AN: Ram beats Ford, GM V6 towing; diesel towing

2099 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by JTE, Jul 31, 2013

Allpar News System

Discussion Starter · Jul 30, 2013

The 2014 Ram 1500 now leads V-6 pickup towing capacity at 7,450 lbs. The best-in-class number was achieved fairly simply — by adding a “more robust parking gear” (most likely a stronger pawl) to the eight-speed “TorqueFlite 8” transmission. Mike Cairns, Ram Truck Chief Engineer, wrote, "There was more towing capacity in the V-6 Ram 1500 but we needed to upgrade the transmission to hold the truck and trailer when parked on steep grades. Now that we're building the transmissions ourselves, the improvements are included in the new assembly.” Ram also finalized towing numbers for the exclusive Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. In a 2WD, two-door, long bed configuration, the new EcoDiesel will tow up to 9,200 lbs. The new diesel engine approaches V-8 towing capability with a small but powerful 3.0-liter V-6, and best-in-class fuel efficiency of “better than 25 MPG” on the highway. The gasoline V6 achieves 17/25 mpg..

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Dave Z

· #2 · Jul 30, 2013

Article updated to provide actual Ford tow ratings.

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Erik Latranyi

· #3 · Jul 30, 2013

I hope VM is ready for the demand that will be coming.

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Mike V.

· #4 · Jul 30, 2013

Erik Latranyi said:
I hope VM is ready for the demand that will be coming.

I think the contract limits the total output, IIRC.

So basically, once they are gone, they are gone... Unless Chrysler buys additional and VM has the room to produce the extra.

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MoparNorm

· #5 · Jul 30, 2013

Mike V. said:
I think the contract limits the total output, IIRC.
So basically, once they are gone, they are gone... Unless Chrysler buys additional and VM has the room to produce the extra.

They are expanding the plant, however I haven't heard any finite numbers.

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Mike V.

· #6 · Jul 30, 2013

MoparNorm said:
They are expanding the plant, however I haven't heard any finite numbers.

Allpar had posted a while back the total amount that was contracted... And I think they will blow thru that!

Expansion is needed for sure.

Mike

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Dave Z

· #7 · Jul 30, 2013

Yes, or, crazy as this sounds, licensing... Chrysler doesn't know much about making diesel engines, but I'm sure a joint venture or some such could be arranged to both companies' benefit. (Yes, I know VM is now owned by Fiat.) If you want serious mass production, that's probably the way to go. I suspect it would be cheaper for Chrysler to use an unused part of Mack or GEMA, than for VM to expand to serious numbers.

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MoparNorm

· #8 · Jul 30, 2013

Dave said:
Yes, or, crazy as this sounds, licensing... Chrysler doesn't know much about making diesel engines, but I'm sure a joint venture or some such could be arranged to both companies' benefit. (Yes, I know VM is now owned by Fiat.) If you want serious mass production, that's probably the way to go. I suspect it would be cheaper for Chrysler to use an unused part of Mack or GEMA, than for VM to expand to serious numbers.

Before Fiat, the owner of VM was...Chrysler. So there is a bit of knowledge there. The VM plant is one of the worlds most advanced and modern engine plants and with the additional expansion, it will add to it's already 135,000 per year, Chrysler engine rate, which is 85% of the VM production.

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randomid25

· #9 · Jul 31, 2013

I sold my 2010 ram 2500 in preparation for the eco diesel. I'm a diesel fanatic, but hardly ever tow enough to justify the cost of the HD. They can't build this truck fast enough for my taste, as I've been without a truck for 2 months now. I'm jonesing for my new one. I must say I wish the towing capacity was higher. With the double od in the tf8, 3.92 gears would still be spinning the engine low enough at highway speed. I was looking for that 10k mark.

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JTE

· #10 · Jul 31, 2013

Projecting volumes is voo doo science IMO, made more difficult during a recession. When you build plants, purchase materials and set prices years in advance it's even riskier. Do you overshoot and have millions sitting around waiting for the electric car people see the error of their ways or are you conservative and risk a success that will strain capacity?

FWIW, a program I can not talk about once estimated a 100,000 unit take rate for LDD, this was pre 2008. It was getting 26 - 27 mpg all while being detuned to the max capacity of the 545 trans.

I strongly disagree that Chrysler people don't know a lot about Diesels, Chrysler / Cummins have shared info and people for decades. Mutual respect and admiration were shared on both sides of the table. Also, Chrysler built a GDI twin turbo hemi about ten years ago. FYI a Gas Direct Injected engine is arguably more complex than diesel.

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