2500 Hemi vs Cummins - Advice Wanted

[Exdeus]

Greetings all. Currently own a 1500 HEMI and am looking to swap it up for the 2500. There seems to be a ton of information out there, but with such a big purchase, I feel better asking y'all for your personal experiences prior to making the jump.

This will be my daily driver and I drive approximately 50 miles per day for work, five days per week. Most are back country roads and highway, running from 45mph - 75mph, likely averaging around 55mph.

I will be adding 10-ply tires and lifting the truck with after market accessories. I essentially will be placing the AEV 3" lift, 35 to 37" tires, bed rack and supporting a roof top tent in the bed with refrigerator.

I will use this truck for multiple long range trips throughout the year, several thousand miles each time (for example, have a 2,000 mile trip end of this month).

I will ultimately use this truck as a daily driver, while also using it to explore and off road. I know PW is an option, but not sure I need the sway bar disconnect and can add in lockers later.

In regards to towing, I do not tow at the moment. I will, however, likely be getting a pull behind camper in the range of 5,000 - 9,000 pounds for some of our national park trips as a base camp.

Used I am finding the Laramie Cummins and PW Hemi to be about the same price range.

Appreciate y'alls experience and insight. I am leaning towards the Cummins, but the PW with Hemi also seems promising but has quite a bit lower MPG from what I am seeing which is concerning as a daily driver.

Thank you!

Edit: Also, would anyone have any reservations buying a used one that had a fifth wheel tow point attached to it? I know they are built for it, but looking at a mega cab with 40,000 miles on it that has a fifth wheel attachment point from the prior owner.

 

[WillB]

So long as you do not do much city Driving, you will be happy with a Cummins. Just avoid excessive idle tines, and the Emissions system should remain trouble free.

The 6.4 hemi is a fuel thirsty engine, I’d go Cummins too if i ever step up to an HD.

Greetings all. Currently own a 1500 HEMI and am looking to swap it up for the 2500. There seems to be a ton of information out there, but with such a big purchase, I feel better asking y'all for your personal experiences prior to making the jump.

This will be my daily driver and I drive approximately 50 miles per day for work, five days per week. Most are back country roads and highway, running from 45mph - 75mph, likely averaging around 55mph.

I will be adding 10-ply tires and lifting the truck with after market accessories. I essentially will be placing the AEV 3" lift, 35 to 37" tires, bed rack and supporting a roof top tent in the bed with refrigerator.

I will use this truck for multiple long range trips throughout the year, several thousand miles each time (for example, have a 2,000 mile trip end of this month).

I will ultimately use this truck as a daily driver, while also using it to explore and off road. I know PW is an option, but not sure I need the sway bar disconnect and can add in lockers later.

In regards to towing, I do not tow at the moment. I will, however, likely be getting a pull behind camper in the range of 5,000 - 9,000 pounds for some of our national park trips as a base camp.

Used I am finding the Laramie Cummins and PW Hemi to be about the same price range.

Appreciate y'alls experience and insight. I am leaning towards the Cummins, but the PW with Hemi also seems promising but has quite a bit lower MPG from what I am seeing which is concerning as a daily driver.

Thank you!

 

[sandawilliams]

You have to ask yourself if the cummins is worth the 9K over the hemi. I tow a lot. It didn't make sense to me so I went with the hemi.

 

[mtnrider]

The cummins will be fine. They perform regens when needed and take care of emissions etc. so don't get too wrapped up in what type of driving you do. I'm pretty much driving mine about the same as you would. ~50 miles a day, rural country roads. I even sit in the car pool lane picking up the kids every day and have Zero issues.

Pw is an awesome truck but I sold mine because I couldn't stand stopping at the gas station ever couple of days. It gets old real fast. If you are looking for a weekend off roader it can't be beat for that, I just hated commuting in it.

Maintenance is pretty much a wash between the 2 so throw that argument out the window. Also the upfront cost of the cummins you will more then re-coupe when you sell the vehicle, so again a wash.

Edit:////

Another thing to note. If you go with the cummins and you think you are going to go 37 on the tires I would recommend you get at least a 3.73 rear gears. Most of the newer 2500 cummins have 3.42 rear which is fine up to a 35 but bigger then that and you are going to want a better gear ratio.

.

 

[Random_Walk]

The Cummins will work out for the lifestyle you describe (esp. on the mpg front). If you;re buying used though, you will most definitely want to have the truck looked over by a competent diesel mechanic - period.

 

[MADDOG]

I've owned both the 6.4L HEMI & the 6.7L CTD and have towed the same loads to the same locations with both.

I much prefer the CTD because:

1. Better mileage loaded or unloaded over the HEMI. Regular or mid-grade unleaded is less expensive than diesel here but my HEMI was tuned and used 92 octane which is more expensive than diesel, at least in this area.

2. Better power for towing. The 6.4L would get a bit wheezy towing up a 6% grade in hot weather and it had to rev pretty high for an extended period to pull that grade. The CTD pulls the same load without breaking a sweat.

The downsides to the CTD is the premium you pay to have the Cummins plus diesel maintenance costs are higher.

Can't comment on whether or ot the used MegaCan is a good truck as the deciding factors are how hard was it used, how was it maintained, how many miles did it tow the 5'vr, etc...which are hard to ascertain. At 40K miles though, it's got a lot of life left in it. Maybe you can pull a carfax and get the VIN checked at a dealer for service, warranty and recall info.

But I can say the rear space in the MegaCan, seat up or down, is awesome.

 

[Derek Powers]

Pros and cons to each. Pick what suits you best.

I drive a diesel every day for work. The emissions system WILL have problems. They all do. When it does, theres a decent chance it will shut down no matter where you are. Its ALWAYS expensive to repair and not usually a quick fix.

My personal vehicle is a 6.4 Hemi