2012 Ram 1500 Towing Question

[Gene Knox]

Your RPMs sound normal and inline with my truck. I tow at 2300 RPMs and hit 3000+ up steeper hills, no worries at all.

But if I were you I'd run a high quality 5w-30 synthetic oil. Redline 5w-30 is an excellent candidate, or if it's too pricy for you then Mobil 1 FS 0w-40 with 12oz of BioTech Lubeguard. (I'm running HP oil but haven't yet towed with it nor had it analyzed yet so can't yet recommend it though I suspect it will be my permanent oil choice.)

Watch your oil temps and stay below 250F. Slow down or take a break if you hit those temps for more than 10 seconds while cresting a hill or whatever. If you have active grill shutters, you can buy a few seconds of cooling by removing them. I've also purchased an external oil filter relocation kit which should help keep the engine a little cooler as well.

You don't need a diesel lol. The hemi still tows more. The problem is not the engine revving to 80% of redline, the problem is our misunderstanding of damaging the engine by doing so. Once you realize the engine doesn't care (proper oil/temps notwithstanding) you'll be more comfortable towing with it.

Also you may be a little surprised/happy to hear that the 5.7 was used in the 2500 heavy duty trucks. It's seen a lot of work and abuse, there are no real issues that have arisen from working the 5.7 hard.

Oh, also change your oil no later than 5000 miles when towing. I'd also recommend running 89 octane while towing, it will keep your engine cooler with a cleaner burn.

So are you saying that the Mobil 5/20-5/30 synthetic is not a superior oil? I've looked into redline but never bought it, I figured it was just a name and therefore that's what you are paying for. I had a machinist that rebuilt engines for Nascar tell me that the Mobil 1 is what they run. So, I figured it was good for this engine. My oil temps had been running in the low 300 deg. range. however, that was during the summer last year when it was 105-109* in July Aug. Thought of adding a oil cooler however haven't had time to research the concept yet. however, the lower thin portion is solid just looks louvered and will be changing to billet look to get more air across the oil pan on bottom. no grill shutters.
As for the fuel I usually fill with 89 or 93 when towing it seems to burn better but hey it's most likely me and you know the macho concept LOL
As for the diesel concept one day I'll get there but for now I'll use this.
I usually change my oil @7k intervals but yea I see your point.
Thanks,

 

[ramffml]

So are you saying that the Mobil 5/20-5/30 synthetic is not a superior oil?

I'd never run any brand 20 weights anymore in the hemi. The more I read on bitog, the more I'm convinced that 20 weight is a problem in our trucks though most will likely be "fine" running it if you don't keep your trucks long etc.

I also don't know much about Mobil and to be honest I'm the wrong guy to ask. The oils I mentioned are based on other expert opinions on the forum and many user reports especially with Redline 5w-30 and its ability to mitigate hemi tick. The synthetic oil thread is a great read but the oils I mentioned are recommended there.

 

[GTyankee]

For several years before 2009 & a few years following, Chrysler Engineers called for Mobile One to be used in all Chrysler engines

Then for one year, Chrysler gave the Lubrications Contract to Valvoline

Then every year since then Shell Oil has won the Lubricants Contract

( there is a reason Shell has won the Lubricants Contract, no one else is competing )

The funny thing is Shell, Pennzoil, Rotella is not at the top of any list done by the companies that rate oils

 

[danielmid]

So are you saying that the Mobil 5/20-5/30 synthetic is not a superior oil? I've looked into redline but never bought it, I figured it was just a name and therefore that's what you are paying for. I had a machinist that rebuilt engines for Nascar tell me that the Mobil 1 is what they run. So, I figured it was good for this engine. My oil temps had been running in the low 300 deg. range. however, that was during the summer last year when it was 105-109* in July Aug. Thought of adding a oil cooler however haven't had time to research the concept yet. however, the lower thin portion is solid just looks louvered and will be changing to billet look to get more air across the oil pan on bottom. no grill shutters.
As for the fuel I usually fill with 89 or 93 when towing it seems to burn better but hey it's most likely me and you know the macho concept LOL
As for the diesel concept one day I'll get there but for now I'll use this.
I usually change my oil @7k intervals but yea I see your point.
Thanks,

300 degree oil is pull over and stop territory in my opinion. That is ripping hot. Towing our camper up and out of Phoenix mid-summer we didn't hit over 260ish and that was on the longer pull sections. If you're getting that hot just driving around then something else is up.

 

[62Blazer]

Hey thanks, yea Kinda thought it was the plugs causing the issue. However, I could not pass the deal at the time I bought it. 26520 miles and only 469 hrs on the motor. I would love to have a diesel however parting with 65-70k to tow a trailer that as of now is done like 4-5 times a year is a little hard to justify, for now. I have 8 more years to work before I decide to retire, I will most likely purchase one at that time. I appreciate your input though. Back in the day early 90's I had a chevy 454 that spun a bearing and caused me a lot of trouble. So I'm somewhat gun shy.

I understand where you are coming from regarding the ealry '90's 454 comment, but you are comparing apples to oranges when throwing a 5.7 Hemi in there. The 454 is based on 1960's technology and probably had a redline at maybe 4,000 rpm and designed to lug around at 2,000 rpm. The 5.7 Hemi is 40 year newer technology with a redline in the 5,500+ range in trucks and should spin at 3-4,000 rpm all day.

 

[Gene Knox]

300 degree oil is pull over and stop territory in my opinion. That is ripping hot. Towing our camper up and out of Phoenix mid-summer we didn't hit over 260ish and that was on the longer pull sections. If you're getting that hot just driving around then something else is up.

No, that's pulling the trailer at 65 mph in 105* temps no air blowing and on an incline, it went back to normal after I paused for about 45 min. I was scared seeing that and almost thought it was an anomaly. once cooled all was well.

 

[Gene Knox]

For several years before 2009 & a few years following, Chrysler Engineers called for Mobile One to be used in all Chrysler engines

Then for one year, Chrysler gave the Lubrications Contract to Valvoline

Then every year since then Shell Oil has won the Lubricants Contract

( there is a reason Shell has won the Lubricants Contract, no one else is competing )

The funny thing is Shell, Pennzoil, Rotella is not at the top of any list done by the companies that rate oils

I won't run Penzoil synthetic in any engine I own, they use paraffin as a byproduct in their oil to allow for the viscus to be in align with the other brands. It also allows them to produce it at a cheaper rate and therefore compromising the engine,

 

[danielmid]

I won't run Penzoil synthetic in any engine I own, they use paraffin as a byproduct in their oil to allow for the viscus to be in align with the other brands. It also allows them to produce it at a cheaper rate and therefore compromising the engine,

I respect your opinion, probably a bit old school, but hundreds of used oil tests would disagree with you.

 

[06 Dodge]

I won't run Penzoil synthetic in any engine I own, they use paraffin as a byproduct in their oil to allow for the viscus to be in align with the other brands. It also allows them to produce it at a cheaper rate and therefore compromising the engine,

IIRC in the mid to late 1970's Pennzoil with Z 7 was said to contain paraffin wax, to the best of my knowledge no one ever provided proof, so if you have that proof please do post if for all to see and learn...

 

[doc 11 ACR]

I have a 2010 2500, 5.7 6-speed, 410 geared 4x4 that pulls my 9,000 lb camper with ease. Yes, it revs on grades and if it hits the limiter (not often) it will drop back also. But that Hemi just wants to run. Keep up with your PM's and use a good synthetic oil. I use mobile one high mileage for the extra additives. An oil cooler would not hurt either. Good luck