We just completed our first tow with our new 2013 Ram 2500 Hemi....TT is 7300# dry, so I am assuming about 8000# as we towed.I was really surprised how well it towed overall compared to the 2011 GMC HD 2500 we traded it...the GMC never got over 7.3, and the Ram got 10.2. While the GMC constantly downshifted, the Ram did so very seldom.....suprisingly so.Going down the road, we would come to a fairly substantial hill, and I kept waiting for the downshift....but, with the cruise set at 62 mph, the rig would slow to about 58 mph and still top the hill in 5th gear at 2100 rpm. I kept it in tow haul mode, and just used "D".The GMC was a buckboard and we felt every little jolt and the porpoising was bad. The Ram rode smooth and very little porpoising even on fairly rough washboard roads.Overall, I am super happy with the truck. It was comfortable, felt stable, and had more power that I had expected. In the whole 350 mile trip, it never saw anything over 3100 rpms....the GMC would hit 4200 rpms on these same roads.This trip was on relatively flat terrain through southern Illinois. Next weekend we are heading through the Ozark mountains of southern Missouri, so things might very well be different.I am really surprised at the difference between the two trucks. I had thought everything would be similar, since they are both 3/4 ton gas trucks with 3.73 gears.

Interesting results. Thanks for posting.

I have a similar truck with a long bed and 4.10 rear. The HEMI is very capable of towing without the need to go diesel in most cases. On a recent 260 miles trip on the way home from the Adirondack's, I almost forgot my trailer was behind me.My HEMI does much better using 89 octane fuel. Sometimes I'll fill up with 92 octane at a local BJ's, because the 92 octane is cheaper than 89 octane in my area. I'll get about 10-12 mpg when towing depending on conditions and about 16.5mpg on highway without my trailer. I have a friend that tows with a 2010 Chevy 2500 with a 6.0 and he hates it. Even without his trailer the best he can get is 10mpg.Good luck with your new truck.

Surprised there would be that much of a difference between the two trucks. Did the GM have the 6.0?

They are nice, I certainly miss mine.

Bionic Man wrote:Surprised there would be that much of a difference between the two trucks. Did the GM have the 6.0?Yep, it had the 6.0 gas engine, six speed and 3.73 gears. I agree...I never expected the big difference between the two trucks.The GMC never got 14 mph in the hiway...best I ever got was 13.8. The Hemi gets over 19 hiway unloaded....another super surprise. I had a 2006 Mega cab ram Hemi the never got over 14 mpg hiway and 9 towing...it did very well do to the longer wheel base-very stable.

First Tow With New Hemi.....did well! | Good Sam Community

APT
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
Frostbite, I have never liked the 545/645RFE gear ratios. I'd prefer shorter spacing on the low gears and wider for the top gears. OH well, their 8-spd looks fantastic!
TomG2
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
In and out of ditches and road construction sites for forty years with all 2wd pickups except one. 4wd Jeep was fun. Every year it is interesting to see all the 4wd vehicles in the ditch with the first snow. They can go, but not whoa, better than 2wd.
lbrjet
Explorer
Sep 18, 2013
Today is the first day I really needed my 4 wheel drive. Hit a long stretch of road with 3 inches of hail between Natural Bridges and Blanding Utah on US 95. Torrential rain as well and it was like driving on a slowing melting lake. The grades were pretty steep and the 4 wheel drive kept us going. You don't need it until you need it.

Congrats on the new truck by the way. Forget to say that in my first post.
Frostbitte
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
Congrats on the truck!

I'm always curious to see a comparison between someone who had the 545/645RFE transmission towing to the 66RFE.

In my old half-ton I had the 545RFE and while it was dependable and did a great job, it lacked a few things some of the newer true 5/6 speeds had at the time, namely weirdly spaced gear ratios for a 5/6 speed. It was really a 4-speed the way it was originally designed.
TomG2
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
I understand your enthusiasm for your new pickup. I once went from a crew cab to a regular cab and it felt like I was driving a Corvette. New vehicles drive great. They better.
zogg
Explorer
Sep 17, 2013
TomG2 wrote:
Are both pickups 4wd or 2wd? Makes some difference in the ride. I buy 2wd for that reason.

Actually, that is a difference....the GMC was 4wd and the Ram is 2wd. I have had both in the past and never saw such a big difference. Previously, I had a 2006 Ram Megacab 1500 2wd hemi, and the mpg was closer to the GMC, though itmdid ride better. Dont know if 4wd make a big difference in the ride....never seemed to when I drove 1/2 ton trucks.

I bought a 2wd truck because I dont really need a 4wd truck. I dont do any off roading, and we dont get a tremendous amout of snow here in southern IL. Plus, the wife likes the lower step in height of the 2wd trucks.
lbrjet
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
I find it hard to believe the GM needed 4200 RPM anywhere in southern IL. I only needed that much RPM twice in Colorado in a month long trip all over the state with a smaller engine hauling an 8200 lb TT and 700 lbs in the bed.
APT
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
I'm surprised at the difference as well. I experience none of the things with my 6.0L that you did, but as long as you are happy!
TomG2
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
Are both pickups 4wd or 2wd? Makes some difference in the ride. I buy 2wd for that reason.
Norskeman
Explorer
Sep 16, 2013
Looks like you made a good choice on the upgrade. Sounds like you have the right engine/drive train configuration for your RV.

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