Our new to us 2020 Ram 3500 6.7 HO diesel did great this weekend. I knew it would towing our little X23B. I do still need to read/review the owner's manual.
I did configure the WDH for this TV. Probably not really needed, but I like the idea of the added sway control. With three washers installed (Equalizer 4 point) the bars did not engage at all, four washers I think I have it set to about as light weight transfer as possible. With the sway bars disconnected the front went up a 1/4". With the bars engaged, it was back to unhooked conditions.
Prior to the trip, I only had about 300 miles of city driving with the TV. I topped the tank off before leaving and hand calculated the fuel economy at 12.3 mpg.
I topped the tank off last night. About a 1/4 tank of fuel, and less than 1/8 of a tank of DEF used. I suspect we had about 80 miles towing and another 75 miles running around, ran the AC the whole time. Per the computer, we were averaging 11.8 mpg, hand calculations 11.0 mpg (better than the Dakota with the AC off). The truck really did not notice it back there at all.
The exhaust braking was a bit odd. I had played around with the button in town. I thought I knew what to expect. While towing I forgot all about the button (only have had gassers in the past). From this single trip I suspect Tow/Haul mode turns it on. On the open highway we came to a stop light, and off the throttle at 60 mph, and the exhaust brake kicked in automatically. I really did not need to press the brake pedal. I did, as we were in rush hour traffic, and did not want to be rear ended.
I was a bit bummed with the exhaust brake at one location. When we got to camp, there is a fairly long and steep road to the lower camp in the river bottoms, speed limit on the road is 20 mph. With the Dakota, I always downshifted to 1st gear. The Exhaust brake never kick on until the very bottom of the hill, even as I was pressing the brake pedal. Every time I went down this hill, with or without the TT, the exhaust brake would kick in at the same place right before the bottom of the hill, but never up on the hill when I could use it. Not sure if there is some minimum speed limit for it to kick in. Tried a few different modes, and nothing.
I also never used upper "Gear Limit" feature. I suspect with such a light trailer there really is no need to do such. It never seemed to search for a gear, or anything. It shifted just like I was empty. The temp gauges where way cooler than on the old Dakota. It is weird having two temp gauges shown. Have not seen that in decades.
I think our dog overall really enjoyed the new TV. Normally she gets up and wants to stand on the center console and look out the front. This trip she just laid in her bed. She had lots of room. I folded up the smaller rear seat, with the cargo tray out for her and her bed. I think she might have enjoyed the rear AC blowing on her. She had lots of room, and so did the kid.
Overall it was a great trip, looking forward to our next one a bit farther from home. If we get a rainy camp day, I will need to read the owner's manual, as I still have some learnings and settings I need to figure out.
Happy Camping
DISNEY LOVERS
Linear Mode
