Hello,
Im new to the forum. I was wondering if there is anyone out there with the 5.9L Dodge Ram that tow?
Do you guys pull with the overdrive off?(on the highway)

Im asking because, I pull a 6x12 enclosed trailer (6ft tall interior trailer)...and it seems a little slugish. (Im pulling 2 sportbikes / total weight: trailer & bikes...approx 1,800lbs)

I have replaced my 3.55 gears to 4.10 (I also have the 20" wheel package)....that helps a little.

......it was a little discourageing when I got passed by a V6 Ford Ranger pulling a Toyota Supra on the highway.

Any input would be great. Thanks

 

If you're traveling on a flat highway, you can leave the OD on with a light trailer like that.

If you travel up a hill or steep grade, you should turn it off....or if you're towing something that's closer to the max. towing capacity.

It seems sluggish, but that's just how the truck is. The 360 (5.9) is underpowered in my opinion for the weight of the 3rd generation Ram. That's one of the reasons why it was replaced by the newer family of engines...the 4.7L and the 5.7L. [>:]

You can do some performance upgrades that would help. Upgrading your gears was definitely a MUST-DO. You probably should've went with 4.56s when you did though.

 

I can do 70-75mph with the overdrive off.....as soon as I put it in overdrive...it drops to 55mph. (this is on our Florida flat roads.)[:@]
The 4.10 gears helped alot. (considering it had 3.55 with 20" wheels.) ....But still sucks getting passed by a Ford Ranger (with a V6) pulling a 3,500lb car [:@]

 

Plus I get 5-7 mpg with the overdrive off @ 70-75mph. (can go 135 miles on a full tank of gas) (pulling my 6x12 enclosed trailer)
.....wish I got the Cummins[&o]

 

Was the 5.9 that underpowered?? I pulled my dads 28ft. Camping trailor with my 4.7 with no problems. Towed it 85 miles each way, got 12.5mpg and it weighs in right at max towing weight for the truck, 7000+lbs.

 

First things first, when was your tranny serviced? The 46rfe trannies need to be serviced regularly and the bands adjusted properly to function correctly. Also, you might want to venture over to the 2nd generation forums and see common problems/fixes for that motor.

The 5.9L is a fantastic motor. It builds toque low and has a long record of reliability. It should be able to tow that trailer relatively easily. How tall is the trailer? You must look at frontal area as well. If it has a large frontal area, that will equal more drag. Try towing a utility trailer that has the ramp up and try towing a trailer with no ramp, you'll know what I mean.

Also, you should have no problem on Florida's flat highways. Something is wrong if you can only go 55mph with the OD on. Is this with the OD on and not shifting down or it is floored something seems to be wrong going 55mpg? How is it without a trailer?

 

I JUST GOT RID OF MY 2001 OFF ROAD WITH THE 360 AND 4.10 GEARS. IT PULLED AN ENCLOSED TRAILER(16X7) WITH QUADS TO THE RACE TRACK MOST EVERY WEEKEND. IT WAS ALWAYS SLUGGISH TOO UNTIL I PUT THE HYPERTECH PROGRAMMER IN IT. I NOTICED A HUGE IMPROVEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF POWER DIFFERENCE WHEN TOWING FROM THAT POINT ON. I ALSO FOUND OUT JUST BEFORE WE TRADED IT IN THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD IN THE TRUCK AND IT CAUSED THE TRANNY TO CONSTANTLY "SEARCH" FOR A GEAR OR LOCK UP POINT IN THE CONVERTER, ESPECIALLY UNDER A LOAD. THESE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS TO CONSIDER BASED ON MY OWN TOWING EXPERIENCE.

BTW -I NOW OWN A 2002 NEW GEN. RAM 1500 WITH THE SAME 5.9 IN IT AND NO PERFORMANCE MODS OTHER THAN EXHAUST AND IT PERFORMS GREAT. IT HAS THE 3.55 GEARS IN THE REAR AND I JUST TOWED A LOADED 26' CAMPER 1200 MILES TO THE NASCAR RACES AT AN AVERAGE SPEED OF 70-75 MPH WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.

 

if redoffroad had the increase so much w/ programmer its possible you have the death flash ?? i would think so, buying a programmer might be a good idea, there is a sticker on the ecu unit that says it has the death flash, there is a thread around here somewhere about that, do a search for it

 

I just came off a trip where I pulled 4 ATVs and my trailer (aprox 3500 lbs plus the trailer weight). I turned the overdrive off, I got 10 pmg and had a lotof long pulls (on WV highways) I aveeraged 70-75 mph.

 

My truck did have the undeniable death flash. You can check yours by looking at the computer module on the firewall under the hood, if there is a sticker there saying authorized software update, you've got it. The hypertech will fix this problem. If you need one I have one for sale from my 2001 will work with the 5.2 or 5.9 engine.