4.7 adequate?

[2kvert]

Hi all newbie here and I actually don't own a ram but have been looking at a few.
We are wanting to get a boat next spring and the mustang won't pull one.
I'm wondering if the 4.7 has the guts to pull a good size boat around the state.
Any input would be appreciated

 

[JoshikusIII]

Probably shouldn't reply to this...biased...loved the motor when I first got it, tons of power simply stock with potential for more. Had the 4.7HO in a Limited Jeep GC...and then it cost me ten grand and wasted a year of my motoring life...the reason I have a brand new Hemi payment is that it's NOT A 4.7!!!

Good luck

 

[audio1der]

If you know the weight of the boat you own/are looking at, you'd be better positioned in your shopping. If the 4.7 could do what we need it to I would have gone that route; it gets crazy good mileage and pulls nearly as hard as a Hemi. It's a great engine.

 

[RAMAlaska]

Welcome to the forums. The answer is, as most things are, "it depends." The big factors here are your boat + trailer + stuff can't exceed the towing capacity of the truck. However, and possibly more importantly is "tongue weight." the amount of weight the hitch physically puts on the back end of your truck. The tongue weight + all the passengers + all the stuff in your truck cannot exceed your cargo capacity.

In the newer Rams, the cargo capacity tends to be a little lower since they use coil springs in the rear instead of leaf springs. This sacrifices some cargo capacity for improved ride comfort while towing and not towing.

I am a relative newb here as well, so, please if a more experienced member refutes my claims, make sure you listen to them first.

 

[2kvert]

Thanks guys. So far the boats were leaning toward are in the 6000 pound range trailered up .
A lot of the time it will be short hauls less than 30 miles but we'd like to be able to take it out of state as well

 

[Hornet]

The 4.7 might be a little light on bottom grunt for 6,000lbs.
The motors pull good once they're up in the rpm range,if you go 4.7, make sure you get the 3.92 rear gears,that brings your servicable tow limit up to 7700 lbs if i remember right

 

[Etroze86]

I will throw my biased opinion out there with I love my hemi and wouldn't trade it for anything with a smaller motor. I pulled a single place car trailer loaded with my buddies stuff he was moving and we figured it was close to 8k after figure in the trailer. All I can say is I could do 75 to 80 MPH and not even worry about the trailer.

 

[TexasRammer]

I would honestly go with the hemi even if the 4.7 can handle what youre looking for. the 4.7s dont handle towing very well in my experience, any kind of load and they struggle. with the little more you pay for the hemi youll get back in resale value, plus fun

 

[TRXHemi]

Don't do the 4.7. I had one in my 2008 and loved it.... HOWEVER, I test drove a 2010 Hemi, and I never looked back. The extra power and torque is worth it. Get the HEMI! The mileage isn't really any different inthe HEMI either.

As mentioned above, the resale will be better too. Honestly, get the HEMI.

 

[Phylodog]

I had a 2002 Quad Cab 4x4 with the 4.7L and felt it was underpowered. I live in a relatively flat region of the country and with stuff in the bed or a trailer it was constantly shift on the slightest inclines and fuel economy was pretty poor.

Just bought a 2012 and towed a trailer with it. Significantly better fuel economy and no constant shifting. I understand some of the difference is probably due to technology advances but I'll never buy another 4.7L.

 

[Dustinmc15]

I had a 4.7 in my dakota and it pulled a 4k boat no problem and got decent mileage doing it so I'm sure it could easily pull what your looking at, but like others have said if you can get into a hemi for not much more $ than do it.

 

[arod412]

Sounds like 4.7 can work for you. Personally, I think the hemi would be better......I would rather have a little more flexability in case u get a bigger boat and have more wiggle room for more towing then having just enough to cover what u have now. Just think long term.

 

[2kvert]

Thanks. I appreciate the input im only thinking of the 4.7 because I found a real clean 09 quad cab that really got my attention maybe ill keep my eyes peeled


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[argray90]

I have the 4.7 and have had no issues with towing some smaller boats and things but I don't do a ton of towing so can't be a huge help to your question.

 

[Noved]

At 6000 I would lean towards a Hemi. I was never impressed with the 4.7L in terms of towing.

 

[Corbin]

Our boat was around 6000# and the hemi was a blessing to have when pulling the hills. We dont live in a very flat area so the more power the better. I don't think it would have faired so well if we had the 4.7, but I never towed with one.

 

[patteruz]

you'd be better positioned in your shopping

 

[Bigboytoys]

Dunno...I have the older 4.7L and have no issues towing the mustang, wheels, generator, fuel and camping supplies. Of course I don't know how much it matters that mine is the 5 speed....

 

[retiredfireman]

I had an '03 with the 4.7L and it was under-powered, sure while I had it, I thought, well, I'll just add a bigger throttle body, and then it was intake/exhaust , then the HO cams.
then I drove the Hemi. Game over Greene time!!
Nothing compares to it, IMHO.
Late you'll be able to say , Yeah I owned a Hemi and it was everything I wanted it to be.
Also- if you tow 6K and ever want to upgrade the boat, don;t be held back by the tow vehicle

 

[Guts~n~Glory]

Best of luck with whatever you decide on.