My towing test. (10,000 Lbs - 1008 Miles with a 1500)

[PX8]

Wow! That's about $500 in gas.

 

[jcat]

Wow! That's about $500 in gas.

Still cheaper than movers lol

 

[Mega-Hemi]

Wow! That's about $500 in gas.

1008mi on a DITY Move.. Oh don't worry, he made out just fine.

 

[MiRamDriver]

So here's the full write up.

The trailer weighed in at 12,100 lbs, I had about 400 lbs in the truck plus my weight. I ended up putting 60 PSI in my airbags because they just weren't doing what they were supposed to, mostly because the Zone coil springs are a smaller diameter and the airbags weren't expanding as designed. If I had known this earlier, I'd have had custom ones made. I also put 65 PSI in my rear tires.

Here is a pic of the truck just before I rolled out -


As far as towing, 6th gear maximum is optimal (On some areas where I'd coast, I'd let it into 7th). There is a huge improvement with tow/haul, be sure to use it.

You definitely need to be an experienced driver specifically with towing to pull something like this. The amount of weight in that trailer moved my truck around quite a bit but if you're experienced, it's relatively easy to control with concentration and slight movements of the wheel. The truck certainly had enough power and braking ability, I have no complaints there - just know that the suspension wouldn't have handled this without airbags.

The temps -
This was pretty average when I first left, it was really hot outside -

These were the hottest temps I saw the entire trip, this was after pulling a 5% grade for 6 miles -


Once the outside air cooled down, so did my truck -


This trip took right at 19 hours to complete and I drove it straight through. The truck was never even shut off.

I averaged 7.5 MPG and drove about 65 the whole trip. Some areas I pulled 70, and in the hills / mountains 60.


Misc Pics -

 

[DavidRam]

That trip could have been an awesome Ram commercial!

 

[MiRamDriver]

That trip could have been an awesome Ram commercial!

Agreed, I'm pretty certain my trip exceeded the vast majority of "Torture Tests".

 

[DavidRam]

Agreed, I'm pretty certain my trip exceeded the vast majority of "Torture Tests".

Exactly. Pretty compeling results...

 

[cableguy_hd]

your temps shown in the pics, your tranny ones to be exact, where you in tow/haul mode? 224 seems pretty hot

 

[MiRamDriver]

your temps shown in the pics, your tranny ones to be exact, where you in tow/haul mode? 224 seems pretty hot

Yes, as I said in the post I pulled in tow/haul the entire time. 224 was after pulling a 5% grade for 6 miles. Like passing semi's that were going 30, so I'm not surprised. I can tell you that city driving, you'd burn the tranny up real fast with a load like this, every time I got off to get gas and a little light to light stuff, I'd be pushing 215 very quickly - I can't imagine a half hour of that.

EDIT: Also, it appears as though you have the 6 speed. Normal operating temp for the 8 Speed is 185-190 with no load.

 

[PX8]

Nice job man. I can imagine you were ready for some R and R when you got settled. This sure beats the hell out of my 1000 lbs of sand I picked up one day.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

My 5500lbs trailer moves my truck around pretty efficiently, I can't imagine 12000lbs behind it. Damn. Well done! Glad the trip went well.

 

[BoldAdventure]

Very impressive indeed and glad you had a safe journey. Makes me all the more confident in my own decision.

 

[toofart]

Good job.

And yes, the 8 speed runs hotter than the 6 speed.

 

[Noved]

I am impressed and Glad you made a safe trip.

 

[MiRamDriver]

Thanks for the comments, all. I hope that my experience can help some of you.

 

[MiRamDriver]

Truck is still running strong!

 

[smurfs_of_war]

Did you ever get any weights of the truck axles? I am curious where you ended up with all that tongue weight.

 

[Bigdaddy]

I was! EAS was today.

Thank you for your service, I did twenty-eight years in the Army and love it.

 

[JasonK94Z]

Wow. Your oil temp...am I seeing 260? Christ! What oil you running? Hope you changed it right away.

 

[MiRamDriver]

Did you ever get any weights of the truck axles? I am curious where you ended up with all that tongue weight.

I did not. Both of the scales I used just gave me total weight.

Thank you for your service, I did twenty-eight years in the Army and love it.

Thank you as well!

Wow. Your oil temp...am I seeing 260? Christ! What oil you running? Hope you changed it right away.

Mobil 1. Actually going to change it this weekend.