New eco diesel

[Ramrodd]

How does it tow? Fuel mileage? Any problems? Thanks!


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[McBroom]

The ecoD will tow as much maybe a little more than all the 5.7 1500's. Everything else is the same

Black 20 Ram

 

[crash68]

It will tow the same if not slightly more than the Hemi and get a lot better fuel economy while towing or just driving. Even the previous EcoD would tow a load a lot nicer than a Hemi, quieter and less shifting. Even towing 8K lbs behind mine('15), it's almost just as quiet when I'm driving.
People have been reporting high 20's on fuel economy while driving.
I haven't seen many if any problems with the new EcoDiesel platform (Gen3), and the ones so far have been minor.

 

[Ramrodd]

It will tow the same if not slightly more than the Hemi and get a lot better fuel economy while towing or just driving. Even the previous EcoD would tow a load a lot nicer than a Hemi, quieter and less shifting. Even towing 8K lbs behind mine('15), it's almost just as quiet when I'm driving.
People have been reporting high 20's on fuel economy while driving.
I haven't seen many if any problems with the new EcoDiesel platform (Gen3), and the ones so far have been minor.

Ok sounds like that will be the engine to get if I buy a 1500. I also have a 8k lb travel trailer I tow. What kind of fuel mileage do you get towing?


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[crash68]

With the big 8K trailer behind the truck, it's about 14-15 mpg on typical rolling/flat roads at 65mph(cruise is set most of the way, I prefer not go much faster than that with 32' of trailer). To give you more of a real world: I deliver and pick that trailer with the round trip adding up to just over 500 miles(250 towing/250 driving), if I had to I could make it on a single tank(26 gallons) but prefer not to risk running low enough where air could be introduced into the fuel system. HPFP don't like air and they're not cheap to replace.
The Gen3 EcoDiesel platform should do better than the previous as the torque peak is around 1600 rpms(vs 2K). The Gen5 truck also has an available 33 gallon tank.
There is supposed to be a 50 state legal tune out next year by GDE for the Gen3 EcoDiesel platform. They also have the only 50 state legal tune out for the current Gen2 EcoDiesel platform.

 

[Ramrodd]

With the big 8K trailer behind the truck, it's about 14-15 mpg on typical rolling/flat roads at 65mph(cruise is set most of the way, I prefer not go much faster than that with 32' of trailer). To give you more of a real world: I deliver and pick that trailer with the round trip adding up to just over 500 miles(250 towing/250 driving), if I had to I could make it on a single tank(26 gallons) but prefer not to risk running low enough where air could be introduced into the fuel system. HPFP don't like air and they're not cheap to replace.
The Gen3 EcoDiesel platform should do better than the previous as the torque peak is around 1600 rpms(vs 2K). The Gen5 truck also has an available 33 gallon tank.
There is supposed to be a 50 state legal tune out next year by GDE for the Gen3 EcoDiesel platform. They also have the only 50 state legal tune out for the current Gen2 EcoDiesel platform.

Thanks for all that information. That’s a lot better than the 9 mpg out of the hemi. Yes if I could get the larger tank I will. I don’t go over 65 either there’s just no sense in it.


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[Elkman]

You get more driving range with the diesel engine but the added fuel economy does not begin to offset the higher purchase cost and higher maintenance costs and much higher repair costs of a diesel engine.

 

[Ramrodd]

You get more driving range with the diesel engine but the added fuel economy does not begin to offset the higher purchase cost and higher maintenance costs and much higher repair costs of a diesel engine.

What’s the maintenance cost difference? And mileage intervals?


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[crash68]

By higher maintenance costs I'm guessing he means you need to change the fuel filter every 20K, that's about the only difference between the EcoD and the gasser...I won't even mention changing spark plugs since that's a 100K miles occurrence.
If you want to say oil change (premium full synthetic oil change) I can change mine for shade over $60 including filter. It actually cost more if you eun a premium full synthetic (Amsoil, Redline, PUP, Mobil 1, etc) and change the oil every 5K on a gasser which is appears to be a popular oil change routine on this forum.
The Gen3 EcoD hold 8.5 quarts to the Hemi 7 and is 10K or the Oil Life Monitor (whichever comes first).

I'm surprised the "massive" DEF cost wasn't mentioned, it about $0.001 per mile(no, I didn't stutter with the extra 0).

 

[Ramrodd]

By higher maintenance costs I'm guessing he means you need to change the fuel filter every 20K, that's about the only difference between the EcoD and the gasser...I won't even mention changing spark plugs since that's a 100K miles occurrence.
If you want to say oil change (premium full synthetic oil change) I can change mine for shade over $60 including filter. It actually cost more if you eun a premium full synthetic (Amsoil, Redline, PUP, Mobil 1, etc) and change the oil every 5K on a gasser which is appears to be a popular oil change routine on this forum.
The Gen3 EcoD hold 8.5 quarts to the Hemi 7 and is 10K or the Oil Life Monitor (whichever comes first).

I'm surprised the "massive" DEF cost wasn't mentioned, it about $0.001 per mile(no, I didn't stutter with the extra 0).

Yes so it’s actually seems cheaper to me except for the initial cost. I run premium fuel in my truck and diesel is cheaper or the same price here in SC. It cost me around 50$ for a Mobil 1 oil change. 16 spark plugs every 15k if I did it that often. Not to mention the better fuel mileage. I don’t really see that much difference then as long as I do the maintenance myself like I do now. What fuel mileage are you getting?


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[crash68]

Yes so it’s actually seems cheaper to me except for the initial cost. I run premium fuel in my truck and diesel is cheaper or the same price here in SC. It cost me around 50$ for a Mobil 1 oil change. 16 spark plugs every 15k if I did it that often. Not to mention the better fuel mileage. I don’t really see that much difference then as long as I do the maintenance myself like I do now. What fuel mileage are you getting?


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fuel mileage varies but I'm usually 20-22 city and 24-26 on the highway, considering I have 3.92 gearing w/31.5 Load E tires(factory 17"s) on CC w/6.4' bed(heaviest factory config). When I slow down going up in the thumb I usually 28 mpg. This is with a Gen2 EcoD, the Gen3 are doing slightly better.
Nowadays there no need to change plugs before 100K unless there a mechanical failure. Last vehicle I changed plugs on less than 100K was a '79 slant 6.
With full synthetic oil unless you idle or short drive a vehicle a lot, your wasting money changing before 7500 miles. That goes against some peoples beliefs, but I know a lot of fleet vehicles prove otherwise.
Diesel vehicles you either understand them and love them...or us owners just care what others think about them...lol

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Besides the cost factor, there's no easy way to not smell like a diesel mechanic every time you fill up. Plus there's the inconvenience of limited number of pumps and they share the few they have with gas. Inevitably, you have 10 gas only islands and you pull in and have to wait for the idiot that uses the combo diesel /gas island for his gasser. Been there, done that.

 

[Eric Troup]

Have a new 2020 EcoDiesel Limited without the Sunroof (do not use - saves about 150lbs in available payload). Previously had a 2017 EcoDiesel Limited.

Towed a 2019 Keystone Cougar 29bhs with 2017 Ram EcoDiesel it but the trailer (when packed for a trip) overloaded the 2017 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel for both Driving Axle GAWR and GCWR. Even with load balancing hitch, needed a Ram 2500 to properly tow and be legal.

New Generation 3 3.0 liter diesel version has slightly more power and torque. Importantly does noticeably better managing transmission, engine oil, and water temperatures while towing. EGR problems (cracking and leaking water into engine oil) on the Generation 2 have been fixed with a two stage EGR on the Generation 3. Other improvements noticed:
- Payload went up from 1,250 to 1,456 lbs.
- GVWR up from 6,950 to 7,200 lbs but 7,200 lbs GVWR is still the limiting factor you hit before any other limits like GAWR.
- GCWR with 3.92 rear is up from 13,550 to 15,600 lbs so no longer would exceed GCWR pulling the Cougar 29bhs.
- Horsepower is adequate but cannot compare to the available horsepower of the Cummins 6.7.
- Miss not having the turbo exhaust braking of Ram 2500.

Trick seems to be to do not overpack the front outside storage bins of a travel trailer in order to keep tongue weight down without creating a fishtailing stability problem. It is very easy to pack the trailer and get 1,100 lbs of tongue weight - this is too much for a 1500 - a 2500 simply does not care.

We are swapping out the Cougar 29bhs for a new Airstream International 27FB. The much lower center of gravity, improved aerodynamics, independent trailer suspension, 1,500lbs less weight and 300lbs less in practice tongue weight (when packed) should allow 2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel to operate well within its specifications.

Having said all that prefer the 2019 Ram 2500 as a Tow Vehicle. The 2020 Ram 1500 is more comfortable and maneuverable.

 

[Motoman501]

I was going to mention the payload. My buddies eco has only about 1100 lbs of payload but he loves the mileage and says it tows his travel trailer well.