It's All Making Sense Now :)
10-04-2003, 10:11 PM
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It's All Making Sense Now :)
Today, with 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) on my new 2500, I took my first trip with trailer (and horses) in tow. The loaded trailer weight was approximately 6,500 lbs. I now remember why I purchased the 2500 Cummins instead of the 1500 Hemi. If you have been following some of my posts, you will know that I had had some difficulty adjusting to life in the stiff riding 2500. I also had odor problems (mostly undercoat burning off, plus some crankcase fumes) and concerns about seat comfort.
There is no question in my mind now that the 2500 Cummins was the best choice. This truck is the best tool for the job. I trailered 2 horses and gear 120 miles round trip to a provincial park this afternoon for a trail ride and some jumping over cross country fences. We cruised easily at 110 - 125KM/H (62 - 70 MPH). Asking the truck to increase speed from 100 to 120 took about 7/10th's throttle (almost to the floor), but once the new cruise speed was reached, I backed off the throttle and the truck held the new speed without strain while in OD. Fuel mileage was showing about 12.5 mpg (about 15 mpg CDN).
Comparing this to the test tow in the Hemi: The Hemi could not pull this trailer without horses at 65 MPH in OD at all. It would lose speed until it came out of OD and then try and climb back up to 60 MP/H over the next mile or so, only to repeat the process. As for the fuel mileage, the Hemi indicated 5 - 7 MP/G (US) pulling the empty trailer.
I have spent the last year trailering my horse to competitions and riding lessons using a 2001 Dodge Ram Van with a 5.2L/auto. It was a loud, boucy trip without A/C or a decent sound system,
Today we made the trip in comfort, with an acceptable ride, plenty of fresh cool air, classical music and a load that was easy to handle.
My plan now is to trade this bumper pull trailer (total length 15' 6" + 3' for the tongue = 18' 6"
for a gooseneck version, including eight feet of floor space in the dressing room (total length 26' 6". I calculate that about 3 - 4 feet of the gooseneck will reside in the bed, leaving the total added feet behind the truck at about 22' 6", which amounts to an additional 4' behind the truck. I expect this will be an easy load for the truck to handle.
It all makes sense now!
There is no question in my mind now that the 2500 Cummins was the best choice. This truck is the best tool for the job. I trailered 2 horses and gear 120 miles round trip to a provincial park this afternoon for a trail ride and some jumping over cross country fences. We cruised easily at 110 - 125KM/H (62 - 70 MPH). Asking the truck to increase speed from 100 to 120 took about 7/10th's throttle (almost to the floor), but once the new cruise speed was reached, I backed off the throttle and the truck held the new speed without strain while in OD. Fuel mileage was showing about 12.5 mpg (about 15 mpg CDN).
Comparing this to the test tow in the Hemi: The Hemi could not pull this trailer without horses at 65 MPH in OD at all. It would lose speed until it came out of OD and then try and climb back up to 60 MP/H over the next mile or so, only to repeat the process. As for the fuel mileage, the Hemi indicated 5 - 7 MP/G (US) pulling the empty trailer.
I have spent the last year trailering my horse to competitions and riding lessons using a 2001 Dodge Ram Van with a 5.2L/auto. It was a loud, boucy trip without A/C or a decent sound system,
Today we made the trip in comfort, with an acceptable ride, plenty of fresh cool air, classical music and a load that was easy to handle.
My plan now is to trade this bumper pull trailer (total length 15' 6" + 3' for the tongue = 18' 6"
for a gooseneck version, including eight feet of floor space in the dressing room (total length 26' 6". I calculate that about 3 - 4 feet of the gooseneck will reside in the bed, leaving the total added feet behind the truck at about 22' 6", which amounts to an additional 4' behind the truck. I expect this will be an easy load for the truck to handle.It all makes sense now!
10-04-2003, 11:09 PM
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Re:It's All Making Sense Now :)
I'm glad that you finally see the light!
A friend of mine just traded in his 2002 Ram 1500 with a 4.7L gas engine in for a new 2004 Ram 2500 with a...Hemi. :
I have no idea what he was thinking. He thinks that the Cummins is too slow and "unrefined." I told him that, yes, it is slow off the line compared to a gas engine, but when towing, especially in mountainous areas, there is NO comparison. He couldn't be swayed. Oh well. Soon he will see. The Hemi will be a slight improvement over his 4.7L engine, but it won't be the towing machine that the Cummins is.
Again, congrats on picking the right vehicle. I've had mine for about two weeks now, and I can't imagine ever going back to a gas truck.
A friend of mine just traded in his 2002 Ram 1500 with a 4.7L gas engine in for a new 2004 Ram 2500 with a...Hemi. :
I have no idea what he was thinking. He thinks that the Cummins is too slow and "unrefined." I told him that, yes, it is slow off the line compared to a gas engine, but when towing, especially in mountainous areas, there is NO comparison. He couldn't be swayed. Oh well. Soon he will see. The Hemi will be a slight improvement over his 4.7L engine, but it won't be the towing machine that the Cummins is.
Again, congrats on picking the right vehicle. I've had mine for about two weeks now, and I can't imagine ever going back to a gas truck.
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