Dodge 318 v-8, is it enough??

[azcab]

I'm real close to buying a clean 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L v-8 318, longbed, x-cab, 4x4. I would occasionally tow a 18-24 foot camper trailer, with the truck full of bikes. Is this enough engine to tow comfortably over Colorado passes, etc...? I haven't bought the camper trailer yet, but I'm guessing a 18-24 foot would weight around 3500 to 4500 lb.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[G. Gearloose]

Unless the gear ratio is in the low-4's or better (unlikely on a 1500) then it could be mediocre with a std, perhaps worse with the auto. I suspect you will have to push it to the boards anything steeper than 7%. The advertised power levels from dodge seem optimistic according to owners I know. And it also depends what you consider 'comfortably'.
Unless the gear ratio was good, I'd keep looking, no lower than 4.10 w/318, 3.73 w/ 360, but better yet the 4.10 and 360 combo.

 

[justql]

NO.

I just traded a 96 with the bigger V8 for a deisel. I pull a 23 ft tailgator with three-four bikes. Terrible fuel mileage and not alot of power.:(

 

[NVR FNSH]

No. I drove a '96 2500 4wd 360 V8/auto with 4.10s and it sucked - both fuel and power wise. I towed a 6x12 Uhaul trailer (tandem axle enclosed) up the grapevine and was seriously disappointed with the power. With two bikes + gear in the bed it would ping on 87 octane going up the grapevine.

Brian

 

[Jay D]

If you look at the torque curve for a 318 vs the 360 you will see that the 318 makes better power where you need it for towing even though the 360 makes better overall power. I would take a 318 over a 360 but would probably buy a Cummins.

 

[azcab]

Thanks for the opinions. I decided to go with a new Tundra with the 4.7 v-8. Not a huge engine but I know it pulls mid-range loads (4500-6500 lbs) pretty good, so it should work fine for me. After further investigation, I found out the Dodge had the 3.55 gearset and did not have the factory tow options (tranny cooler, big radiator) as the seller had mistakenly advertised. Thanks for the info.