Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi Towing a Fifth Wheel

[trofeo16]

I'm sure this topic has been completely exhausted but wanted to specifically ask about towing a fifth with my 2018 Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi & 4.10 gearing. I currently tow a Travel Trailer (vibe 308bh). Dry weight of 7300 and loaded about 9k. I travel off long island once or twice a year to maryland at the farthest (300 Miles). Most of my camping is within 40 miles. I am considering getting a Grand Design 311BH. Dry weight of 11,300, GVWR of 13,800 and a pin weight of 2000. I know i'm good with payload but what do you think about towing a rig that heavy with the hemi?

I know that diesels tow so much better but would really like real world experiences from hemi owners. I don't tow enough or far enought o make a diesel worth while and its also my daily driver. I am also open to trading up to a 2019 with the new ZF 8 speed and would love to know how the new tranny does with a 11k-14k fifth in tow.

[Lantley]

C Schomer wrote:
For your use, keep what you have unless money burns a hole in your pocket. Craig

I agree and if your not going to upgrade to a diesel don't do anything.
Trading from gasser to gasser is not money well spent.

[C_Schomer]

For your use, keep what you have unless money burns a hole in your pocket. Craig

[campigloo]

For the small amount of towing you’re doing I wouldn’t upgrade the truck either. If the tranny is a concern maybe you could swap it to the 8spd. I have no idea if it would work but might be worth investigating.

[IdaD]

The diesels cost more up front but in terms of total ownership cost the difference between diesel and gas is immaterial, imo. As long as you can afford the higher up front cost, it makes the diesel a no brainer, imo.

Not that a gas truck won't pull a fifth wheel or larger camper. It will do it, it'll just act a lot like a boat anchor on passes and it lacks the exhaust brake on the downhill side.

[goducks10]

Ram has a 50 gal tank option if you get a LB. That besides the 4.10 would be a must if going the Hemi route IMO.

[MikeRP]

My Brother and I have the same trucks 2018 Ram Bighorn CC SB SRW his w the Hemi mine w the Cummins. The Hemi is amazing. It’s the most powerful gas truck I’ve driven. Smooth and enjoyable to drive. The Cummins when I first got it, I did not like the tranny. I have the HO and Aisin. However, after about 15,000 miles or so, it changed and it seems like at 50,000 miles it finally broke in. The tranny and especially the Cummins are a joy to drive.

Comparing the two, if you are going on long trips out west where FUEL mileage is an issue get the Cummins. I added a 46 gallon gravity drain aux tank and I can go at least 700 miles before I need to find a fuel station. 1400 miles without my camper which is a Cedar Creek 34IK running about 14,500 lbs loaded.

The Hemi would have to fix an aux tank with a fuel pump. You can’t gravity drain gasoline. Plus the Cummins gets about 11 mpg towing and I think I’d be 8 mpg or less with his truck.

The 4.10 gears and the Hemi will tow a house but you have to stop every 225 miles or so to fuel up. A real liability out west and a pain on long trips and a serious concern for long desolate stretches out west.

Sounds like the Hemi is fine for your needs and it’s going to be way cheaper to maintain.

[2012Coleman]

I towed my current 12K GD 303RLS with a 2017 Ram 2500, 6.4 L Hemi. It did the job, but always at high revs, and drank A LOT of gas.

Upgraded to to 2018 RAM 3500 CTD which also serves as my daily driver and am as happy as a pig in mud. Way better towing experience, uses less fuel, and don't have to listen to the engine screaming all the time. I am more relaxed while towing, and not constantly having to be thinking of how far the next gas station is located.

If you have the means to go the diesel route as you mentioned, my advice would be to do it.

[Blazing_Zippers]

We have a 2016 Ram 6.4 373 gears, and have towed a 10300 lb fifth wheel to AK, CA, OR, NV, several times. No problem. Just put in gas and keep track of your mileage between gas stops.
The fifth wheel towed quite well and only once did we have chucking.
The fifth wheel fell apart, so now we tow a travel trailer--again, quite nicely.
See ya out there.

[dodge_guy]

mtofell1 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
A tune won't help improper trans gearing.

Yeah, the lovely 66rfe has two issues... poor gearing and poor programming. I agree there's nothing that can be done about the gearing (other than buying a new truck with the 8spd :)) but the programming could probably be made a lot better.

Yes, even with the questionable gear spacing, the shift programming can definitely be improved upon!

What if I told you they pull out about 25% throttle under load! Yes they do. I work at a Chrysler dealer and I can see it first had through the data pids. I can also see it in my V-10 motor home. I can see that when I put the pedal to the floor the pcm is only showing 80% throttle input and I’m only seeing 75% actual throttle opening. A tuner will fix that issue!

[mtofell1]

goducks10 wrote:
A tune won't help improper trans gearing.

Yeah, the lovely 66rfe has two issues... poor gearing and poor programming. I agree there's nothing that can be done about the gearing (other than buying a new truck with the 8spd :)) but the programming could probably be made a lot better.

[goducks10]

A tune won't help improper trans gearing.

[mtofell1]

dodge guy wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:

steveb48880 wrote:
I found it worked better to shift myself and drop it into 4th before we started to climb. Sometimes it would drop down into 3rd.

This is the key to getting the most out of the poor programming and design of the 66rfe tranny. It has a REALLY annoying habit of waiting far too long to downshift and then slamming down two gears. For me with 3.73 gears and a 12,000# 5th wheel I'm in 4th a lot and is slams down into 2nd. I just shift it manually and it makes for a much smoother experience.

This is where custom tuning comes into play. And not for more HP or TQ, but for the much improved shift strategy! Not to mention doing away with how the Manuf pulls the throttle back when it’s needed the most!

Yeah, if any tranny needs a tune it's this one but, unfortunately, it would void my lifetime warranty. At the rate I'm going I need to keep that intact - I've had two rebuilds + a 3rd valve body and I just crossed 100K. Not exactly the old, "Maytag Man" sitting around the repair shop.

[dodge_guy]

mtofell1 wrote:

steveb48880 wrote:
I found it worked better to shift myself and drop it into 4th before we started to climb. Sometimes it would drop down into 3rd.

This is the key to getting the most out of the poor programming and design of the 66rfe tranny. It has a REALLY annoying habit of waiting far too long to downshift and then slamming down two gears. For me with 3.73 gears and a 12,000# 5th wheel I'm in 4th a lot and is slams down into 2nd. I just shift it manually and it makes for a much smoother experience.

This is where custom tuning comes into play. And not for more HP or TQ, but for the much improved shift strategy! Not to mention doing away with how the Manuf pulls the throttle back when it’s needed the most!

[mtofell1]

steveb48880 wrote:
I found it worked better to shift myself and drop it into 4th before we started to climb. Sometimes it would drop down into 3rd.

This is the key to getting the most out of the poor programming and design of the 66rfe tranny. It has a REALLY annoying habit of waiting far too long to downshift and then slamming down two gears. For me with 3.73 gears and a 12,000# 5th wheel I'm in 4th a lot and is slams down into 2nd. I just shift it manually and it makes for a much smoother experience.