We picked up our 2021 Crew-cab Big Horn short bed Ecodiesel February 5, with the bigger 33 gal fuel tank and 3.92 axle. After 2 weeks and 1,000 miles to break it in we left on a cross country (NY to KY, TX, NM, AZ, CO, Utah, and back to NY) trip pulling our 23 foot travel trailer. Over 8 weeks we put 11,500 more miles on it as we traveled southwest to National Parks, ski resorts, beaches, and mountains up to 11,500 feet. The RV trailer was fully loaded to its 6,500 pound capacity because many campgrounds don't supply water in winter. The truck was fully loaded to its 1700 pound cargo capacity (two adults, a dog, a generator, 2 inflatable kayaks, skis and other camping crap, 600 pounds of tongue weight from the trailer and a 100 pound weight distributing hitch). Bottom line: it tows like a dream. Depending on wind, terrain and speed it got 11 to 15 MPG when towing and 25 to 33 when not towing. When towing on the interstate I set the cruise control at 65 MPH. The cruise control is rock solid, and keeps the truck at the set speed when towing, even when going down steep downhill grades. The torque from the little turbodiesel, going up steep slopes is quite amazing. If I wanted to do 65 MPH even up steep mountains, we did 65. The ride is steady and comfortable when empty and fully loaded. We do NOT have the ride leveling option, as I thought it was simply too costly and repair prone. But I had the weight distributing hitch installed and adjusted with the trailer and truck fully loaded for our trip before we left. IMO is that if you tow with a properly set up weight distributing hitch, there is absolutely no need for air-bags and ride leveling systems.
Other things of note from the trip:
- At just under 8,000 miles the oil change gauge said it needed an oil change, which was done by a Tuscon area Ram dealer. With oil and fuel filter change it cost $130.
- RAM's internet scheduling system doesn't work: dealer had no record of the appointment, but they took me anyway.
- I had to fill the 10 gallon DEF tank at about 5000 and at 11,000 miles (twice) with all the towing. Yeah, it burns more DEF when towing because DEF use goes up as MPG goes down.
- Avoid filling at a truck stop in AZ. Diesel is significantly more expensive at those pumps because of a hefty fuel tax on heavy trucks. Annoying and costly lesson.
- There is an automatic spoiler under the front hood that lowers at high speed. Its mounted with four screws and 4 plastic tabs. The driver side tabs broke at about 90 mph. When it breaks you can hear it flapping in the breeze! I will find out Monday if Ram covers it under warranty. The spoiler is supposed to increase gas mileage but I noticed no difference in mileage without it.
- I wish I had gotten a better tonneau cover for the cargo bed. The no-name one I got is neither dust or waterproof. Nothing is worse than dust/muddy skis and ski equipment.