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Old 02-17-2011, 07:08 PM   #1
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Question Dodge-- gas vs diesel??

We have ordered a 2011 Rockwood 3008W and are looking to upgrade the truck also. Does anyone have personal experience or info regarding pulling the V-nose trailer with either a Dodge Hemi or Cummins diesel truck? What kind of mileage are you getting with either engine and have you come across any real problems with either type. Thanks for your input.
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Old 02-17-2011, 07:32 PM   #2
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Not pulling a trailer identical to yours but pulling our old 7k TT. Pulled it with an 04 Ram w/HEMI and a 05 W/Cummins. Day and night difference. Averaged 8 with the gasser and never lower than 13 with the diesel. More importantly the Cummins pulled effortlessly, set the cruise and forget it. The HEMI constantly was hunting for gears, the diesel shifted to high gear and stayed there until you started pulling a grade. I personally will never own another gas truck.
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Old 02-17-2011, 07:35 PM   #3
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I've owned both the 1500 with a Hemi and currently own a 2500 Mega with the Cummins. Our RV weighs just shy of 7,000 lbs and I can tell you that the Cummins wins the pulling contest hands down. It also wins the fuel mileage war when towing. I get about 14 mpg with the Cummins towing and got about 9 to 10 mpg towing with the Hemi. They're about even when running empty, but with Diesel running a bit higher it's not the most economical of the two.
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Old 02-17-2011, 07:40 PM   #4
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First question I have to ask is what is the trailers GVWR????
That will determine which engine will be the best choice.
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Old 02-17-2011, 09:16 PM   #5
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The 3008W has an empty weight of 6544 and a GVWR of 8742. It would be within the capabilities of a properly equipped Hemi Ram, but will be close to its limits unless you travel very light. Many don't like the way the Hemi makes its power at higher RPMs, but that is a matter of personal preference. The Cummins would of course have no problem with it and allow you to move up into a larger trailer at a later date if you so desired.

My Power Wagon with 4.56 gears averages 8.5 MPG towing our fifth wheel with a similar weight. I would get the diesel if it were available in a Power Wagon, but it isn't. For me I prefer the Power Wagon over a Cummins non-Power Wagon Ram and so far it has hauled our fifth wheel all over the West (13 states so far) for the last 5 years without fail. That include 3 trips on I-70 to the Eisenhower Tunnel. A 7% grade to over 11,000 feet.
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Old 02-17-2011, 09:43 PM   #6
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.... I personally will never own another gas truck.
I second that statement. I owned an 04.5 6-speed version and then traded it in for the 06 automatic version because my wife said that she wanted to drive it too. She's driven it twice so far, so yea...that was a good payoff...NOOOT! (Truth be told, I miss my 04.5).

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Old 02-18-2011, 01:16 AM   #7
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Had both, Cummins like most have post here it wins hands down. Had a 06' 1500 Hemi and a 21' TT, maybe I didn't have the right rear end...but it was always hunting gears and seemed to be always pushing the envelope...especially into a good wind.

Fuel mileage was anywhere between 8 and 11 on a good day. The 09 2500 with the Cummins is less stressful driving even though its bigger trailer...and the engine brake is fantastic. Fuel mileage is 12 on a bad day and I have had as high as 15 mpg.

If you go the Cummins route, get the biggest fuel tank they offer, a pain in the wallet to fill, but way less stops which is great, I hate manevering around gas stations that weren't designed for RV's.
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Old 04-26-2011, 11:36 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Redheaded blue tick View Post
We have ordered a 2011 Rockwood 3008W and are looking to upgrade the truck also. Does anyone have personal experience or info regarding pulling the V-nose trailer with either a Dodge Hemi or Cummins diesel truck? What kind of mileage are you getting with either engine and have you come across any real problems with either type. Thanks for your input.
I just got a F250 and the diesel, at just under $8,000 more, is the only way to go! Pull more, better MPG and last a lot longer. I have heard that some have problems with a Dodge standard? I got the auto, but would like to know if the standard does ok?
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Old 04-26-2011, 12:05 PM   #9
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Averaged 11.2 mpg over 6000km. Hemi Megacab 4x4, and it needs to make no excuses for power although a diesel will run away from it on long hills it still has power to pass semis on hills. Would I ever own another Dodge diesel or gas? Not in this life or any other after 42 trips for warranty in 25 months and it still wanders around like a drunk sailor, but the heater at least worked this winter.
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Old 04-26-2011, 12:32 PM   #10
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Drunk sailor......I'm offended........and resemble that remark
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Old 04-26-2011, 01:38 PM   #11
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Dodge with the Cummins all the way, I have the 6 speed manual and I love it, I also love the exhaust brake. According to the Dodge Ram website, the automatic increases the towing capacity, not sure why that is, 13,350 manual and 15,450 for the automatic.
Even with the lower towing capacity I personally prefer the manual.
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Old 04-26-2011, 02:01 PM   #12
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Drunk sailor......I'm offended........and resemble that remark
Arr.


Hey I noticed your on Dodgetalk as well.
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Old 04-26-2011, 02:27 PM   #13
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Dodge with the Cummins all the way, I have the 6 speed manual and I love it, I also love the exhaust brake. According to the Dodge Ram website, the automatic increases the towing capacity, not sure why that is, 13,350 manual and 15,450 for the automatic.
Even with the lower towing capacity I personally prefer the manual.
flyrotor, I would rather have a manual over an automatic any day, but appreciated the automatic in my F150 when I had a knee operation several years ago......both my Jeep and the wife's car are both manauls, and the truck was the only thing I could drive. If I ever get a heavy duty truck, I will look into the manuals even with my body parts wearing out......I really like shifting when I want to, not when some computer wants to.

I think the reason some towing charts have automatic transmissions rated higher than manuals is because of the weak link with the clutch. It is easier to burn out the clutch on a step hill takeoff, where a torque converter wouldn't break as easy.
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Old 04-26-2011, 02:33 PM   #14
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The new dodge you can shift with a push of a button.
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Old 04-26-2011, 02:43 PM   #15
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both my Jeep and the wife's car are both manauls, and the truck was the only thing I could drive.
I hear ya, my wife broke her left foot last week, both our vehicles are standard and we are currently borrowing my dad's car.
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Old 04-26-2011, 02:45 PM   #16
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The new dodge you can shift with a push of a button.
That's true, we have a new chevy ambulance with the automatic/electric manual shift transmission, but it still isn't quite the same.

Honestly, I would have bought the automatic if I wasn't able to find the 6 speed manual, locally no one had any, instead I drove to Northern Idaho to a huge dealer up there, with over 800 Dodge Rams instock on his lot, I could pretty much get anything I desired, so I went with the standard.
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