Power adders for towing?

jon0m0berry · Jan 24, 2022

So I have a 5th gen 2019. 5.7L, 4x4, 3.92 axles, 4 door, 6.5 bed. I'm wanting to do upgrades to help it tow better. I tow between 7-8k lbs. Stock I think it does the job fine and am very please. But I would like a little more "get off the line" and "cruising" power so to speak. I know there are many ways to increase mid to high end power easily but I'm actually finding it difficult to find stuff that also increases power on the low end. I dont want to tune (at least not yet) nor do I want to do like a cam or something that involves taking the engine apart. So far to help towing I do have a weight distribution hitch, rear air bag (I know this will only help squat). I also plan on adding slightly bigger tires 275/60r20 instead of the stock 275/55. But I'm also leaning to get LT tires aswell. Anyone know of anything bolt on that would help out? So far it seems like the only thing I'm finding that could help are ripp coilovers. Anyways thanks for any Info. Have a good day.

DILLIGAF · Jan 24, 2022

jon0m0berry said:
I'm actually finding it difficult to find stuff that also increases power on the low end.

You need a Cam swap and Custom tune for that.

Nick@GotExhaust · Jan 24, 2022

If you are dead set against a tune, which I assume is for warranty reasons you could go with the Pulsar tuner. It is easily removed if need be and has been proven by 3rd parties to make an additional 30hp and 30 lbs tq.

you could also go with shorty headers, they will help build a little more power or just dive in and go long tube headers with catted y pipe and a tune. This will be the biggest bolt on power gain you can add without opening up the motor or going boost.

message me if you would like any more info or a quote

tron67j · Jan 24, 2022

I would do the weights of everything at a scale before you go putting money in the truck. 7-8k is quite a range to be estimating, you may find you are much higher if your needing your bags. Figure out if you need a heavy duty first. Your truck plus add-ons you are thinking about could get you near the right truck. Good luck.

jon0m0berry · Jan 25, 2022

I only meant 7-8k depending on how loaded my trailer is. If I know if im at a place with hook ups I'll be 7k but if I'm loaded up full tanks and everything my trailer will be closer to 8k. My truck can pull almost 11500. so I know even 8k is well under my limit and I have no plans to get even close to my limit in the future. the bags I installed are already heavy duty ones. I belive the brand is max air. I went to get some and just so happened the heavy duty ones were on sale cheaper than the normal duty ones.

Firebird · Jan 25, 2022

Pulsar and a Pedal Commander

Farmer Fran · Jan 25, 2022

Supercharger

ramffml · Jan 25, 2022

I don't think there is any easy answer (though I like the supercharger idea it's also costly and at that point I'd rather put that towards a 2500 instead).

I'm also looking at headers, either shorty or long tube but I'm confused as to which one will give me the best low end gains. You can find opinions both ways.

2019RamInSC · Jan 25, 2022

jon0m0berry said:
I only meant 7-8k depending on how loaded my trailer is. If I know if im at a place with hook ups I'll be 7k but if I'm loaded up full tanks and everything my trailer will be closer to 8k. My truck can pull almost 11500. so I know even 8k is well under my limit and I have no plans to get even close to my limit in the future. the bags I installed are already heavy duty ones. I belive the brand is max air. I went to get some and just so happened the heavy duty ones were on sale cheaper than the normal duty ones.

We have basically the same truck. But a shortbed. Our towing capacity is the same. We tow a trailer that comes in at 6700 lbs fully loaded for camping at the cat scale. I never carry water. With that we are almost to our payload capacity. Tows great, no sway. If you are towing a 7000 lb trailer. You may be over your payload capacity. Just an FYI

jon0m0berry · Jan 25, 2022

2019RamInSC said:
We have basically the same truck. But a shortbed. Our towing capacity is the same. We tow a trailer that comes in at 6700 lbs fully loaded for camping at the cat scale. I never carry water. With that we are almost to our payload capacity. Tows great, no sway. If you are towing a 7000 lb trailer. You may be over your payload capacity. Just an FYI

What's your tongue weight? Mines only like 750 if I remember right and my payload is rated to over 1500lbs. My trailer is barely using half my payload capacity.

Randy Grant · Jan 25, 2022

I tow a little heavier than you, and have noticed absolutely no lack of power for getting off the line or getting up to freeway speeds with the 5.7 and 3.92's. But if your having a power problem, definitely stay away from bigger tires, and do go to Lt's.

jon0m0berry · Jan 25, 2022

Randy Grant said:
I tow a little heavier than you, and have noticed absolutely no lack of power for getting off the line or getting up to freeway speeds with the 5.7 and 3.92's. But if your having a power problem, definitely stay away from bigger tires, and do go to Lt's.

Oh i'm by no means trying to imply that the 5.7 and 3.92 gears have a lack of power. I just want more lol I'm just not seeing much performance parts that dont take away power below 3k rpms. No I absolutely love my truck and know what I'm doing isn't really even pushing to bad. Just wanting a little more is all.

jon0m0berry · Jan 25, 2022

Randy actually brought up something I've never thought about. I understand bigger tires effectively acts like your reducing your gear ratio, but why stay away from LT tires? That's so etching I've never thought about.

2019RamInSC · Jan 26, 2022

jon0m0berry said:
What's your tongue weight? Mines only like 750 if I remember right and my payload is rated to over 1500lbs. My trailer is barely using half my payload capacity.

Depending on what we are carrying for a particular trip. But tongue weight averages about 800 lbs. My payload is lower than yours at 1400 lbs. Anyway. It was just an FYI.
If you are towing it at 8000 lbs your tongue weight should be at least 800 for stability. (10-15%) If it works for you. Carry On.
I agree with you. Tows terrific no matter the numbers.
We are considering a trip out west in the near future. So a power adder may be in my future also. No hilly terrain east of the Mississippi has ever been a problem The Rockies may be a different ball game.
Have fun!

jon0m0berry · Jan 26, 2022

2019RamInSC said:
Depending on what we are carrying for a particular trip. But tongue weight averages about 800 lbs. My payload is lower than yours at 1400 lbs. Anyway. It was just an FYI.
If you are towing it at 8000 lbs your tongue weight should be at least 800 for stability. (10-15%) If it works for you. Carry On.
I agree with you. Tows terrific no matter the numbers.
We are considering a trip out west in the near future. So a power adder may be in my future also. No hilly terrain east of the Mississippi has ever been a problem The Rockies may be a different ball game.
Have fun!

Yeah I know ow what you mean. They are good trucks. Only thing I will say going over the mountains is don't go faster than like 55-60. My father in law has a 2017 rebel 5.7 4x4 3.92 and he was going uphill close to 70 towing 8klbs and ran into coolant and oil over heating. After about an hour and a little water to the radiator he was back on the road doing only 60 and didnt run Into that issue again.

IvoryHemi · Jan 26, 2022

jon0m0berry said:
My truck can pull almost 11500. so I know even 8k is well under my limit

It’s not about towing capacity, it’s about payload capacity as everyone has mentioned.

Your truck is likely maxed out (or overweight) with a 8k lbs TT.

TW on my TT @ 8k is 960 lbs.

jon0m0berry · Jan 26, 2022

IvoryHemi said:
It’s not about towing capacity, it’s about payload capacity as everyone has mentioned.

Your truck is likely maxed out (or overweight) with a 8k lbs TT.

TW on my TT @ 8k is 960 my payload is over 1500 lbs. Unloaded my tongue weight is sitting around 750. I have plenty of payload left.

IvoryHemi said:
It’s not about towing capacity, it’s about payload capacity as everyone has mentioned.

Your truck is likely maxed out (or overweight) with a 8k lbs TT.

TW on my TT @ 8k is 960 lbs.

How am i likely maxed out? My payload is over 1500lbs. I dont weigh that much.

Stuart E Travis · Jan 27, 2022

"If you are dead set against a tune, which I assume is for warranty reasons you could go with the Pulsar tuner. It is easily removed if need be and has been proven by 3rd parties to make an additional 30hp and 30 lbs tq."

This, I put the Pulsar on my 2017 Hemi 5.7 Sport, it changed the truck dramatically, especially the low end, off the line power. And as mentioned, very easy to remove & re-install if need be. It is controlled by my cruise control steering wheel controls. The tow mode has so much better low end power that stock, IMO, we tow a 4200lb camper occasionally.

Farmer Fran · Jan 27, 2022

jon0m0berry said:
How am i likely maxed out? My payload is over 1500lbs. I dont weigh that much.

If you look at quick math, use 1500 for this example.

Say you tow at 7500,

1500 payload minus 750 tongue, 100 WDH, you 150?, that leaves about 500. Personally i would get a scale weight, but it looks like you have some room and can be just fine.

Randy Grant · Jan 27, 2022

jon0m0berry said:
Randy actually brought up something I've never thought about. I understand bigger tires effectively acts like your reducing your gear ratio, but why stay away from LT tires? That's so etching I've never thought about.

Yea, when towing with the 5.7, it really isn't about power unless you want a performance truck. It is really more about handling. I went with the LT tires (stock size) and a Hellweg to stiffen up the rear and get rid of that soft squishy body roll thing. I do have a pulsar, but run it in economy all the time just to get rid on throttle lag, and I get 11/13 when towing hand calc.
Whatever you do, be safe and sane.

Power adders for towing?

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