No Coincedence Gold Hitch Award Won by Ram Limited with OFP?

[cruz-in]

I was watching the TFL Truck Video where they crown the RAM Limitedn the winer of thier Gold Hitch Award. If you haven't seen it , they test the big three trucks on a steep 8 mile grade at about 11K feet elevation.

One thing I noticed is RAM sent them a Limited with the OFG to use in the test. I suspect the stiffer suspension of the Off Road Package (OFP) Shocks contributed to how well the trcuck handled the 9000 pound trailer.

Think RAM sent one with the OFP becuse they thought the OFP (with stiffer shocks) would give it an edge in towing a 9000 pound trailer?

 

[19RamLimited]

I was watching the TFL Truck Video where they crown the RAM Limitedn the winer of thier Gold Hitch Award. If you haven't seen it , they test the big three trucks on a steep 8 mile grade at about 11K feet elevation.

One thing I noticed is RAM sent them a Limited with the OFG to use in the test. I suspect the stiffer suspension of the OFG Shocks contributed to how well the trcuck handled the 9000 pound trailer.

Think RAM sent one with the OFG becuse they thought the OFG (with stiffer shocks) would give it an edge in towing a 9000 pound trailer?

The truck in the video had air ride

 

[HotStuff]

OFG...?.

Do you mean ORP? Off Road Package

 

[cruz-in]

The truck in the video had air ride

Not sure what your point is?

 

[Jackham]

I think there is a basic misunderstanding about the ORG. Heavier duty shocks don't ride rougher, they simply don't overheat as fast. Its not like you added another leaf spring or anything like that.

 

[Troop2865]

The truck they used was definetly an air ride equipped truck and it had the 3:92 gears. They were very impressed with the air ride and how well the steering felt. I have driven both the Off Road Group equipped truck (which I own) and a Laramie with standard suspension. In my opinion, the Off Road Group truck definitely rides firmer. I am not sure if that is due to stiffer coil springs, stiffer shocks, or both.

The Ram wasn't the fastest up the mountain, but I did not see it go below the speed limit during the test.

The Ford was the fastest, although not by much. Turbocharged engines are always going to do better at higher elevations. I have towed that stretch of road several times. It is a nice stretch for a Cummins.

 

[Gman]

Not sure what your point is?

Correct. I'm not sure what your point is.

 

[Gman]

The Ram wasn't the fastest up the mountain, but I did not see it go below the speed limit during the test.

They did another IKE Gauntlet comparison of the V6 RAM vs. the Hemi, and the time for the Hemi was better in that video (7:56).

In the 3 truck comparison video, I think they may have been slowed by traffic which is why they mentioned that the difference was 'negligible'.

 

[19RamLimited]

The Air ride eliminates the squat. So it puts less of the burden on the shocks versus a coil suspension. The shocks play less a role on those trucks on smooth pavement.

 

[CouchAssault]

There's a market for helper air bags for a reason. They help hauling heavy loads.

 

[Zinger]

They did another IKE Gauntlet comparison of the V6 RAM vs. the Hemi, and the time for the Hemi was better in that video (7:56).

In the 3 truck comparison video, I think they may have been slowed by traffic which is why they mentioned that the difference was 'negligible'.

Any time up that mountain that's faster than 8:00 by definition means they exceeded their 60 MPH limit at some point. Or, it could be speedo calibration issues. Theoretically there should never be a time under 8:00, ever. So there is definitely some margin for error. It's an interesting test but a few seconds high or low of 8:00 should be looked at as identical.

 

[Troop2865]

I agree. And running that stretch it is very difficult not to get caught up in slower traffic. In watching their videos, I think they use another truck for filming and trying to block off traffic when the towing vehicle needs to change lanes.

 

[Bleda2002]

Any time up that mountain that's faster than 8:00 by definition means they exceeded their 60 MPH limit at some point. Or, it could be speedo calibration issues. Theoretically there should never be a time under 8:00, ever. So there is definitely some margin for error. It's an interesting test but a few seconds high or low of 8:00 should be looked at as identical.

I dont actually think the Ike's Gauntlet is exactly 8 miles long. In one of the videos the computer actually read 7.8 from start to finish so a time under 8 minutes is possible with out blowing 60 either. 8 min is just the benchmark meaning you got up to speed reasonably quick and more or less maintained 60 mph through traffic

Edit:
I just did the math, assuming they start at 60 mph (which they dont) and did the run up at 60 then the perfect run is actually 7:48.

 

[SpeedyV]

I dont actually think the Ike's Gauntlet is exactly 8 miles long. In one of the videos the computer actually read 7.8 from start to finish so a time under 8 minutes is possible with out blowing 60 either. 8 min is just the benchmark meaning you got up to speed reasonably quick and more or less maintained 60 mph through traffic

Edit:
I just did the math, assuming they start at 60 mph (which they dont) and did the run up at 60 then the perfect run is actually 7:48.

This makes sense. They suggested that the F-150 achieved the best time due to the acceleration of the EcoBoost up the on ramp. That may be true, but they're also assuming that each vehicle's speedometer is accurate. That leaves plenty of room for error.

 

[Troop2865]

Scientifically, not a perfect test. I do like them running that area though. It is definitely real world type of towing and they keep the loads the same.

I would like to see comparison testing on long hill runs but at lower elevation. It would be interesting to see how they all compare in a variety of situations while towing. I would think the turbocharged engine would lose some of it’s advantage.

 

[Bleda2002]

Scientifically, not a perfect test. I do like them running that area though. It is definitely real world type of towing and they keep the loads the same.

I would like to see comparison testing on long hill runs but at lower elevation. It would be interesting to see how they all compare in a variety of situations while towing. I would think the turbocharged engine would lose some of it’s advantage.

I agree, while its cool to do it at the high elevations, they're basically giving the EcoBoosts a nice head start on the NA engines.

 

[Gman]

I doubt the elevation change would ever tilt naturally aspirated over turbocharging. Whatever O2 is available, the turbocharged engine will be able to take more advantage of it.

The IKE Challenge will provide a good idea for your expectations. It's not exactly science (it still has the human element within it), but you won't find many situations that are more extreme.