2016 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi Towing

[JWP127]

I tried to do a search, could not find anything. I own a 2016 Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi & 3.73 rear end. I currently pull a travel trailer that weighs around 7,200 pounds with absolutely zero issues. I'm about to buy a bigger travel trailer that weighs 10,000 pounds. Anyone else have a similar setup? Just trying figure out what to expect. And yes, I'm well within my tow and payload means.

 

[crash68]

If 10K is the dry weight of the trailer and have plans to head through the mountains, your probably going to want 4.10 gearing. Maybe lower if your running bigger than stock tires

 

[JWP127]

10000 is the GVW

 

[MADDOG]

It will slow down some on hills in hot weather but at 10K gross vehicle weight rating you'll be close to max GCVWR for the truck.

Is it a bumper pull or a 5'vr you are contemplating? The additional tongue or pin weight may require some air bag assist to level it out and avoid poor front tire contact.

I assume you have, or will have, a properly sized WDH if it's a bumper pull?

 

[JWP127]

It will slow down some on hills in hot weather but at 10K gross vehicle weight rating you'll be close to max GCVWR for the truck.

Is it a bumper pull or a 5'vr you are contemplating? The additional tongue or pin weight may require some air bag assist to level it out and avoid poor front tire contact.

I assume you have, or will have, a properly sized WDH if it's a bumper pull?

It is a bumper pull. And I will have a 14k pound Equalizer WDH. I have a 12k WDH for my smaller trailer and it's great.

 

[MADDOG]

It is a bumper pull. And I will have a 14k pound Equalizer WDH. I have a 12k WDH for my smaller trailer and it's great.

Good choice. Hopefully you won't need to invest in airbags but it might have to happen.

 

[crash68]

Is it a bumper pull or a 5'vr you are contemplating? The additional tongue or pin weight may require some air bag assist to level it out and avoid poor front tire contact.

Airbags may help level the truck out but with a bumper pull trailer it doesn't not put any weight back on the front axle(it actually gets lighter). A WDH is needed to force weight back on the front axle.
With a fiver, the pin weight is forward of the rear axle, airbags can help not only level the truck but firm up the rear axle to minimize porpoising

 

[GsRAM]

It will do the work, but 10k is asking a lot of the 6.4, regardless, especially with the 3.73s which i also have.

If your on stock tires and plan on keeping the truck for awhile, consider re-gearing to a 4.56 gear which will greatly assist towing that much weight with the 6.4, switching to the 4.10 is not enough difference for the 3k typical cost of re-gearing a 4x4 truck.

Good luck and happy camping!

 

[Mountaineer83]

My 6.4 with the 4.10s towed my travel trailer well. It weighed about 8000 lbs empty, probably 9000 or so loaded. It did well. I towed it all the way to Georgia from West Virginia with no problems at all. I traded while in Jacksonville, Florida for my fiver. Now coming back to West Virginia was a little more of a struggle, but still very doable with no problems. The 6.4 is a beast and does excellent if we let it do its thing. It's no diesel, but it is a great engine in a great truck.

 

[JWP127]

My 6.4 with the 4.10s towed my travel trailer well. It weighed about 8000 lbs empty, probably 9000 or so loaded. It did well. I towed it all the way to Georgia from West Virginia with no problems at all. I traded while in Jacksonville, Florida for my fiver. Now coming back to West Virginia was a little more of a struggle, but still very doable with no problems. The 6.4 is a beast and does excellent if we let it do its thing. It's no diesel, but it is a great engine in a great truck.

How much does your 5th wheel weigh?

 

[Mountaineer83]

My 5th wheel is 13.5k empty, and probably about 14k loaded. I dont take a lot of heavy stuff, but coming back from GA to WV it was very heavy. I had been living in it for months.

 

[15BlueStreak]

Here is a link to my report. I no longer own this truck. Traded to a Ford 6.2l 4.30 geared truck. My real world comparison between these two trucks pulling same camper. The Ford is better. The new Ram 6.4 with 8 speed looks to be a winner. My report is pretty much same exact setup you are looking at except my truck had 4.10 gears.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/8-hour-pull-6-4-hemi-4-10-gears.105192/

 

[sandawilliams]

My 5th wheel is 13.5k empty, and probably about 14k loaded. I dont take a lot of heavy stuff, but coming back from GA to WV it was very heavy. I had been living in it for months.

You've got a full load for the 6.4

 

[Mountaineer83]

You've got a full load for the 6.4

That I do! But I only tow a 3-4 times a year maybe so I just couldn't justify the Cummins when I bought. Every time I tow I wish I had one though.

 

[VernDiesel]

Yeah don’t upgrade a 4WD 3.73 68RFE (6 speed auto) to anything. Trade it for the new 8 speed HD with 4.10s. Dramatically better on several fronts.

I tow commercially with the 8 speed 3.92 Ecodiesel. 550,000 miles nothing but fluid & filter changes. Ram should have upgraded the parking paw and did this for the Hemis 5 years ago

 

[Willie Mosher]

If live on the mid west to east cost,
Most likely be okay just little slow.
But if you’re on West cost.
You really need thinking about keeping
Light trailer, or buy a diesel,
I have 6.4 gas w 4.10 and live in the California Nevada mountains mostly pull about 4500 lbs, and do okay, but it runs lot at 4000 RPM ( max torque )
But much Heavier -no thank ,

 

[Marine Les]

You will be fine with your 6.4/3.73 and with a wdh I doubt you will need to boost the suspension.