New 2015 2500 RAM 2500 4x4 6.4 Hemi

[81SHOVELHEAD]

Traded to 2012 Ram 2500 4X4 5.7 Hemi for the 2015 6.4 Hemi
What a difference 3 yrs. make.
The 5.7 was a good vehicle pulling the Cougar 28 RLS but the engine really worked hard pulling bridges & overpasses & only averaged approx. 9 to 10 MPG Towing on flat land .
I'm averaging 11.5 with the 6.4 so far with 1800 miles on her.
Doesn't even breathe hard pulling the same bridges & overpasses.
Couldn't Justify the 8000.00 plus for the diesel with the amount of towing we do.
Happy with the truck so far & the coil spring rear suspensions big upgrade in ride compared to the leaf spring suspension on the 2012

[bsmith0404]

Congrats on the new truck.

It's amazing the different approaches the manufacturers have taken with suspensions. I recently test drove a 2015 GMC 3500 dually, the new design rear suspension, still leaf, but uses a much different design, is night and day different from my 2011.

[Pmedic4]

Traded to 2012 Ram 2500 4X4 5.7 Hemi for the 2015 6.4 Hemi
What a difference 3 yrs. make.
The 5.7 was a good vehicle pulling the Cougar 28 RLS but the engine really worked hard pulling bridges & overpasses & only averaged approx. 9 to 10 MPG Towing on flat land .
I'm averaging 11.5 with the 6.4 so far with 1800 miles on her.
Doesn't even breathe hard pulling the same bridges & overpasses.
Couldn't Justify the 8000.00 plus for the diesel with the amount of towing we do.
Happy with the truck so far & the coil spring rear suspensions big upgrade in ride compared to the leaf spring suspension on the 2012
Just upgrade my truck to the same model, and towing the 291RLS. Didn't really have any issues towing with my 5.7 Hemi, but we live in Illinois and only did pretty much flatland towing. I was hoping my new 6.4 will get better gas mileage, but so far haven't taken a long enough trip to tell. And like you, couldn't justify the $8 grand for diesel, as we really don't tow often enough - more appropriate for commercial/Ag type situations.
Good Luck

[Alpine]

Very nice indeed...enjoy!

[T3/T4 Hybrid]

Nice truck I like the gray color! :cool:

[audio1der]

VERY nice choice; I would love to do the same!
Hope she treats you well.

[dcg9381]

Hows the mileage unloaded / non-towing?

[BirchyBoy]

Hows the mileage unloaded / non-towing?

I'm interested as well. I had a 2500/5.7 for a weekend and got around 16mpg on highway and around 12mpg around town when taking it easy. That thing was TALL, too! The F250 I tried seemed lower which is good for us that are vertically challenged.

[81SHOVELHEAD]

Hows the mileage unloaded / non-towing?

Well the 5.7 with combined city/ hwy on the EVIC was posting 14.5 to 15.3 MPG /
On the 6.4 I am posting 17.1 with only 1800 miles so far .
Haven't taken a long hwy trip yet but the best I got with the 5.7 was 17.1 hand calculated .
I'm thinking around 20 with this truck .
The Eco mode really makes a difference & I rarely drive over 65 mph.:D

[sourdough]

I have a 2014 2500 4x4 with the 6.4 (looks like your truck only red). The 6.4 pulls considerably stronger and gets better mileage than my 2012 5.7. I average about 2mpg better towing and about 3mpg better city/hwy. It seems to get much better highway only mileage especially if you're driving 55-60 vs 75-80 compared to the 5.7. I have gotten over 20 in FL driving the 55 speed limit. The 5.7 only dreamed of 20 mpg :( Mileage in my 5.7 pretty much mirrored the previous post.

[Pmedic4]

I'm really surprised by some of the comments about the MPG with the 2500 6.4 engine. My truck is very new, and so far only have about 2000 miles, so it's just getting broke in, but the MPG seems on highway - drove 400 miles last weekend and really only got about 16-17 MPG, but we were driving 70+, as I wasn't towing.

Between the new engine and perhaps the speed, I'm not seeing the MPGs you guys are talking about. And truthfully, MPG wasn't a consideration when I bought this truck, but it sure won't hurt my feelings to get 20 MPG.

[Ram189]

I'm really surprised by some of the comments about the MPG with the 2500 6.4 engine. My truck is very new, and so far only have about 2000 miles, so it's just getting broke in, but the MPG seems on highway - drove 400 miles last weekend and really only got about 16-17 MPG, but we were driving 70+, as I wasn't towing.

Between the new engine and perhaps the speed, I'm not seeing the MPGs you guys are talking about. And truthfully, MPG wasn't a consideration when I bought this truck, but it sure won't hurt my feelings to get 20 MPG.

What gears are you running in your truck. The 4.10 gears are a fuel mileage killer on the highway. I stayed away from them on my truck because I did not want to lose the 4 - 5 MPG I had heard from customers at the dealership.

[Pmedic4]

What gears are you running in your truck. The 4.10 gears are a fuel mileage killer on the highway. I stayed away from them on my truck because I did not want to lose the 4 - 5 MPG I had heard from customers at the dealership.

No, it's a 3.73. Actually was sort of surprised by that, as my old truck with the 5.7 engine had a 3.92. It got about 19+ highway, so have the same expectation for this new truck.

[sourdough]

My truck runs 3.73 gears as well. The 20+mpg I got in FL was on the coast, at sea level and flat. I didn't exceed 55mph. It was a 20 mile drive from my campground to my daughter's house and I drove it every day.

I live in TX and at the posted speed limit of 75 (and maybe pushing 80 - unloaded) I will get 16-17 depending on terrain (speed KILLS mpg). I am at my home in NM currently and drive up and down the mountain (18 miles) to Alamogoro, NM every day. I'm driving from my house at 9000ft to town at about 4400ft. My EVIC says I averaged 16.4mpg on the last tank - not bad, and way better than my 5.7 did (about 14-15 at best).

As was mentioned, I really didn't buy the truck worrying about gas mileage - it just came as a surprise benefit!

[goducks]

Doesn't everyone get their best mpg cruising the internet?

[notanlines]

Good one, Ducks fan! Years ago an RVer in Sardis Mississippi camp ground told a small group of us that his Ford dually was getting about 26 or 27 pulling his 40 foot Holiday Rambler. This had to be 20 years ago or so. We all laughed so hard, and rudely I guess, he didn't speak at the campground to any of us. We still laugh at his story to this day. :D

[sourdough]

Thankfully my mileage is the same whether cruising the internet or the interstate...............

[81SHOVELHEAD]

Wife taking the empty truck on Road trip to Port Aransas this weekend .
Will post up Actual hwy milage when she gets back .
Had to work today so I had to stay home with the dogs...:(

[tommy_z]

Sorry about resurrecting this old thread, but I'm seriously considering this exact truck combo and wanted to know if anybody had updates to share. MPG? Reliability? Regrets?

[sourdough]

My truck runs 3.73 gears as well. The 20+mpg I got in FL was on the coast, at sea level and flat. I didn't exceed 55mph. It was a 20 mile drive from my campground to my daughter's house and I drove it every day.

I live in TX and at the posted speed limit of 75 (and maybe pushing 80 - unloaded) I will get 16-17 depending on terrain (speed KILLS mpg). I am at my home in NM currently and drive up and down the mountain (18 miles) to Alamogoro, NM every day. I'm driving from my house at 9000ft to town at about 4400ft. My EVIC says I averaged 16.4mpg on the last tank - not bad, and way better than my 5.7 did (about 14-15 at best).

As was mentioned, I really didn't buy the truck worrying about gas mileage - it just came as a surprise benefit!


Despite goducks disparaging remarks, my truck gets exactly what I said it does and has nothing to do with the "internet". It has 22k now and I love it. Would I like a diesel at times, sure. Do I want to pay for it...no. The 6.4 seems much stronger than the 5.7 I had. I'm a happy camper.

I did not mention towing: towing varies depending on where you are. My average on a regular basis is about 9-10 mpg. Mountains - 7-8 (up AND down). About 1mpg overall better than the 5.7.

[mtofell]

Overall I love my 6.4 Hemi. Before I continue, did I read that correctly that someone said there was a 4-5MPG difference between 3.73 & 4.10 gears???? I really need some of that kool-aid :) :)

I've had my truck for 2 years and have towed both an 8K TT and now a 10.5K# 5th wheel (both loaded weights). The TT was a perfect match for the truck.... the 5th wheel is okay.

The coil suspension with the Hemi is a fantastic upgrade over the leafs from my old 2006 HD Chevy - both towing and not. Reliability for me has been great. There have been a couple recalls and some software updates but nothing out of the ordinary for a new vehicle these days.

MPG are okay.... I'm probably not the best since I have a company paid gas card and with gas below $2/gallon who cares, right "bouncey:

The winter fuel blend here in Oregon kills me by an mpg or two. Towing from here in the valley over the small mountain range to the coast and back I get 8 or 9. Pulling the smaller TT was a bit better but surprisingly not much. Unloaded I can get upper teens on the freeway... close to 20 with a good tailwind and keeping it below 60. City driving the MPGs go down quickly. Idling in traffic and stop/go takes a HUGE toll on the fuel economy as well. As does flying down the interstate at 70+. With my mix of city/hwy I'm seeing 12-13 (still on winter fuel). Honestly, if you're buying this truck (or any HD truck) for MPG you're not likely to be happy.

Overall, it's a great truck and I have no regrets.... That being said, my next truck will be another diesel. Not because I'm disappointed with this truck. I just think 10,000# and up is diesel territory.

[TAZ23]

Sorry about resurrecting this old thread, but I'm seriously considering this exact truck combo and wanted to know if anybody had updates to share. MPG? Reliability? Regrets?

I have a 2015 Ram Bighorn with the 3.73's. I bought it in September and have 7000 miles on it. It's been trouble free for me except for the outside ambient temp. sensor that had to be replaced. I use it as my daily driver for a 35 mile round trip to work and back (about two thirds hwy and the rest city driving)and get any wear from 13 to 15.5 mpg depending on the temperature outside. This Saturday we took a trip of 185 miles and got 20.0 mpg according to the trucks computer but that is usually off by about .5 mpg when figured out on a calculator, so I'm figuring about 19.5 mpg. We are still running winter blend fuel around here so that will have some negative effect on mpg's although with this engine I'm not sure how much. My towing experience is limited as winter sets in here toward the end of October, but it does a decent job. Over all I am very happy with this truck and have no regrets about my decision to buy it.

[hdxbonez]

Doesn't everyone get their best mpg cruising the internet?

^^^This^^^

I can get about 20mpg with my diesel. On summer blend fuel, unloaded, on flat and level highway at 70mph or less, with 3.42 gearing. My overall, hand calculated average is 17mpg. I have a hard time buying claims of equal or better mileage from gas motors and taller gears.....

[sourdough]

^^^This^^^

I can get about 20mpg with my diesel. On summer blend fuel, unloaded, on flat and level highway at 70mph or less, with 3.42 gearing. My overall, hand calculated average is 17mpg. I have a hard time buying claims of equal or better mileage from gas motors and taller gears.....


I'm thinking times are changing and you can't live by the old saw that a diesel gets way better mileage than a gasser and it's so much cheaper. Well, diesel is more expensive than gas now and gas engines are improving by leaps and bounds. Diesels are as well but they are putting the improvements into power, not gas mileage. They will do better on mileage towing than a gas engine.

Not trying to start a discussion on diesel vs gas, just the state of mpg in the current environment.

Heck, I'm negotiating on a new Tahoe and it's sticker says it's EPA rated for 23 on the highway:rolleyes:

[TAZ23]

I'm thinking times are changing and you can't live by the old saw that a diesel gets way better mileage than a gasser and it's so much cheaper. Well, diesel is more expensive than gas now and gas engines are improving by leaps and bounds. Diesels are as well but they are putting the improvements into power, not gas mileage. They will do better on mileage towing than a gas engine.

Not trying to start a discussion on diesel vs gas, just the state of mpg in the current environment.

Heck, I'm negotiating on a new Tahoe and it's sticker says it's EPA rated for 23 on the highway:rolleyes:

sourdough is right. I had a 2006 Chevy 1500 that was rated for 18 mpg and I could get 19 in the summer, I had a 2012 Chevy 1500 rated for 19 mpg and I could get 20.5 hwy mpg in summer, now the latest versions are rated at 23 mpg hwy and they are doing this with more HP and torque than my trucks had. As technology improves they are figuring how to make more while using less (gas). The 6.4 Ram engine cuts out 4 cyl when under low loads or coasting and this helps improve mileage. The new diesels are more powerful than the earlier ones but are getting better mpg's also.

[So Cal CPA]

tommy z

I am considering upgrading to the 2500 but am really torn between the 6.4 gas and the 6.7 diesel as we don't tow that often either. Maybe a couple of road trips a year besides several local trips.

The 6.4 generates more torque and lower RPM's (so I've read) vs. the 5.7 hemi so I'm not really surprised by the higher MPG ratings.

My 5.7 now has taken us up to roughly 6,000 feet in the Sierras with no issues so do in "need" the diesel???

Love to see additional updates on these trucks too.

[Model A Driver]

What is the weight of your trailer? And has anyone have any mountain climbing data out there? I am still struggling to justify a diesel. My Bullet, humans, and junk does not exceed 6700lbs. Half of the 6.4's capacity. Just do not want to die in the rockies next year.
Thanks

[sourdough]

I'm not tommy z and don't want to provide unwanted feedback but;

With your trailer at about 8200gvw if I recall, the 6.4 would do fine for you. If you do LOTS of mountains you might get tired of it revving but it won't hurt it. My truck (6.4) pulls the mountains to and from our vacation home (19 miles/6-7% grade) and easily holds 45-50 with no problem (speed limit). It would easily do 70 if I wanted (and the road would permit).

The difference on paper between the 5.7 and 6.4 isn't a lot but seat of the pants is another thing. It really does seem to perform much better than the specs would indicate.

Do you "need" a diesel for your trailer? No. That is qualified with the questions: do you pull heavy loads/equip regularly? Do you tow in mountainous country regularly? If so, you might want to consider one. Do you want to spend $8-9k for a lower revving engine that, in the end, performs the same job (pulling your trailer acceptably) as the gas engine? Do you plan on upgrading your trailer to a larger one?

The purchase of a diesel truck is very subjective and based on lots of things. There may be no option; the work to be performed may dictate a diesel (towing anything over 10k lbs requires a diesel IMO). There are gray areas where it might or might not be needed based on a persons individual needs. And then, some just love them and want one.

In the end you have to be the scales that weighs those things that are personally important to you and decide. My next truck will probably be a diesel simply because my trailer has a gvw of 10k (scaled 9200) and we are thinking about a 5th wheel in our future. Good luck on your decision. If you buy the 6.4 I think you will be happy.

[BlueThunder34]

Congrats on the new truck, very nice!!!

[Pmedic4]

tommy z

I am considering upgrading to the 2500 but am really torn between the 6.4 gas and the 6.7 diesel as we don't tow that often either. Maybe a couple of road trips a year besides several local trips.

The 6.4 generates more torque and lower RPM's (so I've read) vs. the 5.7 hemi so I'm not really surprised by the higher MPG ratings.

My 5.7 now has taken us up to roughly 6,000 feet in the Sierras with no issues so do in "need" the diesel???

Love to see additional updates on these trucks too.

You definitely won't see better gas mileage with the 6.4L 2500, over a 5.7L 1500. That was my upgrade about 8 months ago, from a 2012 1500 4x2 to a 2015 2500 4x4, which the 4 wheel drive probably did make some difference, but I don't think that was the only reason for a lower mpg as the 2500 weighs about 2000 pounds more, so definitely a reason there. As best I'm about 2 mpg less with my new truck overall.

Interestingly, the gas mileage towing my 5ver is really about the same at 9.4. I am wondering though, the long trip I took with the 1500 was during July, while 2500 long trip was January driving, so the question about summer versus winter blend gas is my remaining question. Also, the newer 1500's have the 8 speed transmissions, so that should be an improvement for them too.

[sourdough]

I think everyone will have different experiences with mileage with different vehicles. All of that is really completely dependent on the driver and the circumstances.

In my experience, having owned 2 5.7 trucks and this 6.4, the 5.7 isn't in the same game. I have no idea what the previous poster's trailer is, but, pulling a 9200 lb trailer, anywhere, my 5.7s could not touch 9mpg (10000 miles). Usually 7-8. Highway mileage, without load, was lower as well. Guess, "sometimes it's a diamond, sometimes it's stone". I've not spoken to anyone that says the 5.7 gets better mpg or pulls as well. Of course, I only drive 4x4 so that might play into the equation.

[So Cal CPA]

My trailer is the 28RBS so I think I'm between 6,500 and 7,500 lbs.
The Dodge er Ram dealer advertises a 2500 6.4l 4x4 for 35,000. Same truck but 4x2 and 6.7CTD is 41,000.

I live in Southern California so hills and mountain towing are basically anywhere I go. Based on my current experience with the 1500 5.7 I'm confident the 6.2 hemi would do just fine. Buuuuuut for an extra 6,000 or roughly 100 per month I'd probably feel much more confident with an extra 400 lb/ft of torque.

I'll see what Memorial Day sales bring.....

Thanks for the feedback and I hadn't considered future, larger and heavier trailers...

[sourdough]

Sounds like you may want to seriously consider the diesel. If the lack of 4 wheel drive and the extra $$ are OK and you think you may want a larger RV in the future you might as well spring for it. That way you won't have to worry in the future:)

[Pmedic4]

I think everyone will have different experiences with mileage with different vehicles. All of that is really completely dependent on the driver and the circumstances.

In my experience, having owned 2 5.7 trucks and this 6.4, the 5.7 isn't in the same game. I have no idea what the previous poster's trailer is, but, pulling a 9200 lb trailer, anywhere, my 5.7s could not touch 9mpg (10000 miles). Usually 7-8. Highway mileage, without load, was lower as well. Guess, "sometimes it's a diamond, sometimes it's stone". I've not spoken to anyone that says the 5.7 gets better mpg or pulls as well. Of course, I only drive 4x4 so that might play into the equation.

Mileage aside, the difference in towing between the 1500 and 2500, definitely favors the 2500. On our recent trip to Florida, the truck was really stable, and braking was excellent. At no time did I feel like the wind pushed us around in the 2500, and there was actually a high wind warning during our drive across Florida I-10. On a trip last year with the 1500, we felt some chucking on a few roads, and wind did give a few 'shoves' across the interstate. None of that with the 2500, on a trip 3 times longer.

While there weren't any real mountains, I never felt like the 5ver was pushing me down a hills, and the section of I-65 between Tennessee/Alabama is a decent test. I never got the feeling of the 5ver trying to keep me heading straight on the curves.

In summary, since the mpg towing between the 6.4 / 5.7 was the same, I really can't fault the 6.4L for that reason, and from the safety and comfort standpoint, the 2500 is the absolute winner.

[sourdough]

Mileage aside, the difference in towing between the 1500 and 2500, definitely favors the 2500. On our recent trip to Florida, the truck was really stable, and braking was excellent. At no time did I feel like the wind pushed us around in the 2500, and there was actually a high wind warning during our drive across Florida I-10. On a trip last year with the 1500, we felt some chucking on a few roads, and wind did give a few 'shoves' across the interstate. None of that with the 2500, on a trip 3 times longer.

While there weren't any real mountains, I never felt like the 5ver was pushing me down a hills, and the section of I-65 between Tennessee/Alabama is a decent test. I never got the feeling of the 5ver trying to keep me heading straight on the curves.

In summary, since the mpg towing between the 6.4 / 5.7 was the same, I really can't fault the 6.4L for that reason, and from the safety and comfort standpoint, the 2500 is the absolute winner.


You are absolutely correct. Safety, comfort, peace of mind, stability.....the 2500 is a hands down winner.

[mtofell]

You are absolutely correct. Safety, comfort, peace of mind, stability.....the 2500 is a hands down winner.

X3

Anyone maxing out a 1/2 ton who has never had an HD truck has no idea what they are missing. It's like towing with a truck instead of a bowl of Jell-O.

[KSH]

If your towing under 8k lbs, consider a ram 1500 eco diesel. That's what I have, unloaded I average 28mpg, towing 7.5k lbs I average 14.5mpg

[mfifield01]

One big difference from the factory is tires. The 1500's usually have worthless passenger tires. The 2500's come with LT tires. I put LT tires on my 1500 and it feels a lot better.

I have towed with a Ram 2500 (Diesel 03) and my Ram 1500. The Ram 2500 was towing around 9000 lbs and I tow about 5600 lbs. It felt very similar on both. I wouldn't go any bigger on a 1500, but length can be a factor also.

[sourdough]

One big difference from the factory is tires. The 1500's usually have worthless passenger tires. The 2500's come with LT tires. I put LT tires on my 1500 and it feels a lot better.

I have towed with a Ram 2500 (Diesel 03) and my Ram 1500. The Ram 2500 was towing around 9000 lbs and I tow about 5600 lbs. It felt very similar on both. I wouldn't go any bigger on a 1500, but length can be a factor also.


You've made great observations. The weight you have on your 1500 is just about right. The 3.92 rear end will also have an impact on how well it tows.

[Agram1]

Who cares about the mpg's, it tows like a champ. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/03/21/75faa3730a03becf0dbf814bcd91505f.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tbos]

Who cares about the mpg's, it tows like a champ. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/03/21/75faa3730a03becf0dbf814bcd91505f.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nice looking setup.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[sourdough]

Who cares about the mpg's, it tows like a champ. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/03/21/75faa3730a03becf0dbf814bcd91505f.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Hey! Is that my truck?? :) Looks just like mine if it's 4x4 CC....I also have the 20" tires and wheels but......it's pretty!

[Agram1]

Thanks Tbos we are enjoying it so far.
Sourdough, it is 4x4 CC the husband would like to have 20's like on our 1500 but me being 5'2 I really can't do it. Haha I already have to hop onto the running boards to get in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Pmedic4]

Hey! Is that my truck?? :) Looks just like mine if it's 4x4 CC....I also have the 20" tires and wheels but......it's pretty!

Yep, I had the 20" tires on my 1500, and really like them, but my current truck has the 18s. Of course, I also like the Red color of Sourdough's truck. Mine is black, just too plain. Plus it shows all the splashes and drops.

[Bushman512000]

Just got home from the deep south Mississippi got 14 1/2mpg at 63mph with the camper 27.6 ft Cougar 5er new wheels ran great there and back, better ride than any of the past trucks and I have had a few the new one is 4"higher than the old 18"wheels is the main reason I think but so smooth and it is on coil springs I got the Cummins free was a deal in end of year any one ever buy a gas then a Oil burner will not go back to gas bought My first in 1997 and it is still going strong...Bushman (tx)

[TAZ23]

actually the stock 18 (33.2") and 20 (33.5") inch tires on the Ram trucks are just about the same diameter. The 18 inch tire has more rubber between the rim and the road than the 20 inch. The 20 inch truck sits 1/8 of a inch higher than the 18 inch. TireSize.com has a comparison calculator Where you can enter tire sizes and compare them.