Which Truck would you choose?

[Jim34RL]

You need to look at the energy content of any fuel before you decide on using what pick-up to buy.


So say unlead regular gas equals 125,000 BTUs/US gallon and is what is used as the baseline for comparison of fuel energy content.


Diesel fuel equals 138,700 BTU's/US gallon. So it takes less fuel to do the same work as a gas engine. So to me it is a no brainer on what to buy.


We have two diesel vehicles; my Ram 6.7L Cummins the TV and the wife's VW TDI for every day driving.

[caesar101]

Do you care about performance? The diesel at over 8 seconds to 60 is quite slow compared to the gas engine trucks. F150 is around 6 seconds.

[LandJ]

Originally Posted by caesar101

Do you care about performance? The diesel at over 8 seconds to 60 is quite slow compared to the gas engine trucks. F150 is around 6 seconds.

Easily made up as you pass the F150 at the next gas station.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by LandJ

Easily made up as you pass the F150 at the next gas station.

You'll need a bathroom break by then anyway. And good luck with that line of thinking when trying to merge into traffic on an on-ramp. Back on topic, though. Either will work for towing your rig. Buy the one you like best. With that being said, I kind of agree with the comments about letting some of the bugs get worked out on the diesel. I know there are some videos on Youtube describing some of the issues they've been having. Some are posted by a Ram mechanic.

[LandJ]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

You'll need a bathroom break by then anyway. And good luck with that line of thinking when trying to merge into traffic on an on-ramp. Back on topic, though. Either will work for towing your rig. Buy the one you like best. With that being said, I kind of agree with the comments about letting some of the bugs get worked out on the diesel. I know there are some videos on Youtube describing some of the issues they've been having. Some are posted by a Ram mechanic.

I've been quite surprised by the capability of my baby diesel, merging is no issue. It's mostly due to the 8spd tranny keeping the engine working in its max power band.

I'm not sure why, but by all accounts of people at the 1500 diesel forum, these trucks seem to by rated very conservatively. Mine has 7850 listed as towing max, and I won't go above the that, but I'm sure the truck could with little problem.

[Harkerr]

Go for the diesel

[campbuzz98]

I've decided on the RAM 1500 Quad Diesel with 3.55 gears with anti slip diff. Tow package included with tow mirrors. I test drove one and it was a great ride. I am in the process of negotiating with dealer to order it with delivery in August. Payload 1600 and trailer cap is 7950. Next step will be ordering a Rockwood minilite 2503S in January for delivery in March-April. Thanks for all the feedback.

[jd48]

My wife and I are using a RAM 1500 Hemi Quad cab with 3.55 rear towing 35ft coachmen freedom express around 7500lbs loaded with no problems.

[campbuzz98]

jd48, do you use airbags to level the truck due to the tongue weight.

[campbuzz98]

jd48, I forgot to ask. Do you have LT tires and which hitch are you using.

[Ddubya]

Ok, I have a F250 with 6.2 gasser. I am currently on a trip pulling a 290RLT and have traveled from north Texas to Grand Canyon, Yosemite,Tahoe and the wine country.
Prior to this trip I mainly traveled Texas and Arkansas with no regrets.
While the 6.2 is performing well it does have trouble at high altitude (5000-9000) for a few minutes before the computer changes the mixture. Climbing grades of 4 to 6 I have to keep the RPM's up around 3500 to 4500 which can in a few instances mean going to 2nd gear. The truck screams but continues to pull.
I have two weeks left on this trip which will take me to Oregon, Washington, Montana, on to Michigan and home.
I plan to shop for a diesel when I get home.
That said,it all depends on where you plan to travel. If you plan to do any mountains go the extra expense of the diesel.




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[kandl]

Originally Posted by campbuzz98

I've decided on the RAM 1500 Quad Diesel with 3.55 gears with anti slip diff. Tow package included with tow mirrors.

Congrats! Enjoy the ride.

[jd48]

Using Reese WD w/sway control, 1200 lb. No additional support on the truck. P rated 275 or 295?, 60, 20 inch. Got 28,000 out of the first set used quite a bit to tow the trailer (close to 4000mi). Took a couple of trips to set the WD varying weight on the hitch but okay now.

[Tennesseetroy]

Your gonna get around 10 towing with the Hemi 3-4 better with the diesel, and the diesel will be around when the Hemi is in the junkyard.my opinion ,I've had 3 gas dodges and I have a cummins right now. I get 13.5 towing and 22.5 on highway not towing 16 around town.

[jd48]

Personal preference, initial cost and ROI play a big part in the decision also. Check out the attach link.
Gas Versus Diesel: Do the Math First - PickupTrucks.com News

[camper1999]

Originally Posted by donhillphoto

Here in Houston and looking at my Gas Buddy app right now, I buy regular unleaded. Price point seems to be about $2.39/gal for regular unleaded. Diesel is about $2.69/gal so about .30 more per gallon. A short while back, there was even greater disparity to the tune of about .50 per gallon diff.

Just to point out a lot of people use the price of diesel as a one of the factors to buy a diesel truck. When i got my diesel truck my mileage towing increased buy 50%. Using your prices for every gallon of diesel I use, $2.39, I used a gallon and half of gas, $4.02. Big savings.

[jd48]

Those look like good numbers for a 2500. If I have to go to 2500 because of weight I will probably buy a diesel, but the Hemi works for me right now.

[slapshot12]

Diesel all day long. My work truck is a Ram 2500 Hemi and my personal truck is an F250 diesel. The diesel wins hands down, it tows waaaaaaay better. My Ford has a 3.55 and it's fine. Towing my trailer at 60-65, it just chugs along at 1500 rpm.

One thing to consider is resale/trade value down the road. In my area, diesels hold their value much better.

[campbuzz98]

I finally bought the ecodiesel. Ram 1500 quad tradesman with tow package , 3.55 rear, Tow mirrors and brake controller, disc player, Ext appearance package, popular equipment group,,anti spin differential, 8 speed tranny, Unconnect 5.0 with Sirius radio, and rear back up camera. I drove it home from dealer 115 miles away from my home and it drove great. Now I'll but my camper in January. I think I got a great price. The MSRP sticker was $38,345. It sold to me for $32,800 before taxes, tile and registration fees. I spent about 18 hours with two local dealers and the one I bought it from who was the most honest and decent salesman, a small family owned
dealership. He even told me I would get four free oil changes knowing it was the diesel that would be honored by any dealer from Chrysler. Can't wait to get my camper, but have to wait till next year. Thanks for everyone's input

[Ddubya]

I am still on the road with my F250 6.2L with 2:73 and surprising at it is it is still going strong.
I have pulled the Crusader 295RLT to Grand Canyon,Yosemite, Tahoe, wine country,up hwy 1 to Ft Bragg, hwy 101 up the California and Oregon coasts to Seattle and hwy 2 and 90 to Glacier National Park. It has done a remarkable job considering what it is. Keep the RPM up and there is no problem. I set the trip odometer when I left and according to it I have averaged 10.2 mpg including non towing miles.
I would really like to see what the 6.2 would do with a lower ratio rear end.
As I stated in my last post, it ain't a diesel but for occasional trips to the mountains and a lot of flat land it is hard to beat for the price.


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