Plenty of people are. But its not the engine or trans that cant handle the weight. Its other factors like Axle, suspension, etc.
Plenty of people are. But its not the engine or trans that cant handle the weight. Its other factors like Axle, suspension, etc.
Matty,Plenty of people are. But its not the engine or trans that cant handle the weight. Its other factors like Axle, suspension, etc.
And then some! There's a recent "towing heavy" thread on the other forum that has some pretty surprising accounts; short tows with an 18000# dump trailer, a 600 mile trip towing 9400# with 3 adults & trappings. This was on a limited with 355's. A couple of car haulers in the 8000# range. All reports were with totally satisfactory results. I wouldn't be the least bit deterred if you don't exceed axle ratings.I found the truck I like but the axel ratio puts me right at the maximum tow limit for my boat. if the truck has an eight speed transmission can't you just drop down a gear or two in the manual shift mode? anyone out there pushing their tow limit to the max?
Thanks for the response. That is a good explanation of why the ratings are lower.The acceptance of the new sae rating system has been a game changer for us. Now, a great deal of weight is given to performance rather than the structural failure point of the overall system. The Ed is is being seriously penalized for lack of neck snapping acceleration ability. Discounting a drag race up Davis dam, I think the capabilities are far higher than the ratings indicate.
Here are the main test methods trucks are now measured on as per J2807:
Cooling capability on a long highway upgrade modeled on the Davis Dam grade on Arizona SR 68;
Launch and acceleration performance on a level road and a 12 percent upgrade;
Combined handling performance – understeer and trailer sway;
Combined braking performance – stopping distance and parking brake-hold on grade; and
Structural performance for the vehicle and hitch or hitch receiver.
New calculations for trailer weight ratings: In addition to the performance standards, SAE J2807 also uses a specific set of assumptions to calculate maximum trailer weight ratings:
For light-duty full-size pickups (GVWR < 8,500 lbs.), SAE J2807 assumes that the tow vehicle includes any options with higher than 33 percent penetration;
It assumes there is both a driver and passenger in the vehicle, each weighing 150 pounds;
It assumes that tow vehicles also include up to 70 pounds of aftermarket hitch equipment (where applicable); and
For conventional trailer towing, SAE J2807 assumes that 10 percent of the trailer weight is on the tongue."
Ram 1500 ecodiesel
Longhorn cc lb 4x4
Very interesting. thanx for sharing the info.The eco diesel struggles up the Davis Dam hot trailer tow test. This would be the limiting factor based on the cooling system capacity. Eisenhower pass in Colorado is also a very aggressive test for a truck pulling a load.
The Ram eco diesel is not using the Hemi radiator, Chrysler pinched a few pennies and used the smallest radiator in the Ram feasible.
We pulled 6000lb up Eisenhower pass at 65 F ambient. The truck pulled the load easy for the first 2-3 miles, then the coolant temps creeped up into the hot zone and the engine computer started cutting power until the vehicle speed had dropped to 50 mph. We were full throttle the entire grade.
If you are pulling on flat ground in normal weather, I doubt the truck will ever run hot and reduce output. If full power is available, the Ram should be able to pull 10,000 lb or more...whatever the chassis limit is.
FYI, we do have good things in the works for the ECO Diesel in terms of fuel efficiency, power, torque, less turbo lag and improved drive ability.
Getting out in 5* weather, heated anything is nice. Feels especially good to my old arthritic hands. Good luck in your quest.....I was just curious... who needs a heated steering wheel?? ............