The 2013 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab Heavy Duty Pickup is built to tow. So we decided to try to tow with it up one of the steepest and highest American Interstate Highways.
From Dillion, Colorado to the Eisenhower Tunnel U.S. I-70 climbs 8 miles to a maximum elevation of 11,158 feet or 3,401 meters.
That’s enough power robbing elevation and steep enough grade (7%) to test the most powerful of pickups. Is the Ram 3500 Heavy duty up to the task of towing a 17,000 pound horse trailer to the top of the Continental Divide?
Ram says that this diesel monster dually with 850 lb-ft or torque can tow up to 30,000 pounds. That’s enough weight (more than 26,000 GVWR) to need a commercial truckers license in most states.
In this third and final TFLtruck Ike Gauntlet video review we test the truck going up I-70 see how fast it takes the 17,000 pound horse trailer up the grade. Thanks to the help from our friend Kent from www.MrTruck.com. He kept the accelerator firmly floored and the leather laden Laramie Longhorn did the rest.
BTW: You can watch Ike Gauntlet Towing test (Episode 1) and (Episode 2).
Watch this video to find our how long it took for the Ram to make it up the hill. And be sure that we will run this test with the heavy duties from GM and Ford in the future.
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, software engineer, writer, and reporter. He has been writing and reporting at TFLcar since 2011. When not working or spending time with the family – you can find him tinkering in the garage or simply ‘going for a drive’.
