Towing with new 6.4L

[Cap'n Dan]

My wife's daughter was born on her birthday 46 years ago. Every year they spend the day together, and this year they went up to Sedona for a week. So the puppies and I went up to Lake Roosevelt for a couple of days. We drove the Apache Trail (Hwy 88) from the Roosevelt Dam over to Tortilla Flat. Not for the faint of heart, but very beautiful scenery and I thought worth the drive. View attachment 93745View attachment 93746View attachment 93747

Hi, just a little something to think about concerning your step ladder. The built in steps on the camper were designed to be climbed on, having temporary pressure being applied, using them to store things on while driving down the road will apply extra constant force to the hardware, especially when going over bumps and the like, which could possibly void any warranties, and cause damage to the camper. Please don't be offended, I'm just trying to help keep you camping and out of the repair facility. Happy Camping... Cap'n Dan

 

[Birdman_2000]

Really appreciate this post. I am looking to upgrade from a 2019 1500 with 4.10 gears to a 2500. I been pushing the limits of the 1500 for a few years. Pulling a toy hauler and a range of heavy trailers. I was really struggling to find a 2500 with 4.10's in the area though. I didn't like the idea of the 3.73 gears and losing 3k of tow rating, but there is enough people in this thread towing around what I tow that have no issues it appears. 10k is the normal fully loaded camper. Decent hills in the Ozarks, but the 5.7 was able to handle them without to much trouble. Still strange that the nearest big horn with 4.10's is 160 miles away. You would think most HD's lean towards max tow, but i guess not. Pulling the 4.10's out of equation there are 6 trucks within 20 miles that match what I want. Thanks all for the info.

 

[dieselscout80]

I would hold out for 4.10 gears for more than just the towing. I think it 4.10s work better overall especially if you are driving on 55 mph roads. It keeps the 6.4 in a better RPM range and makes the MDS work better and at lower speeds.

Running empty I can make 18 mpg running 70 mph on the interstate.

 

[whitexc]

Having 3.73’s I’d look for 4.10’s as well. I pull a 10k 5er just fine but would take the taller gear. Live and learn. I ordered it.


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[Birdman_2000]

Man, they are so hard to find though. One is 50 miles away with an 8ft bed, but I really don't want an 8'. Next is 161. Zero idea why it's not more popular. Be April before I buy. I am going to talk to the dealership though. See if they can find me one. Not sure if dealerships trade around anymore or not.

 

[Dave01]

I would hold out for 4.10 gears for more than just the towing. I think it 4.10s work better overall especially if you are driving on 55 mph roads. It keeps the 6.4 in a better RPM range and makes the MDS work better and at lower speeds.

Running empty I can make 18 mpg running 70 mph on the interstate.

Totally agree. In fact I can't come up with a reason to have 3.73's. With the 8 speed the highway rpm with 4.10's is very reasonable and in every way they offer an advantage. I know someone will say the 3.73 get better mpg but seriously, these 6.4's are so bad on gas that the half mile per gallon or so advantage, if it really exists, is just a non factor.

 

[Airtim]

Totally agree. In fact I can't come up with a reason to have 3.73's. With the 8 speed the highway rpm with 4.10's is very reasonable and in every way they offer an advantage. I know someone will say the 3.73 get better mpg but seriously, these 6.4's are so bad on gas that the half mile per gallon or so advantage, if it really exists, is just a non factor.

What do you consider, bad on gas? I think they are pretty good on gas when considering what it is moving how old school the tech is.

 

[Dave01]

What do you consider, bad on gas? I think they are pretty good on gas when considering what it is moving how old school the tech is.

Well I'm not referring to towing mpg, in my mind all bets are off when towing heavy with a gas engine. For general driving I get 13-14 mpg per display in mixed driving, and the couple of times I checked it early on the display mpg was around 1/2 to 3/4 mile optimistic. On the highway I can get 15-16 driving 74-78 mph, haven't seen better.

Don't get me wrong you have a good point, heavy brick of a vehicle on good sized tires, I don't expect more and am not criticizing the 6.4. Really I shouldn't have said "bad on gas", just a reality that they are going to burn a lot.

 

[sanda]

Totally agree. In fact I can't come up with a reason to have 3.73's. With the 8 speed the highway rpm with 4.10's is very reasonable and in every way they offer an advantage. I know someone will say the 3.73 get better mpg but seriously, these 6.4's are so bad on gas that the half mile per gallon or so advantage, if it really exists, is just a non factor.

My 2014 2500 had the 3.73's. The best I could do was 16 mpg. My 2021 with the 4.10's does 18 mpg. It does run on mds far more often than the 3.73's did and must be the reason for the better mileage. The old truck seldom kicked in mds but this truck will run all day at 70 mph on flat ground on 4 cylinders.

 

[Davidbt]

I turn off the mds every time I drive my truck. Have since I had my 1500. I agree that normally, higher numeric gears are best for towing. Our travel trailers gvwr is 5,500 lbs. My trucks 3.73 gears handles it great. At my age, I'm pretty sure I won't be adding bigger tires and lifts at this point in my life. I'm very happy with the get up go that it has when I ask it to.

 

[dieselscout80]

My 2014 2500 had the 3.73's. The best I could do was 16 mpg. My 2021 with the 4.10's does 18 mpg. It does run on mds far more often than the 3.73's did and must be the reason for the better mileage. The old truck seldom kicked in mds but this truck will run all day at 70 mph on flat ground on 4 cylinders.

I agree.

Also, mine shifts into 8th before 55 MPH and will stay in 8th down around 44 MPH.