2013 looks to be a good year for Ram HD trucks

[jejeosborne]

Good to know - don't let the dealership weigh your trailer in that situation. It seems like the tow ratings are designed to steer you to more pricey options. On the 2012 Ram 1500, the 310hp 4.7L quad cab 4x4 with 3.55 rear end and 65RFE transmission is rated to tow 5850 lb. The same truck with a 390hp 5.7L hemi on the same drivetrain is rated to tow 8550lb. They basically scaled the max combined weight to horsepower - like a half ton truck really needs more than 300 horsepower. I'm thinking the 4.7L will be significantly easier on the drive train than the hemi.

From the towing chart "Note that all the payload and Max Trail weights are ESTIMATED values." http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/pdf/RAM.1500.Towing.Specs.pdf

By the way, I just bought that 1500 with 4.7L. Averaged 21mpg on the way back from the dealership , mostly highway, according to the computer.

The hemi will keep the torque converter locked more than the 4.7 liter and possibly be easier on the transmission. Does the 4.7 liter get better mileage in the real world than the hemi? I thought the EPA ratings were the same which made me wonder why anyone would choose the 4.7 liter.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The hemi will keep the torque converter locked more than the 4.7 liter and possibly be easier on the transmission. Does the 4.7 liter get better mileage in the real world than the hemi? I thought the EPA ratings were the same which made me wonder why anyone would choose the 4.7 liter.

I have mmaintained two Dodge Durango suv's. One with a Hemi and one with a 4.7. They got the same mpg in the real world.

Chris

 

[Viperdave]

I have mmaintained two Dodge Durango suv's. One with a Hemi and one with a 4.7. They got the same mpg in the real world.

Chris

mileage is very similar. the 4.7L has a crappy track record at best, head gaskets, cracked heads, lower bearings etc. the 5.7L hemi has a significantly better track record.

 

[Peacock]

The 4.7 has been pretty solid for us in recent years. Much better than the early ones.

Either way I don't see any reason to get it over the Hemi.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

mileage is very similar. the 4.7L has a crappy track record at best, head gaskets, cracked heads, lower bearings etc. the 5.7L hemi has a significantly better track record.

The 4.7 issues I search seem to be mostly 2002 vintage. 2008 and newer is pretty much a different engine. Do you have any examples of problems with the current Corsair 4.7?

Next generation V8 engine - the Dodge/Jeep 4.7 liter V-8

Edit: Sure I would prefer the Hemi. I just didn't see any low mileage 2012 4x4 Hemis selling for less than $24000. On the option list the Hemi is something like a $2400 premium and most Hemi trucks are optioned out quite a bit more than that.

 

[Viperdave]

The 4.7 issues I search seem to be mostly 2002 vintage. 2008 and newer is pretty much a different engine. Do you have any examples of problems with the current Corsair 4.7?

Next generation V8 engine - the Dodge/Jeep 4.7 liter V-8

Edit: Sure I would prefer the Hemi. I just didn't see any low mileage 2012 4x4 Hemis selling for less than $24000. On the option list the Hemi is something like a $2400 premium and most Hemi trucks are optioned out quite a bit more than that.

i am not aware of any later model 4.7L problems, after 2007 (last 4.7L i owned) but to be honest, i dont know anyone with one either.

 

[Reyer Farms]

I was always a gm guy but had three toyotas. I liked the duramax but it's no cummins. I really liked the Allison but preferred the zf manual. I now have a hd with 6.0 gas 07, and '11 ecoboost. I'll take the ecoboost over duramax for a pickup. I have not driven the new cummins but have heard several people praise them. Things will be very interesting in the next few years. I'm pulling for the Mississippi made truck set for a new model and a green fuel cap. The bailout still makes me mad.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

So for an on-topic discussion when will the 6.4 Hemi be offered in the RAM? The Wikipedia article shows it for the '14 model year.

Back to my hijack, since the 5.7 shuts down 4 cylinders to achieve mileage parity with the lesser engines, does that mean mileage will suffer more when hauling a moderate load and having to run on all cylinders? There may be a clue in the slightly lower EPA city mileage for 4x4 HEMI trucks.

"The EPA rates all three engines at 14/20 mpg city/highway when paired with two-wheel drive. It hasn’t rated four-wheel drive V6 models yet, but four-wheel drive 4.7-liter models get 14/19 mpg city/highway, while the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 gets 13/19 mpg city/highway when paired with four-wheel drive."
2012 Ram 1500 Performance | U.S. News Best Cars

 

[Brad_Blazer]

By the way, my initial driving impression of my RAM 1500 SLT 4x4 w/ 4.7l V8 is that the drivetrain is smooth, powerful, and quiet. The truck has a quiet interior, smooth ride, and great handling for a truck. I noticed the coil spring rearend has trailing links, panhard rod, and sway bar. My last pickup was an 89 F150 which I liked at the time but this thing is like another world.

 

[Diamondpilot]

By the way, my initial driving impression of my RAM 1500 SLT 4x4 w/ 4.7l V8 is that the drivetrain is smooth, powerful, and quiet. The truck has a quiet interior, smooth ride, and great handling for a truck. I noticed the coil spring rearend has trailing links, panhard rod, and sway bar. My last pickup was an 89 F150 which I liked at the time but this thing is like another world.

They have had some issues with the Dodges and rear coil springs. I never liked the idea and now they are putting air bags in them from the factory in the 2013 models. That would turn me off.

Chris