Towing temperatures

[rmonty89]

Hey guys i have a 2017 ram 1500 quad cab 5.7 hemi 8 speed with 3:21 gears and im running full synthetic. We are taking our camper out tomorrow and its a 2 hour driv . This is our first time taking it. I towed it home (about an hour drive) but it was mostly flat. I need some help on what i should be watching for temperature wise. Any information would be appreciated

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

I have a 18. 5.7 321 And well we bought the truck and with in one month we towed our 21 ft hybrid max out at 5500 lbs for Canada to Disney Florida. I did pay attention to the temp that muck the we’re well in the green. Tomorrow I am heading to northern Ontario with the trailer will be keeping a eye on the real temps. Today hiway driving al the temp
Were below 100deg

 

[OC455]

Transmission temperatures:
https://www.ramforum.com/threads/trans-temp.147573/

Coolant and oil temps will go up when towing. Check and see what your temps are while driving normally and then keep an eye on them occasionally when you are towing, there will probably only be a difference of 10 to 15 degrees depending on your speed and how heavy your setup is.

 

[dhay13]

My son just towed his 8000lb camper 1500 miles. Now his is a 2018 2500 6.4 Hemi 6 speed so might be slightly different but on hills his trans temp reached 218 but on normal driving he was was about 165-170

 

[Toddbigboytruck]

Towing 101 km/hr Towing a 5000 lbs trailer northern Ontario and in traffic of Toronto.

 

[GsRAM]

My son just towed his 8000lb camper 1500 miles. Now his is a 2018 2500 6.4 Hemi 6 speed so might be slightly different but on hills his trans temp reached 218 but on normal driving he was was about 165-170

That seems hot. My truck has never seen trans temps over 190 and that's towing my trailer fully loaded heavy for a week's camping trip.

Typically you dont want trans temps over 200 but I'm not an expert on these newer transmissions or where the 1500s run normally.

When not towing I'm around 165 degrees trans temp. I have seen oil temps near or over 230 degrees and dont like that and coolant temp near 220 and dont like that either but that's the nature of the beast with these modern vehicles.

They have to run em hot due to emissions standards

 

[dhay13]

I looked at mine the other day just normal driving and it was about 160* but that wasn't towing. My son said he was going up a pretty big hill when it was that high but he didn't watch it the whole trip. He went from Altoona, PA to Pittsburgh then left Pittsburgh the next morning for Watford City, ND. Elevation went from about 900 where we are to about 2200 where he is now.

 

[GsRAM]

I looked at mine the other day just normal driving and it was about 160* but that wasn't towing. My son said he was going up a pretty big hill when it was that high but he didn't watch it the whole trip. He went from Altoona, PA to Pittsburgh then left Pittsburgh the next morning for Watford City, ND. Elevation went from about 900 where we are to about 2200 where he is now.

Wow, now that's a road trip! Hope he has a good and safe trip

 

[dhay13]

Wow, now that's a road trip! Hope he has a good and safe trip

He got there about 2 weeks ago. No problems. Camper was about 8000lbs. Here is a link to the thread on his trip> https://www.ramforum.com/threads/son-heading-home-towing-camper.147510/page-6#post-2091410

 

[JD Mark]

All these stupid multiple gear transmissions suck for towing. The higher gears should be locked out automatically in T\H.

I hate towing with my '16 2500 6.4 with 3.73s. Constantly downshifting any time I hit the gas. It should have had 4.10s but the sales rep buys a bunch for stock and orders them that way, despite buying them specifically for plowers and landscapers. He told me right off the bat to manually shift it into 4th gear when towing. It is much better, but still the wrong gear ratio.

 

[GsRAM]

All these stupid multiple gear transmissions suck for towing. The higher gears should be locked out automatically in T\H.

I hate towing with my '16 2500 6.4 with 3.73s. Constantly downshifting any time I hit the gas. It should have had 4.10s but the sales rep buys a bunch for stock and orders them that way, despite buying them specifically for plowers and landscapers. He told me right off the bat to manually shift it into 4th gear when towing. It is much better, but still the wrong gear ratio.

6th is locked out in T/H I believe. All a matter of perspective. My truck is a 17 identical to yours and is the best towing truck I've ever owned. Personally I think tow/haul works great and holds gears exactly as long as I'd want it to, up shifting and down shifting. Yes 4.10s should have been the standard gear in these trucks and 4.30s optional.

But all in all I think it tows very well for a gas powered truck. I've been towing Rvs and trailers now for going on 30 years and comparing my ram to other trucks I had (2015 Chevy Silverado, 2000 Ford expedition Eddie bauer, 1999 Ford f250 super duty, 1997 dodge ram 2500, 1989 Chevy Silverado, 1988 Ford f150 (and on).

Could it be better, sure....but compared to all the other trucks I've owned, This 2017 ram is the best. Tons of power, more than I need that's for sure....just my .02.

 

[JD Mark]

6th is locked out in T/H I believe.

Not in my '14 or '16.

I'm spoiled, got used to towing with my '14 with a Cummins and absolutely love it.

Bought the '16 6.4 and hate it for towing. Doesn't have the low end torque, doesn't have the torque at higher speeds. Gear ratio sucks. 5 link suspension sucks. Truck gets pulled all over by the trailer. Same trailer hooked to my '14 and it pulls fine all day long. Tried adding airbags to the rear and that hasn't helped. I can run 70 or 80 MPH with a 24' enclosed trailer all day long with my '14, 70 is just scary with my '16. Doesn't matter which trailer we pull with it. The '16 doesn't plow nearly as good as the '14 either.

Oh well, learned my lesson. I'm not buying anymore 2500's for work. The diesel option is up in the air. I'd love to test a 6.4 with 4.10s before ordering another truck. But that extra weight of the diesel and low end torque for towing and plowing are hard to beat.

 

[dhay13]

hmmm. i pull our 9000lb boat with my 2018 2500 6.4 with 4.10s no problem at all. son has the same truck and just towed his 8500lb camper 1800 miles with no problems. said it swayed a few times when semi's passed him but overall said it towed very well. its a bumper pull

 

[crash68]

I'm spoiled, got used to towing with my '14 with a Cummins and absolutely love it.

Bought the '16 6.4 and hate it for towing. Doesn't have the low end torque, doesn't have the torque at higher speeds. Gear ratio sucks. 5 link suspension sucks. Truck gets pulled all over by the trailer. Same trailer hooked to my '14 and it pulls fine all day long.

You do realize your comparing apples to the number nine in the realm of towing and snow plowing? The CTD makes more torque just off idle that the 6.4l does at 4K rpms. Even the EcoDiesel makes almost much torque at 2K, torque is what pulls a trailer.
It's been that way since Dodge offered the V-10. My buddy had a V-10 and thought it plowed great, till he bought a 5.9 CTD the following year.
You also have an extra 1000 lbs of weight over the front end of the CTD, that account for the added stability while towing. If your dragging a tag along and the WDH is set the same for both truck, that's the problem.

 

[JD Mark]

You do realize your comparing apples to the number nine in the realm of towing and snow plowing? The CTD makes more torque just off idle that the 6.4l does at 4K rpms. Even the EcoDiesel makes almost much torque at 2K, torque is what pulls a trailer.
It's been that way since Dodge offered the V-10. My buddy had a V-10 and thought it plowed great, till he bought a 5.9 CTD the following year.
You also have an extra 1000 lbs of weight over the front end of the CTD, that account for the added stability while towing. If your dragging a tag along and the WDH is set the same for both truck, that's the problem.

I most certainly do realize it. This isn't my first rodeo. I've been towing and plowing for 35 years. That's why I was specific when making comparisons.

First truck was an '90 W200 with a 2 barrel 318. Had multiple other Rams and some Fords. Even had a Fummins. But between the crappy gear ratio and the 6 speed transmission, my '16 2500 Hemi is garbage for pulling because of the reasons above.

I had a V10 in a '94 3500, plowed like a tank with the same mileage. Torque curve on the V10 isn't that far off a 5.9 but the weight isn't there.