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Old 09-30-2020, 03:48 PM   #1
Dan Lockwood
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RAM DEF, How Many Miles???

On the newer '19 or '20 RAM 3500 DRW trucks, how many miles might one expect to get on the DEF before filling up again?

Does towing versus non-towing make a difference on DEF usage, kind of like mpg loaded versus empty?

Thanks!

Dan
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Old 09-30-2020, 04:33 PM   #2
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I have never paid attention, I fill when I am down to 1/4. I does make a difference if you are towing, driving in the city, or on the highway.
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Old 09-30-2020, 04:37 PM   #3
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On my 2018 F Tree Fiddy a 2.5 gal box lasts about 1500 miles of towing. Its gotta be similar I imagine.
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Old 09-30-2020, 04:54 PM   #4
Dan Lockwood
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Getn off View Post
On my 2018 F Tree Fiddy a 2.5 gal box lasts about 1500 miles of towing. Its gotta be similar I imagine.
Troy

I was just curious if a DEF tank would last 300, 500, 1000 or more miles. My '12 doesn't have DEF as it's the last year not having it required on a RAM. I'm looking at a '19 or '20 and want to know a bit more from people using the DEF.


Thanks again!


Dan
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Old 09-30-2020, 05:07 PM   #5
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Dan, take it from a long time DEF user. The very last thing one needs to worry about in truck ownership is the amount of DEF it uses. Worry about rain, how long the wiper blades last, are the headlights aimed correctly, is Junior going to get a scholarship....I could go on and on. You're in the neighborhood of a penny per mile. Your insurance costs ten times that. Your oil and filter changes are four times that. See where this is headed? Buy it and drive it.
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Old 09-30-2020, 05:07 PM   #6
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If I recall, my Ford has a 10 gal def tank. When it gets to 1/2 I add a box and it gets me about 1200-1500 miles or so until half again.
Good luck!
Troy
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Old 09-30-2020, 05:19 PM   #7
Dan Lockwood
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Originally Posted by notanlines View Post
Dan, take it from a long time DEF user. The very last thing one needs to worry about in truck ownership is the amount of DEF it uses. Worry about rain, how long the wiper blades last, are the headlights aimed correctly, is Junior going to get a scholarship....I could go on and on. You're in the neighborhood of a penny per mile. Your insurance costs ten times that. Your oil and filter changes are four times that. See where this is headed? Buy it and drive it.

Jim, thanks.


I know there's way more important things to keep one's mind occupied, but I just didn't know if it was a nuisance item or not. Now I know that a tank of DEF will get me on one long trip both ways without any need to be concerned about adding it.


I know it's cheap to use, but again, the nuisance factor had me a bit curious.


I appreciate all the quick comments guys!
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Old 09-30-2020, 05:30 PM   #8
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Dan, take it from a long time DEF user. The very last thing one needs to worry about in truck ownership is the amount of DEF it uses. Worry about rain, how long the wiper blades last, are the headlights aimed correctly, is Junior going to get a scholarship....I could go on and on. You're in the neighborhood of a penny per mile. Your insurance costs ten times that. Your oil and filter changes are four times that. See where this is headed? Buy it and drive it.
^^ This ….
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Old 09-30-2020, 05:42 PM   #9
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I just completed a 3900 mile trip and used about 12 gallons. Definitely uses more towing. I had bought 2 2.5 gallon jugs at a Walmart, 1 at a truck stop and about 4.5g in a truck lane at a truck stop. Started full and have just over 1/2 tank now. MPG varied from 7 in SD with 20-30 headwind to9.5+ in flat with little wind. Never got that tailwind.
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Old 09-30-2020, 05:47 PM   #10
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Well one nice thing about Ram is it has a DEF gauge, I add a 2.5 jug at half a tank, then it reads full must be a 5 gallon tank. We use more when towing just like fuel.
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Old 09-30-2020, 05:57 PM   #11
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Ford has a 5 gallon tank also.
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Old 09-30-2020, 06:02 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chunker View Post
I just completed a 3900 mile trip and used about 12 gallons. Definitely uses more towing. I had bought 2 2.5 gallon jugs at a Walmart, 1 at a truck stop and about 4.5g in a truck lane at a truck stop. Started full and have just over 1/2 tank now. MPG varied from 7 in SD with 20-30 headwind to9.5+ in flat with little wind. Never got that tailwind.
I get about the same as your Ford GCW 22.500 more fuel more Regen .
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Old 09-30-2020, 06:19 PM   #13
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I get about 2000 miles to 2.5 gallons of “summer use” meaning mixed towing and daily driving. About 2500-3000 when not towing. On the rams dont try to add a 2.5 gallon container til you are under half. It will overflow. I use Walmart because it is 7.88 for a jug. I also bought a magnaviator so I can use pump def at truck stops.
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Old 09-30-2020, 07:37 PM   #14
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At a truck lanes at truck stops there's DEF for usually near the price, +/- a couple cents, per gallon of the diesel fuel & easily able to fill up when refueling.
My GMC had a 5.3 gallon tank, no gauge, that in approximately 3500 miles it would inform that you had a 1000 miles to empty, didn't notice any difference between towing or not. The problem with the GMs is the ackward spot under the hood to add DEF.
Have heard/read several say they'd never own a truck that requires DEF due to the expense & the problems of using, I'll say in 137k I had 1 warranty recall on the DEF that the tank & pump were replaced, other than that no problems.
DEF usage is probably the last thing of concern while towing a rv.
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Old 10-01-2020, 08:06 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelin texans View Post
At a truck lanes at truck stops there's DEF for usually near the price, +/- a couple cents, per gallon of the diesel fuel & easily able to fill up when refueling.
My GMC had a 5.3 gallon tank, no gauge, that in approximately 3500 miles it would inform that you had a 1000 miles to empty, didn't notice any difference between towing or not. The problem with the GMs is the ackward spot under the hood to add DEF.
Have heard/read several say they'd never own a truck that requires DEF due to the expense & the problems of using, I'll say in 137k I had 1 warranty recall on the DEF that the tank & pump were replaced, other than that no problems.
DEF usage is probably the last thing of concern while towing a rv.
I did one DEF tank fillup in a truck lane and the volume coming out the nozzle was more than the Ram tank could handle. Splashed everywhere. Had to "meter" the fluid in.
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Old 10-01-2020, 08:15 AM   #16
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In the 6 years I've owned the F350 my DEF usage is an average of 3200 miles to 2-1/2 gallons of DEF... Generally if I tow a lot in the period the mileage is a little less..

I normally fill mine up within 500 miles of when I first see the LESS THAN 1/2 warning and it will take the whole 2 1/2 gallons if I fill at the first flash of the warning I can't get the full jug in the tank... hence the wait.
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Old 10-11-2020, 07:40 AM   #17
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Ford has a 5 gallon tank also.
Our 2017 F350 DRW has a 7.4 gallon DEF tank and a gauge. I usually just let the first warning on the truck system go off at 500 miles remaining, then add two 2.5 gallon jugs of DEF. I've never kept track, but it seems like I have to do this once in between scheduled services. We bought an extended service package from our dealer and DEF is always topped off at service time.

As others have said, it's almost a "use and forget" issue for us. Our truck is almost exclusively a tow vehicle, so I can't speak to DEF use towing vs non-towing, but my understanding is that it does use more as the motor works harder. So it could also relate to how hard you drive - I don't baby mine - it loves to work hard.
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Old 10-11-2020, 07:53 AM   #18
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Def

I run a 2014 Dodge SRW 3500 6.7 Now deleted (noticeable improvement in performance and mileage) Aisin Trans Tow Raptor 3612 with quads (ATV) in garage. Mileage was cut in half and DEF used twice as much as well.
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Old 10-11-2020, 08:14 AM   #19
Dan Lockwood
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Thanks all for the sharing of your experiences.

I heard something Thursday that your vehicle doesn't know the difference between DEF and WATER.

I'm sure there's some truth to that, but I don't totally believe the guy. He has a class A and has been running water instead of DEF without any issues.

With DEF cheap as it is and the long time between refills, it seems kind of weird to even try something like that, especially if a warranty is involved.

Thanks again for all the comments. ��
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Old 10-11-2020, 09:41 AM   #20
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My 2014 3500 RAM has a 5.5 gallon DEF tank, and I travel back and forth from Colorado to Texas (800 miles). Without a load I can go there and back without having to add any DEF to the tank getting 14 miles to the gallon of fuel. However, when pulling my 40' Alpine it's a different situation and getting about 8-9 miles to the gallon, I can only make it about a 1,000 miles before needing DEF. So, I always have an extra 2.5 gallons of DEF in the front holding area of the 5th wheel, just in case.
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