2015 Ram 3500 takes on the extreme Ike Gauntlet towing review
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- čas přidán 1. 04. 2015
- ( www.TFLtruck.com ) 2015 Ram 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 Dually is powered by the 6.7L I6 Cummins turbo-diesel. It makes 385 horsepower and 865 lb-ft of torque. It also uses a 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission.
How does it do when towing a 1942 M2 Halftrack (total weight including the trailer is 21,600 lbs) up a steep incline at over 11,000 feet above sea level? This is precisely what the Ike Gauntlet extreme towing review is designed to show.
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I miss these legacy videos
Literally why I bought my 2012 ram 3500 srw.
That is one beast of a truck. Its hard to realize how heavy 10 tons is until you've actually hauled it across a mountain. These big duallies make it look easy, but they are working very hard to get up that grade.
I can't get over how excellent these Ram duallys look with the Laramie Longhorn package. Damn, this truck is pretty much perfect. Great job TFL, I gotta tell you, you make the best car/truck reviews on CZcams. Simple as that. You guys have the humor, the facts, and the footage.
I just bought one and Im very happy so far. Very nice and strong truck
The things that towing are getting cooler and cooler!
Great vid as usual gents. That said, Nathan that thing looks way better than any truck inmho
I am glad they included mpg numbers. Nothing is more relevant then fuel economy at wide open throttle while pulling a trailer.
I really enjoy these segments! Wondering why the downhill portion was eliminated? When towing down Sandstone Mountain in WV (where Ford brought you to introduce the new 6.7 PSD) I'm more concerned about going down than coming up. I also liked when Andre reported brake temps.Keep up the good work.
there goes the Ram cummins going up that steep hill and the cooling fan is loud kicking in at full speed twice!!. Can't wait to see how the Powerstroke will do.
another good video
I need the Eaton Fuller trans.....I'm just so use to them. Plus they're very dependable.
The 3500's needs a 3 stage jake on it....no questions asked! Two stage won't do.
out of curiosity I'd like to see one done with the laremie sport and the g56 slush box please.
Cannot wait till truck awards.
nice truck
Very NICE!
I love this truck
What is the MPG on this beast unloaded?
I like the knob shifter, it's efficient use of interior space, it just takes some getting used to
truck shifters should always be on the column !
***** The 7ton i drove in Iraq had a push button shifter....is that for boys too?????
C Nevs Buuuurn. love it.
Just one more stupid thing to break and leave you stranded
Can you do a tow test with a 2015 Ram 2500 Crewcab Model with the Cummins Diesel?
Have Mr. Truck do a video on the new Western Star 5700XE Class 8 truck.
how did the 2014 ram run 9:38 but the 15 only runs it in 10 mins?
That sure is a nice looking truck!! I keep wondering about the towing max numbers that we get from all these manufacturers. Mr. Truck said this truck has a towing max of 29,000lbs(This test is with 21,600lbs). Maybe on flat ground it will tow 29,000lbs but I'm not sure if you put another 7,400lbs on any of these trucks that they would make it up the Ike Gauntlet....well maybe in 1st gear at 10mph.
The SAE J2807 allows DRW trucks to slow to a minimum speed of 35 mph at gross combined weight rating while running the Eisenhower and Davis Dam grades. Check out the other videos of the Ram 3500 on the Ike Gauntlet, and you'll see that in 2013 they tested a Ram 3500 with the 370HP/800lb-ft Cummins towing the 17,000 lb Cimmaron trailer in 10:12. Last summer they tested a Ram 3500 with the 385HP/865lb-ft Cummins towing Mr. Truck's two horse trailers weighed down to 19,000 lbs in 9:38. Now, same engine/transmission/axle ratio equipped truck towing a 21,600 lbs trailer dropped to 10:09. So, they added 2,600 lbs and lost only 31 seconds.
Point being, this truck has plenty of cushion left to handle more weight and still meet the SAE J2807 standard.
DieselDoug77 max tow if this truck is 29,000lbs. that's 7,400lbs difference. It might have "some" cushion left based on SAE standards but I guarantee if you added 7,400 additional pounds that this truck wouldn't be able to keep 35mph to the top. was it even stated what the slowest speed was during this run up the gauntlet?
my original post was only stating that I think the manufacturers are over rating the ability of these vehicles to gain more sales.
As a certified aircraft loadmaster, seeing how you tie stuff down on trailers really scares me.
I thought the same thing. That front chain is shady.
Just saw the rear chain. Wow!
At a weight station that would be an immediate shut down. Ask me how I know. That lesson cost me about $1800. Anything over 10000 lbs needs 4 independed tie downs ! Means 4 chains and 4 binders. Besides those chains look like 3/8 inch 70 serious grade chanis Working load limit on those 6600 pounds each for 14,000 pound vehicle that is a little bit light
+jim bond good that you got lucky and the state boys didn't tell you to bend over .... That usually hurts - and not just in your wallet
+schneetiger77 nerd
Love these vides guys!
Mr. Truck no offense but you are a towing nerd. Lol
anyone have an opinion on the i6 cummins? I haven't really heard much about them
Solid tube down middle of the trailer for strength , sounds like the way a Tatra truck is built . Roman should know about that
In reference to the point about dually wheel flares seeming like an "after thought" in earlier trucks; How many dually trucks do we see with cracked and screwed up flares? It sure is nice to be able to buy just a new bolt on flare and not have to have a shop reskin the whole side of the bed...But of course any kind of service on these new trucks is grossly expensive.
+jfdb59 Actually the best solution is to buy a cab & chassis and put a steel bed on it. I have owned one dually, and when I sold it both fender flares were broken up, I have since owned several cab & chassis dually's its the only way to go, and they are about 10 thousand dollars cheaper.
+John doe yeah, I do masonry and I want to flatbed mine bad. It would be so much more practical for what I do.
jfdb59 Another big advantage of a cab & chassis with a steel bed, is the location of the tool boxes, all you have to do is walk up to the side of your truck and get what you need, with a standard pickup bed you have to constantly crawl up into the pickup bed to gain access to your tool box, no big deal for you young guys, but try that at 50 years old.
Are there going to any Gm trucks and how come you guys haven't brought them up as usual
How about some numbers that matter. Fuel milage? Transmission temp? Operating cost? Feel of towing. RPM vs speed while towing. How the truck actually handles the load with verifiable numbers.
Scientific data. That is what matters.
Been hearing that the AISIN has been solid but has some minor problems, anyone else hear this?
Its not a bash on the truck, I am just curious!
Awesome video! Thanks for doing these tests guys!
Quick question though, why not test the Ram's max towing capacity at 29,000?
i think its because the ford was the limiting capacity. the ford cannot hit 29000# so though I personally would like to see it I think they are standardizing it for the golden hitch
C Nevs They alluded to that. They really couldn't compare the two using two different loads.
You guys should use the raptor toy hauler
I thought they were going to tow with the half track lol but this works too
I'm curious as to why you guys never include the GM 3500s in these tests. Their maximum tow rating is still about a ton north of the half track setup you are testing on the Ram and Ford, so I would think the GM twins fall within the testable envelope. The F-350's maximum towing gives up 2 tons to the Ram 3500, so I know it's not a matter of disparate maximum tow ratings (especially since your trailer setup is nowhere near maximum on any current dually. Is GM not interested in offering a test truck?
No downhill testing?
id buy this or the gmc or a peterbilt
You cannot make a bad choice among the Ford, GM and/or RAM HD pickup trucks IMO. Your decision will be based on 1) the trucks' intended use and 2) your personal preference. The trucks' intended use will be based on what you expect to tow and haul which will determine whether you'll get a 350/3500 or a 250/2500 and either a diesel or a gasoline engine. Your personal preference is, obviously which you think looks best inside and out and what you feel most comfortable in. Options and quality of materials may also play into your decision. You're spending your money so you'll buy what you want and you will not be disappointed with whichever you get...you cannot make a bad choice. These trucks are ALL extremely capable.
They always ride better loaded down. Believe me I drive a Kenworth 660 at work with no air ride cab and my box is empty u will catch hell. Loaded, it rides like a dream.
Alguien sabe donde puedo comprar ese tipo de camionetas aquí en México.
At the 17 minute and 28 second mark in the video where it shows the Truck's time up the hill it shows Ram 3500 EcoDiesel. EcoDiesel? Isn't that only the 1500's 3.0 Diesel engine?
Brandon Duke yes, it should be cummins not ecodiesel.Typo
Marc Monson Sorry for the typo.
Ah but Nathan, remember that a gentleman rancher will always tip his ten gallon hat towards the people that he's saying goodbye to upon leaving.
I have a 2003 Dodge ram 3500 crew cab duly long bed or six speed manual transmission 410 gears 4 x 4 but nobody can tell me what the tow rating is not ever dodge. Do you guys have any idea would really appreciate the help
14k.
the whole diesel power wars is just a battle between edging out the competitors on power while still being reliable. Sure both these trucks could make 1000+ tq at the flywheel just by a tune, but they are tuned so that the transmisson, driveshaft(s) , U joints, and diffs can go hundreds of thousands of miles..
What ever happened to the duramax project?
John Nelson Haha I was just wondering that myself and asked in my post and then decided to read the other comments!
Are you asking about our 2002 Chevy 2500 Duramax? It's still with us, but we have not done any other modifications to it.
You guys should do the Ike guatlet with that truck to see how it competes with these new trucks
John Nelson
I agree!
+wantsanewvehicle X3 I aree TFLT
Love the trucks but I have an issue with the way the chained down the half track. By law you are supposed to have four separate tie down points. Although your chains are hooked to four points, they are not separate. If any one of your four points fail, you will lose both front or both rear points. If you were to go through a DOT scale they would issue you a ticket. Other than that, I love your show.
I noticed the same thing. Don't think running the chain through the pintle hook meets the law. The chain is free to slide through the hook. Not a very secure tie down job. But I have seen worse, on much bigger loads! They had two more chains on the rack, why didn't they use them?
oh another thing is that trailer is great..... I got one, now I sure wish they would use a rust resistant not proof just paint that is tougher... my trailer looks like it was hanging out with the titanic....
I towed up hill (04 ram 3500) through NorCal Mountains a 20 foot box Trailer Loaded to the max 17,000 pounds behind me even had it weighed and got 7mpg. Total trip miles 3,000+. Just got done towing 8,000 pounds and got 13mpg. Think before buying new.
Would that have the 5.9 Cummins
+MATTHEW ZEGALSKI yes it's the 5.9 HO 325 HP cummins it says on side of the valve cover under hood. Only thing I have done is Air Dog lift pump & 5 inch turbo back Exhaust. No other modifications are needed and towing with no load is 22-24 MPG daily with ease.
+Cycle Maxx that's awesome! I would personally rather have the 5.9 Cummins than the 6.7
I'll say the power stroke is top diesel output wise right now 55 more hp but 5 less torque meh
So no requirement to cross chain equipment when flat decking in States?
Kent, pull your jeans out of your boots! Cowboys don't tuck their jeans in my friend!
What kills it for me is the MPG of these trucks... You could buy a 6.8L V10 and pull that same amount of weight getting 5 or 6.5 MPG.. You won't pull it as fast but I think in the end as long as you can pull anything you need from point A to point B. That's all that matters. The gas truck will also be cheaper in fuel and on maintenance. But that's just my opinion. Cause all these truck manufacturers(ford, Chevy, dodge) are making there gas trucks to pull what diesels were pulling a few years ago. At my work we use F-350 6.2L V8 to pull 12,342lbs trailers that are loaded of course and they pull these trailers like a boss. You can't compare them to a diesel... But for a gas truck they do the job. We average anywhere from 5.5 - 6.8 MPG.
I wonder if the Ford's extra horsepower will help to get a faster time. I think both trucks are great though, can't get any better than a Cummins.
Very true and the reason that Ram uses a straight six as opposed to a V8 is heat dissipation. In a V configuration there is heat build up between the two cylinder banks that over time ruins the electronics and computer components.
Parker Faulk The RAM has 5 lb ft tq more than the Ford but the Ford has 55 HP more than the RAM. i'm sure it will make a difference especially going UP hill.
Rich Soto Horse power is a lot less important than torque in these situations. It also depends on the power curve. I like the idea of the straight 6 in this application.
Parker Faulk The Ford will be faster.
Jonathan Scherer in this application the torque is almost identical. The additional HP that the Ford has will give it an advantage going up the gauntlet. watch the video of the RAM ecodiesel... 420lb ft tq and only 240hp and struggled up the gauntlet. torque gets you moving but HP + torque gets you to the top faster.
How did the louder, less visibility, bouncier and slower up the hill truck win???????????
Man I'd have a hard time just cruising at 2700 RPM.
I think it's a bit unfair to say this truck got 3MPG but the ford only got 2.7. This ram dosent offer a decimal reading, so it's likely it was anywhere from 2.5-2.9Mpg and rounded up.
SonOfMarvin Um RAM definitely does decimal reading for MPG
Guess it depends on the model and features. Rented one and it didn't offer it.
Aisin transmission, basically a Toyota gearbox, which is GREAT as Chrysler still dont seem able to design a durable transmission. Never understood why..
I've never head that myself. I've always found them to be very reliable. Volvo uses them too. I've seen failures with ZF a few times while doing the books for the service center that I have a part of.
Bruce Solomon I mean Aisin transmissions are great, wasnt being sarcastic. so this is a good step forward. I mean the transmissions made by Chrysler in-house have a horrid reputation. Yeah i've heard that about ZF.
Contrary to popular belief, Chrysler HD transmissions are pretty stout if tuned properly. Most dedicated pulling trucks use them, especially the 47RE
Not sure why you guys are always mentioning of the driver being a CDL holder not for higher private use. Anybody can drive them trucks. Not a good idea to double back your chain. Hooks over the square pockets when chaining down
I went from Ford to Dodge last year.
Feel free to correct me, but they say RAM has the highest towing capacity but can't the f450 tow a little more than this?
xavier wagenknecht The F450 is also a 4500, not a 3500. They are two completely different trucks.
but a 4500 is just a chassis right? Number badges aren't comparable, they could call a brick a 5500 if they wanted.
xavier wagenknecht the f450 has a different front axle than the f350
Marc Monson the rear axle is different too.
the f450 only comes with a 4.30, but the 4.30 is available on the f350
11k option, but Resale should be at least half of that no matter when you sell it so the argument isn't really there unless you run it into the ground.... which, the Diesel will probably last longer anyways.
So you're going to run the same test on the Chevy right?
Scott Brown no one wants to cough up a chevy because they know it is outdated and slow
Your a fucking idiot how is the chevy outdated?
lowest on power and towing
***** *you're
+Bailey Degregorio
fuckin grammar nazi...
A 4x2 could give you around 500 pounds more of towing. Anyway beautiful
I bought mine used 2015 Ram 1 Tom super cab Cummins. Mine had 66k not even broke in. I pull 17k with it and doesn’t even feel like I’m pulling that weight. Used I paid 51k and worth every penny. I’m a GM guy but GM can’t hold a stick to the Ram cummins.
One thing that needs to be corrected. The F-450 has a higher towing rating then the Ram so this truck is not the top tower when it comes to pick up trucks.
The Ram is tops in its class (3), just like the F-450 is tops in its class (4). But the Ram 3500 and F-450 don't compete with each other.
I thought the New F250 could tow 31,000 pounds which would be more than the ram.
I wish all truck manufacturers would sell the trucks with a nice factory flat-bed as standard and make it a option to get a bed with walls and fenders. Poor folks only option is to get an old truck and swap out the beds.
+David Locklear In that case get a chassis cab...
Cummins diesel engines are the best.
I wish CAT put a motor in a 250 or 350. That would be real power!
sTEVAL570 Caterpillar doesn't even make Commercial truck engines anymore. Its hard to see them making one for a light duty truck. And take it from someone who has worked on both, you want a Cummins.
CAT does make on highway engines for class 8 vehicles. I'm not sure where everyone gets that information that they gave up on engines, but it's not true. Granted a CAT motor costs about $45,000 in a new truck so %99 of people go with cummins or Detroit. Cummins makes a great motor, they're easy to drive and anyone with a right foot can drive a cummins powered vehicle. CAT motors, in my opinion, pull harder and have a better torque curve. I just got a new truck, an 05 KW T-600 and it has the legendary 6NZ 3406 motor in her, and I can tell you this, after driving our Volvo with a cummins 565 ISX, I'd take the CAT EVERYDAY, and it only has 475hp. The cummins flattened out the cams in the motor and is now off the road getting rebuilt, with a little less than a million miles on it. Nothing against cummins, they're great motors. And as far as CAT not making engines, go to your local CAT dealer and they'll laugh you out of the building if you ask if they make engines anymore. Since they integrated the ACERT technology they've been behind the 8-ball, because they tried to use outdated motor technology with this DEF and SCR bullshit. My KW is straight motor, no exhaust bull crap, as with our day cab freightliner Columbia. That thing has a worked 7CZ c-16, twin turbos, 625hp legitimately, with the papers to prove it, and I'm telling you that my truck isn't far behind the freightliner when we run together. The violence that is the power of a CAT powered vehicle is incredible.
Wow. Just wait until your transmission drops out and the truck's frame starts to rust. Not to mention, but the F-350 can tow up to 2,000 lbs more than the Dodge Ram.
If anyone sees this, I have a question that I can't find the answer to on google.
Now I know that if you're rated for over 26k, you have to have a CDL. However, I heard from my brother that if you're hauling a trailer with dually tires (not specifically tandem, but dually) that you have to have a CDL regardless of weight capacity.
Is that true?
No as you're vehicle is under 10,000 pounds anything over that cdl required but they really don't bust balls
+ILikeWafflz the reason you need the CDL is because of the combination ( in case you are hauling a trailer)
+ILikeWafflz It gets pretty confusing. Some states have requirements where if you're driving a vehicle with duallies even without a load you have to stop at weigh stations when they're open. 26k is the cut for CDL. You can give yourself a headache finding the actual maximum limits of these trucks. The GCWR has no real legal merit, the actual max weight of one of these is dictated by truck payload (keeping below the truck's GVWR), GAWR, and tire maxes. The actual legal max for a dually is around 37k pulled with a generous 5th wheel tongue weight of 15%. Payload runs out before anything else. On a SRW it's about 25k, you run out of GAWR, tire rating, and payload at about the same time to stay legal. Of course those numbers are absolute legal maxes, not an indication of safety or capability. Some factors are underrated too, the rear ends in the Dodges are rated by AAM at several times the capacity that Dodge rates them. That GAWR then becomes one of your legal limits.
I wish the federal DOT would provide this information in an easy to use format, it's pretty confusing what commercial means, what counts and what doesn't, and how it works in regards to some states as well. (Ohio for example has a farm use exemption from CDL requirement but it doesn't really define what "farm use" is, other than a distance limit of 100 miles) but just looking at the manufacturer suggested max GCWR doesn't show you what you can actually do legally if you needed to and could do so safely.
Hey guys come on over to Australia and drive our biggest baddest diesel truck.... a lousy 4.5l Toyota dual cab landcruiser V8 turbo diesel for just a touch over $90,000 with half the power and torque and below 25% towing capacity of this behemoth! 😭
UTAH!
I want the guy's job to sit in the back seat and look out the window. That is my kind of job.
70k for a damn pickup?! After all the bail out money these companies got from US the taxpayers, every legal American ought to get a hell of a discount on a new pickup. Or get one for free!!
How you like em now in the high 80's?
My iPad is shaking
$70K and they put cheap-ass Nexen tires on it?
Ram: best looking truck Ford: most cutting edge : Chevy/GMC most reliable
that's what I've always said
Same thing for me but I think dodge has the best deisel engine with that Cummins
+chris driscoll The Dodge is more reliable with its Cummins motor. The reason why the Military has Cummins in their vehicles is because they are proven to hardly ever fail.
sweeet
Awe its noisy it feels like a truck. When you in one driving all day for days, give me the quieter Ford any day.
I had a 2015 with 180,000 and that 68RFE couldn't handle the "mountains" of Rufus, Oregon. Poorly built transmission!
I feel like you guys were afraid to tell us the actual speed of the truck and kept just saying it's slowing down. I like ram slightly more than the 2 opponents but it seemed like you guys were hiding the truth. Come on guys! Don't be a bunch of knobgobblers! Non the less thanks for the video tfl truck.
Mr. Truck said at one point they were going 45mph.
TheCobruhAlienat0r at one point.
mr Truck can't chain down a load lol.
Ok let me correct something that they have said in the video. YOU DO NOT NEED A CDL TO HAUL 21,000 lbs SENSE IT DOES NOT HVAE AIR BRAKES. YOU ONLY NEED AL CDL IF YOU ARE GOING TO HAUL OVER 26,001 lbs. TFL TRUCK PLEASE READ THE CDL MANUAL AGIAN AND GET THE FACTS RIGHT. OR YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CDL IF YOU ARE GOING TO USE IT COMMICERAL PURPOSE SO THE LOAD MASTER TRAILER CAN BE PULLED WITHOUT A CDL!
Charles, 26,001 lbs CDL rule is combined truck and trailer, not just the trailer. DOT rules come into effect at 10,001 lbs combined truck and trailer if you are commercial. Since 2011, all of the Big Three bumped the Gross Combined Weight Rating of F350, 3500 dualies from 26,000 lbs to 30,000 lbs, so it doesn't take much to be classified as commercial. As journalist we don't know if we're required under commercial laws, it's a gray area like RV's. We don't get paid per mile and we don't transport cargo to be delivered to a second location for hire. When we go to OEM's media truck launches, if the truck and trailers gross combined weight is over 26,000 lbs, the OEM's let us drive if we have CDL's or we ride with someone. I have a DOT number but I can't use it on a OEM truck, when we are more than 150 miles from my office, we use log books. The trailers we use are DOT inspected every year, but I can't get a DOT inspection on OEM trucks we don't own.
***** It's based on combined weight rating of the truck and trailer together as is DOT requirements.
MrTruckTV There are many commercial licenses for buses, single trucks etc, for DOT purposes not all are CDL, then there are the endorsements like air brakes, multi-trailers and hazardous materials.
you guys need to redo ALL your RAM 3500 tests because the Tow Haul mode should not be used in any of your tests you have performed. I have a Ram 3500 and I actually did read the manual and it states very clearly that Tow Haul mode should only be used when the transmission is hunting and constantly shifting gears, which is not the case at all in any of your tests. if the other trucks (GM and FORD) need to have that feature selected then you should drive those trucks accordingly. RAM doesn't require it and all you are doing is wasting more fuel and going slower because Tow Haul will force the computer to keep a shorter gear. Do it again but do it properly!
I just want to know why these clowns don't tow the same weight? you cant say which truck tows better using different settings/situations
Nothing is more irritating than listening to men talk about trucks when they know nothing about them. I stopped listening when I heard "three point seven three".
What do you mean? 3.73 is a rear end gear ratio.
justin g I'm well aware of that. Have you ever heard anyone call it "three point seven three?" I never have.
bisquik3006 Fair enough. I was just wondering.
Do you guys even research these vehicles before you get in them? Your audience no doubt sways towards gearheads. When you guys blather on and stumble over the facts, you come across as uneducated about the vehicles you are testing. Also, Dodge trucks are long gone. The brand is now Ram. By referring to the Ram as a Dodge, you again show your ignorance toward the vehicles.
I am starting to think you should call your channel TFL Ford. do you get paid by how many times you drop the F Bomb?