6.4 Hemi 2500 Towing Advice, Please...

[dhay13]

Without looking at a gear calculator your 3.73's with 37"s will be more like 3.42's or so. Taller tire effectively takes gear ratio away. It's not a weight thing, it's a diameter thing

 

[HEMIMANN]

And the tires are a bunch heavier, too = higher rotational inertia. Affects starting and stopping.

 

[Rick Ram-jet]

Unlike the Toyota 4x4s I had when younger, larger tires don`t impact these full size trucks with powerful V8s nearly as much, at least that`s my experience with this truck....worst case I can upgrade the gears, still way cheaper than a diesel! The good news is I penciled out the ACTUAL weight I`ll be hauling and the total is well under the estimated 10-10.5k.
7800lb dry, golf cart 660lbs, generator 75lbs =8535lbs.
leaves A LOT of room/weight for personal stuff and or gas, food and fresh water..

 

[White six four]

Unless you weighed it I wouldn't go by the brochure "dry weight" of the camper. Those can be off by a lot and most of the time don't account for propane tanks, batteries, even awnings, etc.

 

[dhay13]

Unless you weighed it I wouldn't go by the brochure "dry weight" of the camper. Those can be off by a lot and most of the time don't account for propane tanks, batteries, even awnings, etc.

My sons 2018 Grand Design Imagine 2670MK listed tongue weight at about 690lbs IIRC but loaded up it was actually 1000lbs. Not sure what the actual weigh of the TT was empty as it was loaded when we weighed it but advertised was about 6500lbs and loaded it was 8100lbs and actual tongue weight was about 12.5%

 

[White six four]

Looking back I really wish I would have weighed our camper on the way home when we bought it new. Would have been interesting to see how much it actually weighed and tongue weight vs their so called advertised weights.

 

[HEMIMANN]

I was too tired to go through all the weight steps after the long checkout of technoglitz on the trailer now days, so I just weighed the full tow assembly @ a CAT certified scale on the way home, and weighed the truck separately later.

 

[Nickx86]

Greetings All, it`s been awhile...
Looking for 1st hand feedback on towing an aprox 10.5k bumper-pull toy-hauler with a 6.4l hemi 2500.
I`m about to upgrade from a 7,800k (loaded) travel trailer (my truck, 2016/2500, 6.4L, 5k air bags, weight dist hitch) tows this no problem what so ever) to an 10.5k full load/7800k dry) toy-hauler...
Looking for first hand experiences concerning any issues towing this weight with the 6.4Hemi/2500.

Thanks in advance for you feedback and let`s please keep on topic avoiding the usual diesel vs gas debate..

Also with a toy hauler, they’re are usually tongue heavy to begin with compared to being fully loaded since most of your payload will be towards the rear, a bigger WDH is a must and anti sway. The 66rfe, it does ok but needs help, I planned on regearing mine from 3.73 to 4.56 to get some more low end grunt and over come the 1-2 shift. however when i had the gears on order, my old truck got t-boned

 

[zippertom]

Have 2018 2500 Tradesman w/ 6.4 and tow 12.5K Montana 5th wheel. Towed in TN & NC along i-40 with no issues and no mods other than Timbren rubber springs added. Timbren substantially improved ride and control when towing and Tow speed is typically 65 mph, gas milage average 9 mpg. Tows easily, no strain. In mountains, use tow/haul feature to minimize stress to xmission. Flat towing gets 12+ mph. Moved to Florida in 2020. In flat land mpg is the same. Non tow mpg average is 15 to 18 but speed is typically 70 mph on highway. I would prefer diesel but the cost benefit analysis did not make sense. My use history since 2018 proved my analysis to be correct. Made first oil change at 1000 mile (old school) and change oil every 5K. Also change xmission fluid at half recommended frequency.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Have 2018 2500 Tradesman w/ 6.4 and tow 12.5K Montana 5th wheel. Towed in TN & NC along i-40 with no issues and no mods other than Timbren rubber springs added. Timbren substantially improved ride and control when towing and Tow speed is typically 65 mph, gas milage average 9 mpg. Tows easily, no strain. In mountains, use tow/haul feature to minimize stress to xmission. Flat towing gets 12+ mph. Moved to Florida in 2020. In flat land mpg is the same. Non tow mpg average is 15 to 18 but speed is typically 70 mph on highway. I would prefer diesel but the cost benefit analysis did not make sense. My use history since 2018 proved my analysis to be correct. Made first oil change at 1000 mile (old school) and change oil every 5K. Also change xmission fluid at half recommended frequency.

What transmission is in that?
What axle gear ratio?

 

[Mark47ak]

Greetings All, it`s been awhile...
Looking for 1st hand feedback on towing an aprox 10.5k bumper-pull toy-hauler with a 6.4l hemi 2500.
I`m about to upgrade from a 7,800k (loaded) travel trailer (my truck, 2016/2500, 6.4L, 5k air bags, weight dist hitch) tows this no problem what so ever) to an 10.5k full load/7800k dry) toy-hauler...
Looking for first hand experiences concerning any issues towing this weight with the 6.4Hemi/2500.

Thanks in advance for you feedback and let`s please keep on topic avoiding the usual diesel vs gas debate..

I Pullrd a 11000 lb 5th wheel , 6.4 hemi with 2 wd 4.10 gears 2018 crew cab. No issues 9mpg. I ORDERED Tru k for towing, that's why 2wd portrait 410 gears, it added more two capacity and lighter weight with less moving parts. DIESEL fuel cost as well as senor issue and limited places for repairs on the road plus 9000 extra for the diesel.

 

[GSSS]

I pull a track loader and mulch head to my hunting property 50 miles away a few times per year. Around 12,500 lbs. 2016 2500CC 4x4 4.10:1. No problems. It doesn't feel like it is working at all.

 

[Dennisa95]

Greetings All, it`s been awhile...
Looking for 1st hand feedback on towing an aprox 10.5k bumper-pull toy-hauler with a 6.4l hemi 2500.
I`m about to upgrade from a 7,800k (loaded) travel trailer (my truck, 2016/2500, 6.4L, 5k air bags, weight dist hitch) tows this no problem what so ever) to an 10.5k full load/7800k dry) toy-hauler...
Looking for first hand experiences concerning any issues towing this weight with the 6.4Hemi/2500.

Thanks in advance for you feedback and let`s please keep on topic avoiding the usual diesel vs gas debate..

I have a 2015 6.4/2500 gas engine and I pull a 9,600lb fifth wheel up and down the Blue Ridge mountains with not problem. I believe mine is rated for up to 12K so yours should be able to handle it

 

[HEMIMANN]

I pull a track loader and mulch head to my hunting property 50 miles away a few times per year. Around 12,500 lbs. 2016 2500CC 4x4 4.10:1. No problems. It doesn't feel like it is working at all.

Wish I had the 4:10's. Oh well.

 

[Snowchief]

Yeah 10K plus ? I ‘ve done that with a 6.4 2022 crew 4wd 4.10 8spd 35in mud tires and muffler delete. No problem. Not a toyhauler but a Farmall 300 all ballasted and other times a 1949 F6 dump truck all bumper pull.Actually before that pulled with 2009 5.7 2500 3.73 33 in mud tires too.

 

[Toddz]

I have a 2018 2500 6.4 Hemi with 4.10 gears.
I towed a toy hauler with a weight between 7500 and 9800 lbs over 15,000 miles. I now tow a toy hauler weighing between 9100 and 11000 lbs (over 5,000 miles so far). I have never had an issue towing with it all over the western states even through the mountains.
On winding roads going uphill with 30 mph curves is one of those times where it is between gears so you are better off sticking it in 1st and cruising at 30 mph in those conditions.
It will not need heavier springs with a good weight distribution hitch. I recommend verifying your tongue weight and getting a hitch like the true tow weigh safe for a toy hauler that heavy. It will tow great.
I have never had an issue maintaining 55 over the Cajon pass, Siskiyou pass, Grapevine, and various other mountain passes. The gearing is not gapped the best from 1st to 2nd, but the truck is very capable.

 

[426power]

I tow a 10,500 lbs travel trailer with my 2018 Ram 2500 6.4. It pulls well and has good power, not like a diesel, but does well. I have never had over heating issues and the motor seems to like pulling around 65mph up to 70 mph. I have 4:10 gear in my truck.

 

[Rick Ram-jet]

Thanks to all who posted their "real world" experiences, it`s very helpful!
With some stiffer rear springs (my current Thuren system has soft almost half ton spring rates) a Banks rear diff cover and deep-pan trans upgrade, thermostat by-pass AMSOIL in everything and an up-rated weight distribution hitch I think I`ll be ok!
Not ideal and not a diesel but I think I`ll be good.

If anyone can recommend a good source for rear HD springs with a 1in. over stock height please let me know...

 

[62Blazer]

I installed the Airlift 5000 airbags on mine and it made a big difference. The one trailer I pull is about 7,000 lb. and squat really wasn't the issue. But 35 psi in the bags really make it feel more stable and planted.

 

[Mike Duckmanton]

Thanks to all who posted their "real world" experiences, it`s very helpful!
With some stiffer rear springs (my current Thuren system has soft almost half ton spring rates) a Banks rear diff cover and deep-pan trans upgrade, thermostat by-pass AMSOIL in everything and an up-rated weight distribution hitch I think I`ll be ok!
Not ideal and not a diesel but I think I`ll be good.

If anyone can recommend a good source for rear HD springs with a 1in. over stock height please let me know...

I'm not going to say that a set of springs won't help, because they will, but you're going to hate driving it unloaded. I've been down that road, and won't do it again. If you're opposed to airbags, then a set of helpers or overloads might be another solution.

As far as the weight you're planning for, IMO you'll be fine. You're not using it as a hot shot hauler, so just slow down a little and let the truck do it's thing.

I'm also a firm believer in the trans bypass. That's a time bomb just waiting to go off.