towing with Ram 3.6 Pentstar w/8spd

I don't have the setup you're requesting, but if you can get it done safely, and that is what you have to do, then do it. Best of luck and hope things work out better for you.

We have the 3.6 Pentstar in a 2012 200 had have to say has plenty of power and that's with just a 6 speed. The only thing I would question would be the gear ratio in your turck.

Don

Im suprised your tow rating is so low with the 8spd. Maybe a test to is in order. If not at the dealer then possibly a friend with something to tow of comparable size.

If the tow rating is 4500 pounds, you'll want to stick to about 3500 pounds dry. You'll add at least 500 pounds of stuff. You'll have to let that engine rev, maybe 3000rpm to cruise and 5000-6000rpm to accelerate. The 8-spd gearing is great!

Mvander wrote:
Im suprised your tow rating is so low with the 8spd. Maybe a test to is in order. If not at the dealer then possibly a friend with something to tow of comparable size.

He owns the truck, the reason the tow rating is so low is do to the 3:21 gear ratio. Not a good towing gear.

Don

I think that a gear swap will get you about 7500 ish lbs of tow rating. I can't remember it it's 3.55 or 3.73 though.

The 8-spd with 3.21 provides better torque multiplication in first gear than the 66RFE and 4.56 and my GM 6-spd and 3.73. It's fine. 4-5 usable towing gears. Let it rev and it will work.

Beagle RC Air wrote:
Not an ideal tow vehicle but its what we have. Bought this 2013 Ram 4x4 regular cab short bed to tow behind our Alpine Coach. Times and circumstances change so now thinking about using it to tow a TT in the 4000 lb. range. Anyone have a Ram V6 3.6L set up for towing? It has 4550 tow capacity with the 3.21 ratio. Not ideal, but don't plan on any long ascents in the mountains.

Try the small Fun Finder,16 or the 189,18ft9in, at about 3000lbs
I have seen them towed by Explorers and Tacomas.
Can you lock out the OD gears?

With a different rear axle ratio, you could tow in a higher gear. With what you have, you will tow in a lower gear and end up traveling the same speed. But your rpm will be higher, most likely. Generally I'd bet a 3.55 would let you travel mostly in 6th gear while towing more or less on the level. But your ratio will probably make the transmission call for 5th. The axle difference is about 10.5%, the gear difference is about 29%, so your engine would be running about 18% higher rpm to achieve the same highway speed in that scenario.

However, what the tranny will call for depends upon your trailer's aerodynamics and weight. If you choose a rounded, aero trailer like a Scamp, Casita or similar, you will have an easier time of it and may not need that higher gear. Or a popup, even better. You will definitely want to avoid the 8' wide, high and boxy trailers. And if you were planning to travel through the mountains, you should want to keep the loaded weight below 3000 lb IMO.

My Highlander's engine has similar HP and torque (a bit less, but also a bit lighter vehicle too) to the 3.6. Although the 3.6 does have a flatter torque curve, which is helpful. My TT is 7' wide and 99" high. 2700 lb loaded. I have been through the Rockies a couple of times with it, and now I'm planning to replace it with a Grand Cherokee and 5.7L. It can be done, but slow going up the grades does get tiresome after a while.

The ZF transmission has 2 overdrives.
1st 4.696, 2nd 3.130, 3rd 2.104, 4th 1.667, 5th 1.285, 6th 1.000, 7th 0.839, 8th 0.667,
1st gear is deep enough to start a load on a grade so that isn't a worry. The double overdrive won't come into play if hold transmission to no higher than 6th. Transmission heat would seem to be a potential problem but that can be worked around. So maybe it will all work out. Thinking about Airstream in 19' to 22' range. Our traveling will be mostly to club campouts and destinations within 200 miles. Thanks for the responses!

Beagle