2020 6.2 Max Tow Initial Impressions

[contenderv07]

2 minutes ago, INTJ said:

 

That is very similar to my own reasoning for getting a 6.2 vs another HD DMax.  I rarely tow but do ocaasionally haul heavy.  The extra cost to purchase and operate a DMax just doesn't make sense for my situation.  The facts that this 6.2 runs as hard as a 500 RWHP tuned DMax is bonus.

 

I also park on the single bay double deep side of my garage, backing in, and I am not sure if a 2500 would fit.  It won't work with tow mirrors, even if they are folded in.  

 

The small gas tank is a peeve of mine.  No issue when empty but for towing it would be a pain.  It's especially annoying given there is room for a 30+ gal tank.  I have not seen any aftermarket fuel tanks for gasoline trucks.  I wonder if the 30+ gal tank on the 8' bed trucks would fit?

I had a 52 gallon titan tank on my other diesel truck and LOVED it. And you're right, I have looked pretty good for aftermarket gas tanks and haven't found any

[INTJ]

I just installed Westin Pro Traxx 5" oval wheel to wheel nerf bars and I like them a lot.  However, I have a 15 degree slope driveway and after installing the bars I noticed that the middle passenger side bracket hits (lightly) the concrete when I am pulling out.  The bracket just happens to be in the wrong place and the 2020 has a longer wheel base than the 2018.    So I ordered Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS) springs and a 1" front lift.  I did this on my 2018 as well.  The RAS stabilize handling, improve the  empty ride, add hauling capacity, and add 1 to 2" of height, depending on how you set the adjustment.  I was planning to add them eventually but now I have a reason. 

[INTJ]

Does anyone know how durable the aluminum knuckles are and if its correct to use the same ball joint and tire rob torque specs as for the cast iton knuckles?  Which is torque the add 1/4 turn?

 

 

 

[AdamAT4]

First time towing with my 6.2 today and o wow is this truck something else. 

 

its got enough power, probably most torque in a gas truck with no turbos i've owned but its by FAR the worst on fuel i've ever owned for towing. 

 

If i towed more than once a week a diesel would pay for it self many times over! 

 

I also own a 2017 Ram 5.7 and it burns much less fuel towing the same trailer but to climb a hill the RPM is higher as the truck needs to drop a lower gear. before this truck i had a 2011 EcoBoost with 3.55's and max tow pkg, but then my trailer was slightly larger but the truck would get upto highway speed with 3-4000 pounds as quick as my old cobalt would. i get the 6.2 would be very similar especially with this new 10 speed.

 

Even towing the smallest possible load, a UTV on a small aluminum trailer which ive towed easily with my Wife's Ford Explorer (Does better than my AT4 6.2) i'm getting 13-14 mpg at 65 mph, my Ram Hemi gets 15-16 mpg no problem, and my 2014 Cummins which i traded for my AT4 would get 18 mpg all day long. i can barely get 18 mpg in AT4 empty. I only traded my Cummins because i sold my bigger enclosed trailer (8.5x21' with 7' interior) but with my AT4 it wouldn't hold enough gas to get between fuel stations as my Cummins would be down to 13 mpg at times especially in a head wind, but on flat level ground at 70 mph i could average 14-15 mpg. where i live we have many 125-140 miles stretches of no fuel stations.

 

anyone thats lurking and wondering between a Gas or Diesel, if you tow any amount at all, get the diesel. At my dealer maintenance is free for 6 years so the added mainteance costs of the bigger truck are a non issue, but i live were we see -40 so thats my only reason for getting out of a diesel. I have a baby now and eventually a second so i can't have them in a cold truck. My old man tows 2-3 times per week during summer and went from a Duramax to a EcoBoost and after only 1 year he went and got a new 3500 long box duramax then deleted it and will never look back.

[Jav_eee]

First time towing with my 6.2 today and o wow is this truck something else. 
 
its got enough power, probably most torque in a gas truck with no turbos i've owned but its by FAR the worst on fuel i've ever owned for towing. 
 
If i towed more than once a week a diesel would pay for it self many times over! 
 
I also own a 2017 Ram 5.7 and it burns much less fuel towing the same trailer but to climb a hill the RPM is higher as the truck needs to drop a lower gear. before this truck i had a 2011 EcoBoost with 3.55's and max tow pkg, but then my trailer was slightly larger but the truck would get upto highway speed with 3-4000 pounds as quick as my old cobalt would. i get the 6.2 would be very similar especially with this new 10 speed.
 
Even towing the smallest possible load, a UTV on a small aluminum trailer which ive towed easily with my Wife's Ford Explorer (Does better than my AT4 6.2) i'm getting 13-14 mpg at 65 mph, my Ram Hemi gets 15-16 mpg no problem, and my 2014 Cummins which i traded for my AT4 would get 18 mpg all day long. i can barely get 18 mpg in AT4 empty. I only traded my Cummins because i sold my bigger enclosed trailer (8.5x21' with 7' interior) but with my AT4 it wouldn't hold enough gas to get between fuel stations as my Cummins would be down to 13 mpg at times especially in a head wind, but on flat level ground at 70 mph i could average 14-15 mpg. where i live we have many 125-140 miles stretches of no fuel stations.
 
anyone thats lurking and wondering between a Gas or Diesel, if you tow any amount at all, get the diesel. At my dealer maintenance is free for 6 years so the added mainteance costs of the bigger truck are a non issue, but i live were we see -40 so thats my only reason for getting out of a diesel. I have a baby now and eventually a second so i can't have them in a cold truck. My old man tows 2-3 times per week during summer and went from a Duramax to a EcoBoost and after only 1 year he went and got a new 3500 long box duramax then deleted it and will never look back.

Used to get 7.9 towing an enclosed trailer with my 2015 F250 6.7 so anything equal or above that is a win for me.


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[BigDog88]

10 hours ago, AdamAT4 said:

First time towing with my 6.2 today and o wow is this truck something else. 

 

its got enough power, probably most torque in a gas truck with no turbos i've owned but its by FAR the worst on fuel i've ever owned for towing. 

 

If i towed more than once a week a diesel would pay for it self many times over! 

 

I also own a 2017 Ram 5.7 and it burns much less fuel towing the same trailer but to climb a hill the RPM is higher as the truck needs to drop a lower gear. before this truck i had a 2011 EcoBoost with 3.55's and max tow pkg, but then my trailer was slightly larger but the truck would get upto highway speed with 3-4000 pounds as quick as my old cobalt would. i get the 6.2 would be very similar especially with this new 10 speed.

 

Even towing the smallest possible load, a UTV on a small aluminum trailer which ive towed easily with my Wife's Ford Explorer (Does better than my AT4 6.2) i'm getting 13-14 mpg at 65 mph, my Ram Hemi gets 15-16 mpg no problem, and my 2014 Cummins which i traded for my AT4 would get 18 mpg all day long. i can barely get 18 mpg in AT4 empty. I only traded my Cummins because i sold my bigger enclosed trailer (8.5x21' with 7' interior) but with my AT4 it wouldn't hold enough gas to get between fuel stations as my Cummins would be down to 13 mpg at times especially in a head wind, but on flat level ground at 70 mph i could average 14-15 mpg. where i live we have many 125-140 miles stretches of no fuel stations.

 

anyone thats lurking and wondering between a Gas or Diesel, if you tow any amount at all, get the diesel. At my dealer maintenance is free for 6 years so the added mainteance costs of the bigger truck are a non issue, but i live were we see -40 so thats my only reason for getting out of a diesel. I have a baby now and eventually a second so i can't have them in a cold truck. My old man tows 2-3 times per week during summer and went from a Duramax to a EcoBoost and after only 1 year he went and got a new 3500 long box duramax then deleted it and will never look back.

Everyones expectations are different, and your not the first person that has been disappointed by the mpg of their AT4.  What MPG are you getting towing or empty.  you stated what your other vehicles have gotten but never said what the AT4 was getting.  Im curious to hear.  The 6.2 is definitely thirsty.

[AdamAT4]

Everyones expectations are different, and your not the first person that has been disappointed by the mpg of their AT4.  What MPG are you getting towing or empty.  you stated what your other vehicles have gotten but never said what the AT4 was getting.  Im curious to hear.  The 6.2 is definitely thirsty.

Empty isnt too bad, I've gotten as good as 21 mpg at 55 to 60 on a flat road, but 65 to 70 speeds I'll be it's around 17-18 mpg.

I'll be putting a Truxedo prox15 on here soon and see if that helps any.

The 10 speed does help the in city economy quite a bit. About equal to what my Cummins was and better than my Hemi (hemi is on 33.5" 10 ply tires)

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[BigDog88]

45 minutes ago, AdamAT4 said:

Empty isnt too bad, I've gotten as good as 21 mpg at 55 to 60 on a flat road, but 65 to 70 speeds I'll be it's around 17-18 mpg.

I'll be putting a Truxedo prox15 on here soon and see if that helps any.

The 10 speed does help the in city economy quite a bit. About equal to what my Cummins was and better than my Hemi (hemi is on 33.5" 10 ply tires)

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At least gas is cheap right now so it doesnt hurt the pockebook as much.  Yea i wasnt expecting great MPG, as i was looking for something fun to drive and also useful towing my travel trailer.   Would i like better MPG, yes, but not a huge deal for me, im willing to pay for gas for performance.  Your concern about the small gas tank, is annoying to me too.  For towing it would be nice to go farther than 3 hrs between fill ups.  Question for you: Do you noticed a difference in power in towing with your 6.2 over the 5.7 Hemi?

[newdude]

17 hours ago, INTJ said:

Does anyone know how durable the aluminum knuckles are and if its correct to use the same ball joint and tire rob torque specs as for the cast iton knuckles?  Which is torque the add 1/4 turn?

 

 

 

 

?  T1 1/2 tons use aluminum knuckles only.  They used aluminums on some K2 1500s and they do fine as well.

 

Torque specs from the old trucks are different than T1.  Did you need torque specs for your 2020?  

[INTJ]

20 minutes ago, newdude said:

 

?  T1 1/2 tons use aluminum knuckles only.  They used aluminums on some K2 1500s and they do fine as well.

 

Torque specs from the old trucks are different than T1.  Did you need torque specs for your 2020?  

Yes!

[AdamAT4]

At least gas is cheap right now so it doesnt hurt the pockebook as much.  Yea i wasnt expecting great MPG, as i was looking for something fun to drive and also useful towing my travel trailer.   Would i like better MPG, yes, but not a huge deal for me, im willing to pay for gas for performance.  Your concern about the small gas tank, is annoying to me too.  For towing it would be nice to go farther than 3 hrs between fill ups.  Question for you: Do you noticed a difference in power in towing with your 6.2 over the 5.7 Hemi?

The 6.2 has more power and more notably torque, on a grade i notice the GM will make it in lower rpm than the Ram. Both trucks are well mannered on the highway. Main reason I chose the GM over the new Ram was the AT4 has a larger presence and the new Ram is like a baby version of the HD and that would bug me as I miss my Cummins.

My old man tried towing a 12,000 pound 5th wheel with his EcoBoost max tow 3.73 geared truck and the rear diff overheated and ruined the pinion.

If you tow heavy long distance get the bigger truck, all the 1500s will tow no problem at expense of fuel burnt but they are not enjoyable for long distance.

The farthest I'll tow is only 60 miles on highway and even for a lighter load of I were towing 10 hour trips I'd get the diesel, fuel savings alone will be worth it.

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[BigDog88]

7 minutes ago, AdamAT4 said:

The 6.2 has more power and more notably torque, on a grade i notice the GM will make it in lower rpm than the Ram. Both trucks are well mannered on the highway. Main reason I chose the GM over the new Ram was the AT4 has a larger presence and the new Ram is like a baby version of the HD and that would bug me as I miss my Cummins.

My old man tried towing a 12,000 pound 5th wheel with his EcoBoost max tow 3.73 geared truck and the rear diff overheated and ruined the pinion.

If you tow heavy long distance get the bigger truck, all the 1500s will tow no problem at expense of fuel burnt but they are not enjoyable for long distance.

The farthest I'll tow is only 60 miles on highway and even for a lighter load of I were towing 10 hour trips I'd get the diesel, fuel savings alone will be worth it.

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I considered the Ram because every review or comparison you read, has it the top 1500 tuck right now, mainly because of the interior, but because i wanted more towing power and torque and the bigger of the two, i went with 6.2.  Plus im a GM guy, more than Ram/Dodge.   Towed with mine once a week ago, and very happy with the towing capability.  I wont be buying a Diesel anytime soon.  If anything we will sell our TT for a Motorhome and not need a towing vehicle.

[newdude]

51 minutes ago, INTJ said:

Yes!

 

Tie Rod end:  

1. First Pass: 35 Y  (26 lb ft)
2. Final Pass: 85–100 degrees

Upper Ball Joint nut:

1. First Pass: 35 Y  (26 lb ft)
2. Final Pass: 60 - 75 degrees

Lower Ball Joint nut:

1. First Pass: 50 Y  (37 lb ft)
2. Final Pass: 125 - 135 degrees

 

[contenderv07]

I wonder how the 3.0 does in comparison to the 6.2?? I think the tow numbers are a little bit lower with the 3.0 but it is a diesel

[ullose272]

I wonder how the 3.0 does in comparison to the 6.2?? I think the tow numbers are a little bit lower with the 3.0 but it is a diesel

You just cant get max tow with 3.0. But i love my diesel. Ive only towed about 4000 lbs but its a champ compared to my 14 5.3

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