The Many Moods of The Ram

[Dewey]

Do 4th Gens count?
Still waiting for my 5th.
View attachment 128955View attachment 128957

I can update now. Putting my new Back Country to work. Pulled my boat up to the Northwoods to do some musky fishing.

 

[JamRam]

My baby and I had our maiden towing voyage today. Picked up a project to mess around with. The tow home was about 450km and once again, the 3.6 did very well.

The tranny temp got as high as 89celcius and the mileage obviously took a hit, but the truck didn't hesitate once. I will say that the engine is a screamer when taking on those hills, but.....

Lovely trip overall!

(And yes....I do have plans to install some rear airbags. )

 

[2019Raven]

Raven is a daily driver and a stout worker around the property. It was her first tow job.

 

[Idahoktm]

Raven is a daily driver and a stout worker around the property. It was her first tow job.

Good thing you have your tow mirrors folded out to see around that lawn tractor.

 

[JamRam]

Good thing you have your tow mirrors folded out to see around that lawn tractor.

All in, or nothing at all!

I hope he had the tow/haul engaged as well.

 

[theblet]

Mines a daily commuter. Only towed once with no issues. So far so good!

 

[2019Raven]

She looks funny with her “ears“ folded any other way and no I did not have tow/haul turned on. I forgot to get pics of her hauling the 6” chipper around the property taking care of downed limbs from a winter wind storm we had.

 

[Idahoktm]

She looks funny with her “ears“ folded any other way and no I did not have tow/haul turned on. I forgot to get pics of her hauling the 6” chipper around the property taking care of downed limbs from a winter wind storm we had.

The moose antlers look goofy 100% of the time.

 

[JamRam]

Finally decided to pull the trigger on a travel trailer. Picked it up today. Let the memory-making begin!!!

 

[theblet]

Finally decided to pull the trigger on a travel trailer. Picked it up today. Let the memory-making begin!!!

Nice! How does the v6 handle the camper?

 

[JamRam]

Nice! How does the v6 handle the camper?

The 20 min drive from dealer to where we are staying was uneventful.

The real test will be the journey home today. There will be some big hills to deal with along the journey so it should be really comprehensive in the end. Will update after.

 

[theblet]

The 20 min drive from dealer to where we are staying was uneventful.

The real test will be the journey home today. There will be some big hills to deal with along the journey so it should be really comprehensive in the end. Will update after.

Cool. Was just curious. How big is the camper?

 

[JamRam]

The 20 min drive from dealer to where we are staying was uneventful.

The real test will be the journey home today. There will be some big hills to deal with along the journey so it should be really comprehensive in the end. Will update after.

Official Report​

The Trailer: 27ft from bumper to hitch; ~5,000lbs as towed. (4530lbs dry weight + full fresh water tank [324lbs] + two 20lb propane tanks + battery). Equalizer hitch used.

Truck payload used: 1390lbs (family [600lbs] + cargo [200lbs] + trailer tongue weight [590lbs])

The journey: 700km of varying elevation (from level roads to 7% inclines).

Summary:
Did the Truck do it?................Absolutely!

Did I like the way that it was done?...........Nope!!

Am I looking to upgrade?......................Maybe???

Details
Did the Truck do it?: I had Tow/haul turned on for a good chunk of the journey. I turned it off eventually, when gas consumption began to get concerning (got as bad as 19.9L/100km). I had no issues whatsoever on flat roads. I was able to do the various speed limits with rpms staying around 2,000 - 2700, handling was good, it was all what I would expect from a towing experience. The tranny temp got as high as 194 degrees fahrenheit but no slipping or anything.

Did I like the way that it was done?: The truck had no uphill oomph!! I would be doing 110km/hr, hit a 6% incline, and slow right down to 65km/hr in seconds. Accelerating uphill was only accomplished by shifting all the way down to 3rd gear, planting my foot firmly on the floor, and revving all the way to just above 5000rpms. Maybe this is by design (power being at higher rpms) but I didn't like it one bit. I kept worrying that I was gonna break something.

I would also really hate having to slow down while going uphill. If there was a lane merge or a bonehead that forced a deceleration, then getting back up to speed was a chore for 'the little engine that wanted to'. So yeah, towing on flatlands is ok. Uphill...........not so much.

Am I looking to upgrade?: I don't like being inhibited or restricted by circumstance. What I do, or don't do, should be by choice. We bought this trailer to travel and let the kids experience life outside of their immediate surroundings. As it now stands, I would think three times before going more than 2hrs from home, cuz that's when the mountains show up. I don't like that!

I'm not fed up and done with the truck by any means. I still love it, and I still think it is enough truck for most of my applications. But I don't think I would turn down a deal that would put me in a V8 with the same payments, should one show up. In other words, my gripes do not justify more debt (to me). I would not be miserable if I am forced to stay with 'Stryker'.

So there you have it!

 

[MidnightExpre$$]

Took Ingrid for a day at the park

 

[JamRam]

View attachment 138350
Took Ingrid for a day at the park

Thats a really great shot right there!

 

[eerattler]

What I want to use my truck for:

Borrowed for illustrative purposes from @Kaderast

What I actually use my truck for:

Buying stuff from HomeDepot and carrying my son's Lacrosse team and gear.

 

[JamRam]

Quick weekend runout for the crew..

 

[FiremanHemi]

I use mine for commuting 60 miles round trip to work every day and for towing our travel trailer. Towed the TT on 24 camping trips in 2021 for a total of about 8,500 miles. We go a lot, but not very far from home

View attachment 128982

Which hitch do you use? You’re pretty level for a relatively big TT, looks good!

 

[bpwj76]

Which hitch do you use? You’re pretty level for a relatively big TT, looks good!

Thanks, it does look level when I'm hitched up. I have a ProPride 1400. I have zero rise in the front and about 1/2" squat in the rear. I also have Air Lift helper springs in the back and air them up with 15 psi.

 

[2019Raven]

Getting me to various hunting spots.