Hemi vs Pentastar - Towing Recommendations

[Travelin Ram]

If you don’t want to stress the truck, get the Hemi. The Pentastar will be working hard to drag that much.

 

[pacofortacos]

I wouldn't want to tow high elevation often with the V6.

Hemi with 3.21 gears OR if you are going to upgrade the trailer in a few years then go 3.92. The 3.21 gear empty will give close to the V6 mpg when empty on the highway.

 

[gfh77665]

We occasionally travel in mountainous areas, such as the Cascades, Kootenays, or crossing the Rockies. Don't need to hurry much, but don't want to overheat or stress the drivetrain.

For occasional use, and "not in a hurry", both options will work well. Get the lower gears (3.55 or 3.92) if you get the Pentastar. Its certainly within its capability if you choose.

 

[star_deceiver]

Thanks. Is the E-torque 3.6 noticeably better for towing compared to the regular 3.6?

I have a ’21 classic warlock. No E-torque.

 

[Ratman6161]

For occasional use, and "not in a hurry", both options will work well. Get the lower gears (3.55 or 3.92) if you get the Pentastar. Its certainly within its capability if you choose.

Yes, for occasional use and not in a hurry. But if you want to be on the road a lot, I highly recommend the 2500 + 6.4. Being retired, about 80% of the miles I put on my truck are towing the travel trailer, though mine is a bit bigger at 8736 GVWR and about 7,600 as we load it. I want those miles to be leisurely as in never worrying about being over loaded or what its going to feel like when a semi passes me

 

[star_deceiver]

Yes, for occasional use and not in a hurry. But if you want to be on the road a lot, I highly recommend the 2500 + 6.4.

The 6.4 is great…. But it will never pass a gas station and Victoria stop and go garbage traffic will suck gas like no tomorrow.

Gas in Victoria is currently $1.76L so about $190-200 to fill the tank of a 3500.… if you don’t use 89… every time you need to fill the tank. It also got the same 25-35L/100kms towing.

Even with the V6 and this trailer, rigs never pass.

 

[Ratman6161]

The 6.4 is great…. But it will never pass a gas station and Victoria stop and go garbage traffic will suck gas like no tomorrow.

Gas in Victoria is currently $1.76L so about $190-200 to fill the tank.… if you don’t use 89… every time you need to fill the tank. It also got the same 25-35L/100kms towing.

Even with the V6 and this trailer, rigs never pass.

View attachment 513807

I guess it all depends where you are. Where I live I filled up the other day for $60 US. Of course I always use 87 because that's what my owners manual says to use. My trailer is also quite a bit bigger. I used to tow one your size with a GMC Canyon...which I definitely don't recommend but not because the engine (also a 3.6) wasn't powerfull enough.

Interestingly, pulling the smaller trailer with the Canyon, I got about 8 MPG. Pulling that same trailer with my next truck, a Sierra 1500 with the 6.2L V8, I still got 8 MPG. Now, pulling the bigger trailer (30 footer at around 7600 pounds) and the Ram 6.4, it's once again about 8 MPG. three different trucks and two different trailers and fuel economy has been the same accross the board. My theory is that the barn door aerodynamics of a travel trailer make a bigger impact than weight which is why the three trucks are all the same when towing. The Canyon and Sierra both got much better economy when NOT towing, but being retired that doesn't matter so much .

 

[star_deceiver]

This 37’ behemoth was the trailer I had before the Coachman. 8-9 mpg was the norm…. But the 6.4 was capable of much worse mpg when you got over 75mph and the winds picked up! Very capable but very thirsty.

I don’t miss trying to find campsites big enough with that trailer.

 

[Daily Driver44]

You never mentioned if you had a "weight distribution hitch".
they will help replant your suspension so as to not bottom out the rear of the truck which in and of itself can cause drivability problems.

to that end, both engines will gladly do the job. v6's usually pull/ tow fine.
if you haul on the daily then i would go with the v8 for longevity if nothing else.

 

[gfh77665]

If the OP is not towing 99.9%, or even 99.8% of the time, choose accordingly.