Dodge Ram Mega Cab 1500 Gas Mileage / Towing
#1
06-24-2008 | 09:44 PM
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#2
06-24-2008 | 09:52 PM
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RE: Dodge Ram Mega Cab 1500 Gas Mileage / Towing
Well I couldn't check out the 3.73 on Dodge's site, it only allows me to choose the 4.10 which is available on the 2008 Mega Cab with HEMI. On that ratio, it says you can tow 8400lbs, so I would imagine you are ok.
As for mileage, I drove my quad cab with a quad in the bed (800lbs) and two on a trailer (about 2000lbs trailer weight), and I got 12.5 average.
As for mileage, I drove my quad cab with a quad in the bed (800lbs) and two on a trailer (about 2000lbs trailer weight), and I got 12.5 average.
#3
06-24-2008 | 11:56 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
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RE: Dodge Ram Mega Cab 1500 Gas Mileage / Towing
Well.... if we look at the TrailerLife guide:
http://www.trailerlife.com/towrating...ngs_p20_33.pdf
..the MegaCab tow rating with the 4x4 and the 3.73 is 6350 pounds.
That puts you over weight already with a 6720 pound trailer. To add to that, dry weight is usually listed as a trailer with NO options (AC, spare tire, awning, etc.), NO gear (grill, chairs, food, beverages, clothes, kitchen stuff, tv, etc), and NO fluids in the tanks (propane, fresh water, etc). A trailer MIGHT be that dry weight when you tow it off the lot, but is probably heavier. It certainly will be a fair amount heavier by the time it's ready for you to use with all your stuff in it. Figure another 500-1000 pounds. It adds up a lot faster than you'd expect (personal experience!). And any passengers over a 150 pound driver in the truck come off of that tow rating as well.
To make matters worse, most hardcore RVers will suggest you don't exceed 80% of your tow rating, to allow for a safety factor, the longevity of your tow vehicle, and climbing (and descending) hills.
It's your call. Many people tow over the ratings of their vehicles without a problem. But you might want to check out something a little lighter.
A better number is the GVWR. That's the MAX weight of the trailer, including all the stuff you can pack into it. It's heavier than the trailer really is at purchase, but more accurately reflects what it will weigh when you really use it. Pick a trailer with a GVWR of 6350 pounds (or less, if you'll have several passengers), and you'll be closer to the mark.
For the record, my '07 QC 1500 5.7, 3.92 gets 7.5-8.5mpg towing a 30 foot travel trailer that weighs around 5000 pounds dry, 6200 or so fully loaded. It tows beautifully on flat ground, but works pretty hard when I get into the hills. Fighting a headwind makes it not much fun. The wind resistance of travel trailers is a bigger problem than the weight, in most cases.
http://www.trailerlife.com/towrating...ngs_p20_33.pdf
..the MegaCab tow rating with the 4x4 and the 3.73 is 6350 pounds.
That puts you over weight already with a 6720 pound trailer. To add to that, dry weight is usually listed as a trailer with NO options (AC, spare tire, awning, etc.), NO gear (grill, chairs, food, beverages, clothes, kitchen stuff, tv, etc), and NO fluids in the tanks (propane, fresh water, etc). A trailer MIGHT be that dry weight when you tow it off the lot, but is probably heavier. It certainly will be a fair amount heavier by the time it's ready for you to use with all your stuff in it. Figure another 500-1000 pounds. It adds up a lot faster than you'd expect (personal experience!). And any passengers over a 150 pound driver in the truck come off of that tow rating as well.
To make matters worse, most hardcore RVers will suggest you don't exceed 80% of your tow rating, to allow for a safety factor, the longevity of your tow vehicle, and climbing (and descending) hills.
It's your call. Many people tow over the ratings of their vehicles without a problem. But you might want to check out something a little lighter.
A better number is the GVWR. That's the MAX weight of the trailer, including all the stuff you can pack into it. It's heavier than the trailer really is at purchase, but more accurately reflects what it will weigh when you really use it. Pick a trailer with a GVWR of 6350 pounds (or less, if you'll have several passengers), and you'll be closer to the mark.
For the record, my '07 QC 1500 5.7, 3.92 gets 7.5-8.5mpg towing a 30 foot travel trailer that weighs around 5000 pounds dry, 6200 or so fully loaded. It tows beautifully on flat ground, but works pretty hard when I get into the hills. Fighting a headwind makes it not much fun. The wind resistance of travel trailers is a bigger problem than the weight, in most cases.
