2017 v6 pentastar 1500 towing 5300lbs

[Kris1983]

I recently took our 5300lb travel trailer about 50 miles through the Mohican wilderness in Northern Ohio through RT 3. The terrain is very hilly. I kept my rpm range between 2500-3500 occcasionally going to 4100-4500. I noticed my trans temp went to 194 and oil temp to 230. I plan on keeping this truck for a long time but also want to be able to frequently tow this camper. Does anyone else have any real world towing experience with this motor and towing about 5300lbs. Are the rpms ranges normal are the temps normal?

 

[BiGMERF]

I have the same truck. Following for info


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[Zeronet]

I have a 2015 Laramie Quad cab with the 3.6 and a 3.55 rear gear. I regularly tow a 6400lb (loaded for camping) travel trailer. 6000mi so far towing this combination. I normally tow at 65mph. Transmission temps range 175-185 and oil temps 215-230 in normal towing either flat ground or hills. On Long mountain grades the trans temps stay toward 185 but oil temps will rise and continue to rise so I just slow down like the big trucks and the temps will stabilize.

Coolant temp is never an issue. The highest trans temps I have seen are when backing up up hill and trying to position the camper in a tight camp site. I have seen 200.

As for rpm, I don’t use cruise control in very hilly/mountainous areas. I let the truck slow down a few mph going uphill and speed back up on the downhill to maintain my preferred 65mph average. This reduces the tendency to downshift. Flat ground I tow in 6th or 7th gear (1900-2200rpm). Uphill is 5th or 4th gear. Steep grades 9% or more I have seen 3rd gear but very rare.

 

[MP1SG]

i have a 2014 1500 V6, actually just picked up a travel trailer, and hit the scales the other day for just a loaded weigh, Front axle 3000lbs, rear axle 3440lbs, trailer axles 4480lbs, total weight 10920lbs. 56000 miles on the truck just had transmission fluid changed, my temps on rolling hills in KY, i have touched 195 on trans temp, usually 230(s) coolant, and about same for oil but have touch in the 240s. i like the way it tows, and do not use the tow/haul since not many "hills". looking for insight when i cross the rockies this summer. weight should be about the same.

 

[Neil E]

I just towed a 3500 lb trailer with my RC 3.6 3.55 in hilly terrain for about a 4 hour trip. Temp of transmission never got over 195.

 

[MP1SG]

any suggestions, should i use the tow/haul in hills? been over the rockies without towing, this will be a first towing a trailer. Trying not to be one of those that are sitting on the side of the mountain over heating or burned up transmission.

 

[Wahrsuul]

Pulling that kind of weight, you should use T/H even on flat ground.

 

[Neil E]

Yes Always use tow haul mode when having extra weight. It keeps the transmission from shifting as much. I had a load in the bed on the highway and noticed the transmission shifted a lot, so I put it in tow haul mode, and our stopped shifting as much.

 

[Larry Rambo]

I have pulled a 6,500 lb travel trailer over 25,000 miles with a 2015 1500 quad, 3.6 and 3.55 rear end. Been to Alaska from Georgia and all over the country. Over 12,000 feet in the Rocky Mountain National Park. I don't know how to get the actual temp numbers, but the coolant and transmission temp gauge never showed being over heated. I've been as low as first gear going up a 10 percent grade and RPM as high as 6,000. Fuel mileage about 10.5 pulling the trailer and 21 MPG without. This is a great engine! Over 65,000 miles on the truck and no problems.
I would however like to go to a 3.91 rear end. Does anyone know what is involved in doing this?

 

[PoMansRam]

Kris, what axle ratio do you have with your V6? If it's 3.21's with 4x4 and quad cab, you may be exceeding the truck's recommended towing weight as-is. The recommended max is 4440lb.

In regards to trans fluid temps. I've seen mine hit 210F on a 90+F day with just me in the truck and normal driving. My truck is a 2017 V6, 4x4 quad cab, 8spd.

 

[Kris1983]

I have the 355 gears in mine I typed my vin in and it says my tow capacity is 7,390

 

[PoMansRam]

I have the 355 gears in mine I typed my vin in and it says my tow capacity is 7,390

Yep, you're good to go. The 3.55's have a much higher tow rating than the 3.21's

 

[Kris1983]

Yea. I would like to get the 3.91’s and see what difference they make

 

[Chris Henson]

I have a 3.6 Pentastar with etorque,and just finished a 1000 mile trip pulling a teardrop weighing less than 2500#. I was very disappointed to average 9 miles per gallon. Does this sound right for such a light camper?

 

[eldo]

I have a 3.6 Pentastar with etorque,and just finished a 1000 mile trip pulling a teardrop weighing less than 2500#. I was very disappointed to average 9 miles per gallon. Does this sound right for such a light camper?

My 4th Gen towed a 2700 lb civic in a 2 wheel dolly from Houston to Austin and averaged about 17 or 18 mpg.

It's a 3.6l quad cab 2wd laramie with 3.21 rear end.

I can't imagine the 5th gen would do half that, given even terrain.

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[runamuck]

that is probably a light enough load to get by without tow/haul but it has some other advantages. I use it even when not towing if I am driving in hills or mountains because I like the downhill engine braking that it does. towing from houston to austin should get you better mileage. I get 11-12 on raods like that pulling a 6000# trailer with my 5.7/3.92 laramie. do you take 290 all the way or I-10/71

 

[eldo]

290 to Giddings, then north to 77.
I was actually heading to rockdale/Milano area.

Probably had t/h on the entire trip there.

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[mlaugh]

any suggestions, should i use the tow/haul in hills? been over the rockies without towing, this will be a first towing a trailer. Trying not to be one of those that are sitting on the side of the mountain over heating or burned up transmission.

I always, always use tow/haul mode when towing or have a heavy load. Thats why its called tow/haul. You will save your transmission and have better control going down hill and up hill. Shame on you for not knowing that..................................LOL

 

[pacofortacos]

I have a 3.6 Pentastar with etorque,and just finished a 1000 mile trip pulling a teardrop weighing less than 2500#. I was very disappointed to average 9 miles per gallon. Does this sound right for such a light camper?

Possible, depends on speed and wind. What gears, size/type tires, speed, any wind?

 

[PoMansRam]

Possible, depends on speed and wind. What gears, size/type tires, speed, any wind?

For sure on that.

What people tend to forget with travel trailers is it's not so much about the weight. It's the lack of aerodynamics that kills your MPGs.