Do I need to get a RAM 2500?

[vasi]

I made the mistake of buying the 6.4 over the diesel. My last to Rams we’re Cummins and I’m so sorry I didn’t do the same on this truck but to late to go back. No comparison at all.

I hope I won’t regret my decision. I’m worried about it

 

[vasi]

I have a 2018 6.4 2500 and have been very happy. I came off a 2003 5.7 2500 and enjoyed it the entire time. Agree with other posters, it is more than just engine and horsepower. A safe rule of thumb, which varies, is to have a trailer at a percentage less than max to account for all the stuff we add at the last minute. With the proper weight distribution hitch and other required materials you will, if nothing else, never sweat the entire trip wondering if you are as safe as you could be. Good luck, and enjoy.

I will pick it up tomorrow will see how it goes. If I tow with it and it doesn’t meet my expectations do I have to take it?

 

[Motoman501]

Lots of good info here. I sold my 2015 Cummins and bought a 2019 2500 with the 6.4. The Hemi tows my 31 foot 8500lb travel trailer fine. I absolutely hated the transmission in my diesel, the 8 speed in the Hemi is magic.

Although many would say a 1500 would tow my trailer the problem was with payload. My brother's Ram 1500 has about 1450lbs of payload, mine has 3300lbs. With all the crap in the bed, the dog, and five people, I would never be able to stay under the payload with a 1500. With the 2500, I don't need to worry about what I'm loading up.

My previous trailer was a toy hauler and they are tongue heavy. Fully loaded you are going to have a much better towing experience with the 2500.

 

[vasi]

This morning I watched a video of a 2500 ram with a hemi tow a 7200 pound travel trailer. The truck struggled. Constantly downshifting with high rpm and low speed. I felt sick as I watch the video. It seems I’ve made another expensive mistake.

A few days ago, I went to the dealer he found the truck I wanted with everything I wanted with a gas engine, it was a few hundred miles away. so, he dad it delivered and I’m supposed to pick it up today. Financing has been done and the paperwork signed.

Am I obligated to keep the truck?

 

[smurfs_of_war]

This morning I watched a video of a 2500 ram with a hemi tow a 7200 pound travel trailer. The truck struggled. Constantly downshifting with high rpm and low speed. I felt sick as I watch the video. It seems I’ve made another expensive mistake.

A few days ago, I went to the dealer he found the truck I wanted with everything I wanted with a gas engine, it was a few hundred miles away. so, he dad it delivered and I’m supposed to pick it up today. Financing has been done and the paperwork signed.

Am I obligated to keep the truck?

Don't take that one video as proof- that's like using google to diagnose a medical issue.

Lots of people using the 2500 6.4 to pull way bigger trailers than what you have- happily I might add. I had a '15 2500 6.4 that I used for anything up to 10k, and it had no issues at all. The engine is up to the task, and the 8 speed is light years ahead of the 6 speed.

Just relax a bit. I think you'll be surprised once you actually hook up.

 

[runamuck]

not sure how a late model 2500 with the hemi could have any problem towing a trailer of 7200#..

 

[vasi]

My trailer loaded will be about 10,000 pounds. I don’t want to struggle up a hill in second gear at 40 miles an hour

I wish I could test the diesel and the gas engine with my trailer but I’m not able to do that

Seems like I should be able to do that since this is a lot of money.

I think I’m going to regret not getting the more powerful diesel

 

[smurfs_of_war]

I think you've already talked yourself into regretting it which is a shame. Hopefully it works out for you though.

 

[mtnrider]

This morning I watched a video of a 2500 ram with a hemi tow a 7200 pound travel trailer. The truck struggled. Constantly downshifting with high rpm and low speed. I felt sick as I watch the video. It seems I’ve made another expensive mistake.

A few days ago, I went to the dealer he found the truck I wanted with everything I wanted with a gas engine, it was a few hundred miles away. so, he dad it delivered and I’m supposed to pick it up today. Financing has been done and the paperwork signed.

Am I obligated to keep the truck?

You are going to have to talk to the dealer about that one since you already signed for it? I would have never signed the papers before actually getting my hands on the truck. When I bought mine the dealer had it shipped in but I didn't sign anything until it arrived and I looked at it, drove it and gave the ok. They kind of got you on that one I'm afraid.

And I agree with the above^ You are already hating it so you will never be happy with it at this point. Best to cut you losses now and get what you want. I made that mistake once. Went in to get the diesel and got wowed by the power wagon and bought it instead. Awesome truck but was not what I really needed and hated the gas engine in the end. Traded it after 11 months for what I really wanted. Expensive mistake but much happier now.

There is no doubt the gas will pull that trailer but at this point you will never be happy with it.

.
.

 

[Motoman501]

I agree with the above posts but maybe I can give a little insight as I’ve recently owned both the diesel and the Hemi. As previously stated, my trailer loaded is probably around 8500lbs and my wife packs everything we own when we camp. I also am hauling 5 people and a yellow lab. I tow at 4000-8000ft of elevation and its often windy. With the diesel I could pull Donner Pass in the Sierras at 65mph cruising along at maybe 1700rpms with no strain and little effort. The same pass with the Hemi, I can still go 60-65 mph but at 3800rpms. No struggle to hold that speed but the engine is turning a lot faster. It took me a while to get used to it coming from the diesel but the 8 speed in the newer 2500 is really good. The Hemi will absolutely shift a lot more, mine does frequently when towing.

In my opinion your Hemi will be fine for your set up. If you won’t be happy with the engine running higher rpms and want to effortlessly climb any mountain, the diesel will be better. Honestly, if I was towing frequently or all over the country, I would go back to diesel. The effortless towing is great on long trips. I tow maybe five times per year and I feel the Hemi is a much better daily driver.

 

[Firetruck41]

A lot of times they have you sign stuff to make you feel obligated, but they may not actually obligate you, until you actually recieve it and sign off the final paperwork. You will have to review what you signed to really know...

 

[Jim M]

I think you've already talked yourself into regretting it which is a shame. Hopefully it works out for you though.

I agree. Talk your self right out of worrying! I towed a 6300 dry/7500 loaded travel trailer 6000 miles from Michigan to BC and back, through mountains, wind and rain with a 2019 1500 Limited. Only problem was managing the payload because storage was mostly in the front of the trailer and keeping the speed down in the wind. I would have said to just try your 1500 and see if it handled your rig. I wavered between upgrading to a 2500 and when the 1500 was totaled, I had my chance. But I stayed with the 1500, this time a 2020 with e-torque and Rambox. You won't regret your 2500!

 

[Sandevino]

I think you’ve talked yourself out of a perfectly capable vehicle.

 

[mtofell]

I'd personally skip anything without at least an 8spd tranny (gas or diesel). I'm running the 2014 6.4 Hemi 3.73 gears and it's a fine truck but the tranny absolutely sucks balls. The thought of "upgrading" to a truck (even a diesel) with the same tranny gearing is laughable. I'd just wait if that was my choice.

I'm running an 11,500# 5th wheel and the idea of this beast 6.4 Hemi paired with an 8spd tranny is an absolute dream. I previously owned a very capable and well liked diesel (2006 Duramax LBZ) and it towed very nicely but it really wasn't THAT magical. 10,000# is a load no matter what you are pulling with. These message boards get overrun with diesel fanboys that talk as though diesel fuel is magic pixie dust.

OP, I'm on my 5th RV and 4th truck in the last 25 years so I've got some experience with this. Unfortunately the two large purchases (truck and trailer) don't always coincide in an ideal manner. Back in 2014 I had a smaller trailer and it was fine with my 6.4 Hemi. I still get by even with the crappy tranny. If I were buying a truck today to pair with my 5th wheel I'd absolutely go with the Hemi and 8spd tranny. All reports I've read are extremely positive well above my (an your) weight.

 

[Quyonmob]

That truck will tow that beautifully. Yes, it will shift lots, that the beauty of the 8spd, it keeps it in it’s power band better. Yes it will rev, modern gas motors like RPM to get work done.

You bought the perfect truck.

 

[vasi]

I went to the dealership on Friday, quite distressed. I spoke with the fleet manager and explained to him my concerns. He said “here’s the keys go out and drive it.”

I drove it and was quite impressed with the power and acceleration. I then drove my 1500 and there is a significant difference, more than I expected. So I decided that the 2500 with a hemi would be fine. Because the hitch needed adjusted I had to wait in untill Saturday to tow with it

I drove from St. George Utah to Cedar city. This route has many steep uphill segments. Of course, there are many routes that have much deeper grades but this would be a good test of average

The truck was stable with no sway and no significant pitch. I was quite pleased with the handling.

Level: 65 miles per hour: 2100 rpm

Uphill : 70 miles an hour: 4500 RPM

I wish I had a chance to chill with a diesel to compare.

I do not to drive faster than 70 miles an hour when toeing, unless I need to pass someone, so the HEMI has the power and torque to do this.

It seems that was is bothering me is the high rpm, although I suppose the engine can handle 4500 RPM for a long time

As with everything, this is a compromise. I want a gas powered truck that tows like a diesel powered truck. And that is just not possible, although I really don’t know why. Why can’t a gas engine be designed and built with more torque?

So, my conclusion is that my 2500 with the hemi does what I want it to do. It just does it a higher RPM than I prefer.

The trailer weight during this drive was about 600 pounds less the the operational weight because I have not loaded my motorcycle

 

[RamClassic LI]

I went to the dealership on Friday, quite distressed. I spoke with the fleet manager and explained to him my concerns. He said “here’s the keys go out and drive it.”

I drove it and was quite impressed with the power and acceleration. I then drove my 1500 and there is a significant difference, more than I expected. So I decided that the 2500 with a hemi would be fine. Because the hitch needed adjusted I had to wait in untill Saturday to tow with it

I drove from St. George Utah to Cedar city. This route has many steep uphill segments. Of course, there are many routes that have much deeper grades but this would be a good test of average

The truck was stable with no sway and no significant pitch. I was quite pleased with the handling.

Level: 65 miles per hour: 2100 rpm

Uphill : 70 miles an hour: 4500 RPM

I wish I had a chance to chill with a diesel to compare.

I do not to drive faster than 70 miles an hour when toeing, unless I need to pass someone, so the HEMI has the power and torque to do this.

It seems that was is bothering me is the high rpm, although I suppose the engine can handle 4500 RPM for a long time

As with everything, this is a compromise. I want a gas powered truck that tows like a diesel powered truck. And that is just not possible, although I really don’t know why. Why can’t a gas engine be designed and built with more torque?

So, my conclusion is that my 2500 with the hemi does what I want it to do. It just does it a higher RPM than I prefer.

The trailer weight during this drive was about 600 pounds less the the operational weight because I have not loaded my motorcycle

you said it perfectly in regards to performing at a higher rpm. I was in a smile or situation as you regarding “motor”. Eventually in the future I will purchase a diesel but in the meantime no matter which has motor I choose they all will need to run at a higher rpm to achieve the power needed to tow. And you are also correct I regards that these new motor as are designed to run at higher rpms for a extended period of time. I have a small hybrid with a wet weight of 5500lbs and towed it at one point with. V6 Ram and Hemi Durango, the power of the Hemi was great but both gas motors needed to rev to achieve max power for towing the trailer, the Hemi was able to manage it better. Congrats on the new truck!! You made a great choice, the Ram 2500 are nice trucks!

 

[crash68]

Level: 65 miles per hour: 2100 rpm

Uphill : 70 miles an hour: 4500 RPM

I wish I had a chance to chill with a diesel to compare.

I do not to drive faster than 70 miles an hour when toeing, unless I need to pass someone, so the HEMI has the power and torque to do this.

It seems that was is bothering me is the high rpm, although I suppose the engine can handle 4500 RPM for a long time

With the CTD you probably wouldn't break 2K rpms climbing the hill pretty much effortlessly. Keep in mind the CTD makes more torque just above idle that the Hemi does at it's peak, and makes over double the torque. The CTD rpm pretty much maxs out at about 3K rpm where as the Hemi is 5800. The CTD is also a medium duty truck engine (pickups are considered light duty), it's designed to handle a lot more than anything a pickup truck could throw at it.
It's not the Hemi that can't handle running the the elevated rpms, it's the owner.

 

[vasi]

With the CTD you probably wouldn't break 2K rpms climbing the hill pretty much effortlessly. Keep in mind the CTD makes more torque just above idle that the Hemi does at it's peak, and makes over double the torque. The CTD rpm pretty much maxs out at about 3K rpm where as the Hemi is 5800. The CTD is also a medium duty truck engine (pickups are considered light duty), it's designed to handle a lot more than anything a pickup truck could throw at it.
It's not the Hemi that can't handle running the the elevated rpms, it's the owner.

Well said! So, what I will do is accept the higher RPM.

Is there a built-in feature that restricts the engine from exceeding 5800 RPM?

 

[crash68]

Is there a built-in feature that restricts the engine from exceeding 5800 RPM?

The ECM should keep you from over revving the engine via the throttle but that's not to say if you force a down shift or let the truck get away from you on the hills that the rpms could get dangerous. The new 8spd will downshift to control speed if the cruise is set, it TCU is smarter than the average bear when it comes to shifting.
A gasser will engine brake naturally due to the throttle butterfly where as the CTD uses the turbo vanes to control engine braking.