Mountain towing

[Big Veg]

Planning a trip from Texas to Yellowstone been told by buddy my 2019 2500 with 6.4 will have trouble getting up hills with my travel trailer. Anyone been at higher elevation and did ya have trouble.

 

[tjfdesmo]

Any normally aspirated engine is going to get wheezy at high elevations, let alone steep grades. The 6.4 with the 8 speed will do as well as any NA gasser, especially if you have 4.10s.

 

[Firetruck41]

I bet you will be fine. How big/heavy is your trailer? Last year I towed over Teton pass in my Nissan Titan with 5.7l with 5speed trans (hadn't bought my Ram yet). It did fine, as well as driving through Yellowstone, Idaho, Oregon (Crater Lake) and all the passes on the way. I tow a travel trailer that is about 5k loaded and 23' long.

Teton pass is ridiculously steep, though as a result, it's not too long. The rpm's were up, but that's what the engine is supposed to do... I'll bet the 6.4 with 8 speed will be fine.

 

[star_deceiver]

You’ll be fine. Use mid-grade 89 and T/H.

 

[sandawilliams]

Planning a trip from Texas to Yellowstone been told by buddy my 2019 2500 with 6.4 will have trouble getting up hills with my travel trailer. Anyone been at higher elevation and did ya have trouble.

I tow 8800# TT with my ATV in the back of the truck. 3.73's in the rear. Many miles pulling the Colorado passes with no issues.

 

[Travelin Ram]

That’s a bunch of fertilizer. I’ve towed many times in every mountain range in North America and you will NOT have any problem. Unless you’re towing WAY above the tow ratings.

 

[Big Veg]

Thanks everyone my trailer is 6800 pounds. I have no problem getting up the hills in the Ozarks but they are foothills to the rockys. Anyone got a option on doing a disk conversion on my trailer?

 

[chri5k]

There is no escaping the physics of naturally aspirated engines losing performance as altitude increases. The rule of thumb is about 3% per 1000 feet. The towing chart for 2019 2500's is linked below. Even at 10000 feet (30% performance loss) you would probably still be OK for that weight. This is just a guesstimate. You might not get there as fast and the engine might rev a bit higher but you will get there. Would I do it on a regular basis, probably not but for an infrequent trip I would not worry.

https://www.tfltruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2019-ram-hd-towing-chart.pdf

 

[Kootbiker]

Planning a trip from Texas to Yellowstone been told by buddy my 2019 2500 with 6.4 will have trouble getting up hills with my travel trailer. Anyone been at higher elevation and did ya have trouble.

I think your Buddy is yanking your chain.

 

[mtofell]

8spd tranny with that relatively mild load I think you'll be fine. The Hemi is a beast and has some power to spare.

For a bit of comparison, I've hauled my 11,000# 5th wheel up over the Cascade range in Oregon which crests at about 4500' around a 6% grade and was able to maintain 55-60mph. I was even able to continue to accelerate some as long as I could maintain the RPMs in 2nd. I was pleased at how little of a loss in power I felt. I have the crappy 6spd tranny and 3.73 gears too. Of course, The Rockies are much higher but between a MUCH better tranny and a MUCH lighter trailer you should have no problems at all.

 

[BlkZrx]

Been pulling my 8500 # trailer for 4 years. It's never been at a loss for power. It may wind up a bit, but has never NOT had enough power to get it done..

Sent from my LG-K540 using Tapatalk

 

[pacofortacos]

You aren't going any higher than they do on the reviews going over IKE in Colorado.

You will be fine.

 

[Rod H]

Planning a trip from Texas to Yellowstone been told by buddy my 2019 2500 with 6.4 will have trouble getting up hills with my travel trailer. Anyone been at higher elevation and did ya have trouble.

J

You will be fine. I am in Deadwood South Dakota and towed 3 times to Yellow Stone and Glacier National Park with no problems. Just keep your speed slow going down the mountains.

 

[runamuck]

are you going from Texas to west yellowstone ? why not go thru Jackson instead..easier road. also some of the national parks have been closing their facilities lately. wydot pic today shows teton pass clear but still a lot of snow around.

 

[wyo2track]

Planning a trip from Texas to Yellowstone been told by buddy my 2019 2500 with 6.4 will have trouble getting up hills with my travel trailer. Anyone been at higher elevation and did ya have trouble.

I don't live far from there. You're truck will do just fine. I have the 6 spd and get along fine. You'll fight more wind getting up here then the mountain passes. Teton pass is 10% grade and the speed limit is only 55 if you go that way. Actually, the speed limit is only 55 everywhere you go in Teton County and on the west slope of the Tetons in Idaho. Don't know when Yellowstone may open right now. Usually it doesn't open until the middle of May anyways and the south end has 10' tall snowbanks on the road edges, but once you get to geyser basin and West Yellowstone its pretty much melted out. Enjoy the drive and take in the beautiful scenery.

 

[Jerrybob]

You will not have a problem....take your time.....enjoy the views.....nice country.