Towing with a Hemi

[Grizzly]

I'd keep the 7. 5 Cummins and do whatever it takes to soften the ride. Once you get used to towing with a Cummins, you'll never be satisfied with a gasser. If you tow 1,000 miles, you may be going into the Rocky Mountains and if you don't have the Cummins, you'll kick yourself till you're blue in the face. A loaded 30' TT still has a lot of weight when you're going up a long grade.



Keep your Cummins.



george

 

[Barry]

There is a company in SC, major named company, that had developed a rear spring shackle for the ambulance industry. It was a cantilever design, mounted in rubber, that gave an O so smooooooooth ride when empty. I use to run them on my trucks in the early 2000s... ... ... .



Come to think of it, now with the Ricksons and the load G tires, I really need those... ... ... ... .



Was it BF Goodrich???



We have to find them... ... ... ... ... ... .....

 

[Barry]

I found them!!Oo. Oo.

Here is a post from another website/forum


Re: BFG Velvet Ride Shackle - What, Where, $? new
#370902 - 01/16/01 01:55 PM

R7
You can call BF Goodrich at 877-655-3650 toll free. They are made by the Aerospace division of BF Goodrich. I think I paid about $160 for mine. If you get them send me an e-mail and I will go over the installation procedure with you, the enclosed instructions are the hard way to put them on. Bill

This is a good link: TheDieselStop. Com - www.thedieselstop.com

[This message has been edited by Bigpiper (edited 01-16-2001). ]

 

[AfterBurner]

We have a 2010 Tundra as well as the dodge in my sig. Tundra claims 381hp/401tq for their 5. 7l. Empty, it runs great. 0-60 time in high 5's, 18mpg on highway, 14 in town, 9-10 pulling.

We got it because of Toyota's reputation, the 6spd aisin transmission, 4. 30 gearing and available trd accesories. Also, the 27K price tag was nice... has more options than dodge st.

After only having diesel trucks I was shocked how much the gasser fell on its face with a load. Never pulled with a hemi, but I think it would be comparable. Never had a problem because of lack of power, but had to adjust driving style- couldn't be as aggressive when passing or merging into traffic while loaded. Running around unloaded though, the gasser is really nice, especially when it's time for maintenance (less $).

I know you're talking 3/4 tons and the tundra is a 1/2 ton, so take my comparison for what it's worth.

 

[AH64ID]

I have a friend who just traded his 08 Tundra for a '10 CTD, its night and day difference. The Tundra would out pull the CTD IF you lived at redline all the time, but no one wants to do that. The main benefit to a diesel is the low rpm power (its why they make so much tq), its just nicer to drive, and really shines getting the load moving. Once your up to speed a 350hp gasser and a 350hp diesel will tow the same (assuming proper gearing), its just getting there that sucks.

 

[Barry]

... ... ... ... ... ... or going uphill or when you get over 3,000 feet of density altitude or trying to pass a gas station or expecting your engine to go over half a million miles... ... ... ... ...

 

[AH64ID]

Yeah, lots of advantages to a diesel. But for some a gasser works fine. The 3% loss of power per 1K feet is certainly more apparent on anything naturally aspirated. But turbo diesels still loose power with altitude, just not as rapidly.

 

[AHarris]

Problem Solved

I found a year end closeout deal today at the local Dodge Dealership and I didn't have to compromise as much as I thought I would. A 2010 Ram 2500 "Texas Edition" 4 X 4 crew cab proudly wearing the Cummins "C" with 6 speed auto for about $3K more than I could have gotten the 2011 with the hemi for last week. Has pretty much everything except leather and navigation (two things I really don't want anway--don't care of Chrysler nav systems). They gave me $25K for mine on trade in plus $4K of rebates off a discounted price of $41K. Compared to my former truck, it's like night and day--like driving a nice car. Much less noise and a much smoother ride. I will miss the 6 speed manual because it was fun to drive but the back is already thanking me after the drive home from the stealership. I can barely hear the 6. 7 purring under the hood.

In the end, I just couldn't give up the Cummins! Compared to the Fords and Chevies I drove, it just feels right and better put together... not to mention the back seat has more room than the Chevy did and is more comfortable to sit in.

As a side note, the Tundra Platinum Edition I looked at earlier today was $7K MORE out the door! The SR5 4 X 2 Crew Max came in about $4K less.

Can't wait to try towing my camper with it tomorrow with the 6-speed auto! Oo.

Thank you fine gentlemen for all the good advice.

 

[MChrist]

Nobody in their right mind will say that a gasser will tow an 8500# Trailer as easily as a CTD. But I think it would be equally ignorant to claim that a gasser WON'T tow an 8500# trailer! That's really my point. Now, once you unhook your trailer and need to drive it the other 99% of the time, what will be better on your back?
On page 10 of Trailer Life magazine, Nov 2010 issue, I just read that Ford will offer a 3. 5 V-6 "ecoboost" engine in their F 150 Crew Cab model that is rated to tow a 11,300# trailer, and gets up to 20% better fuel economy than a V-8 with "comparable appointments"( whatever that means )
Another magazine claimed to have used a Ford Flex with the same engine to tow an 8500# trailer and "barely noticed it behind them. " (THAT one I have a hard time believing). I feel an 8500# trailer behind my truck! If I didn't feel it, I wouldn't be very observant, would I?
So, to go back to what the OP asked, yes a gasser will tow it. Yes it will work harder. Yes, it will use more fuel in the process. Yes, it probably won't go 1,000,000 miles.
If your back is that bad, and you are considering a truck that offers a softer ride, then there are options. You can soften the ride of your current truck, or buy another truck that rides better.
Transporters use diesel engines for a reason, they tow a lot. You don't. So you don't necessarily NEED a diesel. Like I said before, test drive all options, and get what fits your needs the best. Just keep an open mind, that's all I'm saying.....

 

[MChrist]

Congratulations! I just posted my advice when I saw you pulled the trigger on your new truck. I'm glad it rides better and is easier on your back. I think you secretly still wanted the diesel, didn't you?
I don't blame you one bit! Was just offering different options. Enjoy the new ride, and again, congrats!
Mark

 

[HBarlow]

I found a year end closeout deal today at the local Dodge Dealership and I didn't have to compromise as much as I thought I would. A 2010 Ram 2500 "Texas Edition" 4 X 4 crew cab proudly wearing the Cummins "C" with 6 speed auto for about $3K more than I could have gotten the 2011 with the hemi for last week. Has pretty much everything except leather and navigation (two things I really don't want anway--don't care of Chrysler nav systems). They gave me $25K for mine on trade in plus $4K of rebates off a discounted price of $41K. Compared to my former truck, it's like night and day--like driving a nice car. Much less noise and a much smoother ride. I will miss the 6 speed manual because it was fun to drive but the back is already thanking me after the drive home from the stealership. I can barely hear the 6. 7 purring under the hood.

In the end, I just couldn't give up the Cummins! Compared to the Fords and Chevies I drove, it just feels right and better put together... not to mention the back seat has more room than the Chevy did and is more comfortable to sit in.

As a side note, the Tundra Platinum Edition I looked at earlier today was $7K MORE out the door! The SR5 4 X 2 Crew Max came in about $4K less.

Can't wait to try towing my camper with it tomorrow with the 6-speed auto! Oo.

Thank you fine gentlemen for all the good advice.

That is a "compromise" I could live with. I think you'll be much happier with this decision over the next few years and you'll still have the resale value of the Cummins-powered Dodge.

 

[NIsaacs]

Good job, AHarris! For 15 years I used 428 FE big block gassers in my three Fords. 1970 F100 4x2 4spd, 1975 F250 4x4 auto and 1974 F350 dually, 4spd. In 1990 I installed a 5. 9 Cummins in the dually and have had Dodge diesels ever since.



Yesterday I went to Dyno days here in town and run the F250 4x4 428 and dang!!! an 07 Toyota Tundra beat me My best run was 244 HP and 324 TQ. The Toyota was 274 HP and 297 TQ.



For reference, my '91 1st gen. 5spd, runs 263 HP and 708 TQ. After having attending several years at this event, the most gas power I have seen was in an '84 Chevy pickup with a built 454, 310 HP and 460 TQ.



So... ..... yup keep the Cummins





Nick

 

[AH64ID]

Congrats on the new truck! I hope it works out for you.

 

[Grizzly]

Nobody in their right mind will say that a gasser will tow an 8500# Trailer as easily as a CTD. But I think it would be equally ignorant to claim that a gasser WON'T tow an 8500# trailer! That's really my point. Now, once you unhook your trailer and need to drive it the other 99% of the time, what will be better on your back?

On page 10 of Trailer Life magazine, Nov 2010 issue, I just read that Ford will offer a 3. 5 V-6 "ecoboost" engine in their F 150 Crew Cab model that is rated to tow a 11,300# trailer, and gets up to 20% better fuel economy than a V-8 with "comparable appointments"( whatever that means )Another magazine claimed to have used a Ford Flex with the same engine to tow an 8500# trailer and "barely noticed it behind them. " (THAT one I have a hard time believing). I feel an 8500# trailer behind my truck! If I didn't feel it, I wouldn't be very observant, would I?

So, to go back to what the OP asked, yes a gasser will tow it. Yes it will work harder. Yes, it will use more fuel in the process. Yes, it probably won't go 1,000,000 miles.

If your back is that bad, and you are considering a truck that offers a softer ride, then there are options. You can soften the ride of your current truck, or buy another truck that rides better.

Transporters use diesel engines for a reason, they tow a lot. You don't. So you don't necessarily NEED a diesel. Like I said before, test drive all options, and get what fits your needs the best. Just keep an open mind, that's all I'm saying.....

But who in their mind wants a Furd?

 

[MChrist]

Sometimes I just like to stir the pot!

 

[JMetzger]

AHarris, I read that you have back trouble & need an operation. I had 3 back surgery's & none helped. The last surgery they fused L-2 to S-1 & I stilled had pain. This was recommended by 3 surgeons & they were all neurosurgeons. The last surgeon asked me to try Spinal Cord Stimulation & I now have a lot of relief. If you don't know about it Google it Spinal Cord Stimulation & read about it. It really helped me.

 

[AHarris]

I did a test tow today of the camper--not surprisingly, it towed as good as if not better than the old truck did (probably because of the auto trans), except it was lot less work because I didn't have to row the gears. Worked great. The EB is not as effective with the auto as it was with the G56, probably because it's only engaged when the TQ is locked up (my guess) but it still works well. Take off and acceleration is a lot better than the manual was. This thing is the total package. As a bonus, my wife likes it and she can drive it. Life is good in truck land! Oo.

 

[AABEN]

I love my truck but I've developed some major back problems that are going to require surgery. I test drove two 2011 Ram Crew Cab 2500 STs--one with the Cummins and one with a Hemi. Both trucks drove great and I was impressed with the snappy response and smoothness of the Hemi. They advertise 383HP and 400 lbs of torque for this V8. Lots easier on the back with a much better ride and auto trans and the much bigger back seat is a plus for my two soon to be teenagers. I can get the Hemi for $31K or the Cummins for $41K and the stealership will give me $26K for my truck on trade.



I can't to spend 40K for a truck right now. 90% of my driving is around town and family camping trips comprise the rest pulling the RV in my sig below to campgrounds, which goes about 8,500# loaded. Once a year we take the RV on a long (1,000 miles or more) road trip.



I would appreciate some unbiased advice here from smart guys here who might have experience towing with the Hemi or know someone who tows heavy occasionally with one. I don't have any illusions that it will pull it like a Cummins but would like to know if it can do the job comfortably.

IF that is all you pull and all you go then go with the Hemi. == good luck ==

 

[Brian Sullivan]

I hope ull be fine I have had back probs for years broke neck in 1980 c6 c7 jut keep moving I live with pain daily Mich. is bad for arth.

 

[AHarris]

AHarris, I read that you have back trouble & need an operation. I had 3 back surgery's & none helped. The last surgery they fused L-2 to S-1 & I stilled had pain. This was recommended by 3 surgeons & they were all neurosurgeons. The last surgeon asked me to try Spinal Cord Stimulation & I now have a lot of relief. If you don't know about it Google it Spinal Cord Stimulation & read about it. It really helped me.

Thanks--I'll check it out. I've been through 3 rounds of steroid shots and several months of physical therapy including them giving me a "TENS" unit which sends electrical pulses through the area (reminds me of a tazer). Didn't help much. The only thing that controls the sciatic pain in my right leg is 800mg Motrin horse pills 3x/day. Don't want to do that forever because I heard that much Ibuprofen is hard on the kidneys.