High mileage 2500 drivers, help me decide! Gas v Diesel.

[Mopar73]

I have a large travel trailer that I tow about six times a year so I’m upgrading from a 1500 to a used 2500. This truck will eventually be my daily driver in which I drive 350 Miles round-trip to work once a week, 20,000 per year. From a purchase standpoint a used Hemi 2500 is substantially cheaper than the diesel version, however, what I’ve been reading is that the 2013 and newer Cummins get substantially better fuel mileage than the Hemi's. I’m trying to determine if the increased mileage makes up for the difference in purchase cost. What real world mileage numbers are you guys getting for highway driving for both the gas and the diesel? At work the truck will be sitting for three or four days at a time even during the winter and I was wondering are there any cold-weather starting issues with the Cummins? I live in Wisconsin and lastly, Is there anything I should specifically look out for when going to look for used 2013 and newer 2500?
I appreciate the replies, I guess I’m more interested in the non-towing mileage that people have been getting, most of my towing is relatively local with the travel trailer so it wouldn’t factor in very much.
I do all my own maintenance.
I’m leaning diesel. Gas 2.47/gal, diesel 2.89 by me.
Thanks for the input guys.
Scott

 

[1500ram12]

Before adding a borla exhaust my 2018 2500 6.4L hemi on 35's I was averaging about 14 mpg. I only drive about ~50 miles a week and it's 90% "highway" ( I live in a small area so no highways just standard 2 lane roads speed limit 55 mph) and 10% city. After the exhaust I dropped down to about 12.5. My 2015 2500 6.4L on stock size mud tires and aftermarket wheels with a magnaflow exhaust with 90% city would get about the same. Would climb up to 14-15 on longer trips. My 2010 2500 6.7L in stock form on long trips would be close to 20 mpg, after leveling, 35's and fully deleted dropped to about 16 on average. But never really went on long trips after modding it. I had 2 5.9L cummins 2500 and a 3500 dually and they both would hang around 19 mpg and would get up to about 21 mpg on a decent trip. As far as towing, the 6.4L is capable but you'll notice what you are towing on any kind of up hill climb. As long as you have good strong batteries and use a winter fuel additive you should be good letting a diesel sit for 3 day's. It may take you a few years (depending on what you'd end up paying for a diesel vs gas) to recoup the savings in fuel by buying a diesel but I think a diesel in your case may be a better option.


2018 2500 6.4L Tradesman

 

[dhay13]

Me and my son have identical trucks. Both 2018 2500's with 6.4 Hemi and 4.10's. He towed his 8500lb camper 1500 miles to North Dakota a few months ago and averaged about 9MPG doing about 65-70 the whole way. He really wanted the diesel for how many miles he drives but dealers around here wanted $45k for ones with 40,000 miles on them so he went gasser instead. He has put about 12,000 miles on it since he bought it at the end of July.
I tow my 9000lb boat with mine and haven't had any concerns at all with it.

 

[Mopar73]

Thanks for the replies guys, I edited my original post to be more specific, what I’m really more concerned about is unloaded and non-towing highway mileage

 

[1500ram12]

99.5% of mine is unloaded non towing mileage. Regardless you'll still get better mileage out of a diesel. One other thing to consider is the 6.4L hemi recommends 89 Octane although you can run 87 Octane but might have some destination and possibly loss of mpg. I can't confirm that because I've only run 89 in both 6.4Ls I've owned.

My 05 2500 5.9L that I owned prior to my 18 2500 6.4L hemi I could go about 10 day's or ~425 miles before having to fill up. With my 18 6.4L hemi I can go just about 7 days or ~300-325 depending if I'm on empty or just shy.


2018 2500 6.4L Tradesman

 

[Mopar73]

I wasn’t thinking about the 89 octane requirement that’s very good point


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[dhay13]

I run 87 octane in mine. I average about 12 MPG in town and the only decent sized road trip I took I got about 17 MPG but that was using the EVIC. My EVIC is usually about .5 higher than my hand calculated

 

[huntergreen]

I loved my 5.9 diesels. I found even with the lower mpg, the cost of ownership of would be cheaper with the gasser.

 

[1500ram12]

I loved my 5.9 diesels. I found even with the lower mpg, the cost of ownership of would be cheaper with the gasser.

With the 6.4L hemis the maintenance isn't much cheaper atleast with oil changes. Other than not dealing with fuel filter(s) and diesel emissions.


2018 2500 6.4L Tradesman

 

[huntergreen]

With the 6.4L hemis the maintenance isn't much cheaper atleast with oil changes. Other than not dealing with fuel filter(s) and diesel emissions.


2018 2500 6.4L Tradesman

I didn't say maintenance, I said cost of ownership, and the epa carp is part of the cost plus the buy in premium.

 

[sandawilliams]

I wasn’t thinking about the 89 octane requirement that’s very good point


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I've got about 60K miles towing 8800 Lbs with another 1500 in the bed. I have tried all three grades of gas a few times over the years and never found any difference in MPG or power. In Colorado our low grade is only 85 and I still cant see any difference.

 

[Mopar73]

Again towing is really not the issue I’m trying to find unloaded highway miles per gallon for both the gas and the diesel, real world numbers. Is 24 MPG‘s for the 6.7 diesel and 16 for the 6.4 pretty realistic?


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[dhay13]

16 highway for the 6.4 is definitely doable (12 in town). Can't answer for diesel. I just filled mine up tonight. All in town and towed my 9000lb boat about 10 miles of the 189. So 189.8 miles and 16.860 gallons = 11.25 mpg. EVIC read 11.9

 

[mtnrider]

I think you will be happier with the diesel, You'll regret the gasser (I did). Maintenance is a wash and while you will pay more up front for the diesel you will recover that and more when it comes time to sell or trade. The gas truck will tank in value as the miles get up there (which you will do quick with that type of driving) where the diesel will still pull a premium for miles to come.
Done the math many times, the diesel comes out on top every time for what you are looking for.

.

 

[1500ram12]

I didn't say maintenance, I said cost of ownership, and the epa carp is part of the cost plus the buy in premium.

Yes are going to pay more for a diesel than gas truck, that's a given. Insurance I don't recall what the difference was between my the used 2010 6.7L I had and then traded in on a brand new 2015 2500 6.4L I had bought. I know going from a 2005 2500 5.9L cummins to my current 2018 2500 6.4L hemi my insurance went up almost $40. His insurance will go up just going from a 1500 to a 2500/3500.

So diesel pros:
Better fuel economy
Longer life span (if maintenance is kept up)
Tow more

Cons:
Cost of truck
Price of fuel (depending on area)
Potentially higher insurance than gas counterpart
Slightly higher maintenance costs
Extra Emission equipment

Gas pros:
Initial lower purchase price
Potentially lower fuel cost
Slightly lower maintenance costs
Potentially lower insurance cost then diesel counterpart
Less emissions

Gas cons:
Lower fuel economy
Potentially lower life span
Less towing capacity

I'm sure there is a bunch more that can be added. Didn't add hp/torque differences and how that enters into drive ability


2018 2500 6.4L Tradesman

 

[mtnrider]

Again towing is really not the issue I’m trying to find unloaded highway miles per gallon for both the gas and the diesel, real world numbers. Is 24 MPG‘s for the 6.7 diesel and 16 for the 6.4 pretty realistic?


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I think you are a little high on those numbers. Realistically you are looking ~20 on the diesel and ~15 gas on the highway. Going to depend on you driving speed though. You start running 75-80 and those numbers will go down. Non highway you are looking ~16 diesel, ~12 gas.


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[waynestractor]

Again towing is really not the issue I’m trying to find unloaded highway miles per gallon for both the gas and the diesel, real world numbers. Is 24 MPG‘s for the 6.7 diesel and 16 for the 6.4 pretty realistic?


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My deleted and tuned '07.5 2500 6.7 gets around 22mpg on the hwy. My '10 1500 5.7 gets around 17mpg hwy. The diesel is set on tow tune which I believe is around 400hp, the same as the 5.7 I would absolutely get the diesel for any amount of towing! My 1500 is my daily driver, the 2500 is for towing and hauling big loads.

 

[Mopar73]

This is great info guys please keep it coming


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[Firetruck41]

Check www.Fuelly.com, overall the 6.4 gasser averages 12 mpg over the last few years, while the 6.7 diesel averages 15 mpg over the last few years models. You could look at some individual trucks to get an idea of highway vs city. With the actual data entered there, it takes the anecdotal and bias out of the figures you might otherwise hear.

 

[1stindoor]

2018, 2500 Mega Cab with the 6.4. I currently have almost 20k on it. The best I've ever gotten on the highway, not towing, nothing in the bed, was 17mpg. That was a long road trip with the cruise control set at 5mph over the posted speed limit.

Now...actual driving in town, daily, about 13mpg. It is my daily driver. It's also my 4th 2500 series truck. On the highway (not being THAT guy...that won't adjust his speed) about 15mpg. Honestly, expecting anything significantly better than that, is wishful thinking.

I went with the gas engine because I couldn't justify the cost difference for a diesel for daily driving. I pull a bass boat nearly every weekend, but that weight alone still couldn't justify the difference in cost out the door in my opinion.