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RAM 6.4L Hemi "heavy-ish" tow test - Video added

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
So after messing around with the "Picture Frame Adapter" for about an hour :M I finally got to hitch up to the 5er.



I took still pictures and video of the hitching up process so you could see the amount of suspension sag. If you recall, my 2007 3500 SRW had about 1.25 to 1.5" of sag when hitched to this same 5er.

Here's the stills of the new 2500 with the rear coil springs taking the weight.

Unloaded, about 10.5" between the tire and fender lip:



Loaded, about 9.25" for the same measurement:



Here's video of the 5er jacks being raised and the weight setting on the truck. I was operating the landing gear switch and holding the tape, so the tape is a bit shaky, sorry. It starts out at about 42" from the ground, and settles to about 40.5" when measured to the fender lip. ~1.5" of sag.

VIDEO LINK - YouTube

Here's pictures of the rig on a level street.





Forgot to add details about the 5er :S

It's a 2010 Cougar 322 QBS. It's 37' long, and has 3 slides, one of which is over the pin as you can see in the pictures. It's about 10,000 dry/unloaded, and about 11,500# fully loaded. As it sits right now, it's likely about 10,500#. The pin weight is just under 2000#. I have taken it to the CAT scale a few years back, I just don't have the numbers in front of me right now, but those weights should be within 250# or so of actual.

As you can see, the 5er just sags it enough to take the "rake" out and make it sit level.

So, that's the hitching up/sag test. How did it pull?

In a word - GREAT! Much better than I expected actually. There aren't many hills here, in fact, I have to drive 30 miles to get to a 7% grade ๐Ÿ™‚ so I only tested on the flat open highway, but it did awesome. Cruised along in 5th gear at ~2100 or 2200 RPM with the 5er in tow. IIRC the instant mpg showed 19 to 24 L/100 Km which converts over as:
19 L/100 Km = 12.3 mpg
20 L/100 Km = 11.7 mpg
21 L/100 Km = 11.2 mpg
22 L/100 Km = 10.6 mpg
23 L/100 Km = 10.2 mpg
24 L/100 Km = 9.8 mpg
So say it'll get about 9 to 10 mpg hauling an 11,500# 5er.

I had the DW in the passenger seat reaching over and shooting video. It's a bit long (~8 min), so it might be kind of boring :).

It's still uploadng, so I will link it when it's done.
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
71 REPLIES 71

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
Goldstalker wrote:
Cool, sure with they would do the dual exhaust on the 2500's.

Agreed, though what is there is either 3.5" or 4" (just eyeballing it) after the catalytic converters where the pipes go from 2 into a single.

What I don't like is the resonator behind the rear axle. I think it's ugly.
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

Goldstalker
Explorer
Explorer
Cool, sure with they would do the dual exhaust on the 2500's.
2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4X4 3.73
2013 CrossRoads Sunset Trail Super Lite 250RB
2-2012 Yamaha VX Deluxe
2012 Toyota Highlander

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
Here is the height difference. Bone stock 2014s, both 4x4s, neither has air suspension or anything added to the suspension. The 1500 has 20" wheels, the 2500 has the 18" wheels.

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

jus2shy
Explorer
Explorer
ib516 wrote:
jus2shy wrote:
ib, The Diesel RAM has quite the cooling package, but I was wondering what the gasser motors have for a cooling package? Do they still have the dual radiators and dual transmission coolers (1 radiator 1 air to air)? Do they still have a power steering cooler as well? Is there an oil cooler? Sorry for all the questions, but I've tried to look this up online out of curiosity and I can't find any information and I haven't had the time to look at a gasser RAM since I rarely ever go by my dealership. I just like to be well informed since I am a truck enthusiast (brand agnostic).

TIA!

Well, you're in luck. I took a flashlight and a creeper and peeked into that the other day.

The front end of the 6.4L Hemi is not even close to the same as the diesel. You could (literally) put a full sized suitcase behind the bumper of my truck and no one would be the wiser. There's a HUGE empty space there. The gasser's cooling system does not go below the bumper. If yopu look through the horizontal slot in the bumper, between the tow hooks, you can see the engine oil pan, then the ground.

The stack, from grill to engine side goes like this:
- Power steering cooler
- A/C condenser
- Large trans cooler
- Engine radiator

There is also an engine oil cooler that forms part of the oil filter mount.


Much thanks and good to know. ๐Ÿ™‚
E'Aho L'ua
2013 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 SRW |Cummins @ 370/800| 68RFE| 3.42 gears
Currently Rig-less (still shopping and biding my time)

mowin
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks, you saved me from having to crawl under mine. Didnt want to get dirty.:B

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
jus2shy wrote:
ib, The Diesel RAM has quite the cooling package, but I was wondering what the gasser motors have for a cooling package? Do they still have the dual radiators and dual transmission coolers (1 radiator 1 air to air)? Do they still have a power steering cooler as well? Is there an oil cooler? Sorry for all the questions, but I've tried to look this up online out of curiosity and I can't find any information and I haven't had the time to look at a gasser RAM since I rarely ever go by my dealership. I just like to be well informed since I am a truck enthusiast (brand agnostic).

TIA!

Well, you're in luck. I took a flashlight and a creeper and peeked into that the other day.

The front end of the 6.4L Hemi is not even close to the same as the diesel. You could (literally) put a full sized suitcase behind the bumper of my truck and no one would be the wiser. There's a HUGE empty space there. The gasser's cooling system does not go below the bumper. If yopu look through the horizontal slot in the bumper, between the tow hooks, you can see the engine oil pan, then the ground.

The stack, from grill to engine side goes like this:
- Power steering cooler
- A/C condenser
- Large trans cooler
- Engine radiator

There is also an engine oil cooler that forms part of the oil filter mount.
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

e-light
Explorer
Explorer
jus2shy wrote:
ib, The Diesel RAM has quite the cooling package, but I was wondering what the gasser motors have for a cooling package? Do they still have the dual radiators and dual transmission coolers (1 radiator 1 air to air)? Do they still have a power steering cooler as well? Is there an oil cooler? Sorry for all the questions, but I've tried to look this up online out of curiosity and I can't find any information and I haven't had the time to look at a gasser RAM since I rarely ever go by my dealership. I just like to be well informed since I am a truck enthusiast (brand agnostic).

TIA!


I know it does have an oil cooler. I read the tech sheet from RAM training tech.
2015 Cougar 339BHS 5er
2016 RAM 2500 Crew Cab, 4x4, Laramie, 6.7L Cummins
Andersen Ultimate Aluminum 5th Wheel Connection
GONE:
2014 RAM 2500 Crew Cab, 4x4, Tradesman, 6.4L Hemi

jus2shy
Explorer
Explorer
ib, The Diesel RAM has quite the cooling package, but I was wondering what the gasser motors have for a cooling package? Do they still have the dual radiators and dual transmission coolers (1 radiator 1 air to air)? Do they still have a power steering cooler as well? Is there an oil cooler? Sorry for all the questions, but I've tried to look this up online out of curiosity and I can't find any information and I haven't had the time to look at a gasser RAM since I rarely ever go by my dealership. I just like to be well informed since I am a truck enthusiast (brand agnostic).

TIA!
E'Aho L'ua
2013 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 SRW |Cummins @ 370/800| 68RFE| 3.42 gears
Currently Rig-less (still shopping and biding my time)

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
rtmcavoy wrote:
I'm not sure if this is somewhere in this thread, but what is your rear axle ratio?

4.10. It's listed in my signature ๐Ÿ™‚

The 4.10 ratio adds 3000# to the GCWR and max towing capacity over the 3.73s.
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

MVH1
Explorer
Explorer
I'm not sure if this is somewhere in this thread, but what is your rear axle ratio?

45Ricochet
Explorer
Explorer
ib516 wrote:
OBTW, remember that garage door clearance issue I mentioned? Here's a pic. :E



LOL
That is about what mine is after having the driveway paved a couple of years back. Add a foot of snow a couple of times without removing it and your in trouble, kind of. Those headers and doors are expensive but the new convertible is nice in summer :B
I hit the manual hanging knob for the opener each time I pull in and it always startles me. Still better than letting it set outside 24/7 though.
2015 Tiffin Phaeton Cummins ISL, Allison 3000, 45K GCWR
10KW Onan, Magnum Pure Sine Wave Inverter
2015 GMC Canyon Toad

Previous camping rig
06 Ram 3500 CC LB Laramie 4x4 Dually 5.9 Cummins Smarty Jr 48RE Jacobs brake
06 Grand Junction 15500 GVWR 3200 pin

ib516
Explorer II
Explorer II
The header is right on the other side of the door. I could adjust it up some, but I might gain 0.5".
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

riddle_family
Explorer
Explorer
That is the reason I went with 8 foot tall garage doors. Helps a lot.

FishOnOne
Explorer III
Explorer III
That's about the same amount of clearance I have with my truck/garage. As a matter of fact when I went from a "17 tire to a "20 tire I had to make sure my truck would get into the garage as part of my truck purchase research.

The devil is in the details...
'12 Ford Super Duty FX4 ELD CC 6.7 PSD 400HP 800ft/lbs "270k Miles"
'16 Sprinter 319MKS "Wide Body"