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Old 03-13-2016, 06:40 PM   #21
mtofell
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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

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.
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Old 03-13-2016, 11:23 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by tommy_z View Post
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.
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Old 03-14-2016, 04:37 AM   #23
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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.....
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Old 03-14-2016, 12:57 PM   #24
sourdough
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^^^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
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Old 03-14-2016, 03:00 PM   #25
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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
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.
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Old 03-14-2016, 04:55 PM   #26
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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.
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Old 03-14-2016, 05:18 PM   #27
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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
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Old 03-14-2016, 05:40 PM   #28
sourdough
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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.
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Old 03-14-2016, 07:22 PM   #29
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Congrats on the new truck, very nice!!!
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Old 03-14-2016, 07:35 PM   #30
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6.4L gas mileage

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Originally Posted by So Cal CPA View Post
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.
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Old 03-14-2016, 08:15 PM   #31
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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.
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Old 03-14-2016, 09:52 PM   #32
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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...
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Old 03-15-2016, 05:49 PM   #33
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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
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Old 03-15-2016, 07:28 PM   #34
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Towing Experience difference

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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.
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Old 03-16-2016, 02:13 PM   #35
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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.
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Old 03-20-2016, 05:05 PM   #36
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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.
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Old 03-21-2016, 08:13 AM   #37
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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
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Old 03-21-2016, 12:31 PM   #38
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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.
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Old 03-21-2016, 02:29 PM   #39
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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.
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Old 03-21-2016, 04:56 PM   #40
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Who cares about the mpg's, it tows like a champ.


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