Anyone tow with a Ram 3.6 litre engine?

[tuffr2]

I looked and I see it is rated to tow 7,600lbs. That is more than I thought it would. Plus I can get a 3.6 in the Laramie trim.

I have a 6,000lb TT that will be towed on flat land and local.

[Spdracr39]

I'm sure it can be done but with that little torque at high rpm you won't enjoy it.

[KD4UPL]

There are lots of types of trailers. A hardsided RV is probably the hardest of any of them to tow. They combine lots of side "sail" area, a very un-aerodynamic front end, and relatively high percentage of tongue weight.
Towing a sleek 7,600 pound boat with probably 5% - 10% tongue weight or towing a 7,600 pound flatbed with equipment that can be positioned differently to adjust the tongue weight is completely different than towing a 7,600 pound travel trailer.
While the truck may be "rated" for it you will not enjoy the experience and the truck will be at or passed it's limits for handling. Fuel mileage will probably be the same or worse than a V8 engine moving the same weight. So, there's really no advantage to using that engine. Only disadvantages.
I wouldn't do it.

[Dropthejacks]

Don't believe I'd be in any hurry to hook a 6K lb TT to a truck that maxes out at 7600 (You'd have to special order the rear end geared 3.55 just to get that rating). I believe I'd spend the extra what, $2K and get the 5.7 Hemi, which is still gonna be minimal in a Laramie at roughly 8700 lbs towing. If the $2K breaks the deal, buy a Bighorn with the Hemi and have leather installed. At that point you're pretty much in a Laramie anyway.

[tuffr2]

I saw the 7,600 lb. towing before I saw the measly 269 ft. lbs. torque. Those numbers don't make sense. 269 ft. lbs. of torque is good for 4,000lbs not 7,600lbs.

Agree, not good for towing 6,000lbs.

Thanks

[tyler811]

Have you looked at the V-6 diesel for Ram?

420 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm and and 9200 pd towing capacity along with great mileage. We towed a 3300 pd TT to Florida and got 12.5-13 mpg at 65-70 mph. We have the electric brake and tow package with the button ya push. Good take off too, still might be a little low though.


Car and Driver review

[tuffr2]

I am not that interested in diesel. I have a diesel dually now and understand the power that they produce. They are as drivable also but on my dually in my opinion has too much weight on the front tires.

I prefer to have a light weight gasoline engine to give the truck a bit more balance front to back.

Good idea though.

[tyler811]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I am not that interested in diesel. I have a diesel dually now and understand the power that they produce. They are as drivable also but on my dually in my opinion has too much weight on the front tires.

I prefer to have a light weight gasoline engine to give the truck a bit more balance front to back.

Good idea though.

Granted they are not for everyone as I was not sold on them either. and the wife not want a "noisy smelly thing". But after researching some more on the Eco Diesel I discovered it weighs only 50 pounds more then the V8 Hemi according to an article in Car and Driver.

And I lost my truck to my wife

[tuffr2]

Agree, the current modern batch of diesel engines are quiet with no diesel smell...except on your hands after fueling...ugh.

Also, agree that the new trucks are comfortable enough for the wife.

[Desert Flyer]

If you are a ‘flatlander’ then the 3.6L V6 should theoretically work just fine. With less torque, you will take longer getting off the line until your engine builds revs. (In mountains is where the diesel has a big advantage). No 0-60 trophies for you. But once there it is your horsepower that keeps you going. The more HP, the faster you can go until you bump up against air resistance. With a flat-fronted TT and low HP, like older V6s and weak V8s, you will hit a maximum speed at some point. With ST tires rated at 65 mph probably not a big deal. With an aerodynamic TT shape, you can go even faster. Todays modern V6s are indeed powerful at 300 hp and more (even without turbocharging), coupled with an aerodynamic modern TT and you have a nice combination. The big benefit is great solo gas mileage. If you don’t really need it, more and bigger costs more $, and then costs even more $ again throughout the year when soloing. Food for thought.

[Danny5]

People wouldn't think twice about towing that TT with a Tahoe, and they tow about the same.

Also remember the rule of 8/10ths, trying not to exceed 80% of your tow capacity.

[doc77]

I don’t personally have th v6, but, remember, the engine is only part of the story of towing capability.. the V6 with the 8 speed transmission is just as capable as a larger v8 and a 4 or 5 speed transmission.

Out of curiosity I asked a fellow camper how his v6 2017 towed his relatively large conventional trailer, and did he have any misgivings. He stated that he went into this truck, his first ever lease, with some trepidation, but after several trips, he was completely satisfied, and it towed just as well, in his opinion, as his previous V8 Ram with the 4 or 5 speed.

He leased the v6 Ram because of the excellent rates at the time, and wanted a truck with good fuel economy for the 99% of the time the truck was empty.

[tuffr2]

doc77 - interesting and good news. When the 2019 Ram 1500 comes out it will be a much better truck with I speed transmission and new slightly lighter weight. I really like what Ram is doing to the new truck.

[tuffr2]

8 speed transmission should be in the previous post...