What the heck are you talking about? I have no reason to lie. If it didn't do what I wanted it to do, I'd trade it for another Cummins powered Ram this week! But it would be one that I made sure doesn't have the driveline vibration. I've owned four Dodge Cummins Rams since '95. I can easily afford another one. A 50 lb trailer? 25,000 rpm? Are you just pulling fabricated numbers out of the air with no basis at all? I have no power issues getting the rig rolling or keeping it rolling. Cruise control, battery, door lock? What's that got to do with the Hemi? Transmissions have been a problem with the Cummins in front of them more so than with any engine in a Dodge truck. My truck has the same tires my '03 Cummins powered Ram had. You make little sense.

 

But what does get good fuel mileage when towing heavy? Within reason. Driving habits have a lot to do with mileage. He tells me that if he does 65 on the interstate he gets 21 or 23. When doing 70, he gets 17-19. With cruise on that is. I think its different for every person...

 

I forgot to mention that the V-10 got 7-8 mpg when towing and 10-14 unloaded. 14 was the best it got on a trip home from Lubbock with a norther pushing it most the way. The diesel gets 10-14 towing and around 18-19, sometimes 20 when empty

 

Didn't mean to stop on toes here, he was asking for opinions and I gave mine. I have never layed any claims to be an expert at anything. Just relaying my experience with my 03 Hemi. If your experience was better I think it's great that your happy with it.

 

No hard feelings here. Just conversing with each other. Dont take it the wrong way...

 

I had a 03 SO with an Edge EZ and a sad 48RE 3.73 and pulled 20,000# all day for 100K miles. Really nice, but 4.10's would've done MUCH better (had tall tires).

At any rate, I would not get a gasser if I were you...

 

I'm not saying the Hemi is bad for towing, but when you talk about hauling trailors of acces of 15,ooo pounds. You'd be crazy not to have a diesel that can handle that type of punishment. Hince the reason they dont run gassers in Peterbuilt and Kenworths. Diesel engines are stonger period..

 

Thanks for everyones experience. I had a weak moment when talking dollars about trading trucks with the dealer. Without going into great detail the reason I was contemplating a gas truck is I use to own a 95 dodge 360 245 Hp gas truck that would pull better and get better fuel mileage than the brand new diesel I bought in 1999. My new diesel was such a let down and alot of extra dollars to buy. After spending alot more money into it (see signature) I am know happy with it except for the 53 block. It seems like every time I get something figured out on this truck another thing comes along to disappoint me.

On the fence but I think I am going to keep the truck and see what happens. My intentions when I bought the diesel was to keep it until it or I die. Looks like with the frustration it has caused me it might win earlier than anticipated.

 

There is no doubt in my mind that you will regret the gas and wish you had the diesel if you are going to tow much. My father still has a '95 F350 Dually that we use on the farm, it is 460 gas power I beleive rated at 235 H.P. with 4.10 rear in it.

My 235 h.p stock Cummins on 3.55 rear will spank that trcuk like there is no tommorow, out pull it any day of the week with any load.

Even Dad will grudgingly admit that.

 

some of the most powerful 5.9's out there have 53 blocks in them... I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Forrest

 

A piddly 235hp out of a 460 V8 gasser? No wonder Ford dropped it for the 415cid V-10. If you couldn't outrun it I'd say something is seriously wrong with your truck.
Who said anything about 15,000 lbs? I wouldn't tow 15k with my Hemi. But I wouldn't hesitate to tow 15k with a GM 496 or Ford V-10 gasser. But then again I wouldn't hesitate to tow 19,000 lbs with a 3500 Dodge Cummins with manual tranny and 4.10's. Some would say you need a medium duty or worse yet the Fraud P'oSD with it's tow boss gimmick. I'd rather have a Dodge with a Hemi than a Fraud with a P'oSD. OTR trucks use big diesel engines because they run "at least" 2500 miles a week. The difference in fuel efficiency for a gas engine big enough and built strong enough to move 70k lbs for over 1m miles would put them out of business. But we're not talking about big rigs. These are pickup trucks. I tow more with my Hemi powered Ram than most on these and other forums with their diesel powered pickup trucks. And I've owned both so I know what the stock SO Cummins is capable of. I'm not "recommending" the Hemi powered Ram for towing. But if someone asks how a Hemi powered Ram does for towing, I can give them some straight up answers without all the BS and drama. I wouldn't recommend a SO Cummins powered Ram for towing 15k either. I've owned four of them.

 

The 460 Ford actually makes a pretty good tow motor. 235HP is only part of the answer. the 460 will put out about 500ft-lb's stock and with a little cam change it can put out close to 600ft-lbs easy. Now it will suck fuel compared to a diesel but they do make strong motors.

I have a 05 Dodge 2500 CTD and it pulls hard but my dad has a 1989 E350 Van with a 460 and a three speed auto that will probably pull any thing I can. It will just use twice the fuel.