I recently bought a RAM1500 Hemi 5.7 3.92 4x4 to tow our travel trailer from Denver to west slope and Utah. We hoped to make ~6 round trips per year (24 ascents over Vail Pass + Ike Tunnel). Made 2 runs so far and it's a FAIL. Truck now has 1300 miles on it and I got the Engine Temperature High warning on both Vail and Ike. The load is a Little Guy (3150lbs dry) with ~600lbs of stuff in it, and a payload (people and toys) of about 600 pounds. Tongue weight is ~350. Not a heavy load, I thought. Tried to maintain a reasonable speed going uphill of 55mpg (speed limit is 65, and many trailer rigs were doing that). Pretty near the top of the passes, gauges read (249, 199, 275) for coolant, tranny, oil. I recovered from the coolant warning by turning ac off, heater up to the max, and slowing to 40. Coolant went down to 228 in 20 seconds , but oil stayed high (270, no oil temp warning) until we started the descent.
I assume this is not normal, and perhaps dangerous to engine? After the first fail, it went in for warranty service - they found nothing wrong.
Do I have a lemon, or is the design such that you can't run at 300hp for 10 minutes? The latter would be pathetic.
Too bad because I really like the truck. Gets 12mpg towing these big hills, is comfortable, can keep up good speed (though only for a short time before overheat).
Suggestions? Thanks.
I assume this is not normal, and perhaps dangerous to engine? After the first fail, it went in for warranty service - they found nothing wrong.
Do I have a lemon, or is the design such that you can't run at 300hp for 10 minutes? The latter would be pathetic.
Too bad because I really like the truck. Gets 12mpg towing these big hills, is comfortable, can keep up good speed (though only for a short time before overheat).
Suggestions? Thanks.