Ram 2500 Hemi 4x4
 

Just purchased an 03 Ram 2500 Hemi 4x4 Auto. Will be using this to tow my 311 to the ramp and back on weekends. I only live 2 miles from the boat ramp so this will not be used for long hauls. I have searched the forums already but was wondering if others are towing similar with similar. Truck is a reg cab long bed. It does have the heavy duty tow pkg and snow plow prep package fwiw. 3.73 axle ratio. If i need to add bags would be nice to get it done while the snow is flyin, just looking for real world experiences.

Congrats on the sweet truck! It will tow your boat Great, Easy, Safe, and Legal! You will also be able to tow long distance without a problem if needed. Fuel mileage will not be as good as a Cummins but still will be 8-12mpg which is not much worse then the new emissions diesels. Your truck does not need the air bags but they are nice. Ride will suffer a tiny bit empty unless you dial the air in perfect, but will improve during towing.

We loved ours. Best part was the 6-speed manual trans but the automatic is nice also. Truck was a 2008 with 2" leveling front suspension, Firestone Ride rite air bags, 18" wheels 33" tires. We towed our 50ft Gooseneck that we usually haul with our Cummins trucks and it impressed. Obviously not a diesel but much better then anyone would believe.

Enjoy!

http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/...d4f002a98a.jpg

Forged wheels and HD tires when towing heavy
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/...n/PA100004.jpg

how much does your trailer weigh empty?

Thanks offshore! Good to see another offroad addict on the forum. I frequent pirate as well. I noticed the manifolds are leaking slightly already so I bit the bullet and purchased jba headers. Thanks again, I will add the bags in the spring if it is needed.

Sweet! Let us know how you like those headers. If you upgrade the exhaust don't go to big on the pipe and delete all the mufflers and cat or you will lose to much back pressure. I don't know the magic recipe but hopefully you figure it out. Also, make sure the exhaust is not to loud or the drone will annoy you while towing. Yes louder will sound SWEET when empty but will sound much louder while towing. Either way, glad to hear you have a sweet truck with some nice aftermarket mods. Get us a pic all hooked up in the spring!

06 2500 quad cab 4:10 gear. Tow my 33 Powerplay on steel trailer with no problem. It is level with no airbags. I only use the 4x4 once in a while to pull it out just to cycle the system.

I have the exact same truck except it's a quad cab and I had an 89 311. Towed with no problems even when I had to disable the trailer brakes. Also towed it to Massachusetts when I sold it in one day with no issues. Now I have a Superboat Y2K which is about 3k lighter and you don't even know the boat is there. I got 8-9 with the 311 at 65 mph and get 11-12 with the Y2K.

Thanks for the info guys! Will let you know how the headers turn out, actually hoping they smooth out the exhaust note a little. I swear this truck is louder than my old 08 psd (rip ol girl).

454....look into 4.56 gears. 99% of people that go with them love them. I did it to my 06 mega and it was great...would have gone farther if they were available. These trucks have two overdrives, so low gear ratios don't hurt at all. Mine would run over 100 mph with 4.56.

I have a cummins now, but those hemis are impressive! I live in the mountains of western NC...steep and curvy...no problems pulling 16k pounds with the hemi. My brother has a 7.3 and a 6.0 powerchoke and that little hemi would pull mini excavators up hills faster than either of those diesels.

get the air bags....money well spent!