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Old 08-28-2016, 07:59 PM   #1
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Anyone use a 6.4 hemi

Have a 2017 322QBUD weighing in at 7788 empty. Been pulling with a 1500 Chevy. Looking at the 2500 dodge with the 6.7 but have a hard time justifying the extra maintenance (lots of oil, fuel filter, 40 cents more per gal). Didn't know If anyone had the 6.4 hemi in there 2500 or even if I would be satisfied with it. Thanks for the help
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Old 08-28-2016, 08:00 PM   #2
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Sorry 312QBUD
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Old 08-28-2016, 08:18 PM   #3
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Good Luck on your purchase. I am interested in seeing what you choose
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Old 08-28-2016, 08:20 PM   #4
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I had one. It will tow your camper all day long, especially if you get the 4.10 gears. I think you are overestimating diesel maintenance costs and underestimating the cost of oil on the 6.4 though. The 6.4 is a $120 oil change at the stealership twice as often as the diesel. Fuel here is 10 cents more than regular unleaded but I'm getting way better mileage with the Cummins so that i not an issue.
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Old 08-28-2016, 08:21 PM   #5
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If you don't hate the way the 1500 Silverado pulls the RV, then you'll like the 6.4 in the Ram 2500.
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Old 08-28-2016, 08:22 PM   #6
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Shouldnt be a problem, I pull a Prime Time Tracer 3200 BHT with my 2500 6.4 Hemi with 3.73 gears.
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Old 08-28-2016, 10:56 PM   #7
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I pull my Cherokee 294BH (~8500 loaded) without any issues. Do I know it's back there? Yes. But it is a comfortable ride. I don't feel the push-pull people claim they get from tractor-trailers driving by (could just be the 3/4 ton chassis)

Going up hills it will work a bit, but it gets better HP and torque at higher RPM's.

Oil changes suck at $100-110 (dealership) here, all because it takes 7 quarts of 0w-40 at around 8,000 miles. I usually do my own, but while it's under warranty I have the dealership do it for the paper trail.

With 3.73 rear end I get 15 MPG hwy, 11 city. Towing I'm around 8 with the rolling hills of MO.

Would I like the diesel? You betcha, but at the time I had to get a new truck (my old one at 225,000 miles decides to "retire") I could not swing a price I could afford with the oil burner. I didn't want to get a 1/2 ton knowing I was getting a larger trailer, and possible ANOTHER truck to tow it. This one will work just fine until the kids are gone and the wife and I decide to do something different, then maybe diesel will be in the future, but right now I am very happy.

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Old 08-29-2016, 08:58 AM   #8
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You should have no issue with it. That trailer is a tick larger than my 832IKBS that I tow with a 5.7L RAM 1500. I love how ours tows. (FWIW, it a 4x4 with 3.92 gears and no changes to the stock suspension.)
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Old 08-29-2016, 12:48 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by Moparman1230 View Post
I pull my Cherokee 294BH (~8500 loaded) without any issues. Do I know it's back there? Yes. But it is a comfortable ride. I don't feel the push-pull people claim they get from tractor-trailers driving by (could just be the 3/4 ton chassis)

Going up hills it will work a bit, but it gets better HP and torque at higher RPM's.

Oil changes suck at $100-110 (dealership) here, all because it takes 7 quarts of 0w-40 at around 8,000 miles. I usually do my own, but while it's under warranty I have the dealership do it for the paper trail.

With 3.73 rear end I get 15 MPG hwy, 11 city. Towing I'm around 8 with the rolling hills of MO.

Would I like the diesel? You betcha, but at the time I had to get a new truck (my old one at 225,000 miles decides to "retire") I could not swing a price I could afford with the oil burner. I didn't want to get a 1/2 ton knowing I was getting a larger trailer, and possible ANOTHER truck to tow it. This one will work just fine until the kids are gone and the wife and I decide to do something different, then maybe diesel will be in the future, but right now I am very happy.





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I'm with MoparMan, I have a 2015 Ram 2500 with the 6.4/3.73 and get the same mileage in the same conditions. I tow a 2015 312QBUD, heavily loaded and I'm very pleased. I switched from a 2012 Ram CTD that was expensive to operate and poor mileage at best. My current Hemi gets as good or better than the '12 CTD. I understand that the Diesel to Gas switch didn't improve my mileage and the power was much more than I needed for the towing that I do, but I really expected better mileage from the Diesel and am very pleased with the performance of the Gasser. With that said, I've owned nearly every configuration of the RAM since it was the Dodge Ram in 1994 and have used all for towing and snowplowing... normal truck stuff. This is by far the best combination of options that I've had to date.
As the other Gas guys have stated, If you're ok now, you'll be happier with the new Hemi. If you need tons of power and hopefully better mileage, spring for the CTD. Good luck and keep us updated.
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Old 08-29-2016, 01:08 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by mikeysotp View Post
I had one. It will tow your camper all day long, especially if you get the 4.10 gears. I think you are overestimating diesel maintenance costs and underestimating the cost of oil on the 6.4 though. The 6.4 is a $120 oil change at the stealership twice as often as the diesel. Fuel here is 10 cents more than regular unleaded but I'm getting way better mileage with the Cummins so that i not an issue.
Well if your listening to your dealer tell you that the costs of an oil change with the 6.4 hemi is $120, your right he's trying to steal from you. I bought a new '16 6.4 hemi back in Feb and the dealer told me the warranty only calls for oil changes at 8,000 miles, but after warranty they said 10k would be ok. And Mopar has oil change coupons available that makes the cost for a full synthetic oil change for $60. Maybe you should get on their mailing list and they will send you coupons every month.

I also get great fuel mileage with my 2500 18mpg empty and 11-13 pulling my 9300# fifth wheel. Couldn't be happier.

And I completely agree...$9k more for the cummins diesel doesn't make good cents.
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Old 08-29-2016, 01:08 PM   #11
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There is a 6.4 Hemi 2500 hauling in our group. That truck pulls and pulls hard, going up a hill from a 40kph rolling start he can leave my 6.7 behind but is hauling about 3000pds less. Even if he was hauling the same it would leave me behind.

Problem would be if your hauling much, he gets between 7 and 8MPG where my 6.7 get 12 to 13 without the delete kit. His maintenance over the first 40K has been more then mine, I have $129 oil change where his is closer to $200 but they happen around the same millage. Diesel has been 10 cents a litre cheaper here as well for the better part of the year but that will go up and down through time. I tow a lot more then he does, 70/30 for me compared to 10/90 for him. He has no regrets!
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Old 08-29-2016, 05:03 PM   #12
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I just upgraded from a Ram 1500 5.7L 8 speed 3.21 to Ram 2500 4x4 6.4L 3.73 towing whats in my sig (7000 lbs).

While the 1500 had plenty of power and the transmission was great, the biggest difference for me was the 1/2 ton chassis vs 3/4 ton, I was near my limits. Also, my 1500 had a 1500 lb payload vs. my 2500 3300 lb payload.

I echo the previous posters, semi's/traffic no longer wiggle me and I don't have to worry about what I throw in the trailer or the bed. Much more sense of security that IMO is priceless.

We plan to upgrade RV in the future so the added capacity opens up a wide range. Can pretty much tow any bumper pull now and many 5ers.

If you order 4.10 gears (they are hard to find on the lot) it ups towing to around 15.5k.

My only complaint is the TPMS. Ram requires 60 psi front 80 psi rear, which is way over the 10000 GVW per Firestone tire mfr. charts and IMO dangerous when empty in the rain. I run 55 front 45 rear and still have a good margin for my needs. I just deal with the TPMS light being on.
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Old 08-29-2016, 06:54 PM   #13
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Thank you everyone for your input. I hope to make a decision soon.
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Old 08-30-2016, 01:16 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HemiCamping View Post
I'm with MoparMan, I have a 2015 Ram 2500 with the 6.4/3.73 and get the same mileage in the same conditions. I tow a 2015 312QBUD, heavily loaded and I'm very pleased. I switched from a 2012 Ram CTD that was expensive to operate and poor mileage at best. My current Hemi gets as good or better than the '12 CTD. I understand that the Diesel to Gas switch didn't improve my mileage and the power was much more than I needed for the towing that I do, but I really expected better mileage from the Diesel and am very pleased with the performance of the Gasser. With that said, I've owned nearly every configuration of the RAM since it was the Dodge Ram in 1994 and have used all for towing and snowplowing... normal truck stuff. This is by far the best combination of options that I've had to date.
As the other Gas guys have stated, If you're ok now, you'll be happier with the new Hemi. If you need tons of power and hopefully better mileage, spring for the CTD. Good luck and keep us updated.
Welcome to the 312qbud owners club!!!
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Old 09-02-2016, 11:53 AM   #15
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There are many reasons to get a 6.4 gasser, and many reasons to get a Cummins.

I agree with other posters, I think you would be suprised to find that over the course of 100k miles, maintenance cost on the Diesel will be no more expensive than that of the 6.4L.

The 6.4L would pull your trailer fine and be a good daily driver too if you needed it to be.

Biggest problem I have with the Cummins is whipping this **** eating grin off my face every time I drive it... My face muscles are getting way over developed from all the smiling
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Old 09-02-2016, 09:31 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by X96mnn View Post
There is a 6.4 Hemi 2500 hauling in our group. That truck pulls and pulls hard, going up a hill from a 40kph rolling start he can leave my 6.7 behind but is hauling about 3000pds less. Even if he was hauling the same it would leave me behind.

Problem would be if your hauling much, he gets between 7 and 8MPG where my 6.7 get 12 to 13 without the delete kit. His maintenance over the first 40K has been more then mine, I have $129 oil change where his is closer to $200 but they happen around the same millage. Diesel has been 10 cents a litre cheaper here as well for the better part of the year but that will go up and down through time. I tow a lot more then he does, 70/30 for me compared to 10/90 for him. He has no regrets!
$200 oil change in a gasser??? Really? Ouch! Where does he go?
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Old 09-02-2016, 09:59 PM   #17
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Anyone use a 6.4 hemi

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Originally Posted by mikeysotp View Post
I had one. It will tow your camper all day long, especially if you get the 4.10 gears. I think you are overestimating diesel maintenance costs and underestimating the cost of oil on the 6.4 though. The 6.4 is a $120 oil change at the stealership twice as often as the diesel. Fuel here is 10 cents more than regular unleaded but I'm getting way better mileage with the Cummins so that i not an issue.

Unless they have changed....3:42 was the option on 3/4T diesel. 4:10 forces gasser


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Old 09-22-2016, 09:43 AM   #18
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I have the new 6.4 and agree with all the comments about moving to a new heavier truck from a 1/2 ton. I wanted to address the oil change....its a special oil (pensoil ultra 0w-40) that's required. If you use Amazon...but more importantly if you do your own oil changes is can be done for about 65 bucks. No more than my previous 5.7 ram. Subscribe and save on Amazon the oil is somewhere around 43 per case. Plus the extra quart (I just bought two cases initially) so $50 for oil a good Wix filter for less than 10 and a can of brake clean all for under 65bucks. Also, owners manual specifically states not to exceed 8k per oil change no matter what oil.


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Old 09-26-2016, 02:58 PM   #19
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Just did my first oil change at 46xx miles and used this oil:

https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03101...=castrol+0w+40

Used a Mopar filter. About $50 total, but will be less next time as I still have 3 quarts left and will only need one 5qt jug(7 quart capacity).

Love how easy it is to do. No ramps or jacks required, filter right up front with a nice built in spill funnel below. Plenty of room all around.
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Old 09-26-2016, 07:57 PM   #20
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My local dealer is $79 with a tire rotation and fluid top off with a wash. Every 5th change is gratis. You guys are getting hosed on oil changes.

Love my 6.4 and I am pulling a 14k 5er. Pass everything but a gas station. If i was running in the west or mountains I would go back to an oil burner.

What really made me go with the 2500 was the coils over the leafs...I love the ride.

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