Considering 2500 Cummins

[GruntTheDog]

Seriously considering buying a new RAM 2500 Cummins.

I'm newly retired, along with my wife. We live in rural Texas, with the nearest towns about 20 miles away. Around here I tell people that "no matter where you are, you're a half hour away". Like all other retirees I'm not as young as I used to be, so comfort is becoming more important for us.

I'm wanting a nice truck that I can use for a tow vehicle and for long road trips which we enjoy. It would be replacing a Jeep Grand Cherokee which is becoming unreliable. I want more capability than the Jeep can provide.

I tow a small camper on a 2,200 mile (round trip) every year, and on shorter trips of maybe 500 and 1,600 miles (round trip) per year. I haul camping stuff, a small generator and whatever light duty tools I think I might need.

My diesel experience is driving a couple of old International cabovers and later a wonderful Kenworth T600 while working as an OTR truck driver. I also owned a couple of diesel Volkswagens (which I chip tuned), and an old Mercedes 240D which I really miss even though it was slow.

We already have a small car for a daily driver and grocery getter.

We generally buy our vehicles new, and then keep them for 10+ years, or until something happens to them.

I already test drove a RAM 1500 and I didn't have enough leg room (I'm tall) and also a GMC Sierra which was also too small. I did sit in a RAM 2500 which fit well.

Is a new RAM 2500 Cummins the right truck for me? I'm thinking that I would like to have one really nice truck once in my life. My dad had a RAM 2500 diesel a few years ago, and I remember that he liked it, but he isn't around to ask anymore.

Thoughts...?

- Grunt

 

[CanuckRam1313]

Do you need a diesel?
Today's diesel are fraught with regen-issues, especially if they are not run under heavy loads and for good hauls.
Parking a diesel and only using once in a while may net you more grief than benefit

How heavy to you tow & haul & for long travels / lots of hills?

2500, yes, but maybe a 6.4 may be more suitable long term?

 

[tjfdesmo]

If you are tall, both GM and Ford have roomier cabs. Cummins has lost their edge in the HD pickup market. As a 20+ year Ram/Cummins fan, it pains me to say that.

 

[MADDOG]

If you don't tow heavy, and your camping rig doesn't sound very heavy, I'd consider a 2500 with the 6.4L gas HEMI.

Why? The diesel particulate filter, EGR and related emissions system have been problematic for quite some time. I experienced lots of codes thrown, systems shutting down and the truck going into "limp mode" in the middle of no where and a very expensive truck sits on the side of the road 14 miles North of NoWhere. Ask me how I know.

The upside of the diesel is the torque they produce...when the engine is running that is.

I deleted my 2017 and I'm glad I did. The performance immediately improved, fuel mileage improved and I didn't see another CEL the rest of the time I owned the truck.

It's expensive to delete the emission systems from this otherwise stellar engine and in many jurisdictions it is illegal to remove it. While there is a lot discussion at state and federal levels, and lots of rumors about the requirement for the systems being stripped from the EPA mandates, it is still illegal to put your Cummins on a "diet".

So...let's consider a 2500 with the 6.4L HEMI. It has a higher load capacity as the Hemi weighs less than a Cummins equipped truck. Sure, you lose out on some torque but the Hemi holds it's own towing comparable weight.

The Cummins fuel mileage is better than the Hemi. However, diesel fuel costs more than 87 octane gasoline, which is recommended to be used by Ram. Maintenance costs can be higher with a diesel than a gasoline engine as well.

Consider that a 2500 cab is a 2500 cab regardless of what engine you select. So, there's no degradation of the interior options or roominess if you purchase a Hemi.

I'd suggest that before you buy your new truck take one of the Hemi powered trucks out for a drive.

 

[jejb]

May want to check out this current thread in a different sub-forum here:

Retirement Truck - 2500 Cummins?

I’m looking to purchase a Ram 2500 in the next year or two as my retirement truck. Plan to use it for long road trips, camping, hauling lumber on occasion, and may or may not tow a trailer. I’m looking at the Cummins for its longevity, being over-capable on steep grades, fuel economy compared...

www.ramforum.com

 

[Namelama]

Congratulations on your retirement. I tossed around the same idea years ago and I had no experience with a diesel. It sounds to me like you know when a diesel is necessary ahd what is required to own one. I think we're only around on this earth for so long and experience plus desire will direct you best. Go on and get it!

 

[GruntTheDog]

Do you need a diesel?

I guess it's more a question of "want" versus "need". Being retired I really don't need much of anything, other than to replace my failing Grand Cherokee tow vehicle - one way or another.

I've always enjoyed the experience of driving a diesel, MUCH more than driving gasoline powered vehicles. But my diesel experience is ancient, and I hear horror stories about the modern emissions systems. I tore all that crap off my old VW diesel from 25 years ago, and it ran better.

Maybe for every guy we hear about who has had a bad experience there are a hundred other guys that we don't hear from who are having good experiences? I gotta believe that the fact that thousands of these trucks are being sold means that the vast majority of them are just fine. If not, then the company would go out of business. Right?

And if a new top-of-the-line truck costs $100k, that's a breathtaking amount of money, and it damn well better be a really good truck.

I just gotta think this through. Really appreciate everyone who has taken time to comment. No doubt there are a lot more guys in the same boat as me who are reading this too.

Just this morning I saw my neighbor pulling out of his driveway in his RAM diesel. Maybe that's an omen.

- Grunt

 

[Green_Manalishi]

New? I'd be more inclined to buy something like this: https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...elCode=RM2500&searchRadius=100&startYear=2016

 

[CanuckRam1313]

I guess it's more a question of "want" versus "need". Being retired I really don't need much of anything, other than to replace my failing Grand Cherokee tow vehicle - one way or another.

I've always enjoyed the experience of driving a diesel, MUCH more than driving gasoline powered vehicles. But my diesel experience is ancient, and I hear horror stories about the modern emissions systems. I tore all that crap off my old VW diesel from 25 years ago, and it ran better.

Maybe for every guy we hear about who has had a bad experience there are a hundred other guys that we don't hear from who are having good experiences? I gotta believe that the fact that thousands of these trucks are being sold means that the vast majority of them are just fine. If not, then the company would go out of business. Right?

And if a new top-of-the-line truck costs $100k, that's a breathtaking amount of money, and it damn well better be a really good truck.

I just gotta think this through. Really appreciate everyone who has taken time to comment. No doubt there are a lot more guys in the same boat as me who are reading this too.

Just this morning I saw my neighbor pulling out of his driveway in his RAM diesel. Maybe that's an omen.

- Grunt

Brother, I hear you and don't disagree!

However, this is 2026 and beyond
Today's diesels are NOT like the old 5.9 Cummins common rails....

You'll spend $100K USD and with the kind of driving you're indicating, you'll spend more time without it at the shop than enjoying what that kind of luxury buys based solely on todays first hand experiences with modern diesels, be them Cummins or a DirtyMax....

If you've got cash to burn and are itching for a diesel, then find one of the aforementioned 5.9 common rail Cummins in a 2500 or 3500 and have it completely redone and brought up to today's comfort standards... Heck... If I had that kind of scratch, that's exactly what I'd do!!!

Based on what you're indicating, get a brand new loaded 2500 gasser and enjoy the hell out of it, good sir!!!

Just my $0.02, and you spend your hard earned dollars how you see fit

 

[MarshRam]

I've never seen one person on this forum post a good idea why anyone should buy a diesel. Nothing but problems after problems and zero solutions to any potential problems. Since you mentioned no concerns about purchasing one because you are retired and want the so called longevity engine and never want to buy another truck, the consensus is get the 6.4 anyway. Otherwise, if you ant a longevity engine a 6.4 is fine and plenty of posts in this forum about that. A diesel really serves no purpose, even longevity. You can get a million miles out of a Longevity HEMI if you take care of it, LOL. I'm not even sure what the point of purchasing a diesel is from what I have learned from possibly the most educated diesel owners on this forum. I actually have no idea why they purchased them for that matter. I recently observed a guy explain he will be driving around the country and he was told a diesel is a bad idea, I thought a diesel might be good for that???? I can't make heads or tails of it, weirdest thing. I tried to have an intelligent conversation about it, to no avail. You're asking the wrong question in the wrong place. Good luck!

 

[Green_Manalishi]

I've never seen one person on this forum post a good idea why anyone should buy a diesel. Nothing but problems after problems and zero solutions to any potential problems. Since you mentioned no concerns about purchasing one because you are retired and want the so called longevity engine and never want to buy another truck, the consensus is get the 6.4 anyway. Otherwise, if you ant a longevity engine a 6.4 is fine and plenty of posts in this forum about that. A diesel really serves no purpose, even longevity. You can get a million miles out of a Longevity HEMI if you take care of it, LOL. I'm not even sure what the point of purchasing a diesel is from what I have learned from possibly the most educated diesel owners on this forum. I actually have no idea why they purchased them for that matter. I recently observed a guy explain he will be driving around the country and he was told a diesel is a bad idea, I thought a diesel might be good for that???? I can't make heads or tails of it, weirdest thing. I tried to have an intelligent conversation about it, to no avail. You're asking the wrong question in the wrong place. Good luck!

It's been a good idea for me! 180k zero problems. Pulls my boat, gooseneck cattle trailer, hay trailer, fertilizer, whatever... like nothing is back there.

 

[MarshRam]

It's been a good idea for me! 180k zero problems. Pulls my boat, gooseneck cattle trailer, hay trailer, fertilizer, whatever... like nothing is back there.

Yeah man exactly, was kinda my point and the 6.4 stuff was total sarcasm. That's a great truck for sure. This diesel ownership is a big question here and apparently it may always be. The most popular I see are those planning to buy their last truck, longevity is usually the first thing that comes to mind in that decision. Glad to hear you recently broke your diesel engine in as my HEMIs are concocting a plan to potentially fail at that mileage!!!! LOL. Been here ten years now, learned so much from so many great people about that HEMI, such a great place, just not for this diesel topic IMO. I'm just seeking answers to my inquiries on being a new diesel owner (my last truck) elsewhere.

 

[MarshRam]

Yeah man exactly, was kinda my point and the 6.4 stuff was total sarcasm. That's a great truck for sure. This diesel ownership is a big question here and apparently it may always be unless you are a 33rd degree mason or something. The most popular I see are those planning to buy their last truck, longevity is usually the first thing that comes to mind in that decision. Glad to hear you recently broke your diesel engine in as my HEMIs are concocting a plan to potentially fail at that mileage!!!! LOL. Been here ten years now, learned so much from so many great people about that HEMI, such a great place, just not for this diesel topic IMO. I'm just seeking answers to my inquiries on being a new diesel owner (my last truck) elsewhere.

 

[Burla]

I drove a cummins a decade for rock island, owned a RAM Cummins in it's hayday before they ruined them, I'd buy a cummins but never a new one. 2007.5 or older. The only positive thing I have to say is you have less of chance of issues due to your location and always driving far-ish. So it can work for you just because you are in Texas and wont be doing short trips. Use Cummins recommended power service if you buy one, GL man. I defer to tj on everything like this, but no frk'n way Chevy or Ford, lol.

 

[Tank Guy]

I bought my 98 in the fall of 97. It’s got a bit more than two hundred thousand miles on it and has been the most trouble free vehicle I’ve ever owned. I’ve replaced the starter solenoid twice, the fuel level sending unit twice, the alternator once just this year, and one wheel speed sensor for the abs. All other maintenance has been strictly routine. It’s even still got the original clutch.

A friend of mine just purchased a 2005 Ram 2500 with a Cummins for $37,000 from a dealer in Dallas and he’s really pleased with it. He had a 97 one ton back in the late 90’s and missed it. I guess my point is an older Cummins truck that’s been well maintained can be a worthwhile option.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Maybe 2014-2018 Cummins would be worth looking into. Or, the earlier 6.7 Cummins before DEF? Anything newer I would shy away from.