Towed like a champ

RansRAM · Aug 1, 2012

So yesterday I towed a friends boat from Sturgeon Falls to Parry Sound Ontario, about 200km distance over somewhat hilly roads. I thought I'd give a small review of the experience. The boat was a 27.5 bayliner on a tandem trailer. Overall weight was 6,000lbs with approx 600-800 on the tongue. My RAM pulled this load like a champ with hardly any sway. It definitely affected my mileage and it seemed that I was always on the throttle to keep the load moving. I figure my mileage while towing was down around the 10mpg range. Average speed was between 80 and 90 km/hr while towing. The temperatures while towing were as follows, 69C trans, 99C oil and 97C coolant. Outside air temp was between 22 and 25C. I am very pleased with how these RAMs perform under load. I know I know, pics or it didn't happen so here are a couple of cool shots from yesterday,

fastNugly @ RP · Aug 1, 2012

That is crazy!
Crazy in a good way.

Yea, when I towed 4000lbs for the first time...I did notice a drop in MPG and not that the engine struggled, but it seemed to.
But I did not have it tow/haul and was in 2WD

If we both had different gears...3.92, 4.10 or 4.56, Im sure the towing experience would be different.

For me....my first tow at 4ooolbs +, I did not experience what I have been reading...

But its probably like watching a movie that everyone talks so highly about and when you watch it, it isn't as good.

Either way, great tow.
I want to tow something like that :smileup:

RansRAM · Aug 1, 2012

Ya it was a big friggin boat coming at me in the rear view mirror

Like I said, I had the feeling that perhaps the trailer brakes were on and holding me back the whole time I was towing it. I checked the trailer wheels when I got to our destination and they were all cool to the touch. Also, the engine and trans temps were not all that bad so perhaps a different gearing would make a difference, I wanted the 3:92's grrrrrr. Anyway it's nice to know it can handle the task when called on.

fastNugly @ RP · Aug 1, 2012

It is good to know our trucks can pull that size and weight
And its a fraction of what our trucks can tow :smileup:

ArmyofOne · Aug 1, 2012

Looks like I am over mine then. I have a 26.5' Bayliner (same model as yours--ciera--just a 2001 LOL). Mine is 6350 empty, about 7k loaded with fuel and gear.

Holleywud · Aug 2, 2012

Hey RansRAM, not to jack your thread, but I have a quick question. Are your mirrors painted? If they are, did you buy it like that or do it yourself? Thanks. :smileup:

fastNugly @ RP · Aug 2, 2012

They are painted and come painted with the Sport :smileup:

AlljackedupRam · Aug 2, 2012

Looks good towing it!

RansRAM · Aug 3, 2012

Thanks :smileup:

isom67 · Aug 3, 2012

I tow a 8400lb travel trailer with my truck. It's a 2010 Sport with 3:92 rear end. While it's heavy on gas, probably around 25l/100, it does pull well. Unloaded between truck and trailer that puts me at ~13,800lbs which gives me ~1,700lbs for the wife, myself and what's on board the trailer.

On level ground the RPMs usually settle at 1900 RPM but slight incline can bump it up to ~2200.

The tongue weight is a little on the heavy side for my liking coming in at 950lb. I compensate with an Equalizer Weight Distribution setup and also have an Airlift 1000 air bag kit. I use airbags mainly to negate the sag due to coil springs but not that it defeats the benefit of the weight distribution hitch.

Anyway, while I'd prefer to have a 2500 or something like that, for the small amount of towing I do, ~2 hours per week (there and back on weekends, level terrain), its just fine. Just keep on top of fluid changes.

Brian.

Towed like a champ

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