Towing RPM

[TomL]

I have a 2017 6.4 and tow a 7000 lb travel trailer. I live in Missouri and have towed this trailer to the Ozarks once, it seemed the truck ran pretty well at 65 mph, and rpm stayed about 2500, occasionally it would drop to 1900 or 2000 once I was able to get speed, my question is, is it too hard on the motor to be running at 2500 rpm for long distances? It doesn’t sound like the motor is struggling, but I don’t want to burn the engine up either.

 

[sandawilliams]

I have a 2017 6.4 and tow a 7000 lb travel trailer. I live in Missouri and have towed this trailer to the Ozarks once, it seemed the truck ran pretty well at 65 mph, and rpm stayed about 2500, occasionally it would drop to 1900 or 2000 once I was able to get speed, my question is, is it too hard on the motor to be running at 2500 rpm for long distances? It doesn’t sound like the motor is struggling, but I don’t want to burn the engine up either.

You and I seem to come from the old days when 3000 rpm sounded like a rod would go through the block. Not anymore. Our engines redline at about 5700 rpm and when towing I am often around 4000 when pulling our mountain passes. I am often at 2500-3000 even towing on flat surfaces. About 45000 miles towing now with no worries.

 

[Big Terry]

Meanwhile my cummins really has to struggle to break 2k... but when i was pulling my 27 footer with a 5.7 1500, 3k was common.

 

[tjfdesmo]

In the old days there was not a computer nanny looking over your shoulder, so other than medium duty trucks with a vacuum governor to shut the party down just as the motor started pulling, you were free to mash it to the floor and bend pushrods, etc. Now, I just set the cruise, and let it do its thing. I don't particularly enjoy hearing it turn 5K in 2nd gear on a grade, but I don't feel like the 6.4 is going to grenade either.

 

[cmac7203]

Hi Tom,

I have the 5.7. In the beginning I was worried because I had to rev it up to 3500+ for torque and power. Now I realize it’s normal and my hemi 5.7 likes to run up there (REALLY likes ~4200). I am pulling 8k, and when I get it up there it runs like a scalded dog. I am now used to 2500 and I have to admit, I even use tow/haul around town because I know the hemi likes to rev.

Charlie


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TomL]

Thanks everyone, does put my mind at ease took about a 100 mile trip pulling the trailer yesterday the more I pull it the more I am learning about this truck. From what I have read I just need to keep an eye on transmission and oil heat among other things. The rpms are not really an issue, unless it stays revved at high rpms for prolonged periods. 2500 rpm is not over working the motor and that seems to be where the truck wants to be, and that is keeping me about 65 to 70 mph drops to 60 on a grade. I can live with that.

 

[Vern Losh]

This is an older thread but I have a similar question.

I have a 2018 Ram 2500, 6.4 gas, 4.11 rear end. I have an 8000 lb trailer behind me, two adults and light load in the bed. I’m up in Montana and Wyoming with some big hills, some exceeding 10% for long stretches. At one point I was taching just at 5000 rpm . Should I be concerned?

 

[Bldrinker]

I’m in big trouble if you are worried about 2500 rpm. Just dropped off my truck for 4:88 gears. I will be turning 2500 empty on the freeway.
Your trailer is super light and your truck will do way more. Trailer is about 11k empty and will be 14k full.

 

[Sandevino]

The rpm’s are fine.

 

[2003F350]

This is an older thread but I have a similar question.

I have a 2018 Ram 2500, 6.4 gas, 4.11 rear end. I have an 8000 lb trailer behind me, two adults and light load in the bed. I’m up in Montana and Wyoming with some big hills, some exceeding 10% for long stretches. At one point I was taching just at 5000 rpm . Should I be concerned?

You'll be fine. That's basically my exact driveline in my PW, and it pulls our camper just fine doing that. These Hemi's like to rev, just let them do it.

 

[392DevilDog]

410 horsepower @ 5600RPM

429 torque @ 4000 RPM

You were in the sweet spot at 5000.

I love my 6.4l but my 8.0l has a much nicer sweet spot.

310 horsepower @ 4100 RPM

450 torque @ 2400 RPM