Looking at the 6.4. Need info.

[Robert Meier]

Except for the F250 I bought back in July 2020 I have had 5 Rams in the past. The F250 pulls my travel trailer ok but I really want another Ram. I guess I'm looking at the 6.4 with 8 speed transmission as I just can't afford the diesel 4x4. If anyone is currently pulling with the 6.4 please tell me your thoughts and maybe the weight your are pulling and any other info you are willing to divulge. My trailer weighs approx. 7100 lbs loaded. Thanks.

 

[Firebird]

I’m pulling a travel trailer at roughly 9000 pounds loaded, 6.4 with 4.10 gears and 8 speed. I absolutely love the truck! Handles my trailer very well.

 

[14hemiexpress]

I pull a camper loaded 8200lbs pulls great. 6.4l 8 spd 3.73. I’m not sure I would do a ton of mountains but I pulled through smaller mountains in Oklahoma and it kept speed fine. I don’t have a good way to compare it to the Ford so this is a biased opinion.

 

[SniperDroid]

Like you, I had an older model Ford Power Stroke F250 before. It was rated at 12,500 for towing. My 2500 Bighorn 6.4l, 8 speed, 3.73 is rated at 14,500 for towing, 3900 lbs cargo. We have a 29 ft Coachman Catalina 263RLS. Never put it on a scale loaded, but I figure it's about 7200 pounds. The Ram Pulls it like a dream. It's a gas hog, but it gets the job done in exchange. You won't be sorry with the RAM!

 

[HEMIMANN]

I tow a contractor trailer for occasional contractor work for myself (I'm retired). Loaded trailer is 6-7k pounds. I have 3.73 gears and a Diablosport Pulsar Edge Tuner. In tow mode, the thing gets up and goes like an unloaded 5.7. Don't need 4.10 gears except for higher in the GCVWR load range.

If I was buying again, I'd get the exact same thing. I was considering another 1500 but with ECO diesel instead of 5.7 Hemi, but then I'd have to screw around with aftermarket load leveling and lift assist. My 1st 1500 squatted badly with load. I've read the factory air bags freeze up in winter due to lack of air dryer on suspension system. Don't need any such bandaids on a 2500.

 

[OC455]

Did a short trip with my truck, 6.4, 8sp, 3.73, to get the travel trailer inspected, towed well. Wasn't loaded out for travel, but still enough to make it heavier than it's dry weight.

 

[SKS 800]

I had a 2018 3500, 6.4 w/ a 4.10 axle and 6 speed, now I have a 2021 3500, 6.4 w/ 4.10 axle and 8 speed. I pull a cargo trailer that weighs between 5000 and 7000 lbs. depending on how it is loaded, and a 33' fifth wheel that is 12,000 lbs. wet. Both trucks pull very good, the 8 speed is definitely better. I do not go over any mountains but there are some big hills in my area and they do well, but not as a good as a diesel. One large hill the 6 speed will be in second gear at 50 MPH going up, have not had the 8 speed there yet.

With the cargo trailer on I get between 8 and 10 MPG and with the fifth wheel I get between 6 and 9 MPG. And that is the same with either transmission.

I would definitely recommend the 8speed and 4.10 axle.

 

[Aelwulf]

My 2017 with the 6.4L, 3.73 gears, and 6-speed transmission towed 6-7k and barely noticed it was there. At least compared to my '99 5.9L 1500. The new one with the 4.10 & 8-speed I imagine should be even better (especially with comments here).

 

[cms1528]

check these vids out, might offer some insight...

 

[Ramrodd]

We just got back from a trip to the Florida Keys from Upstate SC. We have a TT that is between 7 and 8k and I’m pretty sure it was more towards the 8k mark on this trip. I had zero issues with the truck which is a 2019 2500 bighorn 6.4 with 3.73 ratio. Got 8 to 11 mpg never went over 65mph.I have also towed in the Smokey mountains of TN and NC with no issues and is easy to handle. Put it on cruise and let it work.


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[Wickenburg Geezer]

I've towed big fivers with two different Ram 2500 and 3500. Sweet towing. Went to a 2011 Ford 150 Eco Boost with a smaller travel trailer. Adequate but not near as much "fun". Now have a 2020 Ram with 6.4 and 8 speed. Sweet drive but lousy mileage. BUT it will take me a years and years to make up for higher mpg and $10K additional for the diesel.

 

[dhay13]

You won't have any issues at all towing 8000lbs with a 6.4. Mine is a 2018 with 4.10's and I have towed a 9300lb 37' TT with no issues at all. I also tow my 8900lb boat and took it up a 1 mile hill with a 7% grade and had no problem at all staying at 45MPH, maybe 1/2 throttle the whole way up. My son has the same truck as me and tows his 8100lb TT all over the country about 8000 miles so far and has had no issues at all. I would feel confident up to at least 11,000lbs with my truck. The 9300lbs was very easy and hardly knew it was there. 12,000 may even be ok but I would want to try it before saying it would be ok. I get about 7.5-8 MPG towing that heavy. Slightly better with the boat due to aerodynamics

 

[loveracing1988]

Apparently I'm in the minority but after having both the 6.4 and a HO cummins I'll never own another gas motor again. There is no comparison when towing between the two, it is so much easier and less stress with a diesel it is borderline boring to tow with this truck. Mileage isn't that much different when towing, I am averaging 10 towing my fifth wheel vs the 8.5-9.5 I'd get with the 6.4 but empty I am averaging 16 vs 12-13 with my 6.4.

 

[crash68]

Apparently I'm in the minority but after having both the 6.4 and a HO cummins I'll never own another gas motor again. There is no comparison when towing between the two, it is so much easier and less stress with a diesel it is borderline boring to tow with this truck..

Not in the minority, chances are those that say the 6.4 towed the trailer like it wasn't there have not towed with a Cummins.

 

[dhay13]

Not in the minority, chances are those that say the 6.4 towed the trailer like it wasn't there have not towed with a Cummins.

Might be true but when I say I had no issues towing 9300lbs why would I NEED to buy a diesel? Now I have to spend an extra $10,000 and worry about payload issues when towing heavy. Mine towed it with ease and I don't have any of those issues to worry about. If I was towing 12.000 or more then maybe a 3500 Cummins would be ideal but a 2500 Cummins likely won't be legal towing that heavy

 

[1500ram12]

Not in the minority, chances are those that say the 6.4 towed the trailer like it wasn't there have not towed with a Cummins.

That is true. I've towed with both. The 6.4L doesn't necessarily struggle on most occasions but needs to be in higher rpms. It's possible what some meant (if this was their first 3/4-1 ton truck) when they said "like it wasn't even there" was, yes when towing with the 6.4L, overall you don't necessarily "notice" you are towing because of the HD suspension. My 2012 1500 just towing a 5x10 trailer with a lawnmower, you knew it was there.


2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman
1990 5.9L 12v Cummins W250

 

[Ramrodd]

Apparently I'm in the minority but after having both the 6.4 and a HO cummins I'll never own another gas motor again. There is no comparison when towing between the two, it is so much easier and less stress with a diesel it is borderline boring to tow with this truck. Mileage isn't that much different when towing, I am averaging 10 towing my fifth wheel vs the 8.5-9.5 I'd get with the 6.4 but empty I am averaging 16 vs 12-13 with my 6.4.

Yes but we’re comparing the 6.4 2500 to a 5.7 1500. There a night and day difference. If money was no problem I would go with a 3500 Diesel dually limited or even a larger truck with a huge fifth wheel. But I can’t see spending that much money for a diesel. I do agree that diesel will tow with ease.


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[crash68]

Might be true but when I say I had no issues towing 9300lbs why would I NEED to buy a diesel? Now I have to spend an extra $10,000 and worry about payload issues when towing heavy. Mine towed it with ease and I don't have any of those issues to worry about. If I was towing 12.000 or more then maybe a 3500 Cummins would be ideal but a 2500 Cummins likely won't be legal towing that heavy

Did I say you needed to buy a diesel? or did I even mention you? NO
Maybe if you supercharged the 6.4 it might get close to what it's like towing with a Cummins. While you 6.4 is back pedaling through the gears and the engine rpms are starting to scream, the Cummins holds it's rpms and just builds boost pressure for the climb(we won't even mention auto engine/turbo braking on the back side). Hearing a turbo build boost is a lot less annoying then the rpms of a Hemi. The 6.7 CTD and 6.4 Hemi are not even in the same class of engine and when a CTD makes more torque just over idle than a 6.4 produces it's a whole different level of go when hustling a load.
If and when they figure out how to pack enough energy into an electric HD truck, any of the diesel engines found in any of the consumers trucks will still be tops for towing.

 

[dhay13]

Did I say you needed to buy a diesel? or did I even mention you? NO
Maybe if you supercharged the 6.4 it might get close to what it's like towing with a Cummins. While you 6.4 is back pedaling through the gears and the engine rpms are starting to scream, the Cummins holds it's rpms and just builds boost pressure for the climb(we won't even mention auto engine/turbo braking on the back side). Hearing a turbo build boost is a lot less annoying then the rpms of a Hemi. The 6.7 CTD and 6.4 Hemi are not even in the same class of engine and when a CTD makes more torque just over idle than a 6.4 produces it's a whole different level of go when hustling a load.
If and when they figure out how to pack enough energy into an electric HD truck, any of the diesel engines found in any of the consumers trucks will still be tops for towing.

Like I said, if you are towing THAT heavy then a 3500 Cummins would be warranted but at 10,000lbs it just can't be justified in my opinion. Sure you get most of that $10,000 back at trade in but that is maybe 4 years that that $10,000 is sitting not able to be used for other things. To me that is a waste of $10,000 unless I truly needed it. Anything that a 2500 Cummins can 'legally' tow a 6.4 can tow. Sure it might rev higher but that's what they were designed for.

 

[crash68]

Like I said, if you are towing THAT heavy then a 3500 Cummins would be warranted but at 10,000lbs it just can't be justified in my opinion. Sure you get most of that $10,000 back at trade in but that is maybe 4 years that that $10,000 is sitting not able to be used for other things. To me that is a waste of $10,000 unless I truly needed it. Anything that a 2500 Cummins can 'legally' tow a 6.4 can tow. Sure it might rev higher but that's what they were designed for.

Can you repeat that again and type slower this time, some people can't read that fast.
Your at loss for a counterpoint, and going down a rabbit hole that no one mentioned.
I also hear they ran out of free doughnuts back at the station.