TON4FUN

I've seen a few complaints here and there about the new trucks. I'm starting to gather that not a whole lot of guys tow with these trucks on a usual basis. I've also seen alot of differences between autos and manuals and what gears they are running.

If you do tow list what you tow and how much it weighs, what your towing it with (manual or auto) and what gears you have. Also if you could list your MPG towing and any issues you have that would prob. help. I think this would clear up some questions that some guys have in reguards to their trucks not acting right. I hear the trucks do great in some areas and not so great in others.

I'll go first with my current configuration.

03 3500 4X4 Dually SO Auto (47RE) 3.73 gears. Towing 8700lbs (24 foot enclosed trailer with race car and gear)
The truck does great in unloaded configuration but loaded the truck does not like O/D and will not maintain a decent highway speed (70 MPH) with the truck loaded. As you can see I'm switching over to a new motor, tranny, and gears in hope it will go away. Towing with the 8700lbs I got 11 MPG consistant at 65 MPH.

GrandpasRam

My current truck is the '99 in my signature, and the 5ver in my signature. The 5ver wighs 10,400 lbs. loaded. Running empty at 70 mph max around Dallas Ft.Worth, I get 17.5 summer and 16.0 winter, hauling the trailer I get 10.0 to 11.0 depending on prevalent winds. My '99 is pure stock, except for the boost and pyro guages. I will be interested to see what the new one gets with the 3.73 and 6 spd., since coming out of a truck stop or getting back to highway speed after clearing traffic zones should be easier with the new one. I normally tow the 5th wheel about 8 times a year to the deer camp or the trailer dealership. Usually, 6 times to deer camp 250 miles away, 2 times to the dealership 35 miles away.

TON4FUN

No offense to the older trucks but, I'm looking for 03 info only. If you want to put your old truck in thats fine I was looking more for the new trucks. Thanks.

moss2904

I have a 2003 DRW, HO 6 spd, 3.73, with exhaust brake .<br> I tow a 31 ft Hitchikker weighs in at 10,800 empty. <br> My truck gets around 20 mpg running empty and about half that or a little better at times when I am pulling the trailer. I tow my RV about 3 weekends a month. We travel all over the southwest and northwest one month a year. I also pull my boat with the truck . It gets about 14-15 mpg pulling the boat(2,500 lbs). All my MPG numbers are from the truck computer.<br> I had a 2001 F-350, 3.73 auto before this truck. It was srw the Dodge gets a couple of miles to the gallon better running empty and almost that while pulling the trailer. The Ford liked to pull around 62 mph+- with the RV.<br> The Dodge can pull the trailer faster than I would want to go with it. It seems happy around 65 - 70 mph with the trailer behind it.

Luke S

Hmmm, I have an 03 Duramax/Allison, does that count? <br>I pull up to or sometimes right over 20,000lbs. I can run as fast as the law will allow ;D I get about 18.5-19mpg empty, and about 10-13 pulling 20k or over. And when I pull I don't cut er any slack cause I'm usually late so I'm always givin er hell ;D ;D ;D

robsobx

pull 5000 Jeep, no troubles.<br>3.73 gears HO,6spd <br>Through the blue ridge mtns I never downshift and get 16-17(by the comp, checking it by hand it's been pretty accurate)

Luke S

Here's a nice pic to stir the pot

Hummin Cummins

I've got to say.<br><br>I am tickled with my 03 Ram's HO CTD power.<br><br>Coming from the 97 chebby 6.5td I wont have any complaints.<br><br>I think when you load the truck to it's rated limits (18-20k pounds) you have to expect some comprimise in trailer towing acceleration and speed maintaining.<br><br>If you drove a chebby 6.5td before you wouldnt have any complaints.<br><br>But yes, I tow an 7500-9000 pound trailer depending on what horses and equipment is loaded. Havent towed with the CTD yet but just driving around I can tell it will pull the hitch out the bumper.

Casey Balvert

I am very happy with the performance and mileage of my HO with speed and 4.10 gears. My fiver weighs in at 12,000 pounds I can't comment on the towing as I don't have a hitch yet. I am having a &quot;no drill&quot; Pullrite installed this week.<br><br>Casey

Jim O

I am also happy with my HO 2500 4X4 Q Cab sw short box I am getting about 17 to 18 Miles to the US gal. and I think that is pretty good with warm up etc we have had it pretty cold here in Alberta -40 one day. I have only towed my trailer to test the truck and weigh it 17350 gross combined weight with out food or water in the trailer. Total towing was about 110 miles so I do not have any towing milage numbers but I am impressed with the power and the way the truck handles the trailer. Both the truck and the trailer are new so I can't compare it to anything. (I had a motorhome before). On Feb the 22 we are heading to Las Vegas for a NASCAR Race and then out to Death Valley and up 395 so when I get back home ( about March 25 or so) I should have a darn good Idea. We have done the trip before with the motorhome (6.9 ferd with a Banks turbo and the route we take is about 8000Kms or about 5000 miles.<br>Jim O

jet

Truck: 03 3500 dually QC SLT 4.10 HEMI
Trailer: 800lb !!
Load: Suzuki Hayabusa, Harley Heritage Springer 1200lb, wife 350lbs :'((just kidding)
Total: a whopping 2000lbs!!
Mileage unloaded 12
&quot; loaded 11

Good thing I got a dually huh?

jet

Rick1

I pull a 27 ft Holiday Rambler ~ 7,500 lbs with a 2003 HO 2500 4x2 6 speed 3.73. I have pulled the trailer 3 times since I recieving the truck in 1st week of 9/02. Running around 65 mph I was averaging 13-14 mpg. Took a 600 mile round trip in it with out the trailer in Nov. 02 before I put it away for the winter and I averaged 22.4 mpg. <br>As far as pulling power I have nothing to compare it to since this is my first RV and diesel truck experience. But I can run at 63-65 mph through the rolling hills of southern Ohio with no problem. <br>

tcb

i'v got a 14 foot enclosed haulmark for bikes, maybe 3200 lbs. loaded, get 14 to 17 per computer and will hold 70 to 75 ok. but, it's not the weight, it' the wind resistance holding me back. aerodynamics are a pain. and with only 3200 miles it just keeps getting better and stronger. ;D

misterKTM

[quote author=Dodgeclown link=board=17;threadid=10473;start=0#100048 date=1044308876]<br>I got a 03 H.O. 6speed, 373 gear 4x4 and it sucks,,,,<br>i put a trailer everday,,,,,,,,,,,this truck got 7500 miles on it..<br>Pull 10,000 to 20,000 everday...... Truck will pull from30 mph to 53 mph on the mat,,,,,,,<br><br><br>I looking for a new Ford truck now....<br>[/quote]<br><br>That is a little disturbing...first bad report I've heard about the HO. I've heard plenty of complaints about the SO - but none on the HO....What gives there clown ? Have you tested a new Ford ? I haven't looked at any specs, but can't imagine the Ford would be a whole lot different - I would guess the big three are all very close in power output.