Can/should I?

[fishslayer]

Hi all, I've recently sold my F150 ecoboost max tow and looking at half ton rams. I have a Ember 26ets with a GVWR of 7600 and loaded tongue weight at or around 1k pounds. My F150 was a first Gen ecoboost with the 6 speed and 3.73 gears, payload 1568. It pulled the trailer without much fuss but gets hot in a hurry with any sort of hill due to the turbos and high ambient temp, and elevation.

Can I pull this with a hemi with 3.92 gears or will I encounter similar overheating problems. I live at 2k ft and often pull grades from 5 to 7k ft in elevation. How much is the motor going to be screaming in the mountains? I'd love to get a 2500 but they're stupid expensive for a low miles used base model. I only camp 7-10 times per summer so would like to use the truck unloaded the rest of the year, and still fit it in the garage. I've found several Laramie trucks with 1500lb payload so I'd basically be like for like. The ecoboost was pretty quiet even at 3500rpm but stressful watching the temp Guage climb north of 240 and having to back way off the throttle and hit 2nd gear to keep the temps under de-rate at 250.

How does the ram handle mountain towing with this kind of weight? I don't speed, and most of these roads are 50mph max, but twisty and steep in places. I don't need to hear that I need a 3/4 ton truck, and am experienced towing rvs with half tons (12 years this season) and a good wdh hitch handling sway.

I dont live near mountains but I can tell you my Hemi E Torque 2021 tows 12,000 lb dump trailer all day and NEVER runs hot even in our brutal summer heat. Mine would yawn at 7000 lbs .lol

 

[silver billet]

Mechanical advantage always wins.

There is NO mechanical advantage at 65 mph. ZERO. The transmissions are in different gears, so they cancel out the effect of the rear axle.

 

[TedN]

Well, the deal is done! 1500 is gone, 2024 bighorn 2500 is now in the roost! Yeah, there is a tremendous difference! All I have to say when coming home from where the dealer was, is a 2000' increase in elevation. The new (to me) 2500 stayed at 1500 rpm at 75 mph up a long grade. Then, on the mountain back roads, multiple tall hills, took them at 55 mph at a mere 1100 rpm.
Definitely a game changer!

 

[silver billet]

Well, the deal is done! 1500 is gone, 2024 bighorn 2500 is now in the roost! Yeah, there is a tremendous difference! All I have to say when coming home from where the dealer was, is a 2000' increase in elevation. The new (to me) 2500 stayed at 1500 rpm at 75 mph up a long grade. Then, on the mountain back roads, multiple tall hills, took them at 55 mph at a mere 1100 rpm.
Definitely a game changer!

Glad you like the cummins. There is no comparison, no, that much is true. That's a beast of a truck.

 

[Coolzzy]

Closing the loop on this discussion. I purchased a 22 Limited non-etorque with 3.92 gears and 33 gallon fuel tank with brake controller. Needs nothing but a front sensor bracket replaced and some sort of bed cover. It's got 1480 payload so checks all my boxes. I got a screaming deal on it from a retired couple, never towed, Sunday drives only and kept in garage. If I have to upgrade after this season of towing, it shouldnt be an issue due to the deal I got.

 

[Joem10]

Congratulations on your purchase. You’ve got a nice set up. I drive a 23 Limited and haven been towing a similar trailer for the last 3 years. I previously had a ‘19 Limited. Both had/have the air suspension. I kept the 22” rims despite towing. We typically drive on smooth roads which helps. Just make sure the tires will accept the load (xl). Additionally I keep them pumped up to 40+ psi when towing so they carry the load a little better -at least that’s what I tell myself. So far they have worked out well. No excessive heat/pressure build up. We keep the speed between 55 and 62 mph -90-100kph. I wish I had the 3.92 gear ratio. It would certainly help in hillier terrain. Fortunately we travel on more gently rolling roads so it hasn’t been too much of an issue. Next one will definitely have the 3.92. You are correct in putting the suspension in tire change mode. The owners manual does a great job in outlining the process for your weight distribution hitch adjustment with the air suspension system option. My biggest challenge is remembering to put the truck in tire change mode when hooking and unhooking the trailer. Guess there’s worse things. Lol. Happy New Year!