V6 or hemi

Nathan Haslag · Jan 4, 2018

just got a 3.6 few days ago and i like it
just depends if you need the hemi or want the hemi
the 3.6 will do better mpg

Wareagle32 · Jan 4, 2018

Well! I drove a 2017 ram 1500 crew cab 4x4 with the 3.6L v6 today. I have mixed reviews. I love the truck. It was a big horn package. With 8.4 screen and full floor console. The v6 was a little different. Remember I have a hemi now. It took off ok. And it seemed to have decent power never really got on it to much. The truck had 3.21 rear end. The test drive was only like 5 miles in town. The truck was getting 16 mpg on the test drive. Still on the fence. Would like any other thoughts.

Sweetee · Jan 4, 2018

Wareagle32 said:
Well! I drove a 2017 ram 1500 crew cab 4x4 with the 3.6L v6 today. I have mixed reviews. I love the truck. It was a big horn package. With 8.4 screen and full floor console. The v6 was a little different. Remember I have a hemi now. It took off ok. And it seemed to have decent power never really got on it to much. The truck had 3.21 rear end. The test drive was only like 5 miles in town. The truck was getting 16 mpg on the test drive. Still on the fence. Would like any other thoughts.

I'm sure you'll hear different opinions. Five miles is not a fair test. I don't know what temp. you have where you are, but cold temps and winter mix certainly will contribute to less than stellar mileage, especially for only a 5 mile drive. I have the 3.55 AR. Two days ago I filled up with temps in single digits and got 19 mpg driving home 15 miles. I also did a comparison between the first 5 months of ownership of my 2012 RCSB 4x2 Express Hemi and my 2017 CC Laramie 4x4 Pentastar. 5 years ago and now I put approximately 2100 miles from 8//1 - 1/1. The Hemi gave me 16.8 and the 3.6 averaged 20.1. Good luck! Just know that with the 3.21 AR, you are limited on how much you can tow(4260 vs. 7250 for 2018 MY).

Wareagle32 · Jan 5, 2018

I guess I was trying to compare to my hemi which it was no where close to that. My concern is that it will Work the transmission to death constantly shifting up and down going down the interstate.

Wahrsuul · Jan 5, 2018

I don't think so. The one I test drove - about 15 miles - didn't seem to have any shifting issues. In fact, I hardly noticed the shifts. Yes, it's a big difference from the Hemi, but if you don't need all that power... If we don't get the TT the wife was talking about, then I don't really need all the Hemi can deliver.

69GWC · Jan 5, 2018

Honestly if your not hooked to a trailer the V6 has more than enough power.
I remember having a 94 gwc with a 240hp motor i believe and it allways did just fine..lol
But the Hemi is fun but it cost you fuel mileage everytime you have that fun.

Wareagle32 · Jan 5, 2018

I’d like to drive it for like a weekend but I don’t think a dealer will go for that. If I could get 25mpg going back and forth to work I’ll get one in a heartbeat. My 2015 hemi is getting 18.5-19.5 sometimes 20 all the time. I’ve gotten 24 before but had to really baby it.

Jeepwalker · Jan 5, 2018

The tranny has been, by all accounts I've read, pretty bulletproof. Not too many complaints here about the tranny. I say, go back for another comparison test. You need to get the trucks out on the road for min 30-40 minutes or more in all kinds of terrain like you normally drive. That's what i do when I'm serious about a vehicle. Sales guy should be ok with that if you're for 'real'.

Some guys getting really high fuel economy #s are driving 2wd short box trucks ....the lightest weight trucks they sell. You're going to have more weight in a longer 4x4. I don't know how the Hemi guys are getting in the low 20's. I have my doubts. I'm getting (17 plus or minus 1), best I can do, hand calculated (75/25 Hwy/City) ....and NOT driving aggressively.

zrfraser · Jan 5, 2018

Wareagle32 said:
I’d like to drive it for like a weekend but I don’t think a dealer will go for that. If I could get 25mpg going back and forth to work I’ll get one in a heartbeat. My 2015 hemi is getting 18.5-19.5 sometimes 20 all the time. I’ve gotten 24 before but had to really baby it.

Its possible if you keep the MPH under 65, no hard launches, and its mostly highway. I average 22MPG on my 150 mile a day commute and there is only 1 stretch of highway for about 7 miles that is above 70MPH. I also drive a 4x2 quad cab with the 3.21 rear end.

Mpgrimm2 · Jan 6, 2018

I'll repost this here for the OP too...

Here's mine 'loaded' down for a partial move today from our storage unit in VA back to SC 6.5hr drive. Still need to unload it this weekend ...

2013 Ram 1500 SLT CC 4x4 : 41k miles
V6/8spd/3.21

- @ 5200 lb truck
- @ 1000 lb payload approx.
(3 adults & son's college dorm stuff)
- @ 2500 lb 6x12 trailer
(Loaded with 2 roll around tool boxes, air compressor, 10kw genie, kit. table & chairs, bedroom set, lawn mower/equip., 7 ft serving hutch and a few other things)

@ 8700lbs total +/-
- 65-75 mph more of the way, 10.8 mpg avg
(vs 17/22 normally)
- tow/haul mode w/ top gear limited to 6th or 7th depending on conditions.
- Aired the stock 20" SRA's to 42lbs in rear/41lbs front

Yeah, the Pentastar does just fine for my needs and has been very reliable so far.
(She's got some squat on her)

Nathan Haslag · Jan 6, 2018

I have had the hemi and pentastar

Hemi has a lot more power but in my driving style and area I got 13-14mpg with the hemi and getting 18-19 with the pentastar

zrfraser · Jan 6, 2018

Mpgrimm2 said:
I'll repost this here for the OP too...

Here's mine 'loaded' down for a partial move today from our storage unit in VA back to SC 6.5hr drive. Still need to unload it this weekend ...

2013 Ram 1500 SLT CC 4x4 : 41k miles
V6/8spd/3.21

- @ 5200 lb truck
- @ 1000 lb payload approx.
(3 adults & son's college dorm stuff)
- @ 2500 lb 6x12 trailer
(Loaded with 2 roll around tool boxes, air compressor, 10kw genie, kit. table & chairs, bedroom set, lawn mower/equip., 7 ft serving hutch and a few other things)

@ 8700lbs total +/-
- 65-75 mph more of the way, 10.8 mpg avg
(vs 17/22 normally)
- tow/haul mode w/ top gear limited to 6th or 7th depending on conditions.
- Aired the stock 20" SRA's to 42lbs in rear/41lbs front

Yeah, the Pentastar does just fine for my needs and has been very reliable so far.
(She's got some squat on her)

M² Mods.

Thanks for posting this, mine is similar except I have a QC. This is about all I would ever need to haul and tow and its good to know it handled it fine. I've had the bed loaded down with furniture many times, but never had to tow anything. People tend to forget that V8 trucks of 15 years ago were making similar numbers as the V6 trucks of today, and they never seemed to have any issues towing/hauling.

dgray2712 · Jan 8, 2018

IMO, if it's just primarily a daily driver, the Hemi is probably overkill. I have a V6. Bought it used. Never considered it until I test drove it. Plenty of power for me. And I'm averaging around 22 MPG.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

latinracer1 · Jan 8, 2018

I have a 2016 RAM 1500 with the V6 and was completely surprised by the power when I test drove it. I tow a 28' travel trailer with no problems. Do I miss the rumble of the HEMI -- of course but cant beat the power/gas milleage savings combination. I would buy another without a problem.

dillardgl · Jan 8, 2018

I have a 2015 1500 crew cab v6 and average about 20-21 mpg to work and back. Also pull a 25' travel trailer and get 10 mpg pulling it and it really does not strain the truck. Very pleased with the v6.

stormcom · Jan 8, 2018

I have had all 3 engines.

I loved the v6. You can not go 100 mph pulling a trailer but for all around a wonderful pick.

The hemi v8. half of the gas mileage of the v6 and you can pull a trailer 100mph. why? I do not know.

Ecodiesel. Wonderful. high 20's for mileage and decent trailer pulling. I must add, when it was not in the shop. If you like 200.00 oil changes and 225.00 fuel filters. Owned 2 in a year and had over 20 trips to the shop. Ram offered to replace with a hemi but when I said I wanted a Limited with a v6, they said no dice.

Cost per mile and cost per smile is the v6 gas. I wish I still had mine. I drive over 1k per week and take very good care of my trucks.

I am currently driving a Ford King Ranch ecoboost. The Rep from Dallas would not believe I would switch brands over the hemi engine but I did and am very happy I did. 22 to 23 on the highway at 75 mph is comparable to the ecodiesel without all the expense.

If I were to buy another Ram, I would buy a v6 Laramie and smile as I passed the gas stations.

kevperro · Jan 8, 2018

Good stuff.... if you use it as a daily driver and don't tow big things the Pentastar is an excellent solution. If you don't drive much or like vrooom....vrooom and want a thirstier growling engine the Hemi is a great solution.

The diesel? I'd never buy one. I know people like diesels but any gains in fuel economy are more than offset by the cost of the engine & maintaining it. Buy the diesel if you like to run on french fry oil I guess.

Sal2006 · Jan 8, 2018

I have the V6, worst mistake I ever made.
Around town mileage runs about 14-15, best highway ever seen was 19
Slowest thing I have ever driven.
Only reason I bought because it was a (way past) year end sale and the dealer just about gave it away.

shadowhawk · Jan 8, 2018

the answer should always be HEMI

indept · Jan 8, 2018

What would you want to say to this guy...

THAT THING GOTTA HEMI?

V6 or hemi

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