Dodge Ram 1500 '02 ???
 

HotBoat just called and asked me to put the feelers out.
Anyone have this truck or have opinions on it?
Its got the 4.7 ltr motor with the quad cab. He would be towing his 28 Scarab and wants to know if the 4.7 will do it.
He wants to call the dealer back later today so any input would be appreciated.

I towed my 26Sonic from Maryland to Florida with an 02' that had the 5.9. I think it struggled quite a bit, had to take off overdrive for the entire trip and it ate gas like crazy. I normally tow with a PowerStroke and it's not even close.

I would tell him to go with a Duramax, PowerStroke or wait for the Ram 2500 with the Cummins to come out, if it hasnt already. Yes the diesel's are a $4000 option, but believe me, you will save it in the long run and you wouldnt even be able to feel that boat is back there.

A friend of mine had a 2000 Ram 1500 with the old 318... 4x4 std cab... 8' box.... towed a American Offshore 2600 quite often.... this summer he traded for an '02 ... same truck but 4.7... FLAT OUT LOVES IT... .says it pulls significantly better.... better gas milege... just loves it.... 26' AO probably comparable weight wise to a 28' Scarab?... Anyway... Rich luv's the 4.7.... MOTRUCK OR NO TRUCK!

I'm a Dodge person all the way (laugh if you want) but after owning two V8 trucks ,one a 318 and the other a 360 there gas engines just suck. No power and terrible on gas.
Now I don't know too much about the 4.7, but a friend of mine brought over an 03 from the Tech Center and I think it had the 4.7 in it and he was even complaining about the lack of power.
I now own a 01.5 Dodge/Cummins and love it, I will NEVER own a gas truck again. People that think there gas engines pull great just haven't experienced a diesel. Whether it's a Cummins,Dmax ,or PSD it's the way to go !
I have a friend that races cars and tows a 32' enclosed car hauler (12,000#) and loved his BB Chevy dually until I let him drive my truck. He had a new Dodge in his driveway within two weeks !

Spend the money and go with the Diesel.

My buddy towed my 23 baja to RI with his 4.7 dakota, it didn't struggle, but put that motor in the larger Ram and I think your under powered, nevermind towing a 28 footer 200 miles to lake george and back a bunch of times per year.

With all the towing Paul does I would wiat and go with the Diesel also..

Oct. 2002 Powerboat mag reviewed the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland with the 4.7, and had nice things to say about the engine. Liked it much better than the 5.2 and the 5.9.

I've got
 

an '02 with the 4.7 in it. It tows better than my '94 with the 318, but most of the difference in in the suspension/handling. It holds the back end better with load and rides better. I tow a 22' Baja, and it does so admirably.

I could not imagine towing a 28' vee hull with it though....Mistake!

I hear that the 5.7L (345 horse) will be coming out at the first of the year. It also may not have enough torque down low with only 350ci to do the job right.

..if you wanna stay with gas, definately go for the 2500 with the Hemi, or wait for the '03 1500 with the Hemi...

..or the V10??

Good Luck!
:cool:

Gotta love a RATTLER!:D

No way no how. Don't let him do it. The 4.7 will not be enough to haul that boat. If he has to go gas, do at LEAST the 360ci, but I would not even recommend that. Hell, tell him to take his boat to the dealer and test tow it. If it is a purpose bought truck, he has every right to do so. I have done it before.

I'm inclined to believe that's too much boat. I have a 97 Dodge with the 360 (5.9l). I towed my last boat, 27.5', 5600 lbs + trailer + gas, probably 7500# total, which would be similiar to the scarab. It did it ok till a medium+ grade on a hill and then I was crawling. I can't imagine trying it with a smaller engine. Transmission needed rebuild at 68k miles.

Plus, your pushing the rated tow capacity of the 1/2 ton. A 3/4 ton with the 360 minumum. If I had to do it over again, I'd have bought a 3/4 ton with either the V10 or Diesel. Tell him to buy mine so I can upgrade! :D

Thanks for all your opinions,

Currently I have a 2000 1500 ram with the 5.9 but I ordered a 3.92 posi rear for it and it pulls fine for what it is. . The last truck I had was a 1995 same truck but with the 3.55 gears. The gear ratio change made a hell of a deference. in the truck but I never got to tell the deference in towing between the two because I bought the truck in the winter and I also changed to a much bigger boat that year.

Un fortunately the truck dose not have a tow hitch on it of I would of brought the boat over and took it for a test run. but I did drive the truck around town and it seemed fine. But how it would be under a load would be a deferent thing.

I think that I am going to price out the 2003 with the 5.7 hemi 345 Hp .. That is now the current base line motor for the 3/4 ton trucks. It's 40 more HP than the V10 but 65 Lb's less torque and 100 HP more than the 5.9. Unfortunately they don't offer that motor in the 1/2 ton series. They also come with a much longer warrantee for the 2003 models.

I'll keep you posted on what I get

Paul .

2001 1500Ram 4x4 360 is 10.5 mpg at 65mph
long trips..1100miles..360 miles..27 Baja 4400#
plus trailer..and loaded with luggage..
Keep speed up and can go to overdrive..under 65
do not use overdrive....Good enough for me..

GO DIESEL
 

You won't regret it. And there's just no excuse for not getting one. I've gone through them all. 1997 Dodge 1/2 ton with the 5.9, 1996 GMC 3/4ton with a 454, and now a 2000 Dodge 3/4ton with a diesel. I'll never go back when it comes to towing.

Diesel diesel diesel !!!:D

Average 13-14 towing my boat @ 80.
I get 18-20 not towing.

Talk to Packinair on this board , he will get you a killer deal.