Diesel is not necessarily the cheaper option, even while towing.

[ramffml]

TFL just dropped this video. You'd have to tow over 500k miles, to pay back the 13k in upfront costs. Trucks used were 2026 6.4 hemi vs 2026 cummins.

Lots of variables though of course, fuel prices in the area being a big one. The hemi used in this test was even at a slight disadvantage as it had light offroad tires on it.

And that was with 89 octane, dropping to 87 octane the 6.4 is much cheaper.

Something to think about. The diesel remains the premium experience from a driving perspective, but you might end up paying extra for it.

Diesel Is Through the Roof, But Is It STILL Cheaper to Tow With the Cummins Ram 2500 Than the Hemi?

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[06 Dodge]

I would still take that the Cummins over the Hemi any day of the week and twice and sunday and no I did not watch youtube, have doubt they factored in resale value that would be much higher for the truck with the Cummins over the Hemi or the fact if your in the hills towing that Exhaust break a godsend...

 

[stevenP]

I test drove the RAM HD trucks with and w/o the diesel on many test drives before buying the diesel. I thought the HD trucks as heavy as they are, were pretty doggy on power in the gas form. The diesel is a premium option, no doubt. And yes it is expensive. Towing a heavy RV, the diesel exhaust brake is worth the additional expense if nothing else because it works so well.

 

[ramffml]

I would still take that the Cummins over the Hemi any day of the week and twice and sunday and no I did not watch youtube, have doubt they factored in resale value that would be much higher for the truck with the Cummins over the Hemi or the fact if your in the hills towing that Exhaust break a godsend...

With 87 octane in the 6.4, and repeating that test/use case, you'd lose money on the cummins no matter when you sell it; every mile you drive the difference gets worse. With 89 in the gasser the cummins is 3 bucks (from 50 total) cheaper, so it takes a long time to pay off. Assuming people keep their trucks a good while.

But yeah everyone admits the cummins is the premium experience. What we're discussing here is purely the financial side of things. I'm kind of shocked to be honest, I thought the cummins would pay back much much sooner than half a million miles.

What I also didn't know, is that the 2026 cummins upped the GVWR to 11k pounds, with the 6.4 staying at 10k; which means both those trucks tested had just over 3000 pounds of payload. That is great news for cummins buyers, in the past they'd lose 1000 lbs in the 2500 vs the gasser

 

[Tool Man Dan]

Thanks for this article.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Diesel owners didn’t buy their trucks because they are “cheaper” to operate. They either needed one (my case), or just wanted one.
I wouldn’t tow with anything else.

 

[Bearcatrp]

When upgraded to a 3500 in 2021, I checked both. Wanted to get back into a diesel. But the added costs of owning a diesel, I stayed with the 6.4 (coming from a 2500 w/6.4). The 8 speed transmission was a game changer. Pulls my 13000 lb 5th wheel just fine. The 2500 had a 6 speed transmission. I pull mostly of flat lands. Sure, I won’t win any races going up hill against a diesel. Not in any hurry. But, if I were to be pulling through the mountains allot, no doubt I would be owning a diesel. My last diesel was a 2000 3500 with the Cummins. Had that POS 4 speed transmission. You buy what works for you.

 

[ramffml]

Diesel owners didn’t buy their trucks because they are “cheaper” to operate. They either needed one (my case), or just wanted one.
I wouldn’t tow with anything else.

The "traditional wisdom" in the past was that you'd end up saving money in the long run. That's something said all over this forum and in the past it was more likely to be true.

I'm not cutting up the cummins at all. I always say, I'd rather tow with a diesel but own a gasser. Even more true today.

 

[ramffml]

When upgraded to a 3500 in 2021, I checked both. Wanted to get back into a diesel. But the added costs of owning a diesel, I stayed with the 6.4 (coming from a 2500 w/6.4). The 8 speed transmission was a game changer. Pulls my 13000 lb 5th wheel just fine. The 2500 had a 6 speed transmission. I pull mostly of flat lands. Sure, I won’t win any races going up hill against a diesel. Not in any hurry. But, if I were to be pulling through the mountains allot, no doubt I would be owning a diesel. My last diesel was a 2000 3500 with the Cummins. Had that POS 4 speed transmission. You buy what works for you.

Yeah guys living in the mountains get a free pass lol, that's something that swings heavily in favour of the cummins no matter the cost.

 

[tjfdesmo]

I pulled a gooseneck toy hauler with a 6.4 Hemi/66RFE/4.10 rears, scaled out at 23,160 lbs, averaged 7.5-8.5 mpg at 65 mph. Pulled the same toy hauler at the same speed and same terrain with a Cummins HO/Aisin/4.10 DRW, and got 10.25-10.9. The biggest advantage of the Cummins is the exhaust brake. On a a steep, multi-mile descent you can gear down the Hemi until the rods come through the hood, but you are still gonna be hard on the brakes, where the Cummins just eases on down, cool as a cucumber.

DEF consumption pulling that trailer was about 400 mpg.

I have to add Cummins resale value is nowhere near what it used to be. Actually, pretty pitiful.

 

[hemihustlin]

I pulled a gooseneck toy hauler with a 6.4 Hemi/66RFE/4.10 rears, scaled out at 23,160 lbs, averaged 7.5-8.5 mpg at 65 mph. Pulled the same toy hauler at the same speed and same terrain with a Cummins HO/Aisin/4.10 DRW, and got 10.25-10.9. The biggest advantage of the Cummins is the exhaust brake. On a a steep, multi-mile descent you can gesr down the Hemi until the rods come through the hood, but you are still gonna be hard on the brakes, where the Cummins just eases on down, cool as a cucumber.

DEF consumption pulling that trailer was about 400 mpg.

I have to add Cummins resale value is nowhere near what it used to be. Actually, pretty pitiful.

at work i drive a drw cummins HO aisin 4.10s with a 30ft gooseneck dovetail trailer behind and i must say the exhaust brake is the best thing since sliced bread! whenever the trailer is pinned up (always lol) i leave it on full brake all the time simply because it works so well. if you time everything right you almost dont need friction brakes haha
its a real game changer when towing heavy anywhere really, when you get into the 3rd level of retard plus the friction brakes you are stopping in a hurry!

i had a f450 10 speed 410s with a similar trailer at another job and while it was quite impressive in acceleration its exhaust brake was nowhere near as efficient

 

[mtofell]

Yeah, cost is part of the equation but probably not the biggest factor for a lot of folks with diesels. Over the last couple decades a lot has changed. Diesels are no longer the maintenance free trucks they once were. Emissions, etc. have really taken a toll on cost/reliability of ownership. Secondly, the newer transmissions do a really good job of getting the most out of the gassers. I've owned and towed with both, been sorry about my choice at times both directions but that's just life. If there were one perfect choice, the other option wouldn't exist.

Always a good discussion.... thanks for posting.

 

[mtnrider]

Maybe not right now today, or during covid, but during "normal" times it absolutely is. I've owned both and tracked every mile and tank of fuel. Diesel comes out ahead every time for me.

 

[DILLIGAF]

12 Valve for life.

 

[ramffml]

12 Valve for life.

You got a sidewinder cam and 6.4L Intake on your cummins?

 

[DILLIGAF]

Nope just a S363 Turbo and fuel turned all the way up

HEMIs are grocery getters

 

[ramffml]

Nope just a S363 Turbo and fuel turned all the way up

HEMIs are grocery getters

lol and cummins is for farm equipment. wake me up when they start pushing out 1025 hp stock from the factory.

 

[Fake-Account27]

I bought a Diesel because its easier to get fuel when towing because I use truck stops. I also have a open roads discount card so I get decent prices.

If there were more long lane out there for gas vehicles I would be willing to switch.

 

[Dean2]

Never have I made a decision on which pickup to buy based on cost of ownership. I ALWAYS decide based on the use case. Towing heavy all the time, no doubt I would buy a Diesel. I don't care if it costs double to use one, they do that job WAY better than a gas motor. Not towing or infrequently, large displacement gas job every time.

 

[DILLIGAF]

lol and cummins is for farm equipment. wake me up when they start pushing out 1025 hp stock from the factory.

Were talking about trucks for towing, not sure why you would post a car