dougk53
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Re: reducing tire pressure when unloaded
I also have a 2017 6.4 Ram 2500 as noted in your profile. The rear of the truck unladen is around 3000#. The Firestones on mine at 50psi will support about 5000#. These are the stock tires. I run front and rear at 56psi due to ride consideration. Only thing is every time you start the truck you will have to hit the left arrow on the steering wheel then the right arrow to clear the Evic of the TPMS screen. Granted the TPMS warning light will still stay on but I just ignore it. Good luck. Doug1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: oil change question
I had a 2014 3.5 Eco F150 until 12/17. Even though I prefer to do my own oil changes I found that it would cost $50.00 for the dealer to change the oil and filter with the upgrade to full synthetic and this included tire rotation. Buying oil and filter myself cost that much. Granted before leaving the dealer I would check under the truck, the filter and oil level before paying. The last oil change on that truck found some oil dripping from the diaper on that engine and they took it back in to clean and didn't charge for the service. I continue to get dealer oil changes on my new Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi as the 0-40 Pennzoil Platinum Plus Synthetic usually has to be bought online and 7 quarts plus filter runs about $80.00. The dealer charges this amount and includes tire rotation also. It is more cost effective this way and even though I have a floor jack and impact, wrestling those heavy tires at my age is a pain. Needless to say I follow the same regime of inspection before leaving the dealer. If you should want to run full synthetic changing from syn blend is not an issue. Doug398Views0likes0CommentsRe: Joining the eco boost club
Had a 2014 3.5 eco F150 Screw steel body 6 3/4 bed. Initially towed a TT very similar to yours but with 120# more tongue weight and 2 feet shorter. I was within all my specs and I don't have enough good things to say about the powertrain and it's ability to handle the weight but while never white knuckle it just never felt really comfortable. By chance 4 months after getting the 150 we traded into a TT that loaded is 7700#, tongue weight loaded of 850# and is 31 feet overall. This unit towed much better. There was still a little rear bobbing and side movement of the TT due to the softer suspension of the 150 even with the addition of 100# air bags. No real issues but needed to be more aware of the situation. This December traded the 150 for a Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi because we get a new truck about every 3 years. Decision was driven more by the fact that I haul heavy loads of oak rounds to heat my house among other things and not because of the TT. Recently took a 500 mile trip towing with the Ram and it came as close to being a relaxing trip as you could hope for. The 6.4 did an admirable job but the Ecoboost was superior in my opinion. You coming from a 1500 may feel perfectly fine. I can only relay my experiences which closely parallel your situation. Good luck. Doug325Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2016 Ram 2500 6.4 cooling
Do not be surprised if you purchase that the coolant temps run 212-230 degrees depending on conditions. The idiot gauge on the dash won't move but looking in the EVIC display will give you a numeric reading. The OEM thermostat is 216 degrees. They are designed to run hotter. There is plenty of information concerning this on the Ram forums. Conversely I find transmission temps run lower than my 3.5 Ecoboost F150 as the Eco transmission has a thermostat that operates basically at the same temp as the coolant temperature. Also be aware that the recommended oil is Pennzoil Platinum Plus 0-40 Synthetic due to the cylinder deactivation that works off the oil. This oil is expensive and hard to find. As much as I prefer to do my own oil the dealer charges $80 for 7 quarts ( usually runs $10 a quart), filter and tire rotation. Also this makes it easier if I ever need to make a warranty engine claim. Good luck. Doug661Views0likes0CommentsRe: Reese Dual Cam and Ram 3500
First you need to hook trailer up and take it someplace level. Then measure the distance from the frame to the ground both front and rear. Take the difference in measurements and divide by 2 and this will give you the amount of additional drop you need to level TT. Go to Etrailer and find the drawbar that you now have and the description will tell you the drop you now have. You are probably do not have that big a drop now as the drop is measured from the top of the shank in the hitch to the top of the hitch head at the lowest setting. It can be a little confusing but Etrailer provides reading that will make it abundantly clear. Reese offers 2 shanks with a larger drop, one of which is extreme. The middle one will probably suffice. I just went through this with a new Ram 2500 and using this method was able to order the correct one and successfully level the TT. The really long one is extreme and you probably will not need it. Once you reference the shank you have now and the amount of additional drop needed you can call Etrailer and talk to technical assistance telling them what you now have and the additional drop needed and help you choose correctly. Good luck. Doug219Views0likes0CommentsRe: Gas vs Diesel for Towing a Fifth Wheel!!!
goducks10 wrote: I don't look at it as a cost per mile thing at all. I got the diesel option cause I wanted it. Same as those who get the Laramie/Lariat option. How about the bigger screen on your radio? The fancier rims? etc. It'a all part of buying a car or truck. Just option it out like you want, drive it until your bored with it and get another. This speaks volumes. It is not what is better towing a fifth wheel, it is what size fifth wheel you are going to tow and your personal preferences and comfort level. We recently traded into a Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi to tow a 7700# TT. A diesel for us would almost never make sense as at our age trading out of a 2 year old TT that meets almost all our needs would make little sense just as $9000 for a diesel plus $.75 more per gallon for fuel in our area outweighs all other considerations. We also lease our trucks now as we get new about every 3 years or less. Have owned vehicles with up to 400,000 miles on gas engines. Some will say leasing makes no sense but it does for our lifestyle, at least our trucks. For us the cost difference for a diesel is better spent traveling. If you tow heavy diesel is the only option but it comes down to first your needs and second your wants and only you can determine those things. Good luck. Doug363Views0likes0CommentsRe: Thinking of buying new hybrid what are your thoughts?
We had a hybrid for about 4 years when they first came out. Some of the disadvantages have easy work arounds. Pop Up Gizmos, 2 lightweight queen sleeping bags zipped together, space heater all make them more comfortable. It was a part of our journey through our life Rving that left us with many great memories of time spent with our kids and grandkids. We traveled from Maine to Florida and have some really great memories that I wouldn't trade. All the shortcomings were there but didn't seem as such because of the great times we had with it. That being said we are on our 4th TT since and at our age would not go back but we are glad to have had this experience and the memories. They provide an alternative for those who don't want to tow a large trailer or don't have enough vehicle to tow much more. We have absolutely no regrets having owned one and still think fondly of our time owning one. Good luck. Doug212Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2014 f150 max trailer pkg
Circumstances are everything. I leased not knowing where our situation would take us. At the time this was our best option. I got the last of the steel trucks for the additional mass and we come out usually 250-300# under payload and rear axle. That is not packing light but just the way we travel. Not unhappy at all the way it turned out but all that said I recently test drove a Ram 2500 6.4. It is the only 2500 I would consider due to the rear coils. I'll see how the situation evolves and go from there. Doug504Views0likes0CommentsRe: New Trailer - F150 Ecoboost Towable?
Towing a 7700# 31Ft. OA Length TT with a loaded tongue of 850#. Truck is a 2014 same specs but with 50# less payload then you have. Your tongue weight will probably reach about 950#. You will have about 800# payload left after hooking up. Negate the weight of the hitch on payload as you will easily transfer that weight back to the TT axles. That tongue weight will still be on the hitch but you are plenty good there. Water tank on the Grand reserve is under bedroom behind compartment so all that weight will not be exclusively on the tongue. Also your black tank is back by the rear axle and appears to have the kitchen sink empty into it with the shower and bath sink emptying into the grey tank which is further rearward. I am surmising this looking at photos of the sewer lines and the water connections. Point being you will have great flexibility balancing the TT weight because of this. Our Eco handles the TT better than our old 2500, 6.0 Liter did handling and powerwise remembering previous truck was a 2000 Sierra. You will need 1200# bars in my estimation. In summary considering you are not new to towing in my estimation based on my experience you will be more than adequate. Remember what you paid for this advise and that may also be what it is worth. Good Luck. Doug574Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2014 f150 max trailer pkg
For comparison sake I have a 14 Screw, 3.5 Ecoboost XLT 6.5 bed. Xlt comes in many configurations. Mine has power driver seat, power pedals, chrome package, chrome steps, 20 inch tires, tailgate step, backup camera, rear power slider window and linex spray in bedliner. Also Max Tow with power tow mirrors and 3.73 E-Locker rear. Gvwr is 7700#. Payload is 1735#. Buyout at 36 month lease end is 26K. Tow a 7700# TT with a tongue weight of 835#. Tows like a baby diesel due to torque at low rpm and the adaptive learning transmission has learned my towing methods and downshifts before I do. Got this truck because DW had 2 spinal surgeries and was in line for a 3rd and this truck is very comfortable. Had an older GMC 2500 with 6.0 and 4.10 gears and the Eco is far superior in all categories. Hope this helps. Good luck. Doug505Views0likes0Comments
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