Eco Diesel towing?

HEMIMANN · Mar 29, 2022

Not sure it's unique to Canada markets - they want way too much here in the states, too. My 2017 Ram 2500 crew cab 4x4 Hemi 6.4 was around $52k new sell price, I bought it used with only a year on it (owner decided she didn't like it) for $42k, which for me was a lot of money. No way I would or could buy one of these now.

Makes me wonder if they did their marketing diligence to maximize gross margin? This is the multiplier of vehicle sales number time the profit per each vehicle. Me thinks they're going off the deep end too high. Smells very, um, 'Eurocentric' to me.

Dinky · Mar 29, 2022

star_deceiver said:
This is true, so long as their payments/time doesn’t eat that up. Pay more now, less later? Pay less now, but over a much longer term? Unfortunately, there are way too many different costs, uses, likes, needs, that come into play.

Will the ecodiesel cost less to operate? Short term, yes… long term, maybe. How far is one stretching themselves financially to get said ecodiesel? Will one like the day to day driving?

Personally, I like the fun pedal.

Yep definitely a lot to look at. It comes down to all vehicle purchases really most people don't even need a truck. Unfortunately most people dont think that far as their want exceeds their needs. I think with inflation and fuel price we will see a shift in market on bigger vehicle sales. I use mine for work 75% of the time so it makes sense and I town a lot as well so diesel makes sense. I am all for the fun pedal as well I miss my hemi time to time but with fuel prices I don't lol. I've noticed a lot of people driving the speed limit and no one is in a rush to get places lol.

HEMIMANN · Mar 29, 2022

Even if you use your truck a quarter of the time, it's less expense to have a single vehicle than renting.that often or.god forbid having a 2nd commuter vehicle.
I did all that math once.

dhay13 · Mar 30, 2022

But how much better mileage will you get in an ED not towing? I'd 'assume' at least 80% of the time a person will not be towing? Around here diesel is about 20-25% more than regular gas, even before all this mess it was still 20-25% more. If a 1500 Hemi averages 17 MPG what will a 1500 ED average? Needs to be at least 21-22 to offset the extra cost of fuel. And maybe it is at least 21-22, I don't know that answer, just pointing out that you need to factor that in also

jeeplj8 · Apr 11, 2022

Unless your experience is far different than mine, I would get the Ecodiesel in a heartbeat over the Hemi in mine. Towing my 6k boat I get 8-9mpg. My4th Gen got 12-13. My Durango 392 got 11-12. It does so bad I am going to get rid of this one and try something different. Honestly just wish I had the 4th Gen back.

Fediej · Apr 11, 2022

dhay13 said:
But how much better mileage will you get in an ED not towing? I'd 'assume' at least 80% of the time a person will not be towing? Around here diesel is about 20-25% more than regular gas, even before all this mess it was still 20-25% more. If a 1500 Hemi averages 17 MPG what will a 1500 ED average? Needs to be at least 21-22 to offset the extra cost of fuel. And maybe it is at least 21-22, I don't know that answer, just pointing out that you need to factor that in also

We've had our 2017 EcoDiesel RAM for over a month now, apx 2000 miles. Averaging +/- 23 mpg with the winter blend fuel. I expect that to increase to better than 25 miles per gallon once the summer blend hits the combustion Chambers.

runamuck · Apr 18, 2022

I have been in the market for a new truck for a while as we want to trade up to a little larger trailer and do more traveling out west. I have checked out many actual videos of folks towing 6-7000# trailers similar to mine and they all say they tow fine and get 4 or 5 more mpg towing than I do but the eco dsl 1500 is hard to find and is a pretty expensive upgrade plus dsl in most areas we want to visit is typically 1$ more per gallon so add that to the higher cost of maintenance. where I live, one of the largest metro areas in the country, there are only a few 1500 eco dsl 4x4 Rams for sale and they are pricey so as much as I might want one, will most likely get a 2500 laramie gasser. not much more money but more truck.

HEMIMANN · Apr 18, 2022

runamuck said:
I have been in the market for a new truck for a while as we want to trade up to a little larger trailer and do more traveling out west. I have checked out many actual videos of folks towing 6-7000# trailers similar to mine and they all say they tow fine and get 4 or 5 more mpg towing than I do but the eco dsl 1500 is hard to find and is a pretty expensive upgrade plus dsl in most areas we want to visit is typically 1$ more per gallon so add that to the higher cost of maintenance. where I live, one of the largest metro areas in the country, there are only a few 1500 eco dsl 4x4 Rams for sale and they are pricey so as much as I might want one, will most likely get a 2500 laramie gasser. not much more money but more truck.

You really need to watch your loading with a 1500 - that is the primary vehicle selection criteria. When I upgraded trailers to a contractor grade trailer, while technically being just within the 1500 load limits my truck squatted so badly I traded up to a 2500. It's all better now! The air springs are problematic (you can read elsewhere) over time and in cold climates, so I didn't see another viable solution.

runamuck · Apr 18, 2022

true. they are soft in the rear. I add some air to the tires and run about 20# in the air shocks when towing. I dont have the factory air system just a set of after market bags I put in. my laramie only has 1324# cargo cap so I don carry much in the bed when towing. my plan is to trade for a 2500 ccsb laramie but I am waiting for the prices to drop a little. I have never paid msrp for a new vehicle so that is a shocker too.

KC Kevin · Apr 18, 2022

I got an ED because I just LIKE driving a diesel-powered truck. Didn't even consider the Hemi. 33-gallon tank x 29 mpg hwy = 957 mile range. I love a vehicle that doesn't have to get gas every 400 miles. I like the sound, I like the smell of diesel fuel, all of it. And it has more than enough acceleration for my needs. My limited experience towing with it so far has been fantastic.

Diesel is $0.40/ gallon more than regular right now, a little less than 8% more. And in the long run, diesels typically hold their value better. Hopefully that will be true for my truck.

HEMIMANN · Apr 18, 2022

Here in Minnesota, Diesel Fuel (with 10% biodiesel) is $1.20 more per gallon the Regular Gasoline (with 10% ethanol).

Who knows what's gonna happen, but as much as I 'like' diesels, the only way I could afford it is to haul loads often, and I don't. You'll foul up the DOC and soot trap earlier too, despite the regeneration attempts to clean them. It's a brave new world for LOTS more money.

KKBB · Apr 20, 2022

HEMIMANN said:
Here in Minnesota, Diesel Fuel (with 10% biodiesel) is $1.20 more per gallon the Regular Gasoline (with 10% ethanol).

Who knows what's gonna happen, but as much as I 'like' diesels, the only way I could afford it is to haul loads often, and I don't. You'll foul up the DOC and soot trap earlier too, despite the regeneration attempts to clean them. It's a brave new world for LOTS more money.

I agree. Where I am in Iowa, diesel has been quite a bit more expensive than gas for a few years. That is why I went 6.4 hemi 2 plus years ago instead of cummins like I always had. 10 grand more for the diesel, a 1 mile drive to work and a dollar more per gallon made me move away from diesels that I always loved!!

Cmeant · Apr 20, 2022

I had an ‘18 ecodiesel. It towed really well. Ram out of breath at higher speeds, but I drive conservatively when I tow so that wasn’t an issue.

At that time I was towing a 5000lb tt. Was seeing about 14-15l/100km while towing. Did not use a distribution hitch then. Truck had 3.55 rear end.

Then, got a hemi. Towing same trailer, fuel consumption was 26-28l/100kms. Gear set was 3.21.

A dealer I’ve never dealt with (but have inquiried at) called me Monday…offered me what I paid in Aug ‘20 for my ‘20 Sport with 50k. with tax savings. Tomorrow I pick up a new 22 Rebel with ecodiesel and 3.92 rear end. Looking forward to being back in an oil burner and not screaming down the highway at huge rpms, especially with a new, heavier tt (7300lb dry, this time with a weight distribution hitch).

runamuck · Apr 21, 2022

I have been considering a 1500 dsl because we plan to travel more the next few years towing our 6000# travel trailer. I like the I6 gm dsl the best but would go with the Ram because you can get 3.92 rear end and 33 gal tank and of course I am used to the nice interior I have in my "19 laramie.

Eco Diesel towing?

HEMIMANN

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Dinky

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