From the 2011 Ram 1500’s trio of optional engines, the 3.7-liter V6 base delivers the best gas mileage but is underpowered. And while its Hemi V8 is unreliable, a sweet spot lies in the 4.7-liter V8’s 7,650-pound towing capacity and 19 highway mpg.
Key Points
- The 2011 Ram 1500’s 3.7-liter delivers the best gas mileage of the bunch, but only offers a 3,750-pound towing capacity. It only comes in the base ST trim and is without a 4WD option.
- The 4.7-liter V8 in the 2011 Ram 1500 offers decent power and torque along with 15 mpg combined in 4WD configurations. It’s also available in most trims.
- Crushing the other two engines with a 10,450-pound towing capacity is the 5.7-liter Hemi. Sadly, the cams and lifters tend to go out, resulting in a pricey repair.
- Overall, the 4.7-liter engine offers the most bang for the buck, besting the 3.7-liter in price and availability, and being more reliable than the 5.7 Hemi.
3.7-liter V6 Engine’s Low Power Limits 2011 Ram 1500 to a Basic A-to-B Truck
The base engine in the 2011 Ram 1500 is a 3.7-liter V6 pumping out 215 horsepower and 235 lb.-ft. of torque. It utilizes a tow/haul mode and electronic range select (ERS) to tow up to 3,750 lbs. The V6 is only available for the ST trim, which is exclusively RWD.
The 3.7-liter is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission giving it an EPA-rated 14 city / 20 hwy / 16 combined miles per gallon. This is the best gas mileage you’ll find in a 2011 Ram 1500, and therefore the cheapest at the pump.
The 3.7 won’t be good for much else apart from very light work or gas savings. If all you need is a truck bed and you’re ok with the bare-bones ST trim, you’ll be fine with the V6.
4.7 V8 Available in Most 2011 Ram Trims Comes with Five-speed Automatic Transmission, Optional 4WD
The next step up from the 3.7 is the 310-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 engine, which is available in the 2011 Ram 1500 Express, SLT, Big Horn, and Outdoorsman trims. It boasts 330 lb.-ft. of torque and offers a towing capacity of 7,650 lbs. with a max payload of 1,730 lbs.
With the 4.7-liter you don’t just get two more cylinders, you also get an upgraded five-speed automatic transmission. Like the 3.7-liter’s transmission, it’s also equipped with Tow/Haul Mode and ERS to help with heavy loads.
The 4.7-liter is available in both RWD and 4WD configurations. Gas mileage for RWD models is 14 city / 19 hwy / 15 combined. 4WD models achieve figures of 13 city / 18 hwy / 15 combined. The mpg drops significantly when using E85. Expect 9 city / 12 hwy / 10 combined in both RWD and 4WD configurations on E85.
The 4.7 V8 makes use of high-flow cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds as well as dual spark plug technology. These help the V8 to achieve its power and efficiency ratings. Of the 2011 Ram 1500 engine options, the 4.7-liter strikes the best balance between fuel savings and power.
2011 Ram Owner Complaints Reveal Cam and Lifter Failure Issues with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8
The final engine option for the 2011 Ram 1500 is a 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Hemi is synonymous with powerful workhorse engines, and the 5.7 certainly lives up to that standard with 470 lb.-ft. of torque. It pumps out 390 hp and offers a massive five-ton (10,450 lbs.) towing capacity. Max payload is rated at 1,670 lbs., slightly lower than the 4.7-liter.
Like the 4.7, it’s also mated to the five-speed automatic transmission utilizing Tow/Haul Mode and ERS. The Hemi V8 uses VVT, Fuel-Saver Technology, and an active intake manifold to earn 14 city / 20 hwy / 16 combined in RWD models, and 13 city / 19 hwy / 15 combined in Hemi-equipped 4WD trims. The Hemi V8 can be had with any of the 2011 Ram 1500 trims.
Unfortunately, you’ll likely want to avoid the Hemi V8 as the internet is filled with poor driver experiences. For example, Ram Forumz has a 54-page thread on 5.7-liter Hemi problems. The most commonly experienced problem is the total failure of the engine’s cams and lifters. This problem tends to occur on MDS (deactivated) cylinders.
FCA acknowledged the issues in this service bulletin but it appears not to have offered any actionable fixes. In this Jalopnik story, an FCA mechanic mentions this was a very common issue. Further info on the 5.7-liter Hemi’s problems can be found here. Staying away from this one could save you serious repair bills.
2011 Ram 1500 Gives its Best Performance with the 4.7-liter V8 Engine Under the Hood
So, which Ram 1500 engine should you pick? If you can make do with a 7,650 lb. towing capacity, 310 hp, and 330 lb.-ft. of torque, the 4.7 is a solid engine. It’s proven to be reliable and offers decent gas mileage. Also, if you prefer to run E85, you’ve got that option as well.
It’s the most well-rounded of the 2011 Ram 1500 engine options by far. It doesn’t suffer from the reliability issues of the Hemi. Likewise, it’s not underpowered, and it’s available in most trims unlike the 3.7.
Photos: Stellantis
