:)

[ib516]

Thanks for the review I am still waiting for mine to arrive. I have about $1500 in accessories on order as well that I will install myself. Tube steps, tonneau cover, mud flaps, that kind of stuff.

[45Ricochet]

SooperDaddy wrote:
Well "e-light"....all I have to add is that regarding your new "2014 Ram 2500 6.4L Tow Review", are you sure about your choice of new truck?

A DODGE RAM? What were you thinking!?

Now I've had Ford products my entire life, that equates to right around 17 brand new Fords since High School. And one FIAT! :E

Right about now you Dodge/Ram/Chrysler folks should be getting up a head of steam, flaired nostrils, increased heart rate and higher blood pressure!

As I just said...I've owned Fords...lots of Fords. Now I own NO Fords and own a gaggle of new KIA's, one brand new 2014 Jayco 340 HP Freightliner Chassis Seneca Super C Motorhome 36FK...

And after exhaustive research I am soon ordering a new 2014 Ram 2500 Diesel. Soon as I get home from our trip.

They are one heck of a truck...in my opinion the best of the best.
Truck of the Year for 2 years running, (2013/2014 1500 RAM) back to back...and this will be my first ever Ram!

And yes I know the 1974 FIAT 128SL I had in high school is the same FIAT that owns Chrysler now! Small World. Ironic...huh!


Congratulations on yours!

Enjoy yours e-light! I know I will too!

Is that you Clint? err Fordsuperduty? Congrats on changing your user name, and of course the nice new RV :B
I'm headed that way also, that new Ram 1500 is 4 wheel down? If so I'm sold also.
Hope you respond for once in your life.....

[SooperDaddy]

Well "e-light"....all I have to add is that regarding your new "2014 Ram 2500 6.4L Tow Review", are you sure about your choice of new truck?

A DODGE RAM? What were you thinking!?

Now I've had Ford products my entire life, that equates to right around 17 brand new Fords since High School. And one FIAT! :E

Right about now you Dodge/Ram/Chrysler folks should be getting up a head of steam, flaired nostrils, increased heart rate and higher blood pressure!

As I just said...I've owned Fords...lots of Fords. Now I own NO Fords and own a gaggle of new KIA's, one brand new 2014 Jayco 340 HP Freightliner Chassis Seneca Super C Motorhome 36FK...

And after exhaustive research I am soon ordering a new 2014 Ram 2500 Diesel. Soon as I get home from our trip.

They are one heck of a truck...in my opinion the best of the best.
Truck of the Year for 2 years running, (2013/2014 1500 RAM) back to back...and this will be my first ever Ram!

And yes I know the 1974 FIAT 128SL I had in high school is the same FIAT that owns Chrysler now! Small World. Ironic...huh!


Congratulations on yours!

Enjoy yours e-light! I know I will too!

[e-light]

TBRam wrote:
New Member here,
e-light, great info. I ordered a 2014 Ram Crew Cab this week with the 6.4 Hemi and 4:10 rear end.
I to would like to know the average MPG's as I wait out the coming weeks. Also curious if you purchased the extended warranty?

Currently TV is a 2000 GMC 6.0 gasser

Mpg has been about 13-16 city for me. On this trip 9.2 which I am happy with considering the terrain.

I did not purchase the extended warranty. My dealer offers a free lifetime powertrain warranty as long as I do the service with them. Problem is that they are 70 miles from my house. So its not practical for me. I am happy with the 100,000 miles Chrysler powertrain warranty. I do almost all my own maintainence, I want to make sure its done right. And I feel like this 6.4L Hemi is a winner in the HD category. The design seems geared towards longevity.

My plan is to keep this truck until its paid off and then trade it in for a Ram 2500 with the Cummins. So far I am very impressed with this platform. So much so that I actually look forward to the towing parts of the trip! I used to dread the long drives. Now I cant wait!

[e-light]

Thanks for the replies.

Average mpg so far is right at 9.2 hand calculated. Evic is showing 9.6. I am happy with that as its at least as good as my Tundra did if not better. Also the conditions were pretty extreme and my camper is basically a sail, flat in the front. In flatters areas with tow/haul engaged I think I could do much better.

That is a community clubhouse in the background. The camp store is at the entrance of the park. This is a nice quite little camp ground. Just a stopover for the night in route to Myrtle Beach.