2500 or 3500 and lighter trailer

[upflying]

Originally Posted by jimmoore13

Purchase price for diesel will be around +$10K for apples-to-apples equipped trucks.

Here's a new Ram 2500 CC 4X2 Cummins at a gasser price..
https://www.johnlsullivandodgechrysl...ded14415fc.htm

[7mike]

Well said!!!! Ejs 4029 , I agree 100%

[Bluepill]

Having been in the automotive parts and service business for most of my 45 year working career, I have had many, many discussions with friends about what is the "Best Vehicle".

I have had family guys think that a 2 seater Miata or S2000 is the best family car, a single guy think a minivan is his best bet, a guy who drives 4000 miles a year think he needs a Prius for gas savings, etc., etc.

After pointing out the obvious fallacy of their thinking, I realized there is both need and want controlling the thinking. I think like Spock, some folks feel like Kirk. No objectively right answers when you get down to it.

[Bluepill]

Originally Posted by upflying

Here's a new Ram 2500 CC 4X2 Cummins at a gasser price..
https://www.johnlsullivandodgechrysl...ded14415fc.htm

Great price. Too bad my wife insists on leather seats and Apple play. That's gonna put me in the $60K category.

BTW, I love the ISB. Great motor. Had one in a 38 foot Class A and it never missed a beat.

In the Ram you just have to figure the cost of new ball joints and a tranny rebuild every 50K miles. In the long run it really isn't that expensive on a cost per mile basis. JMHO.

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by Bluepill

Great price. Too bad my wife insists on leather seats and Apple play. That's gonna put me in the $60K category.

BTW, I love the ISB. Great motor. Had one in a 38 foot Class A and it never missed a beat.

In the Ram you just have to figure the cost of new ball joints and a tranny rebuild every 50K miles. In the long run it really isn't that expensive on a cost per mile basis. JMHO.

Does your transmission 2 cents apply to the Aisin 6-Speed Automatic 6.7L I6 ??

[TheWolfPaq82]

I went from a GMC 2500HD 6.6 Duramax this summer to a 2019 Chevy Colorado 3.6. Towing my trailer with a 1000 lb. Polaris Ranger, Cub Cadet and John Deere mower 200 miles, I got 13-14 mpg. In town it's 16-18 and Hwy is 24-26 mpg. I'm really impressed with that little V6. and how well it tows. Using Tow/Haul and cruise control I only would lose 2-3 mph on some of the many hills I hit going to cabin.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by frank4711

Does your transmission 2 cents apply to the Aisin 6-Speed Automatic 6.7L I6 ??

Must be the old 48re hes talking about. The 68re and the Aisin have both proven extremely reliable. Seems more people hotrod the cummins with Deletes and Tuners and that can wreak havoc on tranny's. Even doing a delete and not turning up the power if you dont go through a relearn process it gets jumpy.

[frank4711]

Comparing Ram 2500 vs 3500 SRW .... same model/options/6.7 CTD ... they are same weight only few lbs diff some 2500 50 lbs more than 3500 .... They are the same price ... GVWR 10,000 vs 11,000+ ... 1000 lbs + payload on 3500 ... checking some diesel forums towing 12-14 and 17-22 not towing .... Actual price diff between gas and diesel truck is only about $6-7000 because of dealer discounts on the diesel ... fuel prices -- the 6.4 Ram gas need 89 so right now diesel is 3 cent cheaper per gallon .... several have already said if you want a diesel buy one ..... if you are good with your gas keep it ... what fits you the best ???

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by frank4711

Comparing Ram 2500 vs 3500 SRW .... same model/options/6.7 CTD ... they are same weight only few lbs diff some 2500 50 lbs more than 3500 .... They are the same price ... GVWR 10,000 vs 11,000+ ... 1000 lbs + payload on 3500 ... checking some diesel forums towing 12-14 and 17-22 not towing .... Actual price diff between gas and diesel truck is only about $6-7000 because of dealer discounts on the diesel ... fuel prices -- the 6.4 Ram gas need 89 so right now diesel is 3 cent cheaper per gallon .... several have already said if you want a diesel buy one ..... if you are good with your gas keep it ... what fits you the best ???

My 6.4 Hemi in our previous 2500 didnt require 89 when I had it.. Wonder what changed.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by ronheater70

My 6.4 Hemi in our previous 2500 didnt require 89 when I had it.. Wonder what changed.

I'm curious too. Was it required, or recommended?

Edit: Online 2019 manual says 89 is recommended.

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by ronheater70

My 6.4 Hemi in our previous 2500 didnt require 89 when I had it.. Wonder what changed.

Maybe just "recommended"

[Tundra 2014]

Here in TX, I was undecided between gas or diesel in a new Super Duty. When I begin checking out actual price I found dealers much more ready to deal on the diesels VS gas. They had 15 diesels to every gas on the lot. The best I could get off the gas was about $3K, VS the diesel I bought @ $16,500 off. I looked and shopped for 9 months. It closed the $9K diesel option down to about $3,500 difference w/ same options. So far very happy w/ my choice, hoping it will be as reliable as the 2 Tundras that came before it. Sure is great having the engine brake in the mountains. No more "Tail waging the Dog" feeling towing VS my 1/2 ton. It was worth the expense to us as we are taking longer trips.

[RoadTrip42]

My rig: 2015 Rockwood Windjammer 3008W 7900 lbs dry and 1700 tongue weight. My truck: 2013 F250 King Ranch crew cab 6.7 liter turbo diesel. No load 20.8 mpg. Loaded with RW and 2 kayaks on a ladder rack I get 12.4 mpg.

I am loving the power of the Ford diesel and the comfort of the King Ranch package amenities. Of course the RW is home on our vacations. The diamond package it was ordered with makes for a glamping event.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029

I wanted a diesel so I bought it.... I really don't care if I ever break even or feel as though I have to justify it to anyone

I get 12-13MPG towing 8k.......14-17MPG around town....And 20-23MPG highway.

Hooty Hoot!!!

[privateer]

I want an aux fuel tank. can you do that legally and safely with gas? the standard fuel tank is not enough for a decent pull without stopping AND then to have to deal with the fuel stops trying to get a diesel pump with my trailer not still sitting on the road.

What is my alternative? I drove a 2020 Chevy 2500 gas and it was a nice ride and pulls well, but i don't get enough distance out of a tank.

And don't give me that "you should stop every 250 miles" crap. we pulled to Montana from TN in two days last year - that was 2x 1000+mile days. When you have to get somewhere, I don't care to smell the roses. There was elk that needed killing...

[JRogers984]

The 2500 is better then the 3500 if you don't need the dually option. Pulls the same load, but you can get the short bed, the vehicle weights 1,500 lbs less and better mpg. I got 24 mpg on the 2500, and 21 on the 3500 no load.
Depending on speed, I get 16mpg at 45mph, 12 mpg at 63 mph and 9mpg at 80 mph pulling my tt. Never pulled my trailer with the 2500. Both are diesel.


If you need the dually, diesel is the only way to go, it pulls 12,000lbs more than the gas.
I paid less for my 3500 then the 2500, same everything except dually option.
As mentioned in several post above, if expenses are important, then the 2500 would cost less to use and maintain. Insurance and tags are my two biggest increases with the full ton so far.

By some standards, my tt is small, but still would be just over the recommended limits for the 2500 or 3500 srw. For safety reasons, I hate being close to or over the limits

Now I don't even know it's back there. Get next to a commercial tractor pulling a big trailer, and I don't even know the tractor/trial is there. No weight distribution or anti sway needed.

[jlynn721]

Originally Posted by RetArmyxtrucker

Thinking out loud. One day if I ever trade in my 1/2 ton gas to pull my 2511 that i all of about 6k loaded....I wonder what ball park mpg that big ole diesel would get? I am betting maybe 14-15? I know a heavier load would take em down to 10-12.....but a light trailer....hmmmmm. Crazy things that goes thru my old noggin.


I know my old freightliner POS I owned got 6 mpg heavy loaded and 6.8 loaded light or empty trailer. Glad I sold my tractor trailer LOL.

I have a ‘11 F250 diesel that I pull a 37’ toy hauler (around 13,000 lbs loaded) and get 10.5-11.5 doing 55 mph. Not towing, I get around 21 mph at 65mph. I think 13-15 mph is attainable in your situation.

[pojp58]

Don't need to justify anything.

Ill take the diesel any day over gas when pulling.
I have the 2004 3500 Dually Duramax and love it. Only has 110,000 miles on it and no rust.
It pulls like a dream. I'm a happy camper.

[normy41]

I agree with EJS4029 —
I too do not care about the break even point, honestly you will never get there? I work hard and play even harder for what I have in toys! The power of a diesel pick up is far superior to a gas pick up. Of course I would like to get better fuel mileage but you can’t have everything. Enjoy your camping everyone!

[01tundra]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029

I wanted a diesel so I bought it.... I really don't care if I ever break even or feel as though I have to justify it to anyone

Same here.

We pull a 22' 2109s Mini Lite with a 2500HD 6.6L DM and wouldn't consider anything else....other than a 1-ton single axle, which will be our next truck in about 10 yrs.

If we were that worried about the economics we darn sure wouldn't own a travel trailer.......

If you really want a good payback, sell that truck and trailer and buy a compact car.