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I am guessing frame, axels and suspension has quite a bit yo do with it.
But i have no actual knowledge of what made it better. The 4th gen sure is a pos when is comes to towing or payload.
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six bolt wheels equals heavier axles ,an upgraded tranny , variable rate rear springs and I would assume heavier rated. also they reduced the weight by 225 lbs that all adds up to more payload up to 2340 lbs and more towing with the new hybrid version.oh and the gvwr has been raised to 7100 lbs as well.
Payload w could yes
Added hellwig sway , air bags and 12,000lb. Sway/load leveling hitch ,amazed how well it handles my 35’ 9750 gvw trailer
I heard E torque has nothing to do with the increased towing capability
Common gvwr went from 6,900 to 7,100. The 4th gen 8 speed tows great but needs WDH / truck & trailer weight distributed properly between the axles according to Cat scale results as does everybodys pickup. I've towed many 8k TTs with a 33' floorplan with a good built in sway control WDH and some axle to frame air bags to the tune of 430,000 miles. To say the 4th gen doesnt tow well because the factory rear springs are a lil too soft only means you were not setting your load up via scale results.
The new Ram has bigger brakes, 4” longer wheelbase, upgraded axles, stronger frame, progressive rate springs, weight loss of 225lbs (which also increases payload) and improved aerodynamics. I’m sure all of these changes contribute to the increased tow rating.
As far as eTorque goes, we can see from the towing chart that the highest tow rating goes to the NON eTorque Hemi. So the eTorque actually REDUCES towing capacity. I believe eTorque is designed to improve MPG and will contribute little to towing and acceleration performance. It only provides additional torque at engine speeds below 2000rpm; possibly below 1500rpm depending on which Ram engineer you listen to.
With the eTorque Hemi being rated lower in towing than the NON eTorque version I can only assume that it doesn’t even provide enough performance improvement to overcome the 80lb weight of the system. It definitely reduces payload according to the chart.
I bought one last week. a Laramie 4x4 CCSB 5.7 with 3.92's. The springs dont look any dif. from my son's 2017 and the payload sticker on the door shows 100# less capacity than the 2017 sierra with all the same equip. that I traded in so I dont know what they added that used up the 225 extra pounds capacity they advertise. the payload is the same as on my son's 2017. my sierra had 6 lug wheels and same payload but I am going to like the 5.7 hemi and 3.92's for towing my trailer. I will find out pretty soon if I am going to have to add airbags.
Just got back from a weekend trip with our travel trailer. Towing for the first time with the truck. I’m gonna need the rear swar bar and bigger rims. I have the 18” wheels. Let me tell you, the rear of the truck was very loose. Going around turns and down the highway wasn’t so confident. I had the weight dist hitch and sway control.added the hellwig 7709 sway bar yesterday using the center holes to start out with. towing out to Palo Duro canyon from DFW tomorrow so I will find out if the upgrade was worth the 200$. easy project to do in about 1/2 hour for those that are considering it.
My understanding is Etorque is for mileage its used mostly such as leaving a dead stop where it provides torque to get you moving in place of the engine until the engine torque replaces it in the 1500 to 2000 rpm range. Its not more or additional torque its just sooner and fuel free until motor torque takes over. The fact that it adds 80lbs is the only reason it lessens the remaining payload or tow capacity.
With the low first gear and always in power band 8 speed quick short step gears changes we have plenty of leverage to get weight moving quick easy and smooth even with only the 3.21 & Pentastar. With the 3.92 and low rpm torque of the Ecodiesel she will walk a big boat out of the water and up the ramp and never need to cross 2,200 rpms. 5 lug wheels were never the weak link so changing to the 6 lug was rather moot but the ford & chevy guys tried to use it as a take away so then there is that.