Towing

[09trxmike]

Hey guys I have a 2009 1500 but with the 4.7L 2wd, I know it’s not the hemi but has anyone towed with the 4.7 such as a camper through the mountains? If so how did it do? Thanks

 

[crash68]

Might be helpful if you mention how heavy of a trailer you have or are planning to buy. Also what axle ratio does your truck have?

 

[09trxmike]

Crash68..... I believe that my axle ratio is 3.22 and as far as the camper weight I don’t want to exceed 6500 because my truck gvws is 7500 pounds

 

[dhay13]

I had a 2007 1500 4x4 with the 4.7. I towed a 14x7 enclosed trailer that weighed about 3500lbs. I had 3.92's. Low speeds was fine but at highway speeds it was horrible due to wind resistance. The 2008 and up had quite a bit more power though. Mine was about 235HP.

 

[crash68]

I believe that my axle ratio is 3.22 and as far as the camper weight I don’t want to exceed 6500 because my truck gvws is 7500 pounds

Not sure what gvws is but your truck has a GVWR(so will a trailer), don't confuse that with the towing capacity. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is what the vehicle (or trailer) can weigh, doesn't mean it actually does. You could tow a 8K lbs trailer with a truck that has a GVWR less than that. Some states have either a fixed Gross Combined Weight Rating based on vehicle classification or an Elected Gross Weight, that is what limits what the truck and trailer can weigh together.

 

[mtofell]

t I don’t want to exceed 6500

Yikes... with a 4.7 and 3.22 gears. Just let me know where you are going so I can not get stuck behind you

That is likely way too much weight for that truck. As Crash eludes to, you are just looking at one number (and don't even have it notated correctly - there is no "gvws").

If your max trailer weight is 7500# that includes the trailer AND everything in the truck. So, people, coolers, firewood, dogs and beer + trailer. Then, there's payload. That's a whole other story. I'm not saying there is no way to pull a 6500# trailer with that truck but you just might be sitting alone since everyone else has to be in another vehicle.

 

[Jerrybob]

Will it tow the trailer you describe....yes. Will you like the towing experience.....no. You are going to struggle in the mountains....you are going to hate your gas mileage. Personally....go with a little tent trailer or even a tent. Good luck.

 

[JohnnyMac]

This might help you figure out what your max tow weight is. On a bright note, it doesn't look like the 4.7 came with the 3.21 so you either have the 3.55 or 3.92. Cab size, option package, etc all make a difference so make sure you're in the right column.

All that being said, I've never driven a 4.7 but have heard that they aren't a powerhouse. Regardless, I'm sure you can still find something that will be within spec and allow you and your family to enjoy some camping.

http://www.rambodybuilder.com/2009/docs/dr/mlup1500.pdf

 

[pacofortacos]

Better link to use for your towing capacity as well as payload - just input your VIN and it will give payload and towing of your particular truck.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing-guide.html

 

[crash68]

you are going to hate your gas mileage.

That can be said for any gasser. Without the spark plug penalty while towing a 28' 8K lbs trailer I still get 14-15 mpg range.

 

[GsRAM]

I get 10-11 average towing my 6k Layton with the truck loaded heavy for a weeks camping trip. Not bad for a 7,000 lb truck..

My brother had an 07 Dakota I believe with the 4.7 and pulled a utility trailer with it. He never complained about lack of power. He said it pulled fine.

6500 is going to be too much weight though. I'd be looking at campers in the 5,000lb gvwr and under and 25' long overall and under range. They make some nice ultra lights these days.

 

[dhay13]

When I towed my 14x7 enclosed trailer from Pittsburgh to Indianapolis (all flat) my 2007 1500 4.7 with 3.92s stayed in 3rd gear the whole way turning over 3000 RPM for 5 hours. It had the 5 speed but I was in tow/haul, which locked out 5th. But the only time it would hit 4th was going downhill.

 

[Jerrybob]

That can be said for any gasser. Without the spark plug penalty while towing a 28' 8K lbs trailer I still get 14-15 mpg range.

I hear ya.....no mileage is great when towing. I have a new 1500 with 5.7hemi and 3.92 rear.....we pull a light Casita fiberglass trailer....about 3500lbs.....getting the same mileage as you when towing....averaging about 21mpg not towing. I don't have a heavy foot....go the speed limit most of time. Love the hemi.

 

[crash68]

I hear ya.....no mileage is great when towing. I have a new 1500 with 5.7hemi and 3.92 rear.....we pull a light Casita fiberglass trailer....about 3500lbs.....getting the same mileage as you when towing

Now double the weight of the trailer, add a second axle, and make it a flat nose/taller profile trailer which would be more typically of what a lot of people tow and the Hemi is flirting with single digits fuel economy. That 28' I tow actually has a 10K GVWR, the 8K the approximated actual weight.
Aerodynamics play a bigger role in losing fuel economy while towing. With my boat which is about 3200 lbs(single axle 18' long), I still see 20 mpg but that's towed through the city more.

 

[dhay13]

With my 2007 4.7 1500 with 3.92s I got 7 MPG towing my 14x7 enclosed trailer from Pittsburgh to Indy. It weighed about 3500lbs. Like a brick...lol. My 2013 1500 5.7 with 3.55's got about 8 MPG towing my sons 7500lb camper on the highway 200 miles.

My son towed his same camper to North Dakota (1500 miles) with his 2018 2500 6.4 Hemi with 4.10's and averaged about 9 MPG out and back. He also towed it with a 2017 Duramax diesel and got 9 MPG then too.

 

[68PowerWagon]

With my 2007 4.7 1500 with 3.92s I got 7 MPG towing my 14x7 enclosed trailer from Pittsburgh to Indy. It weighed about 3500lbs. Like a brick...lol. My 2013 1500 5.7 with 3.55's got about 8 MPG towing my sons 7500lb camper on the highway 200 miles.

My son towed his same camper to North Dakota (1500 miles) with his 2018 2500 6.4 Hemi with 4.10's and averaged about 9 MPG out and back. He also towed it with a 2017 Duramax diesel and got 9 MPG then too.

Wow! I would have guessed that Duramax would have done a little better than that!? Like 10-12mpg

 

[2003F350]

With my 2007 4.7 1500 with 3.92s I got 7 MPG towing my 14x7 enclosed trailer from Pittsburgh to Indy. It weighed about 3500lbs. Like a brick...lol. My 2013 1500 5.7 with 3.55's got about 8 MPG towing my sons 7500lb camper on the highway 200 miles.

My son towed his same camper to North Dakota (1500 miles) with his 2018 2500 6.4 Hemi with 4.10's and averaged about 9 MPG out and back. He also towed it with a 2017 Duramax diesel and got 9 MPG then too.

Wow. That's...horrible mileage. I pull off about 11.5 in the PW pulling my 7,000 lbs camper, a little better if I can get on all flat land.

For comparison's sake, I used to put down 14 in my '03 Powerstroke pulling an 8,000 lb fifth wheel...and 13 in my '04 Powerstroke pulling a 42' toy hauler that was 13k empty.

Either your son needs to slow down, or his truck is sick and needs some serious repairs.

 

[dhay13]

Wow. That's...horrible mileage. I pull off about 11.5 in the PW pulling my 7,000 lbs camper, a little better if I can get on all flat land.

For comparison's sake, I used to put down 14 in my '03 Powerstroke pulling an 8,000 lb fifth wheel...and 13 in my '04 Powerstroke pulling a 42' toy hauler that was 13k empty.

Either your son needs to slow down, or his truck is sick and needs some serious repairs.

I followed him that day. About 200 miles and he stayed at or under the speed limit. It wasn't his truck. It was a company owned 2017 with about 80,000 miles so no idea of it's history or service records. And that was going off the EVIC. In comparison he towed the same camper 1500 miles with his 2018 2500 6.4 and his EVIC read about 9 average going out and back. So about the same mileage.I towed that same camper with my 2013 1500 5.7 3.55s and got about 7-8 MPG hand calculated

 

[Jerrybob]

Now double the weight of the trailer, add a second axle, and make it a flat nose/taller profile trailer which would be more typically of what a lot of people tow and the Hemi is flirting with single digits fuel economy. That 28' I tow actually has a 10K GVWR, the 8K the approximated actual weight.
Aerodynamics play a bigger role in losing fuel economy while towing. With my boat which is about 3200 lbs(single axle 18' long), I still see 20 mpg but that's towed through the city more.

I also pull a car trailer for tractors...carriages and cars.....mileage still isn't bad....12 or 13mpg depending on weight. The hemi does well. I got rid of my 2003 Chevy 2500 HD with a 6.0L and 4.10 rear for the new RAM......man....that truck sucked a lot of gas.....now we're talkin single digits.