RAM 1500 Towing

[davlin]

Anybody on the forum towing with the RAM 1500 5.7L, 8 speed transmission, and 3.21 differential? Just wondering how you like it.

Dave

[Redtail Cruiser]

There are quite a few threads on the Ramforum that might shed some insight to your query.

[scrubjaysnest]

Ours is 4X4 with the 4.7 L, Tows without problems above 10k feet.

[davlin]

Originally Posted by Redtail Cruiser

There are quite a few threads on the Ramforum that might shed some insight to your query.

Tim,

What kind of mileage do you get with your Ecoboost? Towing? Empty? Since you have the max tow package, I assume that means you have the 3.73 rear axle?

Dave

[Redtail Cruiser]

Hey Dave,

You're right, I do have the 3.73 rear gear ratio. The truck averages 16.5 MPG around town with city and freeway driving. I recently drove to Ventura and back, all freeway, and got 18.5 on that trip. Cruise control set on 70 MPH.

Towing the TM to our local camping spots, we get 15. Towing into the Sierras or like last summer, thru the Rockies and back, we averaged 13.5. Most of that trip was 60 MPH in Ca. and 65 MPH in the other states with cruise control. Going up the Eisenhower grade it was easy to maintain speed and even accelerate to pass slower trucks.

[RottieMom]

Dave, I think you're asking about the newer 8-speed V6 that Dodge now makes. Not what I have, but I love my V8 hemi. Around town I avg about 18 mpg and towing the TM about 14mpg. I've also got the Tow/Haul feature that my understanding is intended keep Trans from shifting so much.

[davlin]

Originally Posted by cmboyd

Dave, I think you're asking about the newer 8-speed V6 that Dodge now makes. Not what I have, but I love my V8 hemi. Around town I avg about 18 mpg and towing the TM about 14mpg. I've also got the Tow/Haul feature that my understanding is intended keep Trans from shifting so much.

Thanks Cindy! To clarify, I am talking about the new 8-speed transmission mated to the 5.7L (with the Multi-displacement System) and the 3.21 rear axle ratio. My friends that own these RAMs are getting amazing mpg (20+). Even though RAM rates the tow capacity of this set up at 8300 lbs. (Quad Cab), I started this thread to see if any of my TM buddies are currently using it to tow with. My concern is the relatively low axle ratio, although Consumer Reports says that this is somewhat mitigated by the transmission.

So far, no one's come up on this thread towing with that package, but maybe there's no one pulling TM's with that setup yet. My other online research usually yields results for much heavier trailers.

And Tim, I drove a 2013 Ecoboost (with Max Tow) and really liked it. And Bill, I'm test driving a 5.0L F150 today.

Decisions, decisions

Dave