2016 Ram 2500 with 6.4 hemi and 4.1 towing 12K

[kzspree320]

I just got back from almost a 2,000 mile trip, which was the first long tow for my 2016 Ram 2500 gasser. I thought some on the gas vs diesel fence might be interested in how well this gasser tows my almost 35' Columbus fiver (tall profile, 13"4" high) which loaded to camp weighs around 12,000-12,500 lbs.

Trip was from Louisiana through MS, Tennessee and Kentucky and then back through Alabama. Almost all of it was Interstate and I towed at 65 mph. For your info, last truck was a 2015 Ram 2500 with the 6.7 Cummins, which was destroyed in the August 2016 Louisiana flood. I have towed the same fifth wheel with both so I can compare.

Let me start by saying it does not tow like the diesel. Yes, it has to shift more because it has less torque. If you want the easiest towing, and the extra $7-8K upfront and potential costlier repairs once the warranty is up doesn't concern you, then just get the diesel. Please diesel owners don't hijack this thread, I'm just trying to give info so people can make decisions. If you tow regularly in the western mountains at high altitudes, just get the diesel.

If most of your towing is in the eastern US and not at high altitudes, this gasser tows pretty **** good. Yes, it tows at 1,000-1,200 rpms high than the diesel, but that's what it was designed to do. With tow/haul on, it never towed in 6th. Towing in 5th (still an OD gear) was about 2,300 rpms and 4th was about 2,800 rpms. On the longer and steeper pulls, it occasionally used 3rd at about 3,500 rpms. It could hold 65+ mph anywhere we went if you want. For the entire trip, I estimate it probably spent about 55% of the time in 5th gear, 40% in 4th gear, and 5% in 3rd gear. Almost all of the 3rd gear was in Tennessee and Kentucky. I will take this to Colorado in the future, but I do know I will have to bring my patience at times on the long pulls through the passes (yes, I love Colorado).

I hand calculated my towing mileage, so here it goes by tank - 8.1, 8.1, 7.6, 8.0, 8.5, 7.8, 7.2, 7.8, 8.1, 8.0, 8.1. Since I like to have close to half a tank, most fillips were between 150 and 180 miles. In the diesel, I would have probably averaged 10.5-11.2 mpg and filled up about every 200-250 miles. The 7.2 mpg tank was against a stiff headwind. Looks to me like the overall average was about 8 mpg. That's about what I thought when I bought the truck. Non towing I get about 13 around town and 16 on the highway.

My truck is rated to pull almost 16K. I don't think that would be fun. But at under 13K or so, it does a good job overall and great for a gasser. I do not regret my decision on this truck. YMMV depending on how you use the truck.

I read a lot of ib516's posts before buying the truck. Overall, I agree with his towing impressions. Hope this helps others in the truck buying process.

[Dave_H_M]

Grit dog wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
good write up KZ. I tow 10K with the Ford 6.2 and feel about the same with it.

My only small bother is that with the 4.30 diffy, she will get thirsty running the interstate empty if i run with the average size dogs at 75.

I've had 2 3.73 geared 6.2 superdutys and unless you're doing less than 12-13mpg at 75-80 mph empty you're not getting any worse mileage than everyone else.
Right now based on my experience with a new 5.3 Chevy in a half ton, the reported mileage of the newer Hemis and my old 5.0 F150 and 6.2s, it seems Fomoco is bringing up the rear in gasser fuel mileage.

thanks for the info grit dog. Well i guess i am doing OK getting 14 at 70 with the 4.30 diffy. :R

[Road_Phantom]

3.73 Big Horn. It pulls through the Western States with ease.

[goducks10]

Road Phantom wrote:
3.73 Big Horn. It pulls up the Colorado mountains with ease.

Good to know.

[Road_Phantom]

3.73 Big Horn. It pulls up the Colorado mountains with ease.

[goducks10]

Road Phantom wrote:
I've been towing a Cougar 1/2 ton tow-able 5th wheel with a 2014 Ram 2500 and the 5.7 Hemi. The trailer loaded is around 8500 lbs. We travel all winter and put in about 10 thousand towing miles on it yearly. Right now the truck has 60,000 on the Od.
I would like to see at least 150,000 on the truck before trading it in for new. Is this too optimistic with proper maintenance? The truck so far has performed well with no issues. It's the longevity I'm concerned with.

3.73 or 4.10?

[Road_Phantom]

The 6.4 was built for durability. I would consider one for my next truck.

[Road_Phantom]

Thanks for the insight into the 6.4. I only tow an 8500 lb loaded 5th wheel with a 2500 hemi 5.7 and it does very well. My only worry is longevity and how this engine will hold up to between 10-15,000 towing mileage annually. I would consider the 6.4 for my next truck for that reason--durability.

[Grit_dog]

Dave H M wrote:
good write up KZ. I tow 10K with the Ford 6.2 and feel about the same with it.

My only small bother is that with the 4.30 diffy, she will get thirsty running the interstate empty if i run with the average size dogs at 75.

I've had 2 3.73 geared 6.2 superdutys and unless you're doing less than 12-13mpg at 75-80 mph empty you're not getting any worse mileage than everyone else.
Right now based on my experience with a new 5.3 Chevy in a half ton, the reported mileage of the newer Hemis and my old 5.0 F150 and 6.2s, it seems Fomoco is bringing up the rear in gasser fuel mileage.

[Dave_H_M]

good write up KZ. I tow 10K with the Ford 6.2 and feel about the same with it.

My only small bother is that with the 4.30 diffy, she will get thirsty running the interstate empty if i run with the average size dogs at 75.

[Lantley]

Nice informative write up. While I maybe able to tolerate the overall performance of the drivetrain,the reported fuel range would be a deal breaker for me.

[Camper_G]

Very nice narrative, thanks! I agree with all your points. I have just over 1,000 miles on my 17 now and i have the 3.73s and believe me the truck is no slouch with that gear set either. Running empty I'm up over 19 mpg highway, average. I'm only towing 6k with mine at present, and it does a great job. Overall, i love my truck, it's my favorite of all the trucks I've owned to date

[Perrysburg_Dodg]

Great write up and have to say if I were looking at a 2500/3500 I would look long and hard at the 6.4. But holy cow I don't know I could stand only making 13 city and 16 highway! :E

I get mad when my Ecodiesel drops down to 18 city in the winter! But then I can't tow 16K either so no big fiver for us. Mamma has been talking about RV's and how she would like to start camping again now the the kids are all grown up. Just have to sell the boat first.

Don

[ib516]

Nice write up! Pretty much mimics my experience, only I saw 2nd gear and 5000 Rpm a few times in the Canadian rockies. My RV was a very similar size and weight. My mpg was almost identical too...7 - 9 mpg.

[Bedlam]

Although I did not buy a gasser, what you actually observed is what I finally summized and I am glad my research mirrors your real experience. If it wasn't for the elevations I frequently climb out west, I would not have spent the extra on a diesel.

Gearing is a huge factor on well the engine performs at your given load and speed. I chose mine based on my driving speed while maximizing capacity. Going to lower ratios would leave me using less of the transmission range and going higher would limit my top cruising speed.