cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Ram 6.4 or GM 6.0?

Iraqvet05
Explorer
Explorer
The DW is finally letting me purchase a newer TV in the spring and I'm going with a gasser again. I am planning to upgrade the TT in a few years to a larger slide unit like a Jayco 28BHBE.

Anyway, I've been researching the Ram 6.4 to death it looks good on paper but has anyone had real experience going from a 6.0 GM to the Ram 6.4 gas? The quality of the Ram trucks has me concerned. I've been reading posts about their transmissions burning out OD clutches and others with blender door problems all in newer (2014 up) trucks. I see tons of Ram 2500s in the used market (most with the 5.7) and they are priced below their GM contenders but should I be concerned the market seems have way more Rams available than GM? Why are people dumping so many newer trucks?
2017 Ford F-250 6.2 gas
2018 Jayco 28BHBE

US Army veteran
28 REPLIES 28

Camper_G
Explorer
Explorer
my 17 ram is a 6.4/3.73 truck. i have a family of 4 and my two sons are over 100lbs each.

even loaded heavy with all of us in the cab and bed loaded with firewood, and my tt around 6k loaded, the truck pulls very hard, even in the hills. so much so when it gets down into 3rd gear, i have to back out of it because i accelerate too much (up the hill) no joke.

to me the 66rfe is fine and shifts way better than the clunky lousy 6 speed my 15 Silverado 1500 had, of course according to gm was normal.

if i was towing north of 10k, I'd hold out for a 4.10 geared truck, but for the 7 or so times per year i tow, at the weights I'm towing, the 3.73s are more than enough.

as said,, all 3 make a good truck, I'd own any of the big 3s HD trucks
2017 Dodge Ram 2500 HD, 4x4, CCSB, 6.4L HEMI, Snow Chief, tow package.,1989 Skyline Layton model 75-2251.

fasteddie
Explorer
Explorer
I have the 6.4 Ram with the 3:73 gears, I have no complaints at all. It rides very nice for a 3/4 ton truck, does what I need it to do.
2015 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi
2012 Jayco White Hawk 31dslb

mtofell1
Explorer
Explorer
I own the 6.4 Hemi with 3.73 gears. The gearing isn't ideal for towing and the tranny spacing pretty much sucks. That being said, I tow an 11K 5th wheel out west in the hills and get by. I'm constantly on the fence about re-gearing to 4.56 (or something close) but just haven't done it yet.

All of the new trucks these days are super nice. I agree to just choose the one you like the best. If I were shopping for a new gasser I'd sure be looking hard at the Ford with the 4.30 gears.

kzspree320
Explorer
Explorer
I think all 3 make good gas trucks. I don't have any experience with the GM 6.0 so I can't comment. I like my 2016 Ram 2500 with 6.4 hemi and 4.10 rear. Here is my first long towing report from a previous thread. Lots of towing info on 6.4 hemi with 4.10 below if you are interested.


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.

larry_barnhart
Explorer
Explorer
wowens79 wrote:
Peg Leg wrote:
I've got 96k on my 12 Chev 6.0. About 30%of that towing a 13.5K 5th wheel. I don't abuse it but it is a truck. Still haven't replaced tires or brakes both look good. The only bad thing is I don't think it has a cabin filter, at least I haven't found one.
If you plan on towing over 10-11k go for the 4.10's. The 60/40 bench seat was more comfortable than the buckets when I tested one.


Those brake pads are amazing. I'm at 210k on the original pads.



Not many trucks can go 96K miles on tires.

chevman
chevman
2019 rockwood 34 ft fifth wheel sold
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy



KSH 55 inbed fuel tank

scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
TST tire monitors
FMCA # F479110

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
kw/00 wrote:
According to TFL the Ram fell short up the hill compared to the Chevy. Either way you look at it, al, 3 are good. No doubt you will get a lot of different opinions for sure. I like all 3, but run with the GM 6.0. Love this combo and since the tune was installed it's really woken up. Mine for the record is an 09 6.0 with 6 speed. For 2020 GM is getting a remake, I think that I would wait till then if possible. If u need one next year then drive all 3 pick the best that makes you and your wallet happy.

The only time I've seen that issue is on the Ike Gauntlet tests the TFL guys run. In other comparisons on other hills (Davis Dam and 1/4 mile loaded and unloaded tests for example) the RAM performs like the engine specs say it should.

I ran mine very hard at times, climbing grades in the Canadian Rockies (max 8000 ft elevation) at 21,000# GCW, and never experienced the issue they seem to every time they test at high elevation.

I do agree the 4.10 axle is the way to go with the Ram, and I do agree the trans ratios are oddly spaced for the Hemi and in my opinion, likely optimized for the Cummins power curve.
Prev: 2010 Cougar 322QBS (junk)
02 Dodge 2500 4x4 5.9L CTD 3.55
07 Dodge 3500 4x4 SRW Mega 5.9L CTD 3.73
14 Ram 2500 4x4 Crew 6.4L Hemi 4.10
06 Chevy 1500 4x4 E-Cab 3.73 5.3L
07 Dodge 1500 5.7L Hemi 3.55 / 2010 Jayco 17z
All above are sold, no longer own an RV

APT
Explorer
Explorer
GM better gearing, Ram more engine power. Get 4.10 axle ratio either way, or 4.30 for Ford. All are very durable and should last 200k+ miles. Test drive them all and pick the one your wife likes best.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)

wowens79
Explorer III
Explorer III
Peg Leg wrote:
I've got 96k on my 12 Chev 6.0. About 30%of that towing a 13.5K 5th wheel. I don't abuse it but it is a truck. Still haven't replaced tires or brakes both look good. The only bad thing is I don't think it has a cabin filter, at least I haven't found one.
If you plan on towing over 10-11k go for the 4.10's. The 60/40 bench seat was more comfortable than the buckets when I tested one.


Those brake pads are amazing. I'm at 210k on the original pads.
2022 Ford F-350 7.3l
2002 Chevy Silverado 1500HD 6.0l 268k miles (retired)
2016 Heritage Glen 29BH
2003 Flagstaff 228D Pop Up

Peg_Leg
Explorer
Explorer
I've got 96k on my 12 Chev 6.0. About 30%of that towing a 13.5K 5th wheel. I don't abuse it but it is a truck. Still haven't replaced tires or brakes both look good. The only bad thing is I don't think it has a cabin filter, at least I haven't found one.
If you plan on towing over 10-11k go for the 4.10's. The 60/40 bench seat was more comfortable than the buckets when I tested one.
2012 Chevy 3500HD Dually 4X4
Crew Cab long bed 6.0 gasser 4.10
2019 Open Range OF337RLS
Yamaha EF3000iSE
retired gadgetman

MVH1
Explorer
Explorer
I bought a used 2013 Ram 2500 with the 5.7L Hemi a couple of years ago and love the truck. It has plenty of power pulling my 7,000lb TT . I have never noticed anything lacking in the in the transmission shift points and not sure what a door blendor issue is. I have the 3.73 gears , 4x4 and it pulls my TT great. I have made a couple of trips through mountains in TN and NC and never felt like the truck was hunting for gears or anything like that. Zero issues with the truck. I bought it because I got the best deal on the truck.

wowens79
Explorer III
Explorer III
I'm in the same boat. My 2002 Chevy 6.0 has 210k on it, and has been a great truck. I'm looking to update next year also. My TT is about 8k loaded, and I could really use some extra power on the hills.

I've been reading up on the Ram 6.4, and it seems like it's a good fit for me. I'd like to stick with the Chevy, but the extra HP, and TQ has me wanting it. I'll probably find o e with 20-30k on it.
2022 Ford F-350 7.3l
2002 Chevy Silverado 1500HD 6.0l 268k miles (retired)
2016 Heritage Glen 29BH
2003 Flagstaff 228D Pop Up

Jebster
Explorer
Explorer
I have a '16 Ram 3500 6.4 w/4.10. Very comfortable inside, although, of course it rides like a 1 ton. Ordered it specifically to tow a 5th wheel, has the pucks in the bed. Things came up and we don't have the 5th yet. Tows our 26 ft TT like it's not there.

kw_00
Explorer
Explorer
I don't know who has end of year pricing but that may work to your advantage if your able to purchase one sooner.
A truck, a camper, a few toys, but most importantly a wonderful family.

SouthpawHD
Explorer
Explorer
As a few have said, can't go wrong with any of the big 3. Test drive the ones you want and pick the best one and you'll be all set.
Palomino SolAire 307QBDSK
2016 Chevrolet 2500, CC, 6.0L, 4.10