Ram 3.6 for towing

[KnP]

Originally Posted by Tblt44

Anyone towing a tt with the newer Ram 3.6 with e torque ?
Looking at new truck options
I have a 3800 dry weight tt.
Hemi other option but milage will suffer.

I towed my 2016 Rockwood 3680 lbs camper with my Chevy 2016 Colorado 2WD with a 3.5V6 at 13,000 ft uphill at 45 mph with 10 mph to spare for passing. Todays V6 are really good. Of course, 2 more Cly will give more oomph, but the V6s have as much power as 10 year old V8.

[rwriley1053]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

When considering a tow vehicle assume any trailer will be at gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) not empty or dry weight since these are fictional weights to make them look as light as possible.

Many (several? a few? one guy?) folks who have weighed their trailers have discovered they're even heavier than the maximum allowable.

-- Chuck

GVWR of the TT is overkill - at least in our case. It is just the DW and I and we add about 600 lbs to the empty weight - and that includes battery and LP. That number is according to the Cat Scale, fully loaded and ready to go camping.

[marcopollo]

We upgraded to a 2021 RAM1500 eTorque (from V6 Frontier) and it tows our rPod179 much better. Get about 12.5-13 MPG with our boards and kayak on the roof of TV. Without towing or toys we get about 17-19MPG.

[merrittbtfr]

traded high mileage 3 liter diesel for hemi 2022. Hemi very peppy but guzzles gas. Diesel has more torque at road speed. They both run at high rpm alot of the time. Either should be fine for under 5000lbs, Merritt

[RBfromRJA]

Okay. Here is real life answer to your question.
We had a 2021 R Pod dry weight listed at 2,800. We were towing it with our 2017 Dodge Journey with the 3.6 motor. After it was loaded we were pretty well maxed out at our 3600 gross tow weight. Driving over hills and valleys from Eugene Oregon to anyplace We averaged about 7mpg. The Journey struggled up the longer slopes, and had a tendency to get over warm. Last fall we upgraded to a 2018 Dodge Durango with the 5.7 and also got a bigger trailer 2015 Salem by Forest River. Dry weight 4700, or so. Loaded weight 6300. On our most recent trip over those same hills and valleys we averaged about 9 mpg. Much more pleasant drive with much less strain on the engine. During non towing driving the Durango gets about 1 to 2 mpg less than the Jouney. I'd make this switch a dozen times before trying to max out the 3.6 motor again.

[Jcape]

Originally Posted by Tblt44

Anyone towing a tt with the newer Ram 3.6 with e torque ?
Looking at new truck options
I have a 3800 dry weight tt.
Hemi other option but milage will suffer.

Why would anyone buy a full size truck and get a small engine to do a big engine job? The only V-6 capable is the Ford 3.5 EcoBoost.

[Juanster]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

Acceleration is greatly influenced by mass (weight) but once you get any vehicle going air resistance is the most significant factor. And it's airspeed you need to consider. We all know a tail wind is better than a head wind.

-- Chuck

Am I the only one that feels like my mpg has never been graced by a tailwind? Like driving uphill both ways!

[Chuck_S]

That number is according to the Cat Scale, fully loaded and ready to go camping.

OK, seems like two (2) guys have weighed their trailers.

GVWR is a prudent general planning number for any trailer. If yours is lighter great! But you weighed yours.

My personal rule of thumb for happy towing is the famous One Ton Rule. I want the tow vehicle to have 2000 pounds more towing capacity than the trailer weighs. Conservative? Of course but it provides for (1) cargo and capacity in the tow vehicle itself which some forget reduces the towing capacity, (2) high summer temperatures, (3) steep grades.

-- Chuck