Ram 1500

[Scriggs1]

Does anyone else out there use a Ram 4x4 hemi as a tow vehicle? If so, have you had any issues with it pulling? I'm just concerned that I may be pushing mine too hard pulling our Greywolf 26rl @ 7780 lbs.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Scriggs1

Does anyone else out there use a Ram 4x4 hemi as a tow vehicle? If so, have you had any issues with it pulling? I'm just concerned that I may be pushing mine too hard pulling our Greywolf 26rl @ 7780 lbs.

Need all specs on ur truck and tt
Years .
Weights etc etc

[Scriggs1]

08 4x4 hemi. 3.92 ratio. Rated to max pull 8500lb. TT 2011 26rl Greywolf @ 7778 GVWR .

[DonG]

Others are pulling a lot more, so you should be fine.

[rkswyo]

I have towed with the Hemi. I don't remember the exact trailer weight but it was close to what you are currently towing. Mine was a 3/4 ton with the 3:92 gear ratio. Mileage while towing was poor. Around 9mpg, sometimes less depending on the terrain. Power wise it did well but would always seemed pretty wound up the tach pretty high on hills and mountains. That is pretty much daily driving where I live. I switched back to a diesel and have never looked back. With all that being said, I would think you should be okay.

[acadianbob]

You should be fine. Hemi's tend to like a lot of RPMs so don't be alarmed if that is what happens. You can't hurt the engine really; it will protect itself; e.g. rev limiter etc. Your 3.92 ratio will be of benefit. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Rsgtivr6]

I pull a 27BHKS loaded I am at about 6000lbs (no water though). Only have about 100 miles under my belt with my new TT, but it's not the engine that is the concern of mine (it pulls just fine), it's the axles I worry about. Mine only has about 3350lb axles giving me a GVWR of 6700. They use the same Hemis in the 3/4 tons with greater weight ratings.

Your GCWR should be 13k with 20" wheels and 14k with 17". curb weight on the 1500 QCSB (140" wheelbase) is about 5300lbs with GVWR at 6700 so you have about 1400 lbs payload. Figure 12% tongue weight you have 940lbs on the tongue so you will have 460 lbs payload left for passengers, accessories and gear at trailer GVWR with nominal load distribution. However, figure GVWR's combined, 6700+7778=14,478. So just be aware that if you fully load that extra ton of weight in the TT, you can be overweight as much as 1500lbs (if you have 20's) or at least 500 (with 17's).

Your TT has the same GVWR as mine, and as long as you watch what you load in the truck, you have more than enough room for that TT on the payload.

[Bttravel]

The comment about the hemi being okay with reving some is correct. The engines power band is best between 3500 and 4500, depending on axle ratio. I running a half ton with 3.5 axle towing about 3900 in Grey Wolf and it does fine. Yeah, gas mileage isn't great but 9 to 11 avg depending on terrain isn't too bad. Just pulled back from last weekend with a real good tail wind and it didn't work at all. Going with the wind. I do not use the tow mode on mine, however you may want to try it for a stretch to see how it does with upshift and downshift. It's usually better for heavier loads, which you probably fall into that category.

[Fire Instructor]

I pull my signature rig with a 4x4 Hemi. No problems. The only mod on the tow vehicle to help with towing, was adding Timbrens.

[BigTJohn]

I have a Grey Wolf 26RL and a RAM 1500 w/hemi. No problems and truck pulls fine. Have not been in the mtns much (some in VA and NC) fm and back to FL. 8.5-11 mpg so not much to worry about. Less than diesel (cost of engine, fuel, etc) so I figure if I stay w/26RL I should not have a major problem or cost with anything over and above. I am going to CO this AUG/SEP then thru VA back to FL so that will be a big tell as far as real mtn towing. I have thought about going diesel but with what my friends have (Silverado 2500w/Duramax) and he does not get much better on the road and worse when in town and unloaded than I do, so I have been reluctant to make the leap to a diesel. I have heard many stories about turbo loading up if not really used much at speed to burn off carbon and other problems it makes me unsure it would be worth it. Anyone else like to chime in?

[Scriggs1]

I appreciate all the info and input. After hearing yall, We decided to keep the Ram. After all, it seems to be a happy medium with towing our TT and when just commuting to and from due to it having MDS. We get between 9 and 11 towing and 18 to 20 when not towing. We will go with a bigger truck when we go with a bigger TT. No time soon. lol

[rkswyo]

Originally Posted by BigTJohn

I have a Grey Wolf 26RL and a RAM 1500 w/hemi. No problems and truck pulls fine. Have not been in the mtns much (some in VA and NC) fm and back to FL. 8.5-11 mpg so not much to worry about. Less than diesel (cost of engine, fuel, etc) so I figure if I stay w/26RL I should not have a major problem or cost with anything over and above. I am going to CO this AUG/SEP then thru VA back to FL so that will be a big tell as far as real mtn towing. I have thought about going diesel but with what my friends have (Silverado 2500w/Duramax) and he does not get much better on the road and worse when in town and unloaded than I do, so I have been reluctant to make the leap to a diesel. I have heard many stories about turbo loading up if not really used much at speed to burn off carbon and other problems it makes me unsure it would be worth it. Anyone else like to chime in?

As far as the Cummins diesel loading up I can tell you that is true but there is a fix. Mine is a 2008. There is a class action lawsuit for this very thing. I believe it covers the 2007 thru 2010 model years. Mine was absolutley horendous on mileage. Several trips back and forth to the dealer yeilded no results. I have since deleted the EGR and DPF and added a tuner. The tuner fools the computer into thinking everything is still there. My fuel mileage has increased by 5 mpg and the engine oil stays much cleaner. I have visually inspected the impeller on the turbo and it is spotless. The engine no longer goes into regen. There is a wealth of information reguarding this on the Cummins forums. I have friends that own the Duramax that have done the same thing with good results.