3500 Diesel to 2500 Hemi- MPG update

[ronheater70]

Initially after making this swap I was a little disappointed in the MPGS. I knew there would be a difference I wasn't ready for how big that difference appeared to be. Well I'm updating now, and since have had some warmer weather, it has Gotten better. Last week I took it on a trip to the beach because i thought I may have to tow our Daughters Jeep home, and it did Well In my book. Calculated to 18.1 MPG. Now i know that's a relatively flat road running to the beach, but at any rate i was figuring id be lucky to maybe hit 16 or so. Towing the Camper to the campground this coming weekend for the first time and anxious to see what I end up with.

 

[ibike]

What was the diesel mpg?

 

[ronheater70]

Never took the Cummins on that exact trip, so I cant directly compare. Although on other beach trips with similar road elevations I recall maybe 20-21 Where the diesel has been significantly better was in the mountains. But the Hemi drives so much more lively and engaging so I do throttle down a little more than necessary at times.

 

[Slick61]

I get 9-11 mpg towing my 28' travel trailer (~7k lbs) with my '16 2500 Tradesman 6.4L with 4.10s...

 

[ronheater70]

I get 9-11 mpg towing my 28' travel trailer (~7k lbs) with my '16 2500 Tradesman 6.4L with 4.10s...

I'm hoping for something similar. This has the 3.73, but the 8speed somewhat offsets that a lil. I'm dreading my tow into WV in the summer. Steep hills with many slow switchbacks keeps me from maintaining momentum. I may just take the tent and jeep.

 

[Bearcatrp]

I'm hoping for something similar. This has the 3.73, but the 8speed somewhat offsets that a lil. I'm dreading my tow into WV in the summer. Steep hills with many slow switchbacks keeps me from maintaining momentum. I may just take the tent and jeep.

I had a 2017 2500 with a 6 speed tranny and 6.4. Took my 12000 lb 5th wheel to Colorado. Sucked going through the mountains. Traded for a 3500 with the 8 speed. Big difference on same trip. Handled the tow up the mountains very well. I have the 3.73 in my 3500. Ram did it right with the 8 speed transmission. Go for it!

 

[Zoe Saldana]

The 6.4l likes hot weather for good mpg; cold for power.

Initially after making this swap I was a little disappointed in the MPGS. I knew there would be a difference I wasn't ready for how big that difference appeared to be. Well I'm updating now, and since have had some warmer weather, it has Gotten better. Last week I took it on a trip to the beach because i thought I may have to tow our Daughters Jeep home, and it did Well In my book. Calculated to 18.1 MPG. Now i know that's a relatively flat road running to the beach, but at any rate i was figuring id be lucky to maybe hit 16 or so. Towing the Camper to the campground this coming weekend for the first time and anxious to see what I end up wi

 

[joesstripclub]

I'm hoping for something similar. This has the 3.73, but the 8speed somewhat offsets that a lil. I'm dreading my tow into WV in the summer. Steep hills with many slow switchbacks keeps me from maintaining momentum. I may just take the tent and jeep.

I have a toy hauler thats about 11k lbs fully loaded that I pull with my truck. Worst mpg I've seen towing was coming home from a trip to Arkansas back to KC last year. Terrible winds and interstate speeds dropped me into the high 7s. This was stock 33" tires and 4.10 gear. I'm normally closer to 8 or 9 mpg towing in comparison to 15 mpg avg empty.

I did make one trip while we lived in CO up over the continental divide and it did pretty well I thought until we got well into 10k plus elevations. I really had to rev it out to get any power in that thin air. The 8 speed has enough gears to choose from though that it doesn't get bogged down.

 

[ronheater70]

Well Gotta say I was Happy. I think im around 7-7.5K truck did wonderful and I averaged Right at 10 going to the lake and 9.9 coming home. I stayed between 60-65 even in the 70 zone because im Having some issue with the trailer setup going from a leafe spring 3500 to a coil spring 2500 and I was getting a tad sway a few times. Very Pleasant experience.

 

[ronheater70]

I had a 2017 2500 with a 6 speed tranny and 6.4. Took my 12000 lb 5th wheel to Colorado. Sucked going through the mountains. Traded for a 3500 with the 8 speed. Big difference on same trip. Handled the tow up the mountains very well. I have the 3.73 in my 3500. Ram did it right with the 8 speed transmission. Go for it!

After the tow this weekend I have no issues with those roads now. Figure it will just rev a bit for few miles !

 

[joesstripclub]

Well Gotta say I was Happy. I think im around 7-7.5K truck did wonderful and I averaged Right at 10 going to the lake and 9.9 coming home. I stayed between 60-65 even in the 70 zone because im Having some issue with the trailer setup going from a leafe spring 3500 to a coil spring 2500 and I was getting a tad sway a few times. Very Pleasant experience.

Do you have a weight distributing hitch? You shouldn't need one but some sway control will probably help. I added airbags to my truck they sit outside where the leafs normally go, mostly for leveling but they help with stability too. I also added the Thuren rear track bar this winter so hoping to have pretty solid towing going forward.

 

[ronheater70]

yea I have Weight distribution/ Anti Sway. i think I may tighten the Anti-sway another turn. When we got rid of our fifth wheel and bought this smaller camper , the trip home was pretty intense for just a bit even with the 3500. I ended up tightening the sway control a bit, and then found out 1/2 way home where we stopped for the night the freshwater was completely full and its behind the rear axle, so that didnt help either. It sits almost perfectl level, I also may drop the hitch one notch and make it slightly nose down as well.