Darin Heath
Junior Member
Hello Ram experts:
Up front, let me admit I am not mechanically inclined, but have done work like belts, brakes, easy to replace sensors, alternators, etc... whatever is easy to learn on your own.
Last year I bought a 2014 Ram 2500 Laramie Mega Cab with the 6.4 hemi gasser. I needed a bigger truck to safely pull a travel trailer and its worked great since I bought it in summer of last year, but its starting to struggle with gas mileage, getting check engine lights related to the evaporative system (small leaks that aren't a gas cap issue). When I pulled the same trailer before, I'd average 10-12 mpg pulling it, and about 18 mpg around town. Now I'm lucky to average 8 mpg while pulling the trailer that is almost 4000 lbs below my towing capacity. It only seems to struggle with gas mileage when I'm pulling the RV.
The truck was used by the one owner prior and he used it commercially pulling a flatbed trailer. Likely moved cars around, small loads, etc.. so it has about 140,000 miles on it. He did service it at every recommended interval, and its in great shape other than the evap cooler leak and gas mileage loss. No rust, brand new brakes, no suspension issues, etc.
I'm going to throw my $2000 tax return at the truck, so what are some things I can do to help revitalize and extend the life of this truck. Maybe fix the gas mileage issues and have what seems to be a large enough engine to pull a 7000lb trailer with less of a struggle.
I'm thinking tune-up, fix the evap leak, high mileage synthetic or blend oil change, new filters...etc.
Thanks in advance for everyone's advice.
Up front, let me admit I am not mechanically inclined, but have done work like belts, brakes, easy to replace sensors, alternators, etc... whatever is easy to learn on your own.
Last year I bought a 2014 Ram 2500 Laramie Mega Cab with the 6.4 hemi gasser. I needed a bigger truck to safely pull a travel trailer and its worked great since I bought it in summer of last year, but its starting to struggle with gas mileage, getting check engine lights related to the evaporative system (small leaks that aren't a gas cap issue). When I pulled the same trailer before, I'd average 10-12 mpg pulling it, and about 18 mpg around town. Now I'm lucky to average 8 mpg while pulling the trailer that is almost 4000 lbs below my towing capacity. It only seems to struggle with gas mileage when I'm pulling the RV.
The truck was used by the one owner prior and he used it commercially pulling a flatbed trailer. Likely moved cars around, small loads, etc.. so it has about 140,000 miles on it. He did service it at every recommended interval, and its in great shape other than the evap cooler leak and gas mileage loss. No rust, brand new brakes, no suspension issues, etc.
I'm going to throw my $2000 tax return at the truck, so what are some things I can do to help revitalize and extend the life of this truck. Maybe fix the gas mileage issues and have what seems to be a large enough engine to pull a 7000lb trailer with less of a struggle.
I'm thinking tune-up, fix the evap leak, high mileage synthetic or blend oil change, new filters...etc.
Thanks in advance for everyone's advice.