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[AZtoyhauler]

Hello, new guy here from AZ. Currently own a GMC 1500 Sierra with max tow and looking to upgrade to 3/4 ton for more payload and towing capacity. I tow a bumper pull toyhauler that is just under 10K and doing my research. The biggest decision is gas or diesel. Never owned a Ram and I think that the 6.4 mated with the 8 spd tranny might work well for me. Towing in AZ is tough with steep grades and hot temps. Thanks, Bob

 

[Deleted member 80]

How often do you tow? This is my second Cummins, and I had a '15 6.4 gasser. The difference in pulling is SUBSTANTIAL, not to mention the exhaust brake when dropping off the grade you just climbed.

 

[Matfam1]

Welcome...

I just moved to a 3/4 Cummins from a 1/2 Hemi. The 1/2 Hemi pulled my 8k trailer just fine. The Hemi with the right gears will tow just about anything just fine. Towing thru the coastal and Cascade range of Oregon; downhill was always way more interesting than uphill.

Coming back thru the Cascades today, I never touched the brakes. Exhaust brake on full, coupled the tow/haul function; slowed the package for every corner. I’m still amazed.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jeffmc306]

Hello, new guy here from AZ. Currently own a GMC 1500 Sierra with max tow and looking to upgrade to 3/4 ton for more payload and towing capacity. I tow a bumper pull toyhauler that is just under 10K and doing my research. The biggest decision is gas or diesel. Never owned a Ram and I think that the 6.4 mated with the 8 spd tranny might work well for me. Towing in AZ is tough with steep grades and hot temps. Thanks, Bob

AZtoyhauler, great question! I’ll give you the gas side answer. We’ve got a ‘19 Ram 2500 6.4 and a 27’ Airstream bumper pull with around 1100 lbs tongue weight and 7600 lbs max weight. We towed in the Rocky Mountains in August and had zero problems maintaining speed or accelerating up the passes. Coming down used engine braking with the 8 speed and never felt it was less than capable of stopping. Plus, payload on our Ram is 2940 lbs, roughly 900 lbs better that a diesel. To sum it up, you’d be fine with the 6.4 gas. Other benefits include lower maintenance cost, availability of fuel besides the payload advantage.
Your mileage may vary!

 

[AZtoyhauler]

Great Pics! What kind of temps for tranny and coolant do you see when climbing grades and do you have 4:10 gears? I would prefer a diesel but I don't think that I just justify the cost versus the amount that I tow and time spent commuting. Thanks, Bob

 

[Jeffmc306]

Great Pics! What kind of temps for tranny and coolant do you see when climbing grades and do you have 4:10 gears? I would prefer a diesel but I don't think that I just justify the cost versus the amount that I tow and time spent commuting. Thanks, Bob

Hi Bob,
Our truck has the 3.73 gears - combined with the new 8 speed trans seem to have plenty of capacity. I pinned the trans temp readout to the left side of the tach in the digital display and would glance down at it occasionally when climbing a mountain pass. It wasn’t moving so I stopped checking it! I did flip to the summary screen that shows all the temps and oil pressure and all were within normal levels.

You might be interested in this article from the Cummins Hub website on the 6.4 truck specs:

Chrysler 6.4L Hemi V-8 Specs | Ram 2500/3500/4500/5500

Chrysler 6.4L Hemi V-8 engine specs and information. The 6.4L Hemi is used in a variety of applications, including the 2014 to current Ram 2500/3500 and Ram chassis cab.

www.cumminshub.com

Some of the highlights are:
• Oil-to-water oil cooler for prolonged oil life and additional engine cooling under rigorous conditions.
• Piston cooling jets spray engine oil on the bottom of the pistons to help remove combustion heat.

In summary, it’s a purpose-built truck engine, not just a car engine dropped in a HD truck. I rolled under the truck on my creeper and was surprised by the difference between my old 1500 and this 2500. Everything is super-sized from the axles to the frame. There’s a horizontal shock connected to the rear differential housing to the frame. I had to look that one up - it’s to suppress wheel hop!

Another interesting observation is about fuel economy. After a fill up in Iowa I forgot to re-engage the Tow-Haul function. I noticed my mileage increasing from 10 to 12 MPG on the digital display. I checked the tach and found the trans dropped into 8th gear and occasionally the ECO light would come on (4 cyl. mode)! Granted I was on flat ground but it speaks to the truck‘s drivetrain combo of torque and trans.

Anyway, I’m not sorry that I went with a gas truck for our purposes. I really wanted the Safety Group and Tow Technology packages which put me in a Laramie with the Level 2 trim package so the sticker was ~$65K. I configured a Big Horn with a Cummins and found one in the same price range but no Safety Group:-(. Now I set the adaptive cruise and sit back and steer! If I were towing 12K or more I’d consider a Cummins but for us, the 6.4 will tow anything Airstream builds just in case we get the itch for a 33’ Classic!

Hope that helps...
Jeff