Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi Towing a Fifth Wheel

I had a 2014 Ram 2500 with the 6.4L and 4.10 axles. I towed a 12k (loaded) 5er that had 3 slides and was 37' long -- up, over, and through the Rockies with no issue. When I say no issue, I mean the performance was good (could hold speed or accelerate on most any grade I encountered), had no issues with overheating or even coming close (engine and trans), and it handled the payload well - which was about 2200# if memory serves (I did take it to the scales). My GCW was right around 21,000#. That combo did about 7-9 mpg and used high RPM to climb hills (4000 - 5500 RPM in some cases), but I was happy with how it performed.

I say you'll be fine. The 8 speed would make a better performer no doubt, and a diesel would be better still.

That said, for the type of RVing you do (short hauls), I think what you have will do fine. You will eat a ton of depreciation if you trade a 2018 on a 2019.

I cannot directly answer your question but I will share with you my experience.

I have been towing with Dodge 3500's with Cummins Diesels for some years.

I recently bought a Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 gas motor to pull my 5er.... It sucks..... Anyone wanna buy a Chevy??

I REALLY got spoiled rotten with the 1 ton Diesels. More stable towing, better brakes, much more power and much better fuel mileage.

I get better fuel mileage towing almost 18,000# with my Diesel than I do with the gas truck empty.

Having tried a variety of tow vehicles I have developed a very strong preference for Diesels.

Just my (somewhat biased) $0.02 :)

I hope someone more familiar with the Hemi chimes in.

Having driven a few 6 speed 6.4 Trucks and owning an 8speed 6.4 car, the difference in transmissions is noticeable to say the least. 8HP trans is a great unit.
Worth trading up for, for low mile "local" trips? (Out here, 300 mile one way trips are "short" trips for us.) I wouldn't trade up your new truck for a new truck at the cost, but see what you can get selling your 18 first and a year end deal on a '19 might not be a big hit.

Your truck will handle that bigger trailer fine, but it will still pull like a gasser with either trans.

OT a little but I towed 7300 lbs with an F150 5.4 4sp then moved to a 5.4 6sp.
Only difference was on take off. The 6sp accelerated easier. Out on the hwy when climbing grades the 5.4 still needed the same rpms to maintain speed.
Guessing it's the same for the 8sp vs 6sp 6.4. BIG difference will be the 1-4 gears. The 6sp is not all that friendly in the low gears. The 8sp should be much smoother.
Worth the $$ to trade up? Not for me.

I've got a 2018 CTD Ram 2500 4x4. Was on a dealerships website playing around to see what they thought my trade was worth. 8K hit with less than 5K miles on it, and only have had it less than 4 months. Your depreciation will probably be around 12K or more.
There are still a few `18 new models available for sell and they have good rebates & dealer incentives, so that will significantly impact the value of your trade.
What you have will work for the distances you travel.

First of all, there is no comparison between a diesel and a gas engine when towing. That's not what you asked. there also isn't much of a comparison between a GM 6.0 and a Hemi 6.4 I've owned both, I've towed with both and the Hemi is head and shoulders better than the GM 6.0 With that being said, I tow a 34' fifth wheel with a Ram 3500 with the 6.4 Hemi. It has done everything I've asked of it and other than the engine roars when going up hill, it's just fine. After a few hundred miles you can smell that the engine has been working but that's true with any gas engine pulling that kind of weight. A 6.4 Hemi will tow your 5th wheel just fine.

Here is my take

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I really appreciate ball of the comments. Makes me feel very confident in towing a 11k dry 13,500 GVWR loaded fifth with a 2500 hemi. I've always been afraid of the maintenance on the cdt and never wanted the up front cost.

I've got a Cougar 29rks that weighs 8700 pounds dry. We loaded it up and took it on a 990 mile, one way trip, from Michigan to Myrtle Beach last week. I would guess we were pushing 10,000 pounds fully loaded. The 6.4 handled Michigan and Ohio amazingly well. I kept it between 65 and 70 mph. It stayed in 5th gear almost the entire time in these two states. Once into the mountains, 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. Never did I feel like I couldn't maintain speed if I wanted to, however, I never pushed it too hard. I'd pick up speed going downhill and take it pretty easy going uphill. On the way down there, we got 10.4 mpg, hand calculated. I was very happy with that. On the way home, I used the same driving habits, however we drove into quite a headwind in Ohio and Michigan. We averaged 9.4, hand calculated on the way home. Overall, I was EXTREMELY happy with how the truck handled the load. No, it's not a diesel, but we thought it did a great job.

You have the payload and the towing capacity with your current truck.

6.4 Hemi with 8spd auto is top tier gasser. Imo