Towing with a v6 Pentastar and 3.21 differential

[tsherv]

Hi,

I've been doing a lot of research on the 2019 or newer Ram 1500 Big Horn. I took a 2019 with a v6 Pentastar / 3.21 differential for a test drive and really liked it. The problem I have is a lot of discussion about the v6 includes opinions from people who have had the v6 in trucks from 20 years ago. The new v6 seems to put out more HP than a lot of v8's from 20 years ago.

Here's my current situation: I currently drive a 2008 Honda Ridgeline (5,000 lb towing capacity) (I know...not a real truck, but it's been an outstanding vehicle). I commute round trip to work about 40 miles a day. This is the primary use of my vehicle. However, I also have a small travel trailer (17' R-Pod, about 3,000 lbs). Once a year, we pull the travel trailer from WI and go somewhere in the mountains out west (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, etc.). I've pulled this trailer thousands of miles with my Ridgeline (including through the mountains. The Ridgeline handled it well, although there were a lot of 4,000 RPM slow climbs. The vast majority of the time, my vehicle is used on the highway as a commuter vehicle.

I need to replace my Ridgeline. I always said that I'd like my next truck to have a bit more towing capability than my Ridgeline. We have no intention of ever pulling a big camper. However, we may get something slightly larger than our R-Pod. Maybe something like 500 lbs. heavier.

Everybody says "buy the v8". I'm just trying to figure out if it's truly necessary in my situation? Yeah, the power is fun, but I'm kind of past needing to drive a rocket. Is it worth a higher purchase price / lower fuel economy for the 1 trip each year that we take? Would the v6 with the 3.21 be an upgrade over pulling with my Honda Ridgeline?

 

[Loudram]

For a trailer that size and as often as you'll be towing, the V-6 will be plenty. Just look up the specific tow rating AND payload using the vin of the actual truck your looking at to get the most accurate numbers. Just remember the more options the truck has the more it weighs and the less it tows and hauls. Don't forget to deduct for any aftermarket add ons like a tonneau cover and step bars. That'll come off your payload but with a V-6 your payload will be pretty decent.

Will it be an upgrade?
Absolutely.

Edit: Doc is right, you'll still be high in the RPM range but that's where the V-6 makes its power when it's towing. No way to escape that with a V-6 but it'll still be an upgrade. However I do admit that I never towed with a V-6. I've always had a Hemi or a 360 with my '01 Ram.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Hi,

I've been doing a lot of research on the 2019 or newer Ram 1500 Big Horn. I took a 2019 with a v6 Pentastar / 3.21 differential for a test drive and really liked it. The problem I have is a lot of discussion about the v6 includes opinions from people who have had the v6 in trucks from 20 years ago. The new v6 seems to put out more HP than a lot of v8's from 20 years ago.

Here's my current situation: I currently drive a 2008 Honda Ridgeline (5,000 lb towing capacity) (I know...not a real truck, but it's been an outstanding vehicle). I commute round trip to work about 40 miles a day. This is the primary use of my vehicle. However, I also have a small travel trailer (17' R-Pod, about 3,000 lbs). Once a year, we pull the travel trailer from WI and go somewhere in the mountains out west (Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, etc.). I've pulled this trailer thousands of miles with my Ridgeline (including through the mountains. The Ridgeline handled it well, although there were a lot of 4,000 RPM slow climbs. The vast majority of the time, my vehicle is used on the highway as a commuter vehicle.

I need to replace my Ridgeline. I always said that I'd like my next truck to have a bit more towing capability than my Ridgeline. We have no intention of ever pulling a big camper. However, we may get something slightly larger than our R-Pod. Maybe something like 500 lbs. heavier.

Everybody says "buy the v8". I'm just trying to figure out if it's truly necessary in my situation? Yeah, the power is fun, but I'm kind of past needing to drive a rocket. Is it worth a higher purchase price / lower fuel economy for the 1 trip each year that we take? Would the v6 with the 3.21 be an upgrade over pulling with my Honda Ridgeline?

And you'll still be doing "...a lot of 4,000 RPM slow climbs."

Even with just passengers, a lighter Classic was running at 4k to get up inclines in CA on my recent rental. You do you, but if you're tired of 4k rpm hill climbs you aren't going to see a difference.

 

[crash68]

The 3.6L has better horsepower and torque specs than the Ridgeline, also the ZF 8SP transmission has a lot better gear stager. It should tow your trailer nicely.

As for the rpm issue, torque is what pulls a load. A gasser engine needs to rev to get where the torque band/peak is which is usually in the 4K rpm range. If you want to tow a trailer at 2K rpms buy a diesel, theyre torque band is around 2K.

 

[tsherv]

What about the 3.55 differential? Would I have less 4,000 RPM climbs than the 3.21?

 

[Wire4money]

What about the 3.55 differential? Would I have less 4,000 RPM climbs than the 3.21?

No. The power is above 4K regardless of the ratio to get there.

 

[tsherv]

Maybe a different way of asking the question about the difference between the 3.21 and 3.55 differential: Pulling a 3,500 to 4,000 travel trailer, would I notice a difference in the driving / towing characteristics between the 2 differentials with the pentastar v6?

 

[Loudram]

I believe the difference is a 3.21 rear is usually paired with the 8 speed tranny and the 3.55 is paired with the 6 speed tranny. In that case the 3.21 with the 8 speed is the better choice. I'm not even sure if they offer the 3.55 w/ 6sp tranny option anymore. Someone else may know for certain.

 

[tsherv]

From what I can tell, the RAM with the v6 is only available with the 8 speed transmission no matter which differential gears you choose.

 

[NOV87]

I have Hemi with 6sp and 3.55. My son has Pentastar V6 with 8sp and 3.55.
In my opinion, the V6 feels faster from a stop than mine. Those first two gears in the transmission make a big difference. I think 3.55 or even 3.92 paired up with 8sp make v6 a good choice for daily driver with occasional towing.

Here is a very good thread about Pentastar vs Hemi:
Thread 'Pentastar vs Hemi, which should you choose?' https://www.ramforum.com/threads/pentastar-vs-hemi-which-should-you-choose.185792/