RAM 1500 towing; lackluster?

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leroys73

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Mar 28, 2018
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Location
Dallas Area
Ram Year
2018
Engine
6.4
4300 lbs, my 2009 Chrysler mini van is rated at 5000, not that I would ever try that.
 

Black1500Ram

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Scottsdale, AZ
Ram Year
2015
Engine
5.7 Hemi
Move to the Hemi and even with the 3.21 gears you’ll be much happier.
If you get a hemi make sure to use the oil and filter recommendations on this forum not what FCA calls for.

Essentially royal purple 20-820 or 20-500 / fram xg2 or xg10575 NOT the xg10060. Oil filter thread.

And there's the Synthetic Oil thread as well.
Top picks are redline 5w30, m1 fs 0w40 and others.

If I weren’t going through lifter issues right now, I would absolutely love my 5.7 1500.
 
Last edited:

Tony1945

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Dec 29, 2018
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Needles
Ram Year
Ram 2019
Engine
V8
Hello all, first post here, and possible prospective RAM owner.
I'm currently in the market for a newer truck. My 4.0L 4dr Tacoma has been a reliable machine that's never let me down. My son is really needing a truck for work (self employed carpenter) so I figured I'd help him out for letting him have the Taco for a steal (half of book value) and I'd "upgrade" to something newer.
So, it came as a surprise to me that the 1500 Classic has only just a "bit" more towing capacity than the Taco!

What I tow on the regular:
6' x 10' utility trailer loaded with raw material for my machine shop or metal chips every 3-4 months, never above 2k pounds, or the same utility trailer except loaded with a Polaris Ranger (700 pounds or so) and a couple dirt bikes in the bed, along with gear and kiddos.

I really did fall in love with this RAM, am I setting myself up for disappointment? Would it be possible to make it more "tow worthy"?
I need the bed capacity for my work (machine shop, part deliveries), the quad cab to haul kids around when camping at off roading, and the fuel efficiency for light errands. Zero plans on a camper, boat, or horses (much to my daughters dismay).
Ive had both the ram 5’7 is the trick or 3.0 eco ride alone is a sale
 

Steve-wells

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Jun 21, 2021
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Location
84651
Ram Year
2008
Engine
4.7 v8
My 2008 Ram with 4.7 has not enough power to pull my 20' enclosed trailer weighing about 3000#. Using tow haul, I can't maintain freeway speed (75) without the engine at 4000 + ram. Wish it was a larger engine and a tow package. Only has 81000 miles. K&N air intake not much help. Tuneup in the near future with all 16 spark plugs replaced. It came with my new wife.
 

06 Dodge

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Forest Grove, Oregon
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Why would you want to run 75 MPH while pulling a 20 ft trailer? My FIL pulled a 4K 18 ft trailer with his 4.7 from AZ to CA, OR & then to IA an back to AZ without any complaints, but then he was not trying to run 75 when towing... Also that K&N if you bought it was a waste of good $$$$....
 

star_deceiver

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Location
Airdrie, Alberta
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2021
Engine
3.6 Pentastar
I can't maintain freeway speed (75) without the engine at 4000 + ram.
You are towing a giant air brake sail. Weight has little bearing in the flats.

Here's some rpm and temps of me towing my TT up an 8% grade.

IMG_20220716_101934.jpg

Also, if the rpm drops below 4500 I won't be able to hold speed and it'll drop down to 2nd, where 5500 in 2nd is about 45mph.
 
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