Hemi Vs Cummins for slide in camper

Hemi or Cummins for hauling a slide-in camper


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    39

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Regcabguy

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You have a long commute so it would lend itself to a diesel. They love to be driven. There's no comparison in power between a Cummins and a Hemi with that load. The engine's going to be working too hard and the transmission will be hunting constantly. I'd buy too much truck and get the 3500 diesel
and an Aisin trans.
 
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BeefCheeks

BeefCheeks

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@sam darakjy I love the cirrus campers - some of the best on the market IMO - and I def won't be able to afford one after buying a new truck :(
@Different Drummer thanks for the inputs and ideas. 2x4 is absolutely not an option for me.

I won't even consider a truck that does not have 4x4, or one that has a short ( <6.5' ) bed. Just my personal needs, other's may be different.

For what it's worth, I am now focusing on a 3500 Hemi. I have been doing a lot of research and I think this is looking really promising. I will be driving some very soon to see.

Here is my build: https://www.ramtrucks.com/bmo.ram_3...N,BAJ,SJE,XAN,LHL,LPD,LPL,MR4,CLF,XMF,UAM,2GH

I think my wife and I will forego having a second child so we can afford it...

I was curious on how these HD Ram trucks compared to my 1500 and created a quick comparison spreadsheet. Surprisingly they are not that much bigger, I was not expecting the turning radius to be the same. (see attached image)

RAM 2500 Crew:

GVWR

10,000

Curb weight

6,472

Payload

3,530

Length

238.8

Width

79.5

Height

78.2

Wheelbase

149

Turning Radius

24


RAM 3500 Crew:

GVWR

10,700

Curb weight

6,545

Payload

4,150

Length

237.4

Width

79.4

Height

78.4

Wheelbase

149.5

Turning Radius

23.8


1500 Silverado Double cab:

GVWR

7,200

Curb weight

5,313

Payload

1,887

Length

230.0

Width

80.0

Height

73.9

Wheelbase

143.5

Turning Radius

23.5

Screen Shot 2021-01-18 at 10.57.07 AM.png
 

dhay13

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If you go 2500 diesel be careful on camper size. They are pretty restricted by payload as well. Typical payload is about 2100lbs. Shoukd be ok with the camper you mention but if you are going to go with a bigger camper then a diesel may require a 3500. A 2500 Hemi has about 3000lbs of payload
 
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BeefCheeks

BeefCheeks

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@dhay13 Agreed. Totally 100% ruled out Cummins on the 2500 - it only adds 300lbs over what I currently have. In fact, have ruled out the 2500 entirely at this point. After much reading and youtubing the coils on the 2500 create way more trouble than it's worth.
 
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BeefCheeks

BeefCheeks

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You have a long commute so it would lend itself to a diesel. They love to be driven. There's no comparison in power between a Cummins and a Hemi with that load. The engine's going to be working too hard and the transmission will be hunting constantly. I'd buy too much truck and get the 3500 diesel
and an Aisin trans.

I have the 5.3L V8 currently and it produces 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Granted my 1500 is 1000lbs lighter than a 3500, but it seems to do pretty darn well. Yes mountain passes can be a bit of work, but I just gear limit my trans to 4th and it does surprisingly well.
 

sam darakjy

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@sam darakjy I love the cirrus campers - some of the best on the market IMO - and I def won't be able to afford one after buying a new truck :(
@Different Drummer thanks for the inputs and ideas. 2x4 is absolutely not an option for me.

I won't even consider a truck that does not have 4x4, or one that has a short ( <6.5' ) bed. Just my personal needs, other's may be different.

For what it's worth, I am now focusing on a 3500 Hemi. I have been doing a lot of research and I think this is looking really promising. I will be driving some very soon to see.

Here is my build: https://www.ramtrucks.com/bmo.ram_3...N,BAJ,SJE,XAN,LHL,LPD,LPL,MR4,CLF,XMF,UAM,2GH

I think my wife and I will forego having a second child so we can afford it...

I was curious on how these HD Ram trucks compared to my 1500 and created a quick comparison spreadsheet. Surprisingly they are not that much bigger, I was not expecting the turning radius to be the same. (see attached image)

RAM 2500 Crew:

GVWR

10,000

Curb weight

6,472

Payload

3,530

Length

238.8

Width

79.5

Height

78.2

Wheelbase

149

Turning Radius

24


RAM 3500 Crew:

GVWR

10,700

Curb weight

6,545

Payload

4,150

Length

237.4

Width

79.4

Height

78.4

Wheelbase

149.5

Turning Radius

23.8


1500 Silverado Double cab:

GVWR

7,200

Curb weight

5,313

Payload

1,887

Length

230.0

Width

80.0

Height

73.9

Wheelbase

143.5

Turning Radius

23.5

View attachment 234360
Cirrus is good camper. Going to be full timing in it soon. With your 3500 you could get an 820 or 920 which are excellent campers.
 

Firebird

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Hemi
Went camping this weekend, guy there had a 3500 single cab, single wheel, long bed 4x4, with the 6.4, looked like it handled that slide in camper very well.
 

Different Drummer

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@sam darakjy I love the cirrus campers - some of the best on the market IMO - and I def won't be able to afford one after buying a new truck :(
@Different Drummer thanks for the inputs and ideas. 2x4 is absolutely not an option for me.

I won't even consider a truck that does not have 4x4, or one that has a short ( <6.5' ) bed. Just my personal needs, other's may be different.

For what it's worth, I am now focusing on a 3500 Hemi. I have been doing a lot of research and I think this is looking really promising. I will be driving some very soon to see.

Here is my build: https://www.ramtrucks.com/bmo.ram_3...N,BAJ,SJE,XAN,LHL,LPD,LPL,MR4,CLF,XMF,UAM,2GH

I think my wife and I will forego having a second child so we can afford it...

I was curious on how these HD Ram trucks compared to my 1500 and created a quick comparison spreadsheet. Surprisingly they are not that much bigger, I was not expecting the turning radius to be the same. (see attached image)

RAM 2500 Crew:

GVWR

10,000

Curb weight

6,472

Payload

3,530

Length

238.8

Width

79.5

Height

78.2

Wheelbase

149

Turning Radius

24


RAM 3500 Crew:

GVWR

10,700

Curb weight

6,545

Payload

4,150

Length

237.4

Width

79.4

Height

78.4

Wheelbase

149.5

Turning Radius

23.8


1500 Silverado Double cab:

GVWR

7,200

Curb weight

5,313

Payload

1,887

Length

230.0

Width

80.0

Height

73.9

Wheelbase

143.5

Turning Radius

23.5

View attachment 234360
Nice choice, If I were getting back into the slide in camper scene I could easily opt for something similar. Though I would want an 8 foot bed and 2WD. But thats just the difference between two mens needs.
Good luck and safe travels.
 

BadHemi2014

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5.7 Hemi
Here's our '01 crew cab long bed 4x4 gas dually hauling a Lance 850, about 2500lb dry weight.
We figure at least 3500lb total payload with camper wet and loaded, 2 of us, food, gear, and tools.

20191110_111535.jpg
Honestly for your camper I would think a 2500 w/hemi would be adequate, but I also believe that you can't have too much truck.

We've struggled with the same question, gas vs diesel, because I'd love a new Ram dually. The Chevy's a great truck, just old. I'd personally prefer gas just because that's what I'm used to, but gas duallys are unicorns at least around here. It's also not a daily driver so diesel seems like overkill for us. But it would be nice to have that extra grunt, especially when we get the chance to travel more and hit some mountains, it's a pretty big load.
Good luck and fun travels either way, I will be interested in what you choose and your experiences!

Had to add, this beast only gets about 7-8 mpg loaded!
 
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RWG1

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Reading all the replies here is entertaining. My 2 cents is it comes down to a personal choice for you. I have a 2018 2500 Hemi 4x4. I tow a 10000 GVW Coachmen travel trailer with a Blue Ox weight distribution and sway control. There is absolutely no "body roll" loaded or unloaded. I think they did a great job with the coil suspension. If this will be your daily driver, a 3500 will not be your friend. If you want to spend $10,000.00 more and pay more per gallon, get the Cummins. The Hemi is a bear. Get the 373 rear. Good luck.
 

lpennock

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Reading all the replies here is entertaining. My 2 cents is it comes down to a personal choice for you. I have a 2018 2500 Hemi 4x4. I tow a 10000 GVW Coachmen travel trailer with a Blue Ox weight distribution and sway control. There is absolutely no "body roll" loaded or unloaded. I think they did a great job with the coil suspension. If this will be your daily driver, a 3500 will not be your friend. If you want to spend $10,000.00 more and pay more per gallon, get the Cummins. The Hemi is a bear. Get the 373 rear. Good luck.

Big difference between a towed and a slide in camper for body roll. Your experience with a travel trailer really isn't applicable to a slide in truck camper.
 

unxpctd

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2021 PW 75A
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6.4 Hemi
I researched 4 Wheel Campers heavy for about a year before deciding on a different route. I was planning on a 4WC slide in on a new Ram when I retire in 3 years....but decided on a Power Wagon (soon to order) along with a 2500lb off road square drop trailer (Escapade Backcountry). It fits in my garage and this will allow me to get a few years of off grid camping under my belt before retirement.

With that being said...I was going go to with the Cummins with my 4WC...and I may still do that in a few years. Reason? Mileage. I will be traveling all over the US, and I mean all over.

The weight is in the 1200-1500 and a 3500 would have held it beautifully. There are many slide in campers (low weight) that a Hemi will work perfect for.

It all depends on how much you'll be driving it. It's really a toss up.

4WC'ers are pop up...so traveling down the road there isn't as much body roll as there is less wind resistance. If you don't have a pop up and the slide in sits higher, I would definitely go with a 3500 as was stated earlier.

Good luck with your choice and camper!!
 

dhay13

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oh brother
 

JS4024

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The new Cummins is not designed as a “Dailey driver”. You do not need the HP and Torque of the Cummins for a slide in. Do NOT waste the money. It’s actually worse for the vehicle to be under utilized in the case of the Cummins
 

rammannow

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4x4 2018 Laramie LB is the only way I could ever carry my camper 10 mi on some questionable dirt roads and get to my nice spots. Cummins torque is sweet along with the Aisin trans. My camper is an Adventurer FB86 2012, 2300lbs dry, 40 gal water, two 6v batteries,31 grey and black. 2 wheel drive could never be a consideration for a camper unless you are a KOA only camper.
Oh, the side steps are going to be sold somewhere, they were an issue along with the front camper tie downs which need to be changed to the ones that are higher up for clearance.
B212C753-0232-489F-8140-3A34DB596005.jpeg

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OC455

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If i got a PW then maybe Fox, but for payload/towing Bilsteins. You happy with them still?

If you mean Power Wagon (PW), then you will not gain anything as far as payload. The Power Wagon doesnt have much more payload than a 1500.
 
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ddown

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My Hemi 6.4 Towing Specs
2019 RAM 3500 TRADESMAN CREW CAB 4X4 8' BOX
8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV Transmission

MAX PAYLOAD
4431.14LBS
MAX TOWING
17031.14LBS
 

tron67j

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Using a truck camper, it is all about limiting weight of the vehicle to maximize the carrying capability. 2wd, 3500, Hemi, SC, low options give most flexibility, especially if one is travelling long distance and/or full time. I don't think the durability of the Hemi is in question but if someone wants a diesel, go for it. Is 4wd a must-have, then add it in. But these all decrease the number of slide-ins available for consideration. In the end, it is either pick the camper first and then choose the truck that can carry it, or buy the truck first and then search for camper options that fit the parameters of the carrying vehicle.
 
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