Best for Towing

sellis1053 · 08-04-2014, 11:32 AM

I have narrowed my search down to two Ram 2500's. One has the 5.7 hemi with the 4.10 rear end. The other is the 6.4 hemi with the 3.73 rear end. Any thoughts/comparisons between the two for general driving and towing a 7,000 pound travel trailer would be greatly appreciated.

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jgroff · 08-04-2014, 11:46 AM

I would get the 6.4 for payload alone. it should have 10000 lb gvwr compared to 9000 lb for the 5.7l. will give you almost 1000 lb more payload. I dont have driving experience with the 6.4l but from reading reviews and specs on it it has a better torque curve then the 5.7l.

indybp57 · 08-04-2014, 11:51 AM

If money is not the object, why would you settle for the 5.7? Because of the difference in gear ratios the mpg is probably going to be about the same, and you can always appreciate having more power and torque with the 6.4. Having said that, the 5.7 is a very strong motor.

RSchleder · 08-04-2014, 11:56 AM

Good advice given above. Here's a link to the comparisons between the 2 engines!

2014 Ram 2500 - Capability & Performance

John McClain · 08-04-2014, 12:12 PM

I would go the 6.4 and put 4:10 gears in it . guesing about $ 500.00 up grade.

sellis1053 · 08-04-2014, 01:04 PM

Thanks for all your replies. Ideally I'd like the 6.4 with the 4.10 rear end ratio. I haven't been able to locate one with the options/color I'm looking for. I could order a 2015, but would probably miss out on all of the rebates that are being offered now. As far as the suggestion of buying the 6.4 and upgrading the rear end to the 4.10, would that invalidate the drivetrain warranty?

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jgroff · 08-04-2014, 02:04 PM

I wouldn't worry about upgrading the diff gears to 4.10 for a 7000 lb trailer. 3.73's will work fine.

RSchleder · 08-04-2014, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgroff

I wouldn't worry about upgrading the diff gears to 4.10 for a 7000 lb trailer. 3.73's will work fine.

I totally agree. Buy it as is and drive it. You'll find it quite acceptable and if not, you can always update to the 4:11's in the future. My guess is that will never get "updated" as you'll find the truck as you buy it is all the tow vehicle you need!

jjgabe · 08-04-2014, 08:59 PM

Just curious why you are not considering the 6.7 cummins?

sellis1053 · 08-04-2014, 09:11 PM

I've always heard and read that a diesel needs to be driven. I only put about 6,000 miles a year on my truck and sometimes it sits in the driveway for days at a time. Most of my trips around town are 5 miles or less. The only reason I'm looking to upgrade is for the additional cargo capacity. I'm bumping up against it now with my Ram 1500.

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asquared · 08-04-2014, 09:44 PM

For just a little more get the ram 3500 with the 6.4. It will give you the cargo capacity and power for your next trailer when you get a case of two footitis or keeping up with the Jones.

thebrakeman · 08-05-2014, 11:04 AM

The hp and torque numbers aren't much different between these 2 engines (only about +20 on each). I didn't look up the torque curves, but I would guess the 6.4L gets to peak torque MUCH sooner than the 5.7L. Otherwise, I don't see the point.

indybp57 · 08-06-2014, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

The hp and torque numbers aren't much different between these 2 engines (only about +20 on each). I didn't look up the torque curves, but I would guess the 6.4L gets to peak torque MUCH sooner than the 5.7L. Otherwise, I don't see the point.

The point is that "6.4L HEMI" on the side of your truck looks more bad a__ than "5.7L HEMI".

FlCummins · 08-06-2014, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sellis1053

I have narrowed my search down to two Ram 2500's. One has the 5.7 hemi with the 4.10 rear end. The other is the 6.4 hemi with the 3.73 rear end. Any thoughts/comparisons between the two for general driving and towing a 7,000 pound travel trailer would be greatly appreciated.

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If you're only pulling a 7,000 lbs trailer why not consider a 1/2 ton truck? That should save you money as well. Either of those trucks are more than you need. However, if I was going to spend the money I'd get a diesel. The resale value of diesels especially here in Florida is astronomical! A 3500 diesel that is 1o years old with only 60-70k miles will command far more than the Hemi with similar miles. My daily driver 06 3500 diesel dually gets 18 mpg around town and 12 towing a 12,000 fifth wheel.

sellis1053 · 08-06-2014, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlCummins

If you're only pulling a 7,000 lbs trailer why not consider a 1/2 ton truck? That should save you money as well. Either of those trucks are more than you need. However, if I was going to spend the money I'd get a diesel. The resale value of diesels especially here in Florida is astronomical! A 3500 diesel that is 1o years old with only 60-70k miles will command far more than the Hemi with similar miles. My daily driver 06 3500 diesel dually gets 18 mpg around town and 12 towing a 12,000 fifth wheel.

Two reasons. I have a 1/2 ton now and am up against the payload capacity fully loaded ready to travel. Second, you never know, I may get a bigger/heavier camper in the future. Thanks though.

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Salt Shaker · 08-06-2014, 07:32 AM

Neither will be a gas sipper. The maintainance on the 6.4 will be slightly more as it is full synthetic. The 6.4 is a wicked motor. You are right about short trips in a diesel without bringing them up to temp.

I am seriously looking at the 6.4 right now to replace my 6.7. It sits 90% of the time hooked up to a boat. The cost savings of diesel is just not there any longer (thanks to the EPA tree hunging commie low sulphur diesel promoting idiots).

I am still waiting to get some real world numbers on what the 6.4 gets towing. The 5.7 has plenty of grunt but everyone I know that pulls with one is getting 6-7 mpg. I put 120k on a hemi charger and I thrashed it. It ran like a clock without a single issue.

Personally, I would go down and order one and get exactly what you want. Scan you build and email 3 different dealers and see what kind of prices you end up with. 1% off invoice should be an easy find.

Salt

grubbster · 08-06-2014, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sellis1053

Two reasons. I have a 1/2 ton now and am up against the payload capacity fully loaded ready to travel. Second, you never know, I may get a bigger/heavier camper in the future. Thanks though.

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I just went from a 5.7 1500 to a 6.4 2500 for the same reasons as you. I just took the first trip towing with it this past weekend and I really like the 6.4. It get a little better gas mileage than the 5.7 (close to 10mpg compared to 9mpg) probably because it is not working as hard. Not that either have to work hard for what I pull. The heavier suspension is what I really enjoyed. My 1500 would have a lot of bounce when towing even though I had air bags. The 2500 has none of that. The ride is very smooth which makes the wife much happier.

Miller303KDS · 08-06-2014, 07:57 AM

I have a 2014 Ram 2500 with the 5.7. I pull a 30' TT that comes in just under 8K lbs. and it does a fine job. I live in flat land here is NW Ohio. I took a trip to Jackson, Mi just north of MIS and pulled over 11 mpg hand calculated. I kept the speed around 60 mph. I also drive 50 miles a day for work and average around 16.5 mpg unloaded. I hear the 6.4 is a beast but the 5.7 is no slouch. Either way you go I think you will be satisfied. I came out of a 2009 Ram 1500 Hemi and it is much more enjoyable pulling with the 2500. Good luck with your search!

2014 Coachmen Catalina 303KDS

thebrakeman · 08-06-2014, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indybp57

The point is that "6.4L HEMI" on the side of your truck looks more bad a__ than "5.7L HEMI".

sellis1053 · 08-06-2014, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grubbster

I just went from a 5.7 1500 to a 6.4 2500 for the same reasons as you. I just took the first trip towing with it this past weekend and I really like the 6.4. It get a little better gas mileage than the 5.7 (close to 10mpg compared to 9mpg) probably because it is not working as hard. Not that either have to work hard for what I pull. The heavier suspension is what I really enjoyed. My 1500 would have a lot of bounce when towing even though I had air bags. The 2500 has none of that. The ride is very smooth which makes the wife much happier.

What rear end did you go with and how heavy is your trailer?

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