KarL45
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2015
- Posts
- 394
- Reaction score
- 114
- Location
- Western Slope, Colorado
- Ram Year
- 2018 Ram Express quad cab 4x4
- Engine
- 5.7 MDS
After reading the thread am a bit confused on why we're comparing a Ram 2500 to "any half ton on the market. Not apples to apples. If towing even moderately heavy, 7000# , that's out of I/2 ton range and payload is definitely not close. That said, and now getting into the transmission portion, I still think that Ram needs to build a transmission designed for hauling and towing. An 8 speed would be ideal but even then, if the 66RFE was redesigned (re geared) that would be a huge difference. As was stated that a full throttle run up the Ike doesn't prove much, it does show the transmission gearing faults. Like, why 2 overdrive gears? when towing or hauling they are never used. Second, why the high gearing in 1st through 3rd at least. As was just stated on another thread, when towing, they are in 1st and second in the mountain ranges. My experience shows the same. As for mpg, fuel management like using the MDS and such would suffice and be able to get 5 gears at or below 1 to 1 ratio and still achieve the empty mileage. Suspect then the tow/haul mileage would come up if not continually shifting and not having to run the engine at 5k or higher. But for now, and still, comparing 1/2 to 3/4 ton trucks are not apples to apples