New 2500 6.4 or ????

[lynn brownlee]

There is no discussion, if you have a choice go with the cummins, I did and it is a different world, nothing pulls like diesel

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by KenHwy61

My 2012 Chevy 2500 6.0 gas averaged about the same 11-13 mpg. That is a believable figure. 14-15 maybe at moderate highway speeds. 18 mpg is probably unrealistic out of a V8 of that size in a truck as heavy as a 2500/3500.

You got to remember more tech since your truck was built. Non towing I get 19mpg with 4.10 gear and 65 mph. My 2010 dully only got 12mpg. Later RJD

[ryand]

I got a feeling I already know the answer to this but want some feedback....usually for my job I like to try and keep a vehicle to at minimum 200k to avoid spending money recklessly. I have not been burned yet. My last "truck" before the ram I had 225,000 miles. Mostly highway. The only thing that is keeping me from hanging on to the 2011 1500 is that I have towed with it and been hard on it more so than any other car/truck I have had. It's been good to me other than tires and oil changes. Have not even put front brakes on it yet...they are getting close. I know that the oil burners last longer but are also higher in repair bills. What are the thoughts of keeping a cummins ram beyond 300k and towing with it regularly?


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[Ke5rbd]

It is very hard to justify a diesel as a casual user. I had diesels for several years and pulled 12000+ fifthwheel Toyhauler 2000 to 3000 miles a year. Had 05 Ram 3500 and have retired and decided to downgrade to 2500 Ram Hemi. It is fine empty, and gets 14 to 15 around town and 18 to 19 rural and 16 to 17 interstate. Towing is another story. Dropped to 7 to 8 towing Fifthwheel and 12 to 14 towing small enclosed Motorcycle trailer. Towing the Fifthwheel it will downshift ever hill. Pulled to Yellowstone with it about 5000 miles round trip in 14 and it did ok if you didn't mind long climbs at 50 mph at 4500 rpms. Did find on long rolling hills to just lock trans in 4th which is direct drive as 5th and 6th are both over drive. Also picked up solid 1 MPG. Doesn't sound like much but at 7 MPG going to 8 makes a difference. It also didn't shift up and down nearly as much. I had two 900 lb. Motorcycles in the toyhauler also. If all the above is acceptable then the Gas burner even the 6.4 is ok. The 4.11 gears would be very helpful also.
Son in law, Daughter and grandson was also traveling with us. This year we went to Virginia and back through Smokies. Big difference as Son in law bought new Ford 2500 Platinum Diesel. It towed in 6th gear and seldom kicked down and got 12 mpg below 65 and around 10 at 70. Still had same load. Doubt I will hook the gas burner to it again. Not only is the go power so much better and the economy, but the stopping functions and decel is now a necessity as far as I am concerned. Incidently the Dodge and GM will do the same thing just don't tell son in law.
Get what you want. I agonized over getting the gas burner and regretted it. Spoiled I guess. The handling of the diesel is far better than the gas in my opinion as the gas is much lighter on the front it gets pushed around more in cross wind and passing other vehicles. Never bobbled the diesel.

[Steve Ulman]

I've run duramax and Ford diesels sense 2003 and I'm thinking Ecoboost Ford next time. My 5th wheels are getting much lighter and gas is now usually cheaper then diesel. Also if I keep the truck beyond the warranty the diesels are wicked expensive to repair.

[KenHwy61]

Originally Posted by ryand

I got a feeling I already know the answer to this but want some feedback....usually for my job I like to try and keep a vehicle to at minimum 200k to avoid spending money recklessly. I have not been burned yet. My last "truck" before the ram I had 225,000 miles. Mostly highway. The only thing that is keeping me from hanging on to the 2011 1500 is that I have towed with it and been hard on it more so than any other car/truck I have had. It's been good to me other than tires and oil changes. Have not even put front brakes on it yet...they are getting close. I know that the oil burners last longer but are also higher in repair bills. What are the thoughts of keeping a cummins ram beyond 300k and towing with it regularly?


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The Cummins will run a very long time. There are Dodges with over a million miles. (see link) The RF68E transmission is solid, I recently drove one with 275K on it but probably is at the end of its life. HD trannys are expensive to replace as are injectors, pumps and other diesel components. Towing a heavy RV is not cheap no matter how you look at it.

Cummins High Mileage

[tcorl]

We bought our BIG Horn in February. Took our first long trip this summer Goshen Rally. We put around 4000 miles average 12.4 miles per gallon. Has a K & N filter. We pull a 2012 Flagstaff 30ft. 85?? rkws we went to goshen,indiana state fair,Cincinnati,Columbus, Davis WV, Tennessee then back to Geogiia

[ryand]

Thanks for all the info folks. For me, towing MPG is a non issue as we only take one big trip a year, all others have been 1 tank even with the current set up that gets 6-8 mpg with trailer in tow. I am more looking towards the more stable platform to pull with and the heavier duty aspect that the 2500 brings both while towing and just traveling. I still am undecided as there is conflicting info even on this thread about empty mpg. If I can get close to my mileage now with the 6.4 I wouldn't hesitate. Still have some homework to do but getting closer. Either way, 2500 is in my future just because no matter what mill it It has. It would handle pretty much any bumper pull I can find. These days, with kids the travel trailer seems to be the best option for our budget and layout as they get older. Even though my camper is small compared to a lot of the others, I am close if not over payload when towing. 1500 and 2500 I am told are night and day.


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[Mountndream]

I just checked my computer on the truck.. I actually average 13.9 miles when not towing. Also for the rig in my signature... I have 2994 payload capacity with the 6.4 hemi, crew cab and 4 wheel drive

[JoandJames]

I have a 2015 Laramie with the 6.4 Hemi, 4:10 rear end and 20" tires. Pulls great with plenty of power. I never thought I would do this but I bought the extended warranty from Mopar - no mileage limit and no time limit (I plan on keeping this truck for a while). Even with the 4:10 rear end, the gas mileage is good. I like this truck.

[14 CC 38CK]

Both are nice BUT that Cummins is very hard to beat . The truck will wear out long before that engine and it will hold its resale value for a long time

[ENE]

I'm buying a trailer in a couple weeks, it UVW is around 8,000lbs and gvw is 10,400lbs.
I was looking to buy the Dodge Ram 1500 with the ecodiesel. I wonder if this is going to pull that weight? Going to the 2500 series will probably another $10k to $20k ?
What should I do? I don't live in flat land Florida, I live in Arizona and will be climbing mountains, elevations from 1500 to 9000ft.

[ryand]

Your truck is rated to tow what? I know payload numbers on the 1500 are like 1300lbs

I assume based on my 1500 numbers and experience you will want a bigger truck




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[jeepman71]

ryand, where do you live. If you are towing mostly low and flat that 6.4 will make you happy. I chose the diesel simply because it is so sweet hitting the hill here in Colorado and not thinking about the grade up or down. I have a friend that bought a new Tradesman with the 6.4 this summer and pull a 26 foot TT. He has been very happy with his truck so far.

[ryand]

Originally Posted by jeepman71

ryand, where do you live. If you are towing mostly low and flat that 6.4 will make you happy. I chose the diesel simply because it is so sweet hitting the hill here in Colorado and not thinking about the grade up or down. I have a friend that bought a new Tradesman with the 6.4 this summer and pull a 26 foot TT. He has been very happy with his truck so far.

I am in St. Louis. We get into the Ozark Hills pretty often. Nothing obviously like your neck of the woods. My current truck has handled most everything I have thrown at it, however on our trip back from FL this year I had one of those moments in Alabama that my foot was through the floor board and it was struggling. First time ever I have had that issue with the current tow combo. It was 99F that day and I was a little concerned. I think the truck went into life saving mode. It didn't help that I am overloaded I would say the majority of the time towing with it.

[ryand]

Going to drive both trucks today....the wife gave it a green light. I hate spending this kind of money. "Kindly makes me nervous"-Karl from Slingblade

[ENE]

Apples to Apples on the big Ram Diesel vs the GM Diesel, which one is better for towing?

[ryand]

Originally Posted by earlbalentine

Apples to Apples on the big Ram Diesel vs the GM Diesel, which one is better for towing?

I think its more about your own preference. Big Three HD's are all awesome and well capable. I think that when you start looking at 1500's that's where your question is more applicable.

[jeepman71]

I don't know which one is better. My wife liked the Denali 3500 better because it was easier to see over the hood. I liked the Ram better because the exhaust brake. Guess which one I bought. She is learning to love our newest child.

[avolnek]

I recently had my dealership lemon my 6.4 hemi for the ticking noise that ALL the 2015 hemi's have. This ticking is much louder and more pronounced than the standard "hemi tick" It would actually create a squealing noise when put in drive and idling. I had my truck into the dealership a number of times to have them look at it to have ram engineers tell me this was "normal" as all the 15's were doing it. I agreed it was "normal" but in no way, shape or form acceptable for a $50,000 truck to be squealing and ticking... The truck was embarrassing to say the least...

After a number of months of battling with the dealership my truck actually began to have a slight pulse going down the highway with cruise on. It felt like the truck was hitting a big gust of wind randomly and slowing down just a bit. Once the dealership recognized it they were very eager to trade me out of it.

long story short i feel that there is a serious issue with the 6.4 hemi. I loved the truck for the most part but in my honest opinion i think there is an issue with the push rods in the engine. My feeling is that these are hanging up causing the ticking issue. I also believe that they are hanging enough to where compression is being lost while at cruising speed causing my pulsing sensation.

my suggestion, go with cummins.

Hemi average fuel economy for me (mostly SHORT in town trips) 13 mpg overall 16 highway and 9 in town... towing my 5th wheel only 6mpg

Cummins has been a solid 13 in town, 22 highway and averaging 16. havent had it long enough to get a real good towing number, will this weekend though!