Ram Eco-diesel

[larryo]

Hi all. I am thinking of getting a smaller truck. I currently have a Ram 3500 dually but would like a smaller truck. Our travel trailer is around 8500 lbs. I am just wondering if anyone has the 1500 eco-diesel and what their opinions are. According to what I've seen the truck is capable up to 9200 lbs with the proper gearing and tire size so I'm just wondering if anyone uses one of these for towing. To avoid a lot of unnecessary discussion please keep comments limited to the Ram 1500.
Thanks and Happy New Year.

[upflying]

Supposedly it can tow 12560lbs.
As always, the limiting factor on half-tons is not tow capacity but cargo capacity.

https://www.ramtrucks.com/ecodiesel....c&gclsrc=3p.ds

[Kimber45]

that pushing a maxed out 1/2 ton, way to much for the eco diesel. just cause its diesel doesn't mean its HD. that's why it has eco in the title.

[bikendan]

Ram 1500s already average some of the lowest payload capacities for 1/2 tons and adding a diesel engine lowers it even more.
You may want to PM VernDiesel. He has one and uses it to do commercial travel trailer transports.
For a trailer that heavy, it'll have a loaded tongue weight of at least 1200-1300lbs. There are a lot of Ram 1500s with payloads under 1000lbs.

[MT Biker]

The newer body style RAM 1500’s have much better payload numbers than the previous generation, if I were looking for a Eco Diesel it would be a 2019/2020.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by MT Biker

The newer body style RAM 1500’s have much better payload numbers than the previous generation, if I were looking for a Eco Diesel it would be a 2019/2020.

X2

[rsdata]

a nice youtube comparison of the 2020 3 L eco-diesel RAM 1500...

I think around 5:58 they mention the test load is 8500#

https://youtu.be/2ML7VrFA8xA

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Ram 1500s already average some of the lowest payload capacities for 1/2 tons and adding a diesel engine lowers it even more.
You may want to PM VernDiesel. He has one and uses it to do commercial travel trailer transports.
For a trailer that heavy, it'll have a loaded tongue weight of at least 1200-1300lbs. There are a lot of Ram 1500s with payloads under 1000lbs.

Payloads are much better on 2019 if you stay away from all the toys ... my Big Horn was 1870 ... my tow was 11,610 but you will run out of payload way before you get to max tow ... that is why I have new 2019 3500 SRW 6.7 Cummings ... did I mention my payload 4394 lbs and I think you give up little in ride with the rear leaf ... set tire pressure to load and rides fine

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by frank4711

Payloads are much better on 2019 if you stay away from all the toys ... my Big Horn was 1870 .

That's good to hear. Maybe my next 1/2 ton will be a Ram since Dodge has made improvements in payload capacities.
BUT I sure love my 3.5 Ecoboost![emoji16]

[67L48]

1/2 ton diesels are more about fuel economy than towing, at least with Ford. With Ford, there are 3 primary towing engines: 3.5 EB, 5.0 V8, and the eco diesel. Here are the numbers, hp/torque:

• 3.5L: 375/470, $1,600 MSRP
• 5.0L: 395/400, $1,000 MSRP
• 3.0L: 250/440 & 30 mpg, $4,000 MSRP

If you want to tow, you grab the 3.5L EB. If you prefer normally aspirated V8s, then you grab the 5.0L. If you want fuel economy, then you grab the new diesel.

Ram's ecodiesel is 260/480 and I didn't compare to the gasoline egines it has. Dodge hasn't built, worked on, or made improvements to trucks for over a decade.

[MT Biker]

Originally Posted by 67L48

Ram's ecodiesel is 260/480 and I didn't compare to the gasoline egines it has. Dodge hasn't built, worked on, or made improvements to trucks for over a decade.

So what ever you do, don’t listen to this person as they apparently have not left the house in the past 2-years

[67L48]

Originally Posted by MT Biker

So what ever you do, don’t listen to this person as they apparently have not left the house in the past 2-years

I'm not entirely sure what this refers to, but I pulled the Ram 1500 diesel power number directly from Ram's site. I can post a link, but it's pretty easy to find this info.

If this is in relation to my mention that Dodge hasn't been involved in trucks, that's just a fact. Sorry, but Dodge exited the truck market more than a decade ago. Ram is its own division that is more closely controlled by Fiat than the Dodge brand. I didn't say and am not saying that Ram trucks aren't good and that they haven't advanced. I said (and will continue to say) that Dodge isn't doing anything with trucks, because that's a fact.

Here's an article you should read.

[rsdata]

If this is in relation to my mention that Dodge hasn't been involved in trucks, that's just a fact. Sorry, but Dodge exited the truck market more than a decade ago. Ram is its own division that is more closely controlled by Fiat than the Dodge brand. I didn't say and am not saying that Ram trucks aren't good and that they haven't advanced. I said (and will continue to say) that Dodge isn't doing anything with trucks, because that's a fact.

So YOU are just confusing the conversation as the OP said...

To avoid a lot of unnecessary discussion please keep comments limited to the Ram 1500.

So what do you do? Bring in a lot of figures about Ford. You need to read the OP post before responding.

Referring to a 2009 article about Dodge shows me just how behind the times you are.

[Hersbird]

I guarantee anybody buying a 2020 1/2 ton from Ford, Chevy, or Ram that tows will prefer the 3.0 diesels over any of the v8s they offer. The only possible other thing I would consider is the 3.5 EcoBoost. It's all about that turbo, gas or diesel. The diesel will do much better on economy than the 3.5 turbo but Ford's small diesel is the one that hasn't been updated so if you have to have a Ford I'd go EcoBoost. But with open minds I'd take either the 3.0 Chevy or Ram over the Ford right now, probably leaning to the Chevy but it's unproven.

[larryo]

Thanks for all the input. I didn't even think that the diesel ate up a lot of the payload capacity. I haven't even looked at 2019's or newer because they are a little rich for my blood. Thanks again.

[HangDiver]

A few years ago a friend showed up at my house with a new Ram ED. Other than the payload I was somewhat impressed with his truck. After reading some Ram forums I concluded that there were to many problems with ED engine failures. Maybe those problems have been addressed in newer model years but I wouldn't touch a used one. A simple google search for Ram ED engine failures will yield plenty of night time reading.

Good luck in your search for your next truck.

[67L48]

Originally Posted by rsdata

So YOU are just confusing the conversation as the OP said...

Referring to a 2009 article about Dodge shows me just how behind the times you are.

Nah, it's a really good contrast to see what manufacturers are doing with their 1/2 ton diesel platforms, including Ford and RAM. It doesn't confuse the issue, it adds more context and illustrates what others have said -- diesel eats up payload and may not actually be the best towing engine. If my post really really did confuse the conversation for you, then I'll try to use smaller words next time.

The fact that I have to reach back to 2009 actually shows how behind you and others are. Do you still refer to them as Datsuns, or have you finally started using the Nissan brand?

[Shamrockthecasbah]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Maybe my next 1/2 ton will be a Ram since Dodge has made improvements in payload capacities.
BUT I sure love my 3.5 Ecoboost![emoji16]

Originally Posted by 67L48

Dodge hasn't built, worked on, or made improvements to trucks for over a decade.

Am I the only one that saw 67L48's humor/sarcasm here? I still accidentally call Ram "Dodge" sometimes. Old habits die hard.

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by Shamrockthecasbah

Am I the only one that saw 67L48's humor/sarcasm here? I still accidentally call Ram "Dodge" sometimes. Old habits die hard.

Nope my signature says Ram

[Theb2b]

I currently have owned a Ram Ecodiesel for the last 4 years I can state the motor pulls and pulls hard. It's power band like any diesel is in the lower end, perfect for towing. My trucks rated, door sticker payload, is 1,670 lbs my trailers tongue weight of 920 lbs. Since its only the wife and me I dont worry, much, about going over GVWR.
Truck weakness, in my opinion, is it's cooling system as early models over taxed it but the new models have made changes to relieve some of that heat load. When truck hits max temp it goes into limp mode and when pulling long grades thats not a good thing.
As for engines reliability I have made changes to the engine to address that, EPA would not be happy with me, also helps a bit with the heat loading. As for mileage I like getting upwards of 29 mpg empty and 11 to 12 towing.
My first diesel, ever, and I'm not going back to a gasser. Love the low rpm pulling power, mileage and ride. Well the ride is a Ram thing. For those that think otherwise well your not changing my mind.