New to towing a travel trailer
 

Hey guys, i could really use some advice and i apologize if this subject has been beat to death. I have an 04 ram 2500 6 speed manual Cummins. (305/555) and just got my first travel trailer. It weighs about 5500#. I towed it for the first time a couple weeks ago and found fuel consumption higher than expected (for towing) and power seemed low. The steepest hills i encounter in my area are about 8% max. I know the peak tourque is around 1600 rpm but the truck seemed to do better at 2000+ . I don't try and race up any hills and i would always drop to 5th gear but 5th gear at 2000 rpm meant only about 50mph. 6th gear even on light hills felt like i was lugging it. The truck is bone stock and the first diesel I've owned so i don't have anything to compare it to. I'm not sure if this is about right or if i should get my waste gate checked and is 2000- 2500 rpm hard on it? The truck (power wise) has always seemed great not towing and my trailer really isn't that heavy but when f150s are passing me on the hills i gotta wonder. Thanks for your time.

Sounds right on an 8% grade. Shifting into 5th and keeping the RPM above 2000 lowers your EGT (which you should have displayed) and is easier on the transmission. In my NV5600, fifth gear is direct. Your G56 is the same.

G56 6 Speed Manual Transmission Specs & Ratios

Don't worry about the F150's unless they're towing the same weight.

Fuel mileage will go down when towing.