Can the 3.73 do it

[Saved by Grace]

Need to pull fifth wheel with a 13000 lb dry weight. Looking to buy 2018 Ram 2500 6.4l. Having a hard time finding one with 4.10 rear axle. Whould I be risking breaking my truck if I bought a 3.73. Most diesel options are not in my budget. To clarify, I am only moving the 5th wheel once, not multiple times

 

[dhay13]

without knowing the max tow rating for that truck I'm gonna say you won't be happy with it unless you are on all flat ground. Your wet weight will likely be closer to 14,000. Not sure I'd want to do that even with my 4.10's

 

[Travelin Ram]

Not a good choice. I wouldn’t want a 6.4 at all myself.

 

[NH RAM]

I'd pass, the 2018 crew cab, short bed with 3.73 gears is only rated to tow 12,630#. Even with 4.10's I'd be cautious with the 66rfe towing heavy.
I feel like the 2019+ 6.4 with 8 speed would do okay, but 13,000 dry weight is probably going to be nearing 15,000 loaded out, which will require 4.10 gears.

 

[Moose2]

without knowing the max tow rating for that truck I'm gonna say you won't be happy with it unless you are on all flat ground. Your wet weight will likely be closer to 14,000. Not sure I'd want to do that even with my 4.10's

Lol! I’d pull a house with 4:10s, even with the gas engine.

 

[Firebird]

You will hate that 6 speed trans. I had the exact truck you describe, and that 6 speed was awful. My 2019 6.4 with 8 speed and 4.10 gears was substantially and measurably a better truck!

 

[Bearcatrp]

Step up to a 8 speed if your going gas. Makes a big difference. My 2017 6 speed 3/4 ton sucked going through big hills. Moved up to a 1 ton 2021 Ram long bed. Registration is half the cost of a 3/4 ton. I have a 50 gallon gas tank. Just pulled it up a 6% grade this past weekend. Pulled great. RPM’s stayed around 3000 while my 3/4 ton on the same grade ran over 4000 rpm’s. Am so glade I stayed with the 6.4.

 

[OC455]

Need to pull fifth wheel with a 13000 lb dry weight. Looking to buy 2018 Ram 2500 6.4l. Having a hard time finding one with 4.10 rear axle. Whould I be risking breaking my truck if I bought a 3.73. Most diesel options are not in my budget.

You'd be over max on that truck. My dually has a max towing of 13792lbs. and I have 3.73 gears. The dry weight of that trailer would put me over too.

 

[Robert Fly]

I'm towing a 9,000# 5th wheel with a 2016 1500 with 5.7 and 3.92 gears. That 2500 should do you just fine.

 

[Moose2]

You'd be over max on that truck. My dually has a max towing of 13792lbs. and I have 3.73 gears. The dry weight of that trailer would put me over too.

So you just like big hips? Yet another good point to get the Cummins powered 3500. Big hips all the way.

 

[jaerbaer1]

I had a 6.4 with 3:73 gears. Was fine except in the mountains. I wish it had had 4:10 gears.

 

[OC455]

So you just like big hips? Yet another good point to get the Cummins powered 3500. Big hips all the way.

Yeah, but I have a ridiculous payload...if I had 4.10's I would be closer 17k to 18k towing.

 

[JRs 17 Ram]

Break your truck? No, probably not. Unless you like pulling that trailer at 25 mph up the hills and watching your gas gauge drop while doing it then you’ll probably hate it. I had a ‘17 and pulled a 2000 lb cargo trailer through Wyoming, with the headwind I got 4-5 mpg. I’d find a diesel, it will pay off in the long run.

 

[Irishthreeper]

My ‘21 2500 6.4 w/4.10’s pulls our 5W very well but it’s only 8400 dry. If you’re at 14,000+ lbs you need a 3500 Cummins. Don’t make the mistake of a 2500 Cummins, you’d be over payload with hitch weight alone.

 

[Moose2]

My ‘21 2500 6.4 w/4.10’s pulls our 5W very well but it’s only 8400 dry. If you’re at 14,000+ lbs you need a 3500 Cummins. Don’t make the mistake of a 2500 Cummins, you’d be over payload with hitch weight alone.

I 2nd that. Been there done that with the 2500 cummins. Ok for local trips, but upgraded for long distance peace of mind.

 

[David F]

Nope. you gotta go to the one ton. Best with the diesel. I pull a 9980 dry weight trailer with my 2500, would not go more size without going up to 3500.

 

[David Langford]

According to the tow guide, 2108 6.4l with 3.72 gears, 6 speed, 2WD CC, standard bed max tow is 12,940#, 4WD is 12,630#. Long Bed, 2WD is 12,810#, LB, 4WD is 11,030#. 2018 Trailer Towing Guide

 

[Dean2]

All of these towing threads basically devolve into "can you" versus "should you". The formula is bone simple for should, the factors have been repeated dozens of times in the last month alone on a whole wack of threads. Even the guy asking the question knows the answer, or how to calculated it, they are just looking for someone to tell them MOPAR is wrong and go ahead and ignore them. Personally, I stick at least close to the published info for regular use and everyday occurrences, but the odd exception is where the judgement comes in and no on can do that for you. Best of luck.

 

[copcarguy]

The truck you described will be overloaded.

My ‘21 3500 CCLB 4x4 gas has a 14,320lb. towing capacity with 3.73’s. Had I gotten 4.10’s it would be over 16K.

A good rule of thumb is to get a trailer about 75% of your trucks rating so you have room for passengers, fuel, supplies, and everything else you’ll be bringing along with you.

 

[sam darakjy]

Need to pull fifth wheel with a 13000 lb dry weight. Looking to buy 2018 Ram 2500 6.4l. Having a hard time finding one with 4.10 rear axle. Whould I be risking breaking my truck if I bought a 3.73. Most diesel options are not in my budget.

I have a 2018 2500 Tradesman with 3.73 and my max towing 13093