First "long" Tow

[Pickles]

'15 Ram 1500 CC, Hemi, 3.21 gears, towing a CruiserRV Viewfinder Signature 28BHOB (figure a shade over 7K lbs loaded up)

First big tow was this last weekend - from just outside Sacramento to Tehachapi. Approx 700 miles round trip.

First thing - yes, this should probably be towed by a 3/4 ton, but my truck did the job fine and is within spec.

Second - the Ram felt great - or as good as can be expected. I mean, towing an almost 32' trailer behind you is going to cause some wind problems no matter what you drive (esp as a bumper pull), but there were zero "holy *****" moments on the 350 mile drive either to or from Tehachapi.

Third - I REALLY LOVE how this truck pulls on hills. From Bakersfield to Tehachapi is about 5000ft positive elevation change over 35ish miles, and this truck has the guts to pull it no problem.

Temps - At the highest, killing it coming up the hill, my temps were as follows
Coolant - 228F
Trans - 203F
Oil - 264F
This was at the end of 30miles, uphill.

Temps on normal towing (flat)
Coolant - 203F
Trans - 187F
Oil - 230F

Outside temp was min 89F, max 99F while towing.

Any thoughts that I should be looking at oil/trans coolers?

 

[MADDOG]

If you don't already have a trans and engine oil cooler set, I'd add them for the additional cooling they provide. Don't forget that adding them also adds to your lubricant capacity.

 

[cableguy_hd]

On my pull Saturday I closely watched my temps for almost 6 hrs. I have an express that came with factory engine and tranny coolers. My coolant got no higher than 212 just going up hills and stayed 204-6 on flat but temps for as high as 93. Tranny stayed on 154 most of the way but got to 164 and oil climbed to 228 at the end of the day.

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

As a note, the 8 speed is set up from the factory to run "hotter" than the 5/6 speed. It actually has a "thermal control unit" to warm it up faster. Mine consistently runs 180-190 all of the time, no load.

I know heat is the enemy, just stating these trans are ok a little warmer than what used to be "normal"

 

[14hemiexpress]

Second the 8 speed is designed to run hotter than the 5/6 speeds. Engine oil 230 is no problems just run synthedic oil, conventional oil prematurely breaks down in the mid 200's(it still takes time to break down it just speeds up the process) and synthdeics do the same in the mid 300's so if you plan on towing heavy just run synthdeics, and most people with the 8 speed run 180 ish so no issues.

 

[Pickles]

Thanks all -

Yeah, I run RP in the truck, so I'm not too worried about breakdown of the engine oil - more worried about any metal flex or weakening by that much heat staying in the block for so long.

 

[dhay13]

i pulled my new boat home last week. according to the previous owner it weighs about 8500lbs with trailer. i have a '13 QC 4x4 hemi with 6 speed and 3.55s with tow package. i posted this in another thread but pretty sure my water was around 205-210, oil went no higher than 230 and trans around 170. it was mostly flat and about 70* out. it was about a 60 mile trip. truck pulled awesome. hardly knew it was there

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

Nice run, Pickles. My numbers were close to yours really getting down on it on some good grades last week and I'm just shy of 1k heavier than your wind catcher. Granted, my elevation change wasn't as severe as yours. Been at this for about 11 months straight now and I'd say yer numbers are spot on for that kind of workout. Ain't these things fun when you sit back and let 'em run? [emoji57]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

 

[Jerry1984]

I also hit 260 range oil temp on my last tow. I'm heading up next week so I will see if it's more of the same now that the temps outside are much higher than the last time I towed.

 

[cbarnha3]

I got a 14 sport cc with tow package and factory air ride. Got a 350 pound slider 5th wheel hitch and a 10k 36ft camper. I've seen barely any temp changes in any trip I've taken. These trucks are built to tow cause I've never felt out of control. Mine also has 3.92 and it pulls the hell out of it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pickles]

Nice run, Pickles. My numbers were close to yours really getting down on it on some good grades last week and I'm just shy of 1k heavier than your wind catcher. Granted, my elevation change wasn't as severe as yours. Been at this for about 11 months straight now and I'd say yer numbers are spot on for that kind of workout. Ain't these things fun when you sit back and let 'em run? [emoji57]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

Agreed. My wife said that truckers were giving me odd looks as I screamed by them going up that hill towing a trailer 13 feet longer than the truck itself. hahaha

Damn I love this motor.

 

[dhay13]

well i just pulled my 8000lb boat again tonight. about a 15 mile trip on hills. my temps were fine. trans maxed at about 190. water about 210 and oil about 220. ambient was about 80*. i did go up a very steep hill from a standing start. i was at about 80% throttle and started getting nervous that i wouldn't make it. much steeper than a typical hill but only about 1/4 mile long and windy. other than that hill i had no issues at all. i have 3.55s with 6 speed

 

[RamRodRic]

I got a 14 sport cc with tow package and factory air ride. Got a 350 pound slider 5th wheel hitch and a 10k 36ft camper. I've seen barely any temp changes in any trip I've taken. These trucks are built to tow cause I've never felt out of control. Mine also has 3.92 and it pulls the hell out of it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would love to see pics of yer setup.
My towing temps run approx. 205 water, 215 oil, 140 trans w /the 6 speed.
I know she's working when oil goes to 235 or more and tranny to 160 or up. Max I've seen is 215 water, 250 oil, 167 tranny.

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

My averages are 212 coolant, 188 tranny and 250 oil. Pickles, what were your rpm's in the meat of that climb?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

 

[regularcab2500]

I got a 14 sport cc with tow package and factory air ride. Got a 350 pound slider 5th wheel hitch and a 10k 36ft camper. I've seen barely any temp changes in any trip I've taken. These trucks are built to tow cause I've never felt out of control. Mine also has 3.92 and it pulls the hell out of it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thats actually pretty dangerous. Your truck is not designed to haul a 5th wheel trailer and while it might be more stable than a bumper pull, youre still pulling way too much trailer for that truck. Now there are several people on here who tow too much for their truck but it doesnt make it right. I would guess the pin weight puts you easily over gvwr too. Just because you can do it doesnt mean you should. Besides being illegal, its unsafe.

 

[PippinAin'tEasy]

Woopwoop

 

[audio1der]

Nobody who pulls/hauls too much wants to hear it though.
The best most of us can do is be extra safe and alert on the roads in case something goes "sideways".

 

[smurfs_of_war]

I don't want to be a parrot, but regularcab2500 has a point. I think it would be a little different if that 5er didn't outweigh your truck by so much- but at that size your little 1500 is just along for the ride. That's dangerous. I won't be a hypocrite, I am over GVWR, but my little trailer weighs a lot less than that brute and is well under my rating. That 5er is a monster.

I don't want to derail though, so back to your regularly scheduled program

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

 

[cbarnha3]

No hard feelings about it. I was expecting it actually. If I felt in any danger or a danger to others I wouldn't tow the trailer. To be honest the truck raises itself to level automatically and pulls it with confidence as well as stopping. The truck has more brake power than you give it credit for. I drive very cautiously with it in tow, not because I have to but because that's how I drive on a daily basis. There's no need for me to upgrade trucks. I just wanted to inform everyone on what the capabilities of the truck is. We bought the camper after talking to ram engineers who talked me out of my doubts that truck could handle it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smurfs_of_war]

It's nice to see a guy who can take it on the chin a bit with class! good on ya!