Upgrading Ram 1500 to 2500

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by tcorl

I run a Ram 2500 Crew Cab 6.4 Hemi gas model with a 4:10 rear end pulling a Flagstaff 5th wheel. we are getting 14.5 miles to a gallon. My friend has the Dodge Ram Diesel and last week he had a oil change an it cost him about $380:00 dollars. Something to due with the filters. It takes 2 for each oil change. Better check maintain cost for the Diesel as to the gas model.

I got mine at the Ford dealer 2 days ago and cost 89.00 bucks for the oil change and 10 bucks to rotate the tires and that wasn't special pricing that is right off the standard pricing chart. My one before this one was 69.00 with 20 dollar off coupon. I guess if you can't afford the high cost of oil changes in the diesel you be better off staying with gas.

[gen3rbc]

Have owned 16 Ram 2500HD Big Horn Cummins crew cab 4 months. Traded 14 Ram ED. Tow Rockwood Fiver and don't know its back there. Love the truck! My dealer provides free oil changes and lifetime engine warranty. Have owned several Fords and Chevrolet trucks and the Ram is best yet!

[Leatherman]

I just purchased this truck in April. It just broke 3K miles on it. I have a smaller trailer (25' at 4500 lbs.) and it tows as expected. Its a small trailer for this truck. I had a Nissan Titan (non tow package). Although the Titan pulled it fine, I got a good deal on the truck and purchased the truck for my next trailer that I will probably get next year (5th wheel).

It is the Tradesman package (low end) with the Cummins Turbo Diesel with 4x4, engine block heater, dual alternators, show chief group for a plow, trailer brake controller, exhaust brake and LED bed lights, full size spare, IP switches on the dash and some other stuff. (MSRP) was $53K. It has the shorter 6'5" bed and no NAV. I got it for about 43K with an extended warranty and a handful of oil changes included. Because its not the 3500 it only has the engine with 800 Ft Lbs of torque where as the 3500 has 880.

Towing my trailer I get about 12-14 MPG. With out it on the highway I get close to 21-22 Mpg. In Town its about in the middle of the two.

It tows this trailer with absolutely no effort (which is expected). I purchased this as part a plan to upgrade to a 5th wheel next year.

This truck has, so far, exceeded my expectations. Granted, the trailer that it is towing is small but based on what I have seen thus far it will not disappoint me with my larger 5th wheel next year.

As a comparison, my brother has the 2015 F350 Powerstroke. Personally, I think that the Ram is better looking on the outside and inside then the Ford. His engine is quieter then my Cummins. I am not sure why that is other then his is a V8 vs the I6 of the Cummins. He has had an issue with the DEF system. It has had the DEF pump replaced as well as some other parts of the DEF system but I cant recall what else. He has more miles on his truck too (30K). His trailer is nearly the same weight as mine and his mileage is very close to what I get with the Ram.

[gspot01]

As I said, I'll probably upgrade eventually when the right deal comes along just looking forward to a future heavier trailer. Like this one, for instance:

Jonesboro, AR used 2012 RAM 2500 SLT - Cavenaugh Ford Lincoln, Jonesboro, Truck, 6.7L 6 cyls, Diesel

Price is right. Mileage is right. Only problem I see is, according to the carfax report, it has already had 3 owners. Makes me think something is wrong with it.

CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2012 RAM 2500 SLT: 3C6UD5DL5CG303726

It's hard to read between the lines though I wonder what it means that the " Engine/powertrain computer/module reprogrammed" at 19k miles?

[shorthorn]

Computer reprogrammed was probably just a software update
.. I would not be afraid of that.