Dodge RAM 1500 3.6L PENTASTAR VVT v6

Kampa2020

Trying to narrow down a TV for our 2021 TAB 400 Boondock.

Does anyone have experience pulling the Tab 400 with this vehicle/engine?

Some background:

- This will be our first truck, a second vehicle, and other than some trips for lumber, the dump, will primarily be getting it as a TV.

- Although it is relatively flat in our part of the world (Ontario) we intend to make trips to the west coast, east coast, and Yukon.

- Realistically though, the % total time going up steep grades would be relatively small

- We drove both this vehicle and the V8 Hemi yesterday.  Although the Hemi obviously had more power, it also felt bigger and heavier, perhaps a bit stiffer.

 - Price is a factor and the Hemi would be $8K more.

- Although we thought a larger SUV would do the job, after reading lots online it seemed like we should go one size larger just to be safe.

- Towing capacity is 7,730 lbs

Kampa2020

Nobody? Really? Maybe that is a sign :(

Verna

@Kampa2020, I know there are Ram owners here, but they may not have been here today. 

You can try searching (upper right hand side of this page) for Ram and see what you come up with. 

DougH

I did search on Dodge and 3.6 and various combinations and saw a Caravan, but not the RAM.  Doesn't mean its not a perfect tow vehicle... just not discussed here much.

Denny16

I have the 3.6L Pentastar in my Jeep Gladiator Truck, and it is a very capable engine, one of Dodge/Chrysler’s workhorse engines.  I had the previous version of this in a Doge Dakota long wheelbase truck and drove it for 12 years, with no issues, which I can,using towing over mountains on the North West coast.  

So the Doge Ram should handle well.  Dodge is releasing a new version of the Dakota with the same engine, which gives you a slightly smaller truck.
cheers

Kampa2020

Denny16 said:

I have the 3.6L Pentastar in my Jeep Gladiator Truck, and it is a very capable engine, one of Dodge/Chrysler’s workhorse engines.  I had the previous version of this in a Doge Dakota long wheelbase truck and drove it for 12 years, with no issues, which I can,using towing over mountains on the North West coast.  

So the Doge Ram should handle well.  Dodge is releasing a new version of the Dakota with the same engine, which gives you a slightly smaller truck.
cheers

Thanks! So how do you find it on the steeper grades? I realise it will not be like the Hemi and will work harder. I guess I am just looking to hear that it is slower but does the job and that the engine won’t be damaged.

Denny16

The Pentastar gets its max power at around 4K-4500 rpms, so on steel grinder, you just increase the throttle and the rig powers up the the grade, but it will use a little more gas doing so, because of the increased engine rpms.  Yes, it may not be as fast as the big V-8, but overall, you will use less gas on an average trip.  Personally, I keep my speed around 50-60mph when towing, this gets the best mpg average.
cheers

Kampa2020

Denny16 said:

The Pentastar gets its max power at around 4K-4500 rpms, so on steel grinder, you just increase the throttle and the rig powers up the the grade, but it will use a little more gas doing so, because of the increased engine rpms.  Yes, it may not be as fast as the big V-8, but overall, you will use less gas on an average trip.  Personally, I keep my speed around 50-60mph when towing, this gets the best mpg average.
cheers

What is your towing capacity. Just learned that the axle ratio on the one I am looking at is actually 3.21 giving only 6440 lbs towing capacity.

Denny16

I have 6,000 lbs towing capacity with the higher gear ratio rear end.  I added the max tow package Progressive springs to increase payload and handle heavier tongue weights, I had  600 lbs, now it is closer to 700lbs, but both are more than enough for towing a TaB400.  I also tow a orchard tractor around, 4,000+ lbs with tractor and trailer together.  I wanted the higher rear end gear, better mpg for most driving.

My Dakota had the max tow package with the lower rear end gear, and this just used more gas for everyday driving.  I was never towing anything more than 4500 lbs, but the lower rear end does give more pickup on steep grades.  The Dakota only had a 4-speed auto transmission.  The new trucks have a 8-speed auto, so the lower rear end is only needed if you are towing heavy loads close to max limit.
cheers