Dodge V-10 vs. Hemi - The Hull Truth

TopCat · 10-01-2008, 11:43 AM

My 1998 Dodge 2500 V-10 is on it's way out - it's had a long hard life of towing, the engines about clapped out, and the tranny's not too far behind. The V-10 was a great puller, 300hp and 450 lb/ft of torque at only 2400 rpm (actully a little MORE torque than the 5.9 diesel). I could get a great deal on a hemi powered 2500, but the numbers are not that impressive (345 hp, 375lb/ft@4,400). Is anybody pulling 8000+ lbs with the Hemi, and are you happy with it?

FCMarine · 10-01-2008, 04:15 PM

I cant comment on the hemi but we used to tow with a dually 2500 diesel and towed pretty much anything we put behind it. One other thing you might consider is that the diesel will prob. get better gas milage then the v-10 I hear those are gas hogs. Hope my bit of random info helped you.

A Few Dollars · 10-01-2008, 06:18 PM

I pulled my Edgewater 318 a couple times with my Hemi 1500 Megacab. No problems for around town / short hauls. Even pulled it up the launch ramp fine. Wouldn't want to be on the interstate of going long distances though.

billinstuart · 10-03-2008, 06:39 AM

You've answered your own question. The hemi makes it torque at a really high rpm. Don't fall for the horsepower trap..it's a marketing gimmick. It's all about TORQUE at a useable rpm.

Hawkeye · 10-03-2008, 07:16 AM

Quote:

billinstuart - 10/3/2008 8:39 AM

You've answered your own question. The hemi makes it torque at a really high rpm. Don't fall for the horsepower trap..it's a marketing gimmick. It's all about TORQUE at a useable rpm.

billinstuart, obetter check your facts. the 5.7 Hemi has 300 ft/lbs at 1200 rpms. Here is a link to the HP/torue cure for the new hemi's. I got on in a 1500 quad cab and it does fine pulling 7k 24'er

http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/ram_150...ility/engines/

peptide · 10-03-2008, 07:18 AM

The 2003-8 5.7 Hemi / 545RFE combination in the DR is, in my opinion, not the ideal powertrain when towing near the rated limit of the chassis. The torque curve is biased towards the upper end of the operating range, meaning that it requires high throttle angles at cruising speeds when towing.

The 2009 5.7 Hemi in the DS (Ram) will produce 390 hp / 407 lb-ft (at 4100 RPM), mainly because of the inclusion of a variable valve timing system and a dual-mode intake. Initial indications are that the VVT/SRV Hemi is under much less strain when towing in the upper end of the weight range.

Mike

billinstuart · 10-03-2008, 12:34 PM

Interesting graph..that's an admirably flat torque line. Lotsa improvement in the last couple years. Flat torque curves produce an engine with excellent driveability. While it's alot stronger than my Chebby 350, it's still pretty far off the v-10 at 2400 rpms, though. BUT, that wide flat torque band makes a world of difference.

It appears Chrysler is able to compensate for the inherent low speed deficiencies in the hemi with modern technology. Impressive package now.

ajon · 10-06-2008, 02:52 AM

have a 04 4x4 with hemi, I tow a 2600 century about a 112 miles to the ramp on the 15 in San Diego, truck has no problems starting stopping or cruising, gas mileage is about 10-12, only problems is there are acouple of looong steep hills, but overall Im satisfied.

NewMoon · 10-06-2008, 04:49 AM

I pull my Regulator which is probably very close to 8000 lbs loaded with fuel ready to fish. The truck pulls it ok. The problem with the Hemi is that it makes all of its power too high in the rpm band, not really great for towing. Dodge has a new 2009 Ram that has more hp and torque 390 / 405 I think. That should really help move things along.

rollin thunder · 10-06-2008, 10:42 AM

The Hemi is a high preformance motor, not a tow a haulic. If ya gotta go dodge, co cummins. I would rather be cummin than stroken. But you gotta be Like A ROCK (chevy) to be doing either.

pastaman1234 · 10-06-2008, 04:49 PM

I tow 4500 lbs regularly. Just got rid of my 2006 ram with the hemi and now in a F-150 with the 5.4. Both trucks have 373's in the rear. I love my new f-150 but for some reason i feel that the ram towed better as far as power. The f-150 definately has better ride while towing and the ram had a better ride not towing.

dragonfish · 10-06-2008, 05:27 PM

I tow a 25' Seacat walk around which is 8500+ lbs. with a 2003 Ram 2500 4X4 Hemi with 3.73 rear end. It gets the job done but all the above comments about the engine working hard are true enuf - and the mileage when towing is 7 -7.5 in flat and rolling terrain in GA and FL. Of course mileage when not towing is nothin to brag about - best ever on hwy was 14 using midgrade.

My solution is to keep the boat in the water and drive my wife's car as much as I can......

good luck!

DVR · 12-04-2009, 10:46 PM

I have a garage kept 1995 ram 2500 4x4 V-10 with 23,000 actual miles. It tows great. Much better than my buddies 2500 hemi 4x4 with regard to heavy towing.

tprice · 12-05-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollin thunder

The Hemi is a high preformance motor, not a tow a haulic. If ya gotta go dodge, co cummins. I would rather be cummin than stroken. But you gotta be Like A ROCK (chevy) to be doing either.

I would have to agree, mine does fine but I only tow short distances 90% of the time, less than 10 miles roundtrip.

I do tow to the coast a couple of times a year and it does fine but honestly my wifes Trailblazer tows just as well as the Hemi

If I had to tow a lot and long distances I would opt for the Cummings

boatmanalso · 12-05-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billinstuart

You've answered your own question. The hemi makes it torque at a really high rpm. Don't fall for the horsepower trap..it's a marketing gimmick. It's all about TORQUE at a useable rpm.

the hemi goes well for a out of the box engine. I'd say it has all the hp they claim it has. I only have a shortbed 1500 but it goes great and gets good gas mpg for a 4x4 gas truck.