Sure, it can tow it, but can it really "pull" it?

[No more shoveling]

Get a new Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi. This will pull what you have with ease. I have a couple of buddies that pull 34 ft 5ers with the 6.4 Hemi with no issues at all.

[camper70]

I just completed a 6400 mile trip with my new to me 2013 ford f-150 3.5 l eco boost and had no problems towing or stopping.I am running near 6000 lbs loaded i guess and averaged around 9.5 mpg. The eco boost has all the power you will need.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by AtlCamper

We've had our 2017 Grey Wolf 26dbh (dry weight 5800lbs, 7750lbs loaded) for almost 2 years. Our current TV is a 2012 V6 Dodge Durango and we're looking to upgrade to a truck. I've read the sticky posts about looking at towing guides to ensure it can handle pulling 7,800lbs. So I'll be looking at trucks that can pull 9,000+ (currently looking at Dodge and Ford).

I'm looking for recommendations on engine size/type that can pull the weight and go up hills and the foothills of the Smokies at a decent speed. With my V6 durango, I slow down to 50mph going up the rolling hills of north GA.

On the Ford side, I believe the V6 Ecoboost and the V8 are the engines I'd want. Do other brands also have a V6 that can pull well, or is it just the Ford V6 ecoboost?

Brian

The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a 1/2 ton truck with up to 12, 500 towing capacity with the Max Tow Package and the 6.2 liter engine.

[rlh1957]

Will it tow it? Yes Is it rated for that? Yes, about 3500 pounds more, goes the sales pitch. Like the title says... Sure, it can tow it, but can it really "pull" it? Hook it up and tow it uphill for a few miles, take it to the mountains and see what happens. My truck was way under the tow weight and payload limit... but when you start up a long hill, even in tow mode that gas engine needs rpm to make torque and horsepower so it downshifts and the rpm go from 2000 rpm to 4000+... Not hurting the engine, making the gas stations richer though and really annoying to listen to shift up and down and that 4000rpm V8 hollering. Red line is 6500 so no where near damage revs. So I will be getting a diesel that has the lower rpm torque to really Pull a load and not just look good on paper.

[jbdoughty01]

Look -- if you are a just a weekend warrior (<300 mile radius or so), then get whatever you want, and I'm sure the EcoBoost is a fine truck. But after RV road-tripping for THOUSANDS of miles vice just low hundreds (23DBH, ~5500lbs), I upgraded from a pair of Chevy Avalanches (5.3L V8) to a diesel, and haven't looked back. The diesel just pulls without effort up to any speed and over any incline without sweating. Period. Confidence and comfort behind the wheel is unquestionable with the diesel compared to the gassers. And the towing gas mileage is a pretty good advantage as well. My $0.02...

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by jbdoughty01

Look -- if you are a just a weekend warrior (<300 mile radius or so), then get whatever you want, and I'm sure the EcoBoost is a fine truck. But after RV road-tripping for THOUSANDS of miles vice just low hundreds (23DBH, ~5500lbs), I upgraded from a pair of Chevy Avalanches (5.3L V8) to a diesel, and haven't looked back. The diesel just pulls without effort up to any speed and over any incline without sweating. Period. Confidence and comfort behind the wheel is unquestionable with the diesel compared to the gassers. And the towing gas mileage is a pretty good advantage as well. My $0.02...

Ive given up trying to convert people to a diesel puller. Until they actually do it and experience how much more relaxing the trip is because the engine/transmission combo is smarter than we are they will never be convinced.

Will the gassers pull, yes, is it as easy and relaxing on the driver and passenger, NO.

[HemiCamping]

Originally Posted by No more shoveling

Get a new Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi. This will pull what you have with ease. I have a couple of buddies that pull 34 ft 5ers with the 6.4 Hemi with no issues at all.

I’m in this group... currently on 6.4 Hemi #2. This one is a 2018 Power Wagon with 4.10 gears too. I’ve literally owned every truck and engine configuration that Dodge or RAM has offered since 1992! I’ve towed thousands of miles with many different trailers. I’d recommend the 3/4 ton RAM with the 6.4 for what you’re doing. Great engine, great mileage empty, great brakes and a darned good looking truck! As others say, if you feel a larger trailer is in the future... maybe a diesel. I really love the exhaust brakes on the newer diesel trucks. Good luck and keep us posted!

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by rlh1957

Will it tow it? Yes Is it rated for that? Yes, about 3500 pounds more, goes the sales pitch. Like the title says... Sure, it can tow it, but can it really "pull" it? Hook it up and tow it uphill for a few miles, take it to the mountains and see what happens. My truck was way under the tow weight and payload limit... but when you start up a long hill, even in tow mode that gas engine needs rpm to make torque and horsepower so it downshifts and the rpm go from 2000 rpm to 4000+... Not hurting the engine, making the gas stations richer though and really annoying to listen to shift up and down and that 4000rpm V8 hollering. Red line is 6500 so no where near damage revs. So I will be getting a diesel that has the lower rpm torque to really Pull a load and not just look good on paper.

I made Exactly the same decision for precisely the same reasons. I have never looked back! I love my Duramax/Allison combo!

[MOODMAN]

I know this is a little off topic, but kind of relevant...

I have a 2003 RAM 3500 diesel. It isn't as powerful as the newer RAMs, but it is a Cummins engine that can be greatly modified.

However, the easiest way to increase the two capacity right now is to change the differential gearing from the current 3:56 to a 4:10. This will effectively add about 2000# of capacity without doing anything else.

As far as the engine is concerned, horsepower isn't as important as torque. You get superior torque with any diesel engine over gas. The newest diesels (Dodge) are rated at up to 30,000# towing capacity, and they have close to 900 ftlbs of torque. This, combined with the right transmission, diff, suspension, and brakes gives them that capacity.

I can upgrade my truck, and probably will to pull my 13,000# 5er. It will be way more economical to upgrade rather than buy new, since trucks are too overpriced and are the cash cow of all manufacturers.

[AtlCamper]

So, I expect I have 15 years before I retire. We do weekend camping (3-5days), and like to do a longer family trip (10-14 days) in the summer. Went to Yellowstone for a week this past summer. Currently have a double bunk, since we have 3 kids. I'm guessing in about 5 years we won't need the double bunk and will likely get a different trailer (likely smaller). We won't bigger unless it's a 5th wheel, and I don't think we'll go that route before retirement.

My budget is in 35'ish, and something new or used (2014+). This will also be my daily driver, but work is 4 miles away. I think the Ford V6 ecoboost and ford/ram V8 is where I'm at. Now time to see if I can find a deal on anyone of those. I know that Ram will have lots of deals coming up, with the big increase in production for this year.

[Hersbird]

If you need it for daily use get a 1500. If you need seats check out the new Expedition. Same 3.5 ecoboost, same 10 speeds, but seats for 8. You could just upgrade to a Hemi Durango. Or if 5 seats is enough a ecodiesel Grand Cherokee. I personally plan on going with an ecodiesel Ram crew cab with a front bench as I need to seat 6. I wish they did ecodiesel Durangos.

[Briyoung]

I didn't read through all the replies but almost 2k lbs of additional stuff...damn. I'd be scaling down. Our new TT weighs 8640 Dry and I tow it with a 2016 F250 with a 6.2 gasser and 3.73 gearing. I've only towed it once picking it up from the dealer, mostly flat hi way and it towed it just fine. But...our old TT was a 2018 Passport 2670B and it only weighed 5200lbs empty and towed with the same truck and a lot of areas around here are long hills with a few steep grades and it didn't struggle with the trailer but often kicked down and ran 3-4k rpms many times but held the speed limit for sure. If your pulling a 9k lb trailer looking to consistently keep up on those type hills without being at 4-5k rpms a diesel is the only way to go. If your set on a gasser I'd make sure it had gearing like 4.10's or Ford's 4.30. If I knew what I know now, I would have got my truck with 4.30's, from what I've read there's very minimal difference in fuel mileage

[thamel]

Originally Posted by Briyoung

I didn't read through all the replies but almost 2k lbs of additional stuff...damn. I'd be scaling down. Our new TT weighs 8640 Dry and I tow it with a 2016 F250 with a 6.2 gasser and 3.73 gearing. I've only towed it once picking it up from the dealer, mostly flat hi way and it towed it just fine. But...our old TT was a 2018 Passport 2670B and it only weighed 5200lbs empty and towed with the same truck and a lot of areas around here are long hills with a few steep grades and it didn't struggle with the trailer but often kicked down and ran 3-4k rpms many times but held the speed limit for sure. If your pulling a 9k lb trailer looking to consistently keep up on those type hills without being at 4-5k rpms a diesel is the only way to go. If your set on a gasser I'd make sure it had gearing like 4.10's or Ford's 4.30. If I knew what I know now, I would have got my truck with 4.30's, from what I've read there's very minimal difference in fuel mileage

Your still gonna be screaming RPMS on the 6.2 regardless of gearing, look at the power band, its all up top buddy.

OP, go with EB w/ 10 speed. youll be fine up most hills in the 2.5-3.5k range

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by thamel

Your still gonna be screaming RPMS on the 6.2 regardless of gearing, look at the power band, its all up top buddy.

OP, go with EB w/ 10 speed. youll be fine up most hills in the 2.5-3.5k range

Yep might make a bit more noise than a diesel but that is what they are made to do. The new gas engines are way more powerful than past trucks. My 6.0 handles my 9000# tt with ease and I travel around 5000 miles a year in all kinds of Terran conditions and average 8.5 to 9mpg. Later RJD

[thamel]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Yep might make a bit more noise than a diesel but that is what they are made to do. The new gas engines are way more powerful than past trucks. My 6.0 handles my 9000# tt with ease and I travel around 5000 miles a year in all kinds of Terran conditions and average 8.5 to 9mpg. Later RJD

that chevy 6.0 is a nice motor!

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Yep might make a bit more noise than a diesel but that is what they are made to do. The new gas engines are way more powerful than past trucks. My 6.0 handles my 9000# tt with ease and I travel around 5000 miles a year in all kinds of Terran conditions and average 8.5 to 9mpg. Later RJD

Sounds like you and I have the same truck!

Pulling my 9900-pound fully loaded 5'ver...no problemo!

[moose074]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

Sounds like you and I have the same truck!



Pulling my 9900-pound fully loaded 5'ver...no problemo!

I agree if I told people I towed with early model f350 7.3 power stroke and passed other trucks going up the Rockies nobody would ever question me. If I said I did it with new 1/2 ton gas nobody would believe me but the 1/2 ton is lighter and more powerful might have a little less torque depending on year but not by a lot . The new tow haul modes help going down the other side. I heard that you need heavier truck if trl brakes go out but if the trl brakes were rode to hard most likely the trucks brakes were as well no truck is perfect I enjoyed my Ram 2500 Tundra and Eco boost but I am also enjoying my 350 power stroke. Rarely had white knuckle driving in 1/2 ton maybe going across Pat Tillman bridge in high winds or a back road wrong turn onto California 168 Big Pine to Nevada section ( I think that’s the road long day of wrong turns. Either way only wished for the Ram back because of difference in when transmission switches gears. A lot of low gears due to tight corners. I think choose what you want drive safe and enjoy

[Lukegsdaddy]

We have the same trailer and we pull it with a Tundra, no problem.
I am sure we are nowhere near max cargo in the trailer.

[AtlCamper]

Originally Posted by camper70

I just completed a 6400 mile trip with my new to me 2013 ford f-150 3.5 l eco boost and had no problems towing or stopping.I am running near 6000 lbs loaded i guess and averaged around 9.5 mpg. The eco boost has all the power you will need.

Looks like we're going to go the used route. We found a 2013 Ford F-150 XLT Supercrew 4x4 Truck with 148k miles, (3.5 echo boost, 3.31 axle, 145" wheel base, tow package with 36g tank) for 17k. Figure we'll get another 7-10 years out of it, then we'll pick up a new truck that will work when we retire (hopefully a lot more traveling)

[eurojet]

I had a 2016 Springdale 260LE (similar in size and weight to yours)
5220 dry
7640 GVWR

towed it with a 2016 F150 2.7ECO , was a great combination, plenty of power for that trailer

I currently have a 2018 F150 3.5ECO
and a 2018 Primtime Crusader LIte 30bh