Towing with a late model Dodge 1500?

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by SteveH

There are some reasons why I would only consider a Ram 1/2 ton truck, and the major one is if I trade to one, I want a shorter truck than my current 3/4 ton GMC Crewcab, but want to maintain the 6 1/2' bed, but will not accept the rear suicide doors of the Ford and GM trucks.

I know that you want to limit this to Ram comments, but I bought a double cab Tundra in 08 because I wanted the 5.7L motor, the six speed tranny, the regular rear doors and a 6.5ft bed. If I were buying a new truck today the top contenders would probably be the Tundra and the Ram.

Dan

[SteveH]

Yes, I know lots of folks are getting good service out of the Toyota, but I'll just say I have personal reasons for preferring a Ram over it.

[dkottum]

I traded a Toyota for the Ram. Toyota was fine, but does not offer reg cab with large engine which I wanted to tow our Airstream, and have the short wheelbase maneuverability when not towing it.

That maneuverability and many, many thousands of dollars saved, are what led me away from a European diesel SUV search (which can be frustrating because of limitations without modifying things) and to the Dodge, which I had not originally considered. The excellent Ram Express package with brake controller and dash info display, and enough towing capacity as equipped (adjust w.d. hitch and go), sealed the deal.

doug k

[shadeemry]

Originally Posted by SteveH

All your comments are nice to know, but as the original post states, I'm interested in how the new Dogge, or Ram as they are now called, is doing towing with the new coil spring rear suspension.

Surely there are more users of this truck that can comment?

A rule of thumb for towing any airstream, I'll give you the reference as quoted from the service Manuel...

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by shadeemry

A rule of thumb for towing any airstream, I'll give you the reference as quoted from the service Manuel...

shadeemry,

Did that come out of your '75 service manuel? Although I don't argue what it is saying, in general, but the information ref the engine displacement seems a little "old school".

There are hardly any 400+ cubic inch engines available these days, except for Diesel, and if you used that formula for a 10,000 gvw 31 footer, you would need a 600+ cubic inch engine.

I do distinctly remember 350 engines in the '80's being about 210 HP, and now a 5.7 L (same displacement) approaching 400 HP.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by SteveH

shadeemry,

Did that come out of your '75 service manuel? Although I don't argue what it is saying, in general, but the information ref the engine displacement seems a little "old school".

There are hardly any 400+ cubic inch engines available these days, except for Diesel, and if you used that formula for a 10,000 gvw 31 footer, you would need a 600+ cubic inch engine.

I do distinctly remember 350 engines in the '80's being about 210 HP, and now a 5.7 L (same displacement) approaching 400 HP.

True dat, but don't mistake a 4 cylinder 250 HP in a compact car for a suitable replacement for those old V8s either......I'm just saying, it isn't quite that simple on either side of the discussion.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

True dat, but don't mistake a 4 cylinder 250 HP in a compact car for a suitable replacement for those old V8s either......I'm just saying, it isn't quite that simple on either side of the discussion.

Yea, that should work real good....in a Mustang II, pulling a 34 footer, with a slide out. Probably needs a transmission oil cooler, however.

[mefly2]

We really enjoy our 2012 Ram and went with the 2500 only because we wanted the seamless torque of a diesel engine. ... for possible future longer AStreams. The rear suspension is VERY, VERY stiff, however, when the trailer is not hitched up ... even with a topper permanently bolted on to the truck and tire pressure lowered. We also wanted an extended cab, but had to opt for a crew cab as that is all that was available with the Cummins engine. (We had to "remodel" shelving the the garage to fit it inside) Creature conforts and safety features abound, but we have a very stiff ride and - with the new emmissions controls -very poor fuel economy (8-10 city; 12-14 hwy - hitched or not). Although we really like the effortless towing of the Ram truck, we'd probably not buy one again ... and stay with our softer riding / tranny-gear hunting under tow / and paid for '06 F150 5.4liter. Happy with the Ram overall? YES, but regret giving up the softer ride of the F150 and MUCH lower fuel costs to drive the Ford. Everything is a trade off ... I hope that medicare will help reduce medical costs for us this summer... making more disposable income available for travel.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by mefly2

We really enjoy our 2012 Ram and went with the 2500 only because we wanted the seamless torque of a diesel engine. ... for possible future longer AStreams. The rear suspension is VERY, VERY stiff, however, when the trailer is not hitched up ... even with a topper permanently bolted on to the truck and tire pressure lowered. We also wanted an extended cab, but had to opt for a crew cab as that is all that was available with the Cummins engine. (We had to "remodel" shelving the the garage to fit it inside) Creature conforts and safety features abound, but we have a very stiff ride and - with the new emmissions controls -very poor fuel economy (8-10 city; 12-14 hwy - hitched or not). Although we really like the effortless towing of the Ram truck, we'd probably not buy one again ... and stay with our softer riding / tranny-gear hunting under tow / and paid for '06 F150 5.4liter. Happy with the Ram overall? YES, but regret giving up the softer ride of the F150 and MUCH lower fuel costs to drive the Ford. Everything is a trade off ... I hope that medicare will help reduce medical costs for us this summer... making more disposable income available for travel.

Wow! Are you sure you have enough power to pull that great big 20 footer there? I would think one of the "Canada Special" tow vehicles would be perfect for that trailer.

I know the Ram 2500 rides rough as I have test driven one. They're much rougher riding than my GMC 2500HD. If I were you, I'd take a serious look at the Sulastic Rubber Springs, sort of a rubber springed shackle that is easy to change, and reportedly really helps improve the ride.

[crispyboy]

Originally Posted by mefly2

- with the new emmissions controls -very poor fuel economy (8-10 city; 12-14 hwy - hitched or not).

Mefly,

How many miles do you have on your 2500? Mileage will get better by about 4 mpg (unloaded) when you get 25,000 miles or so on the truck.

In the winter months when I'm not working my 2500 I run the rear tire pressure around 50 lbs and the fronts around 65 lbs using the "light load setting" per the manual. This helps the ride quite a bit. With the small trailer your towing you may want to try the light load setting and see how things go.

Sorry for the temporary hi-jack of the thread.

[mefly2]

Thanks Steve and Crispy. We are looking into other springs because the reduced tire pressure still yields a harsh ride ... we intend to replace the DPF - but only after the warranty is gone ...as they told us it would void the warranty. Otherwise the Ram is terribly comfortable and quite luxurious for the wife unit asl well. Who would have ever thought we'd have not only heated, but also cooled seats and telephone calls routed through the truck audio system. Am I sounding older ... LOL.

[crisen]

Originally Posted by mefly2

we intend to replace the DPF - but only after the warranty is gone ...as they told us it would void the warranty. .

One more comment on the your truck, you might read up on some of the Cummins forums, seems like people see improvements with removing the DPF and EGR in non towing situations but not much while towing. So you may want to balance cost vs useage. I.e. if you put on a lot of miles towing but not much while non-towing you will take a long time to pay for the costs involved.

Also as stated the mileage will go up after break-in which may take up to 50k depending on how you drive. Also these trucks are very sensitive to speed. I have 67k on my 4 x 4 2008 (which has the same emissions package) and based on my experiernce your towing mileage seems in the ball park for speeds around 60 +/- a little but I have never seen anywhere that low non towing even when it was new. With summer fuel, 14 in town new and 16 now, highway at 65 was at least 17 new now low 19's.

Back to the regular scheduled on topic comments.