Your Thoughts New Tow Vehicle

tcorl · 03-08-2015, 08:17 AM

Just purchased a new tow vehicle 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi 6.4.
4.10 rear end. According to Dodge tow charts should be able to tow 13,000 to 15,000. We have a 2013 Flagstaff 5th wheel 8528 RKWS. Unloaded weight 7300 loaded weight is around 9300 lbs. Traded in a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel. Was wondering if any readers out there have this setup. And what are you getting for gas mileage. Thanks for any input.

geotex1 · 03-08-2015, 08:34 AM

Mileage will not send you over the moon with the motor and gears, but the trans helps. With your 5er and a 3/4-ton RAM, your payload is the limiting factor but since you know loaded weight you likely know your pin weight too.

Congrats on the purchase! My daily driver is a 1/2-ton RAM crew/mid-bed/5.7 HEMI/3.92s.

cyclepuck · 03-08-2015, 08:37 AM

2014 6.4 Mega cab 3.73 pulling a 30" TT around 8500 loaded and averaged 9mpg. Truck only had a few hundred miles on it and with you having the 4.10s it should do a little better.

tcorl · 03-08-2015, 08:50 AM

Thanks for the input. I forgot the pin weight.

cyclepuck · 03-08-2015, 09:07 AM

List pin weight is 1100lbs and the truck is rated a little over 3k so your good there.

Maron · 03-08-2015, 01:16 PM

Tcor asked for gas mileage and I don't see any one giving that info?

mike.t · 03-08-2015, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maron

Tcor asked for gas mileage and I don't see any one giving that info?

cycle said 9

fx2 · 03-08-2015, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike.t

cycle said 9

9 probably isn't far off. I have a 2500 with the 5.7 and 4.10 and get right about 10 with my TT at 8,300 lbs loaded.

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Scott619 · 03-08-2015, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fx2

9 probably isn't far off. I have a 2500 with the 5.7 and 4.10 and get right about 10 with my TT at 8,300 lbs loaded.

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If you don't mind me asking, what gear do you pull in and how many rpm do you turn on the highway with the 4.10's?

rthomaslyons · 03-08-2015, 03:08 PM

Going with a ¾ ton is always a good idea. It gives you a lot more flexibility for trailer selection in the future plus the safety factor for stopping and passing. My 2008 2500 with the Cummins gets about 12-15 mpg on the highway with the trailer and and about the same around town depending on stops and starts. The hemi is going to get 3-5 mpg less but will give you lots of power.

Salt Shaker · 03-08-2015, 03:19 PM

Congrats,

6.4 Hemi here. Long bed crew cab 4x4 w 3:73s. I pulled a Wildcat 313RE at 13500 and now a Silverback 29RE at 14k. I have had zero issues and love it.

I don't baby it. I get between 7-9 towing. Hills and headwind put it at 7 and flats along the coast with no wind bump it to 9.

Love the power. You should have zero issues pulling yours. I went with a B&W companion. I added airbags but really don't need them. I love the ride. Running empty around town 12-13 and 14-15 on the highway running 80.

For calculations I use 6 mpg towing and 13 running empty on fuel stops.

I also have full aftermarket replacement bumpers a loaded tool box headache rack and full length running boards. I am probably bumping close to 8k fueled up and loaded.

Salt

X96mnn · 03-08-2015, 03:22 PM

You can expect between 7 and 9 depending on your driving habits and terrain. I got 7 hauling hills and a head wind. Got 8.9 when it was a mix of terrain, no real wind and was not in a hurry. This was a 5.7 and not 6.4 but I don't think you will find much differance.

tcorl · 03-08-2015, 06:48 PM

With our 2003 dodge ram 5.9 cummins we were getting 15 to 19 miles in town. Pulling this trailer we were getting 14 to 16 miles per gallon driving 55 to 60 mpg. We have been pulling this trailer for 3 years.

Salt Shaker · 03-08-2015, 10:21 PM

You should do better than me. I am rarely below 65. Rpm in trailer tow (4th gear most the time) runs about 2400-2500 bumping 68-70.

Empty 83 puts me right below 2000 in 6th.

One thing it took getting used to is the speed change. In my cummins I put it at 70 and it stayed there. Up hill down hill sideways etc. if I set cruise on say 65 it may drop to 58 or so before down shifting on cruise. Not an issue when running with cruise off.

It reminds me very much of my 03 HO 5.9 except faster off the line and slower at the top of the hill.

I never had stellar mpg numbers with any of the 3 cummins I had. Power and torque yes...mpg no. I miss the diesel zero at the time.

Salt

LTnTN · 03-09-2015, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcorl

Just purchased a new tow vehicle 2015 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi 6.4.
4.10 rear end. According to Dodge tow charts should be able to tow 13,000 to 15,000. We have a 2013 Flagstaff 5th wheel 8528 RKWS. Unloaded weight 7300 loaded weight is around 9300 lbs. Traded in a 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel. Was wondering if any readers out there have this setup. And what are you getting for gas mileage. Thanks for any input.

I have that exact camper, love it. I pull it with a "lot less truck" than yours and get 8-9 mpg with 3.55 cruising at 2000-2200 RPMs running 70-72 mph.

Scott619 · 03-09-2015, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salt Shaker

You should do better than me. I am rarely below 65. Rpm in trailer tow (4th gear most the time) runs about 2400-2500 bumping 68-70.

Empty 83 puts me right below 2000 in 6th.

One thing it took getting used to is the speed change. In my cummins I put it at 70 and it stayed there. Up hill down hill sideways etc. if I set cruise on say 65 it may drop to 58 or so before down shifting on cruise. Not an issue when running with cruise off.

It reminds me very much of my 03 HO 5.9 except faster off the line and slower at the top of the hill.

I never had stellar mpg numbers with any of the 3 cummins I had. Power and torque yes...mpg no. I miss the diesel zero at the time.

Salt

I usually use 4th gear (direct drive) when towing also. If it is a flat interstate I may bump 5th (first over). I don't use cruise usually because I don't like the high revs after downshift. At my age I'm not in that big of a hurry anyway. Thanks

Skippy38 · 03-10-2015, 09:54 AM

Wow, those are good numbers to know. I also ordered a 2015 Ram 2500 with the 6.4L/4.10 combo and it should be here in about another week. Pulling my rig should be no problem but I am curious what mileage I will get. My 2011 4.7L got 21 mpg empty and 9 pulling with a headwind and 12 pulling with a tailwind. My rig is only about 5,800 lbs with a tongue weight of about 700 so the new truck should pull it without even knowing it is there. I am also wondering if I will even need the WD bars with the upgraded rear suspension.......

goduc · 03-10-2015, 10:14 AM

9-10 mpg is the norm with most gassers. Rarely do the get 11 mpg. Usually only when towing light weight lower profile trailers on flat ground. Towing heavier tall trailers in the hills or mtns will kill mpgs.

Mountndream · 03-10-2015, 10:34 AM

Wife and I picked up the Dodge 2500 Crew 6.4 with the 3.73 on Valentines day. So far, we are averaging 13 MPG over about 700 mixed miles. This is without towing. Not sure we are going to even feel our Microlite back there, but we only have 10 days before we are going to try it.

i had to order a drop bar for the WDH so I can use the Sway control. The Dodge sits 6 inches higher than my old Silverado Still not sure If i will still use the WD and bars for short trips

tcorl · 03-10-2015, 08:39 PM

I would like to thank you all for all the inputs you gave me. Looks like my dodge diesel which got 15 mpg pulling the 5th wheel did pretty good. Well we have to look at it this way gas will be a little cheaper all the comforts that this truck has over my 2003 out way the mileage problem. Thanks again. See some of you at the rally this summer.

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