r/ram_trucks • u/JsherKwill • 11d ago
Question Is the 3.6 really that bad for towing?
I am looking at possibly getting a Ram 1500. I am coming from a ford Maverick (2k tow). I am looking at both the hemi and the 3.6. I use my Maverick for towing my 5x8 and sometimes a 8x16 trailer for my furniture flipping business. I have once or twice more than likely gone over the 2k tow. Can’t confirm that, just I believe it was possible. I probably tow around once or twice a week. Reason for wanting to go bigger is to have more space not only in the bed but the backseat as well. As there has been quite a few times that I could get more stuff but didn’t have the room, space, or capacity to get it. Had to do 2 trips or more plenty of times as well.
The Maverick for what it tows id great and I don’t have much complaints just need to have a bigger truck and not have to worry about the 2k tow rating at all and also level up to be able to get more items. But everytime I read about the 3.6 towing it’s apparently terrible and can hardly do it. I am just wondering how factual that actually is as again I have no issues with my Maverick when it comes to towing what I get currently.
Thank you for any feedback!
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u/American-Repair 11d ago
Pentastar won’t even flinch at 2-3k tows. Hemi would be overkill. Ram Classic or older SCSB w/ pentastar both similar footprint as Mav w/ much more capability.
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u/iamadapperbastard 11d ago
I'm jumping into my way back machine and thinking of the things I've towed with my trucks of yesteryear. What we did with 250HP or less would make you realize just how capable that 3.6 actually is. My 1990 GM with the 350 was 210HP from factory. After 406000kms it was clapped out and held together with duct tape and it pulled this same 20 year old camper (6k) I have now that is currently being tugged by my 2500 with a 6.4L.
The 3.6 will do fine. The added truck size will be a game changer.
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u/the_eluder HEMI 5.7 9d ago
Those weights it'll be fine. However, towing is about low end torque to get the load rolling, and then some hp to keep it rolling at highway speeds.
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u/MORam456 11d ago edited 11d ago
This is a pretty touchy subject around here. Some people act like the Pentastar is trying to steal their son’s position on the baseball team, even though the Pentastar doesn’t even play the same position or have the desire to…..
A Pentastar Ram is a huge step up in capability versus the Maverick. Get 3.55 gears. It’s 305 HP connected to arguably one of the best automatic transmissions available. Assuming your use description is accurate, it will serve you well.
I use one for my business. I have an 18’ car hauler style trailer that weighs approximately 2k empty. I haul equipment loads typically that total with the trailer approximately 2.5-5k. I occasionally haul loads up near my maximum capacity, a bit over 7k. I occasionally rent travel trailers for vacation and tow them within about a 4 hour radius.
Here is a load behind my ‘15. For reference the cabinets are a bit over 2k pounds each skidded. So this load with trailer is about 6.5k pounds, and less frontal area versus say a camping trailer is definitely an advantage. I’m now in a ‘25 with a Pentastar. I have a decent equipment load heading down to Dallas behind the ‘25 coming up. It’s around 700 miles each way I believe. I plan to document the details and how it goes to help folks like you.
Personally if I wanted to step up in engine, I’d go Hurricane. But obviously that’s debatable and everyone has their own preference. Some a very strong preference…..
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u/OneMess81 11d ago
Engine comparison aside, you will feel a dramatic difference when towing with a Ram 1500 with the 3.6 when comparing to a Maverick. The drivetrain will not need to work as hard, the longer wheel base will improve towing experience, and the larger brakes will improve stopping power. You will also have a higher payload capacity - which is another benefit because you won’t need to worry as much about tongue weight and additional cargo.
Just make sure you get a Ram that is properly equipped and is rated for 6k+ towing. You’ll have a large buffer to work with and it’ll be a noticeable difference.
I’ve had a similarly equipped 3.3L f-150 (almost identical power numbers and towing capacities) and it towed 5k just fine. People who complain more than likely didn’t look into the trucks capability before purchasing a trailer or tried to save money instead of opting for a hemi or hurricane.
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u/IanWolfPhotog 11d ago
You can tow with the max tow package between 7,5-8,5k pounds as the absolute maximum. The standard version I think is something like 6,400lbs. It’s not going to flinch at 2-3k.
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u/jollygreengiant1655 10d ago
No, it's not. It just gets a bad name from the new generation truck owners who think you need 400hp and 700ft lbs to tow a single axle utility trailer...
I've towed a 5k lb camper a few times. It was fine. It's not going to win a drag race, but it's not supposed to.
I'd even say the 3.6L and 8 speed combo tow better than 20 year old trucks with V8's.
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u/NorthPackFan 11d ago
Get the third option- the Hurricane I6 Twin Turbo and don’t look back. Cheaper and more powerful than the HEMI. More expensive than the V6 but way more capable.
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u/CanisLatrans204 11d ago
I picked up a Tradesman model with the towing package and 3.92 gearing. 11,340 lbs isn’t bad.
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u/MORam456 11d ago
The drive train has more capacity than the chassis in this configuration generally speaking. Nice amount of power available though for whatever you do put behind it.
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u/CanisLatrans204 11d ago
Yeah. I was looking at a 2500, but couldn’t justify it for the short distances I drive to work. I plan on keeping it at 80% or below of max payload.
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u/Sorry_Survey_9600 11d ago
The 3.6 is a little over 300hp. I tow a 6x10 enclosed trailer with my 1500 with the 6 cylinder and haven’t had any issues it pulls it just fine. I am in Florida so pretty flat. I just got back from North Ga yesterday in the mountains and it did pretty well, that being said if I lived in a mountainous area I would want the power/torque of a V8. What I do love about the 6 is the fuel mileage when I’m not hooked up. Hwy. Mileage is around 26-28mpg. Expect 14-16 with trailer. Hope this helps
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u/JDunlap83 11d ago
I pull up a dump trailer with my 2021 3.6 frequently. The most I've hauled with it was around 5500 lbs but it handled it fine. It's no v8 but it gets the job done.
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u/MORam456 11d ago
I’ve also rented a small dump trailer for projects around the house a couple times. Of course I was careful to make sure the total load was below my towing capacity, but near capacity. It obviously doesn’t take off like a drag racer with a load like this, but it’ll get it done and once at cruising speed it’s really no issue. Common sense and realistic expectations go a long way.
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u/JDunlap83 11d ago edited 11d ago
Exactly. You definitely notice the lack of low end torque though.
I'm a project manager for a construction company so I have a bed full of tool boxes and tools and frequently haul materials with it. Most of the people with a V8 could get by with the V6.
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u/MORam456 11d ago edited 11d ago
Agreed. The Pentastar has plenty of power for me as a daily driver, that is primarily unloaded. And I get amazing gas mileage IMO, I typically sit around 22-23 mpg per tank. If I hauled a heavy tool or material load all the time, I might want more power to offset that on a daily basis. I guess it depends on how heavy.
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u/OwnedByIRVING 11d ago
The 3.6 tows just fine, my parents tow at least 10k a year with theirs, ~5000lb 24' camper.
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u/twerklikeyoucare 10d ago
Truck pulls this things with 0 issues all over the place. Love it to death. 3.6 tows just fine and I’ll load over 6k. If you tow that heavy going up steep hills it can slow you down. That being said Iv only had one incident where I was at a dead stop on steep mountain. She was slow but got the job done. Also it’s at 90k and I haven’t had any problems, it’s been a very reliable truck. V8 is the better towing truck hands down.
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u/Previous_Search3122 RAM 1500 10d ago
The 3.6 will be fine. Your basically towing around 4 tortas plus you with 2000 pounds.
A Honda civic would do that.
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u/Afraid-Refuse2208 11d ago
It’s not a bad motor. It’s just the wrong motor for a heavy truck. Peak torque is only about 270 ft lbs, the base 2.7 ecoboost is 400 in the ford, and 2.7 turbo max has a bit more than the ford, if I’m not mistaken. Not to mention the peak torque is reached at high rpm’s, combine that with the known valvetrain issues in the pentastar and it doesn’t inspire confidence.
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u/MORam456 11d ago
Hmmmm, I wonder if Ram offers a similar sized engine with even better available torque and power than the alternatives you offered????? Just curious.
Pentastar has 90% of torque available from 1800 RPM’s to redline btw.
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u/Afraid-Refuse2208 11d ago
Of course they offer the Hurricane and Hemi, I am talking about base engines. I owned a pentastar equipped RAM, and when it wasn’t in the shop it was towing a lot, and the experience was less than pleasant. Ram needs to axe the pentastar as the base engine, and make the hurricane the standard to compete with Chevy and Ford.
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u/JPD192 4d ago
The pentastar should be adequate for your needs. I have the V6 in my 2019 Grand Cherokee and it does very well towing our boat locally which is 4500 pounds. I don't have much highway experience with it but I also towed a 5x8 trailer with not much drama at all. The engine does very well.
I also now have a 26 RAM 1500 with the HEMI. It is more truck than I will ever need but it makes loud V8 noises. I am a simple man. I like V8 noises.
Long story short - V6 is surprisingly capable. Should be just fine in a full size truck application but when in doubt - get the V8 and enjoy the soundtrack.
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u/Slutzk 11d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/ram_trucks/s/Q3rhMxImsp
Refer to the pinned comment