Exceeding tow limit

[redvetram]

ive got a 2014 1500 SLT Big Horn with the V6 engine 3.21 gear ratio. Only has 37,000 miles. My tranny temp normally runs 190-195 not towing or hauling anything. Seems high to me, but maybe this is normal ?

I plan to tow a two horse trailer that is 4820 pound fully loaded. This exceeds the ridiculously low 4100 pound tow capacity of this truck. (It’s the gears that screw up the tow capacity...3.55 ratio increases the capacity to 7200 pounds, so my axles, suspension, brakes, etc are fine with this weight ) I’ve got the tow package and an antisway hitch and just plan on keeping an eye on engine and tranny temps. Mostly flat driving, anywhere from 20-60mph with an occasional short, steep hill on gravel roads to get to trailheads. Very rarely exceeding 30-50 miles one way. What kind of transmission temps would be too high.....max sustained temps vs an occasional spike on those short uphills? Anything special I should do besides putting it in the tow/haul mode?

And no, I’m not going to re-gear it or buy a new truck (both way too expensive). Just hoping I can make this work. I’ve been towing this same trailer with just one horse for 2 years, But it was only 3700 pounds then. The alternative is using my BF’s 1984 Suburban to tow, which isn’t nearly as cush as my truck

 

[BiGMERF]

Interested in seeing how to make out


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[Fitz-0518]

I do not think your tranny temp is high. You say you have a tow package. Then you have a transmission cooler. Changing the fluid and filters every 20-25k will help keep your tranny healthy. Sounds like you tow sensible. You understand you have a v-6 and that grade pulls are the risk.

 

[AFMoulton]

It can handle it just fine. The trans temp should stay below 250 if you can manage it. Best way to do it is, keep tow/haul off, and manually shift the gears. I would say keep the top end no higher than 5th, and if you see a hill coming down shift it to third to get your speed and RPM up, then keep RPM in the sweet spot about 3500 or more RPM and let the speed come off on the hills.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40
2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[crash68]

I'm guessing you have the 8 speed transmission, the 190° temp is normal. Critical high temp for these transmissions is 248° per ZF(designer of the trans). You'll probably see the engine coolant and oil temps go up considerable more than the trans.
Use the Tow/Haul mode, it will keep the shift points up around the torque peak of the engine and more aggressive downshifting for engine braking.

 

[22hemi13]

You prolly just gave about a dozen weight police an aneurysm.

 

[redvetram]

You prolly just gave about a dozen weight police an aneurysm.

Well considering the dozens and dozens of accidents, rollovers, delayed tragic, etc due to overweight (>60,000) vehicles, banned trailers, failed brakes and idiot drivers going over the 10% grade mountain pass near my house, I’m guessing the weight police aren’t particularly doing their jobs around here anyways. The fact that my tires aren’t bald, my brakes actually work (including the trailer brakes), I don’t have a suspended license, I know how to go downhill without burning up my brakes, I’m not a gawking tourist, I don’t pass on a double yellow line, I don’t drink and drive, and there’s not a warrant out for my arrest puts me WAY above most other drivers around here.

 

[GsRAM]

I think you will be fine. You seem sensible and know your limits so your already ahead of the game.

Your wise to ask questions here first though. Your V6 will work on the grades but let it work, you won't hurt it.

Not sure if the V6 has MDS, but when i tow i use tow/haul for the reasons mentioned by crash. I also put the trans in manual mode which for my 6.4 disables the mds and keeps all 8 holes lit all the time.

These new engines and transmissions run hot by design. In the summer towing i see engine oil temps in the mid 220s and trans 180 plus degrees.

I'm not 100% sure on this but I'd try to not let your trans temps exceed 250 degrees and if your up over 200 towing id change it more often and use good fluids.

I do my transmissions, transfer case and both diffs every 30k just for added insurance. Just my .02. Good luck.

 

[TRCM]

wow...don't remember ever seeing my transmission temp above 160...towing or not.

 

[Fitz-0518]

wow...don't remember ever seeing my transmission temp above 160...towing or not.

In the hotter climates of the south west they do run hotter. Always order the tow package on our trucks to get the trans cooler. Upgraded the one on my 03 5.7 to larger Hayden cooler. Reduced the tow temp by 10* in 90+ weather. Now have 235k miles on original trans.

 

[VernDiesel]

redvetram, As Crash said assuming you have the 8 speed 248 is critical trans temp according to ZF maker of the trans. GDE a tuner company has stated paraphrasing keeping it at or below 212 for sustained towing is best for fluid and trans life. Last if you don't have taller than stock tires and don't maintain above peak torque rpm whatever that is for that motor (guessing around 4k) you should not be putting excessive heat in the trans.

 

[geekything]

And no, I’m not going to re-gear it or buy a new truck (both way too expensive). Just hoping I can make this work. I’ve been towing this same trailer with just one horse for 2 years, But it was only 3700 pounds then. The alternative is using my BF’s 1984 Suburban to tow, which isn’t nearly as cush as my truck

I have a 2016 Pentastar and will be towing a 3000lb trailer. Wondering how your rig handled at 3700lbs? Were you able to make it up hills?

I know someone who isn't me who towed a 7000lbs toy hauler with the same truck. He just kept it slow.

 

[GsRAM]

I have a 2016 Pentastar and will be towing a 3000lb trailer. Wondering how your rig handled at 3700lbs? Were you able to make it up hills?

I know someone who isn't me who towed a 7000lbs toy hauler with the same truck. He just kept it slow.

3k should be no problem for your truck. When you are towing, regardless of size and weight you should take your time and drive slower. Remember it's not a speed contest. Most ST rated trailer tires are speed limited to 65 mph. Exceed that for too long and they can overheat and fail. Stopping distances also increase and at 3k you may need trailer brakes. Here in pa you do.

When I'm towing i take my time and be as cautious as possible. Towing is serious business and should be treated as such. I enjoy getting out there with my rig but i also know the risks and what can go wrong (quickly) if I'm not on top of my game.

Just my thoughts.

 

[McBroom]

I have a 2016 Pentastar and will be towing a 3000lb trailer. Wondering how your rig handled at 3700lbs? Were you able to make it up hills?

I know someone who isn't me who towed a 7000lbs toy hauler with the same truck. He just kept it slow.

Brother you should have no worries about towing 3K it’s good for upwards of 6K.


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[geekything]

Brother you should have no worries about towing 3K it’s good for upwards of 6K.

I have 3.21 gears, so I'm limited to 4400lbs But I've been told the 8-speed really makes a difference.

 

[McBroom]

I have 3.21 gears, so I'm limited to 4400lbs But I've been told the 8-speed really makes a difference.

It does and I got faith that ya can do it with no problem


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[redvetram]

I have a 2016 Pentastar and will be towing a 3000lb trailer. Wondering how your rig handled at 3700lbs? Were you able to make it up hills?

I know someone who isn't me who towed a 7000lbs toy hauler with the same truck. He just kept it slow.

I barely know the trailer’s back there.... even at 4800 pounds. Of course I’m hauling horses so I’m making slow gradual stops, turns and acceleration. But never had any problems going up hill. Even on 10-15% grade forest service roads.

The biggest difference with towing is that the mpg plummets. I usually get 20-24mpg, but it drops to 10-13 when towing. However, high speeds effect the gas mileage even more. Towed the trailer empty 3 hours at 85mph and got about 10mpg. Did the same 3 hours with one horse (so an extra 1100 pounds) but drove 70mph and got 13mpg.

 

[geekything]

I barely know the trailer’s back there.... even at 4800 pounds. Of course I’m hauling horses so I’m making slow gradual stops, turns and acceleration. But never had any problems going up hill. Even on 10-15% grade forest service roads.

The biggest difference with towing is that the mpg plummets. I usually get 20-24mpg, but it drops to 10-13 when towing. However, high speeds effect the gas mileage even more. Towed the trailer empty 3 hours at 85mph and got about 10mpg. Did the same 3 hours with one horse (so an extra 1100 pounds) but drove 70mph and got 13mpg.

You have no idea how much stress you've just removed from my life. My wife would divorce me if I had to go and buy a new truck (when I bought this one, it was for driving around town and occasionally putting a bit on junk in the back). It seems a common answer here is "you need to get a new truck"

I'm a bit of a nervous driver (bad car accident), so I'll definitely go slow. I would keep under or at the speed limit because of this.

Thank you for the MPG feedback. Hopefully, I'm a tiny bit better as the trailer is lighter and pretty aerodynamic

Do you have to keep in the ~4000rpm zone to do this? Or can you pull away at the more normal 1500-2000rpm? I'm a newbie, so this might be a dumb question.

From what I remember, SAE testing requires a hill start on 12% at full load. So it's reassuring that you're seeing climbing on 10-15% grades.

Thanks again.

 

[McBroom]

You have no idea how much stress you've just removed from my life. My wife would divorce me if I had to go and buy a new truck (when I bought this one, it was for driving around town and occasionally putting a bit on junk in the back). It seems a common answer here is "you need to get a new truck"

I'm a bit of a nervous driver (bad car accident), so I'll definitely go slow. I would keep under or at the speed limit because of this.

Thank you for the MPG feedback. Hopefully, I'm a tiny bit better as the trailer is lighter and pretty aerodynamic

Do you have to keep in the ~4000rpm zone to do this? Or can you pull away at the more normal 1500-2000rpm? I'm a newbie, so this might be a dumb question.

From what I remember, SAE testing requires a hill start on 12% at full load. So it's reassuring that you're seeing climbing on 10-15% grades.

Thanks again.

No = 4000 rpm
Just drive normal!!! The more you worry the more likely you will screw up. Just relax and let the truck do its job. Put it in tow/haul when you need to and the truck knows what it needs to do.


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[22hemi13]

You have no idea how much stress you've just removed from my life. My wife would divorce me if I had to go and buy a new truck (when I bought this one, it was for driving around town and occasionally putting a bit on junk in the back). It seems a common answer here is "you need to get a new truck"

I'm a bit of a nervous driver (bad car accident), so I'll definitely go slow. I would keep under or at the speed limit because of this.

Thank you for the MPG feedback. Hopefully, I'm a tiny bit better as the trailer is lighter and pretty aerodynamic

Do you have to keep in the ~4000rpm zone to do this? Or can you pull away at the more normal 1500-2000rpm? I'm a newbie, so this might be a dumb question.

From what I remember, SAE testing requires a hill start on 12% at full load. So it's reassuring that you're seeing climbing on 10-15% grades.

Thanks again.

“get a bigger truck” is a very popular answer around here lol. I do love it when I see a 3500 drw 4X4 lifted with a bed cover pulling a single wheel 10’ Trailer from tractor supply hauling a UTV I’m kinda a smart ass. I asked a guy one day how it pulled. He said great don’t even know it’s back there