5.7 ram 2500 owners, have you done this?

[Road_Phantom]

I have a 2014 Ram 2500 with a 5.7 hemi and 3.73 rear end. I pull a 10,500 lb fully loaded 5th wheel, which is 900 lbs under max for this truck. I pull it locally on mostly flat ground and live in it so its parked in El Paso for most of the year. I would like to haul it up the mountain, around 4-6 percent grade. The entire trip from our home base in El Paso is under two hours. The last 4 miles is an 8 percent grade. I would like to hear from 2500 owners with a 5.7 combo that could tell me first hand how well the truck did on similar trips.
I could get a hauler to do this, but I don't know whether or not they have the proper Insurance. Another problem is that long trip haulers don't want to touch small jobs. That leaves the local yokels, RV shop owners and truck owners that do this part time. If you can get one to find the time and have the proper insurance. So, I'd rather do it myself if I can. The sight is seasonal and only has to be done once a year. your thoughts? thanks and please don't tell me I need to replace my near new truck for a $50,000 diesel for that extra 4 miles. That ain't happening. :R

[alexleblanc]

Hop in the truck and go, let the drivetrain do its thing and don’t worry about it. It won’t fail or blow up, it just might not be the first up the hill.

[Dave_H_M]

Take you time and you will be fine. Sides that if it takes you five extra minutes to get up there, so what. I pull a 10K fifth wheel with a 6.2 Ford.

The talk about the motor screaming and red lining it is beyond my imagination and how i would ever think of treating something that i plan to own for years.

I think the most interesting issue would be a report back on how the climb went.

[Madmartigan]

I have a '13 2500 Hemi that I use to tow a 25'er that is probably 8-9K and I don't have any complaints. Like others suggested, you aren't going to win the Olympics on hills with a gasser, but if you make sure to shift down and let the trans and engine work together, don't be in a huge hurry, be courteous and let other drivers pass, it's totally fine.

[LadyRVer]

I had no problem with a 33' Montana fifth-wheel on a 7% grade with a 2500 Ram Hemi... but coming down, the fifthwheel did push me a little. Montana was about 400 lbs under total gross weight. Bogged down a tad going up, but nothing I worried about.. maybe down to 45 or 50.

[camp-n-family]

If you’re at speed in 3rd gear or better you should be ok but if you have to start one of those hills from a standstill you won’t get out of 1st gear. I had the same truck but only towing 7600lbs tt and it struggled on hills. On 2 occasions I pulled hills smaller than what you’re looking at from a standstill due to traffic lights at the base. Each time it pulled hard in 1st to redline but died in the shift to 2nd. The gear spacing and drop in rpm is too large and it bogged down and slowed. It would keep shifting 1-2-1 until I manually had to hold it in 1st at redline to the top holding up traffic the whole way.

If I was at hwy speed it would pull ok, slowing until it dropped to 3rd when it was able to hold speed but never could accelerate like my old Tundra would with the same tt. I got rid of it after a year (and lots of problems) for a diesel.

[Road_Phantom]

rob, a cabin for six months would be expensive. I already have the trailer.

[FishOnOne]

Hook it up to the trailer and unleash the beast.

[Grit_dog]

Truck will be suckin wind but it’ll make it. We had a few 3rd gen 5.7 2500s in CO mtns that would occasionally tow.
Don’t be in a hurry and it’ll pull 2nd gear wound up in my experience. You’ll definitely blow the cobwebs out!

[Lwiddis]

I’ll drive it for you and I’m a Chevy guy. You won’t have any problems except slow speed.

[Ron3rd]

The hemi will make it no problem. Won't win any speed contests but I say go for it

[GordonThree]

Why do you think it won't make it?

[Second_Chance]

Sounds like you're talking about Cloudcroft or Ruidoso. Have you considered just renting a cabin up there?

Rob