2500 HEMI vs Diesel

[wunghire]

Thank you to those who responded to my posts!

I bit the bullet this morning and decided to purchased the 2013 Black Ram 2500 Crew Cab 6.7L 4x4 Auto which is supposed to arrive in the next couple of weeks instead of the Hemi.

Now if I can only stand the wait!





______________
2011 Ram 2500 Crew Cab 6.7L 4x4

 

[Bigdaddy]

Wow, congrats on your new 2500 and don't forget pics when you get it.

 

[dsent]

Congrats on your purchase you absolutely made the correct choice go cummins!!!!!!!

Luv My Cummins, real world towing FANTASTIC!!!!

I had the same problem 6 months ago do I need 3/4 ton Diesel or will gas due? for an hour I wrestled with this decision at the dealer and called a friend . I bought the Cummins.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pt-kY0jA_OQ/UEscMa3iFzI/AAAAAAAAA-0/Reat4GCbkCc/s640/IMG_3418.JPG

Yes an empty 2500HD does ride a little harsh over wash board HWY due to stiff springs, but not unreasonable still a great ride! Added ARE Topper 536 lbs problem solved.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/F6eJGNhlWgCzI2huOcOj082Gv7Ts1QXiE1fvEKzV_Pw?feat=directlink

I have switched all my vehicles to Diesel to get away from ethanol destroying engines. They are going to increase the ethanol content in the gas soon going from supposed 10% to 17% or higher so I have read.

This is our government shoving ethanol down our throat because of subsidies for farmers to grow corn .They know it gets worse MPG"S per gallon the non ethanol and it destroys engines. But the government can't loose face because of a bad decision. Obama has teamed up with Brazil the worlds 5th largest economy for ethanol. So now we are supporting some other countries economy rather than ours.

If you voted for Obama, Thanks alot a-hole!!!

My vehicle stable is
2013 Jetta TDI, 36/48mpg
2012 Ram 6.7, 14/19mpg
1984 Mercedes 190D, 32/40mpg
02 Hustler 72" front deck z turn 28hp Kubota,
1984 International Harvester 254 4x4 tractor Mitsubishi 28 hp Diesel.

Rant over!

Now for the news of my first tow with my 12 2500HD 4x4 CC Laramie 6.7 Cummins, ARE Commercial Topper with 1200lb slide.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PbAqfOPU7jM/UJb6dPfxfiI/AAAAAAAAA-0/_iWYM6B7e7A/s640/IMG_3567.JPG

.Just drove from Conway SC to Fishkill NY and rnade trip 9 days later back home to SC..

I did not use tow/haul mode at all.

I drove an extra 2 hrs out of the way to stay out of N Jersey and Ny city.

The route I95 N to I 83 Baltimore to Harrisburg PA,I 81 N to I 84 E to Fishkill NY. reversed for return. 790 miles each way 13hrs drive time + 1.5 hrs with stops

Threw the MTN'S in central PA on I 81

I pulled 10k car hauler flat bed with about 3k on the 2200lb trailer on the way up to my customer. Running 5-7 MPH over posted speed limits and got a hand calc 16mpg on the way up.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CBqSQuAMuq0/UbAGtwBzESI/AAAAAAAABds/A4axNfOea8I/s640/IMG_3777.JPG

Machine sheet metal enclosure on the front 500lbs,Heat treat Furnace1500lb, Quincy 10hp 80 gal compressor 1000 lbs.

In my topper another 1000lb.

I purchased a Machine from another customer in the same area and returned with 7500lbs on my trailer.

Hand calc for return trip 14mpg

I could not tell the difference between the 2 weights on the trailer with wd hitch.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CmJer8XFQhw/UbAHC_QCq8I/AAAAAAAABeU/oWy01a4PLOo/s640/IMG_3785.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...ABfs/MD7XBFN7EwA/s640/IMG_20130525_134403.jpg

Coming out of Scranton/ Hazelton PA up one of the MTS there was a long string of semis in the slow lane.

I pulled into the fast lane going 70, 5 mph over posted speed of course I get some tourist who I passed miles before running up my butt. 70mph 1700-1900 rpm is the power band of my CTD.

I just gradually pressed the skinny pedal just to see what the truck would do.

I left that guy in the dust the CUMMINS just kept pulling I topped the MTN and looked at the speedo and much to my surprise I topped the MTN doing 93MPH!!!!! HOLY ****!!!!!
I DO NOT recommend anyone due this and I would normally never drive this way!!!

This truck has balls!!!!! 350HP 800 pound feet torque yeah baby!!!
My truck is stock for now. Tuner will be order soon for better MPG
But my COWBOY CADILLAC/ WORKING MANS LUSH OFFICE truck drove absolutely great, no push under braking,corners at speed no problem,HILL Descent ENGINE EXHAUST BRAKE SUPERIOR, PULLING MTNS WITH 10K ON TRAILER NO PROBLEM!!!

Back at Home/Shop unloading the Deckel Universal Milling Machine, I specialize in sales,repairing,rebuilding,new controls on German made line of Milling Machines "Deckel" aka Deckeldoctor.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...ABfM/2pz5dckGpdo/s640/IMG_20130525_134242.jpg

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4rJI6lSWtFtur15HPcsrhM2Gv7Ts1QXiE1fvEKzV_Pw?feat=directlink

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-...ABgM/Q_NXaetJmTo/s640/IMG_20130525_140423.jpg

The 800 lb 4'x4'x6' electrical cabinet was removed before the picture was sitting at the front on the trailer.

In order to tow safely you must distribute the weight on your trailer properly,and tie with correct chains,binders,straps rated for the load you are carrying!!

Remember you are responsible for the load you carry and the safety of those around you.

Regards
Don

 

[audio1der]

That did NOT help my lust for a 2500 w/color matched bumpers and CTD.

 

[dsent]

So you now want Chrome?

 

[katokahn99]

Luv My Cummins, real world towing FANTASTIC!!!!

I had the same problem 6 months ago do I need 3/4 ton Diesel or will gas due? for an hour I wrestled with this decision at the dealer and called a friend . I bought the Cummins.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Pt-kY0jA_OQ/UEscMa3iFzI/AAAAAAAAA-0/Reat4GCbkCc/s640/IMG_3418.JPG

Yes an empty 2500HD does ride a little harsh over wash board HWY due to stiff springs, but not unreasonable still a great ride! Added ARE Topper 536 lbs problem solved.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/F6eJGNhlWgCzI2huOcOj082Gv7Ts1QXiE1fvEKzV_Pw?feat=directlink

I have switched all my vehicles to Diesel to get away from ethanol destroying engines. They are going to increase the ethanol content in the gas soon going from supposed 10% to 17% or higher so I have read.

This is our government shoving ethanol down our throat because of subsidies for farmers to grow corn .They know it gets worse MPG"S per gallon the non ethanol and it destroys engines. But the government can't loose face because of a bad decision. Obama has teamed up with Brazil the worlds 5th largest economy for ethanol. So now we are supporting some other countries economy rather than ours.

If you voted for Obama, Thanks alot a-hole!!!

My vehicle stable is
2013 Jetta TDI, 36/48mpg
2012 Ram 6.7, 14/19mpg
1984 Mercedes 190D, 32/40mpg
02 Hustler 72" front deck z turn 28hp Kubota,
1984 International Harvester 254 4x4 tractor Mitsubishi 28 hp Diesel.

Rant over!

Now for the news of my first tow with my 12 2500HD 4x4 CC Laramie 6.7 Cummins, ARE Commercial Topper with 1200lb slide.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PbAqfOPU7jM/UJb6dPfxfiI/AAAAAAAAA-0/_iWYM6B7e7A/s640/IMG_3567.JPG

.Just drove from Conway SC to Fishkill NY and rnade trip 9 days later back home to SC..

I did not use tow/haul mode at all.

I drove an extra 2 hrs out of the way to stay out of N Jersey and Ny city.

The route I95 N to I 83 Baltimore to Harrisburg PA,I 81 N to I 84 E to Fishkill NY. reversed for return. 790 miles each way 13hrs drive time + 1.5 hrs with stops

Threw the MTN'S in central PA on I 81

I pulled 10k car hauler flat bed with about 3k on the 2200lb trailer on the way up to my customer. Running 5-7 MPH over posted speed limits and got a hand calc 16mpg on the way up.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CBqSQuAMuq0/UbAGtwBzESI/AAAAAAAABds/A4axNfOea8I/s640/IMG_3777.JPG

Machine sheet metal enclosure on the front 500lbs,Heat treat Furnace1500lb, Quincy 10hp 80 gal compressor 1000 lbs.

In my topper another 1000lb.

I purchased a Machine from another customer in the same area and returned with 7500lbs on my trailer.

Hand calc for return trip 14mpg

I could not tell the difference between the 2 weights on the trailer with wd hitch.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CmJer8XFQhw/UbAHC_QCq8I/AAAAAAAABeU/oWy01a4PLOo/s640/IMG_3785.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...ABfs/MD7XBFN7EwA/s640/IMG_20130525_134403.jpg

Coming out of Scranton/ Hazelton PA up one of the MTS there was a long string of semis in the slow lane.

I pulled into the fast lane going 70, 5 mph over posted speed of course I get some tourist who I passed miles before running up my butt. 70mph 1700-1900 rpm is the power band of my CTD.

I just gradually pressed the skinny pedal just to see what the truck would do.

I left that guy in the dust the CUMMINS just kept pulling I topped the MTN and looked at the speedo and much to my surprise I topped the MTN doing 93MPH!!!!! HOLY ****!!!!!
I DO NOT recommend anyone due this and I would normally never drive this way!!!

This truck has balls!!!!! 350HP 800 pound feet torque yeah baby!!!
My truck is stock for now. Tuner will be order soon for better MPG
But my COWBOY CADILLAC/ WORKING MANS LUSH OFFICE truck drove absolutely great, no push under braking,corners at speed no problem,HILL Descent ENGINE EXHAUST BRAKE SUPERIOR, PULLING MTNS WITH 10K ON TRAILER NO PROBLEM!!!

Back at Home/Shop unloading the Deckel Universal Milling Machine, I specialize in sales,repairing,rebuilding,new controls on German made line of Milling Machines "Deckel" aka Deckeldoctor.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...ABfM/2pz5dckGpdo/s640/IMG_20130525_134242.jpg

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4rJI6lSWtFtur15HPcsrhM2Gv7Ts1QXiE1fvEKzV_Pw?feat=directlink

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-...ABgM/Q_NXaetJmTo/s640/IMG_20130525_140423.jpg

The 800 lb 4'x4'x6' electrical cabinet was removed before the picture was sitting at the front on the trailer.

In order to tow safely you must distribute the weight on your trailer properly,and tie with correct chains,binders,straps rated for the load you are carrying!!

Remember you are responsible for the load you carry and the safety of those around you.

Regards
Don

What a great review!!! Thanks for the details.
Also, note the bolded portion...it sure didn't go unnoticed by me...YOU ARE A GREAT AMERICAN AND A PATRIOT!

 

[dsent]

katokahn99

That section of I 95 from Maryland till Stamford CT is just the pits as far as driving.

To many tolls, stop/go traffic, construction, and way to many aggressive drivers.

The way I went was a much more relaxed driving experience when pulling a trailer.

I have quite a few customers in that area,I just chose not to drive it pulling a trailer.`

Regards
Don

 

[jd-08-magacab]

the 4.10 gears help alot with the 5.7l hemi in my 08 but also got to say not all hemi engines are the same mine is a D vin no egr no mds and its a long block i dont even worry about it anymore just yesterday and the day before i got a load each day of sand loaded it over the bed rails second time i ever seen my truck sag but had no issues hualing it the 15min home jumping the curb i will say that i have not had 1 issue eathier Cummins or hemi both good in my option have had both i recommend both as long as its mopar

 

[Bronco6501]

Same decision

Honutime,
I am in the same dilemma that you were in a few years ago when you began this thread. I'm having trouble deciding between the 2500 hemi or a Cummins. From the sounds of it we have very similar towing needs, as well as short commutes. In fact based on the distance you mentioned between you and Dave Smith Motors I think we may live in the same general area in the PNW (Bend,Or). So my question is, how has the cummins treated you and would you make the same decision again?

 

[Ratket]

Tons of things come into play with this descion

 

[Bronco6501]

Absolutely, and after doing my research and stumbling across this thread, I was curious what Honutime's experience has been over the past few years, because his dilemma was nearly identical to mine now. Though it doesn't look like he's on here anymore.

 

[Glowrdr]

Just to add my 2 cents - I work for Cummins and bought the 6.4. Unless you tow for a living, or haul a 5th wheel every weekend - do yourself a favor and just go with the gasser. No DEF fluid, points, easier on the front end (those diesels are heavy!). I tow with mine, and you don't even notice the trailer is back there. A big factor as well for me, is MN is pretty flat. Now if I lived in the mountains somewhere - I might have had a tougher choice.

 

[sandawilliams]

Just to add my 2 cents - I work for Cummins and bought the 6.4. Unless you tow for a living, or haul a 5th wheel every weekend - do yourself a favor and just go with the gasser. No DEF fluid, points, easier on the front end (those diesels are heavy!). I tow with mine, and you don't even notice the trailer is back there. A big factor as well for me, is MN is pretty flat. Now if I lived in the mountains somewhere - I might have had a tougher choice.

I tow often in the mountains of Colorado and just got home from a 13,000 mile trip to Alaska and back. My 6.4 pulls great even with the 3.73's. I admit the CTD will go up the hill faster but I pull about everything at the speed limit. Trailer is 8000 lbs. with another 1200 lbs. in the bed.

 

[MADDOG]

I gave in to my Cummins desire last March. While my 6.4L HEMI towed fine, there were times I wanted more power & definitely better MPG. I get both with the CTD.

Of course, my decision was helped a bit by having the 6.4L totaled by an inattentive Phord driver...

 

[SwollenMonkey16]

The fact that we are even discussing a hemi vs. a CTD just shows how good the hemi is. I have the 6.4 and always get surprised with the power. I'm very happy with it. If I towed often I would've probably got the CTD bc "why not its a Cummins" but like many have said both are great. I honestly can't wait to get an exhaust and open up that HEMI sound.

 

[Bigdaddy]

The wife and I are on ours trip from WA to Vegas and I am very impress with the performance, going in to mountains it pull good not like the diesel of course but then again we are comparing oranges to apples. Pulling in the mountains I'm getting 8 mpg, I haven't tow much on flat because we are in UT CG.

Tomorrow we will be in Vegas which will be a little more flat but I don't suspect on getting but about more like 9 mpg. This is our first long camping trip and will probably want do it again for another 5 years or so, but overall I'm please.

 

[JRG18]

The fact that we are even discussing a hemi vs. a CTD just shows how good the hemi is. I have the 6.4 and always get surprised with the power. I'm very happy with it. If I towed often I would've probably got the CTD bc "why not its a Cummins" but like many have said both are great. I honestly can't wait to get an exhaust and open up that HEMI sound.

I'd like to agree but the impression I got was the OP hadn't ever owned a diesel. Had they, the question wouldn't have even been asked. I tried going back to gas once. Shortest amount of time I've owned a vehicle lol. Granted, there are always some that have done it and are happy but from my experience, that's rare.

 

[sticknstring]

Shoot, my 17 2500 only has the 5.7 hemi and I'm still happy with it. Toes everything I own just fine. Heaviest being a three horse slant trailer with two full grown horses. Power and torque is enough unless I ever get a big travel trailer, but my family and I are young and still enjoy tent camping. I'll go cummins when I grow up enough to go with a big trailer. Mpg is good for me, only have to fill up every other week. I loved the 5.7 in my 1500 but that thing sunk so far down just with an atv in the back it wasn't what I needed.


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[Bronco6501]

Just a follow up, I went diesel and I couldn’t be happier. I love this truck . It’s nice to not be held back in anyway. My previous Hemi was awesome, but this Cummins is just a whole another animal: a powerful ass kicking one, with fangs and lasers for eyes.

If your asking yourself whether to go gas or diesel, granted there are tons of variables, but if you kinda want a diesel but are not sure; get the diesel. It’s so much easier to make a payment for something you like rather than something you settled for.

 

[18Aries]

Diesel maintenance is way more expensive all you need is the Hemi. Diesels are for farmers, ranchers people that tow everyday for business


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