Upgrade or downgrade to gas from diesel

[ptpick]

I have a 2017 Sprinter 5th wheel 39’ aprox 12k lbs. My tow vehicle is an absolute dream combination. 2013 Ram 2500 diesel paired with a 6 speed manual, 4x4. This combo is truly incredible, problem is my ankle gets aggravated after driving. Had a ankle issue many years ago. I don’t know if I want to spend the extra $10,000+ for diesel with assin automatic. Would going to a hemi with auto be an upgrade or downgrade?

[Canonman]

I'm betting you already know the answer to your question. Just how much of a downgrade is the real issue. IMHO you'd be seriously disappointed with the decision to go gas vs diesel.
Have you considered looking at a "pre-owned" truck with an automatic? Selling yours and buying something similar equipped with the automatic transmission likely wouldn't be a serious hit to the checkbook. While you're at it I'd bet you could upgrade to a 3500 for about the same $

[sourdough]

I own a 6.4 hemi. The limit for the 6.4 with 3.73 is 12,500 and with the 4.10 it's 15,200?? (from memory). I have the 3.73 and my trailer is 10k gvw, usually loaded about 9250 - 9400. The 6.4 does a great job with it. I have toyed with the idea of letting it try to pull up to the max tow weight but I think it's happiest about where it is. I think it would struggle greatly in the Rockies with 12,500 behind it. The 4.10 would be better and I'm sure would handle it fine (12,500) but I think that would be putting it at it's limit.

So, would it be a upgrade/downgrade? I think the ultimate solution is the combo you listed, Cummins/Aisin but at a hefty price tag. The 6.4 with the 4.10 would do the job IMO but not as easily as the diesel. I would rule out a 3.73 personally.

[rhagfo]

While the 6.4 is a great gas engine I also don’t think you would be happy towing 12,000# with 3.73’s and going to 4.10’s will cost take from fuel mileage.
Location is Longview as in Washington? Have you looked at Dennis Dillon or Dave Smith in Idaho for price.

[Frank G]

IMHO you do not need the Aisin transmission, the 68RFE will do fine. The only issues with the 68RFE come with increasing the HP (tuning) or severely overloading. You are not transporting for a living or "Hot Shotting", you are recreationally towing. The payload is marginal with the 2500, the 3500SRW CTD is a good fit. There are many transporters with the 68RFE logging 350K+ and no issues. On the other hand, if you are towing heavy with the 3500 CTD DRW, the Aisin is the only way to go.

[travelin texans]

To me it would be both! Getting rid of the manual transmission would be a huge upgrade, sore leg or not. The downgrade would be going from diesel to gas engine while towing a large rv, I think your leg would still be sore from mashing the gas pedal to the floor constantly.

[sourdough]

To me it would be both! Getting rid of the manual transmission would be a huge upgrade, sore leg or not. The downgrade would be going from diesel to gas engine while towing a large rv, I think your leg would still be sore from mashing the gas pedal to the floor constantly.


Come on! The 6.4 isn't that bad.:) I don't recall ever having mine floored (maybe close but I believe in using the tranny to navigate the gears) plus, I think it is the clutch hurting his ankle so it would be a different foot anyway!!:D

[Canonman]

FWIW (shame on you for getting my interest up), I checked a local site similar to Craig's List just to get an idea of the price difference between used, by owner, 2500 and 3500 Ram diesel with an automatic transmission.
They're about the same. IMHO I think you could likely work out a nice trade for minimum $ out of pocket:)
I could be getting myself in big trouble if the DW sees this:facepalm:

[Frank G]

FWIW (shame on you for getting my interest up), I checked a local site similar to Craig's List just to get an idea of the price difference between used, by owner, 2500 and 3500 Ram diesel with an automatic transmission.
They're about the same. IMHO I think you could likely work out a nice trade for minimum $ out of pocket:)
I could be getting myself in big trouble if the DW sees this:facepalm:

Step 1 complete! :D

Step 2 stop for a test drive on the way to the food mart :angel:

Step 3 :hide:

[Canonman]

Saaad but true.
Have to control urges, Have to control urges, Have to control urges, Have to control urges,
Awww crap:)

[Pmedic4]

I have the 6.4 gas, and I was pleased with how it did in the hills around Branson. Yes, it downshifted and the speed dropped to 45-50, but never felt it couldn't do it.

I do wonder about the mountains out west, as we'd like to do a Yellowstone/Glacier trip from the Midwest, so that is on my mind. Even considered getting the 4.10 rear upgrade, with the real negative being that I've heard it will cut gas mileage anywhere from 20 to 50%(!?!), so that really sounds like a bad idea.

[JRTJH]

If you're planning a single trip "out west to the mountains" I wouldn't buy a new truck just for that trip. Your "gas powered tow vehicle" will do the job in the mountains. You may be in the far right lane at 25MPH in second gear for much of the uphill climbs, but realistically, you're talking less than 50 or 75 miles of towing mountain passes for a single trip. The rest of the trip should be relatively easy towing and similar to what you found around Branson. I wouldn't buy a new truck specifically for that single trip. Now, if you're planning on multiple trips in the following years, now that's different. Touring Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and most of the other local attractions will be done with the trailer parked in a campground, so you won't be towing for most of the trip.

[sourdough]

I have the 6.4 gas, and I was pleased with how it did in the hills around Branson. Yes, it downshifted and the speed dropped to 45-50, but never felt it couldn't do it.

I do wonder about the mountains out west, as we'd like to do a Yellowstone/Glacier trip from the Midwest, so that is on my mind. Even considered getting the 4.10 rear upgrade, with the real negative being that I've heard it will cut gas mileage anywhere from 20 to 50%(!?!), so that really sounds like a bad idea.

A tow truck is a tow truck...mpg is not on the radar. 3.73 vs 4.10...who cares? I've had both and I really loved the zip of the 4.10; it does cut a bit into the mileage but I never even worried about it nor did it seem like much of a reduction. As far as getting down to 25mph, I've never even had a problem getting anywhere close to those kinds of speeds. If you tow, worrying about "mileage" is just something that shouldn't be happening IMO.

[5th_Wheelin]

I don't really see the need to go with the aisin. My truck / trailer combo is heavier than yours and I really have no problem at all.

[Javi]

I have a 2017 Sprinter 5th wheel 39’ aprox 12k lbs. My tow vehicle is an absolute dream combination. 2013 Ram 2500 diesel paired with a 6 speed manual, 4x4. This combo is truly incredible, problem is my ankle gets aggravated after driving. Had a ankle issue many years ago. I don’t know if I want to spend the extra $10,000+ for diesel with assin automatic. Would going to a hemi with auto be an upgrade or downgrade?

Here's the deal... if you're gonna keep the truck for several years and there is even a remote possibility that you will one day upgrade the trailer... then just pull the trigger and get a diesel dually... they ain't gonna be cheaper next year.... :D