The data from The Fast Lane Truck’s second Ike Gauntlet – Light Duty edition is in. Here is the summary of the results so you can see it all in one place. This extreme towing test saw the following two pickups: 2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4×4 Limited and 2013 Ram 1500 CrewCab 4×4 Sport.
This extreme test is designed to showcase how the trucks cope with towing a load, which is 85% or higher of their maximum tow rating, at high elevation and up a steep grade. The Ike Gauntlet is going down and up the eight mile stretch of interstate I-70 between the Eisenhower/Johnson Memorial Tunnel and the town of Silverthorn. There is more than 2,000 feet of elevation change with an average 7% grade. The finish line is at 11,158 feet above sea level! And the total load on the trucks is nearly 8,000 lbs.
Light Duty Edition
| 2014 Toyota Tundra | 2013 Ram 1500 | |
| Model | CrewMax 4×4 Limited | CrewCab 4×4 Sport |
| As Tested $ | $45,220 | $54,355 |
| Engine | 5.7-liter V8 iForce | 5.7-liter V8 HEMI |
| Transmission | 6-speed Auto | 8-speed Auto |
| Power (hp / lb-ft) | 381 / 401 | 395 / 407 |
| Tow Rating | 9,600 lbs (4.30 axle) | 10,000 lbs (3.92 axle) |
| Payload | 1,410 lbs | 1,330 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 145.7 in | 140.7 in |
| Test Load (trailer + ppl) | 8,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs |
| Down: Brake Temp (Front / Rear/ Trailer) F | 574 / 504 / 165 | 594 / 520 / 86 |
| Down: Transmission Temp | normal | normal |
| Up: Time | 7:57.35 | 7:50.24 |
| Avg MPG | 6.7 | 7.3 |
| Up: Transmission Temp | normal | normal |
Stay tuned for Ike Gauntlet 2.0 – coming in November! What is Ike Gauntlet 2.0? We are raising the load and pushing the test over the extreme. Stay tuned!
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, reporter, and software engineer. He has been a contributor 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’.
