RAM 2500 - Gas vs. Diesel for Part-Time Camper Hauling

[Exdeus]

Greetings!

I previously owned a 2017 RAM 2500 Cummins and used it to haul a Four Wheel Camper Hawk, likely somewhere around 1,500 pounds loaded. I traded the truck and sold the camper and have heavily regretted it since. I've been daily driving a RAM 1500. I am looking to trade in the 1500 and purchase another truck 21/22 RAM 2500, but am torn between going with gas or diesel this time. I really liked having the exhaust brake and the MPG of the diesel, even with 37" tires and the camper I could run 16 - 17mpg on HWY. However, it worried me being out very remote places and having the diesel potentially freeze and not start, or a DEF system issue. This truck WILL be in very remote places, off grid and away from help / cell phone range regularly, so reliability is of the utmost concern for me.

Here is what my truck use would look like:

-Daily driver, about 50 miles per day round trip.
-Upper midwest USA, so very cold parts of the year.
-Haul camper for week / weekend trips throughout the year, likely 10 - 12 times per year. Will sometimes leave camper on truck for a few weeks and daily drive it.
-Want Laramie trim or higher for creature comforts and long drives.
-Will be driven offroad, very remote locations.
-Likely modified with upgraded suspenion, 35" - 37" tires, winch, etc. (Power Wagon payload too low)
-All diesels and gas trucks I am seeing have the 3.73 axle, I am not seeing much of the 4.10's.

I'd love and appreciate any thoughts here. I do not have any experience with the 2500 Hemi's, only the 1500, and want to ensure I won't regret going with gas this time around and a 3.73 axle.

 

[BossHogg]

I would not worry about issues with a diesel or its emissions system. Yes, there are isolated issues, but of the hundreds of thousands of RAM/Cummins running around, issues are few. I have been running a RAM/Cummins since I bought it new in 2015 and have had zero issues.

Increasing tire size will destroy fuel economy, more so on the gas engine than the diesel but a diesel will set you back 10K or so.

A 50-mile round trip, which is a 25-mile one-way trip, isn't all that great for diesel emissions, and this is amplified by running in a colder climate. The emissions system needs a good old-fashioned workout to help the regeneration cycle.

My thought is since the truck will be a short-trip daily driver, the HEMI may be the better choice unless you are going to be towing 12K or more. Other considerations are how long you plan to keep the new truck, will you ever decide to go bigger and tow more than 12K, is it possible to buy a truck to use just for camping and get a clunker for your daily drives?

Good luck with your decision, it is never easy.

 

[Exdeus]

Thank you BossHogg! All great things to think about.

I always tell myself that I'll keep the truck for 8 to 10 years, but I really never keep anything more than three or four. I have a problem with trucks, lol.

I won't be towing really ever at all, just hauling the slide in camper. I imagine I will likely be at a total payload around 2,500 pounds fully loaded (passengers, gear, fuel, water, camper). The gas certainly has the additional payload on paper, but I know the diesel also easily supports it as that is what I ran before.

Thanks for the thoughts - you are right, very tough decision!

Interestingly, right now, I can get a 2021 RAM 2500 Laramie Cummins for $55,500 with 21k miles on it, or a 2022 RAM 2500 Hemi Laramie for $51,200 with 9k miles on it. The price difference is really pretty close on it, and the 2021 has a few extra creature comfort options, and only a $3.5k difference.

With the price of vehicles these days, combined with interest rates / financing, I'd prefer to stick with one vehicle, but had considered the beater option.

Quite torn on this one!

 

[dieselscout80]

A 2500 diesel doesn’t have the payload for most slide in truck campers.

Personally I’d want a 3500 for a slide in truck camper as the inboard coil/airbags on a 2500 aren’t great at controlling sway. This is especially true with high center of gravity loads like a slide in truck camper.

Also the weight listed on the camper tag is dry weight and is likely way lower than what you will see once loaded for a trip.

 

[Exdeus]

A 2500 diesel doesn’t have the payload for most slide in truck campers.

Personally I’d want a 3500 for a slide in truck camper as the inboard coil/airbags on a 2500 aren’t great at controlling sway. This is especially true with high center of gravity loads like a slide in truck camper.

Also the weight listed on the camper tag is dry weight and is likely way lower than what you will see once loaded for a trip.

Yes, correct, for most slide in truck campers. This is a popup camper, considerably lighter than hard side, and it has an aluminum frame. It's only a three season. However, as you noted, it will absolutely put it close to max payload on paper, if not slightly over. I ran this setup previously and it ran incredibly well, both on road and off road. Very common to see the 250's / 2500's running the Four Wheel Campers. Now, a Power Wagon cannot handle it, for example. Still even maintained a slight rake.

 

[Bearcatrp]

When I upgraded from a 3/4 ton, I considered a diesel. After looking at maintenance costs for diesel, I stayed with the 6.4. Have owned a Cummins in 2000. I pull a 12000 lb 5th wheel. Am in Minnesota so the cold concerned me some but not to much. Not sure what state you’re in but my 3500 plates are only $120 a year compared to what I paid for the 3/4 ton, which was over $400. My 2017 3/4 ton had a 6 speed. Sucked pulling my 5th wheel to Colorado. The 3500 has a 8 speed. What a difference. Pulled great going through the mountains. Sure it’s high RPM’s for max torque compared to the diesel. But Ram is still stuck on 6 speed while ford and GM are on 10 speeds. Another reason why I chose the 6.4. Had to go long box to get a 50 gallon gas tank, but was worth it. Check out a 3500. Mine is a crew cab. Enjoy every minute driving it. Suggest you seriously consider going gas. Good luck on your decision.

 

[jejb]

Agree with BossHogg. Daily driver, light load = Hemi. The newer diesel's work best when worked hard towing often. Also, the Cummins will cut down on your payload 800lbs or so.

 

[rzr6-4]

Let's say you go with a 2500, depending on what suspension mods you do you may end up lowering the payload capacity. The factory sticker doesn't account for whatever your plans are with it.

The power wagon on the other hand, is just a normal 2500 with a little softer suspension. For $1k you can add some air bags to the rear and just fill them when you are loaded. Then you have a great off-roader and can still haul. Not trying to force you that way, just saying I wouldn't' rule it out.

Some of it depends on what mods you plan on doing. If you take your Laramie and end up doing sway bar delete(s), softer coils/springs, upgraded diff, etc, all of those "affect" your payload.

 

[CanRebel]

Let's say you go with a 2500, depending on what suspension mods you do you may end up lowering the payload capacity. The factory sticker doesn't account for whatever your plans are with it.

The power wagon on the other hand, is just a normal 2500 with a little softer suspension. For $1k you can add some air bags to the rear and just fill them when you are loaded. Then you have a great off-roader and can still haul. Not trying to force you that way, just saying I wouldn't' rule it out.

Some of it depends on what mods you plan on doing. If you take your Laramie and end up doing sway bar delete(s), softer coils/springs, upgraded diff, etc, all of those "affect" your payload.

That doesn't make sense. Your telling him to go with PW with comes with almost no payload. If he changes his normal 2500 he'll lose payload which is true. But PW has very low payload to start with. airbags aren't going to change that.
He would be better off getting 2500 Rebel, which has some off-roading and payload.

@Exdeus Sounds like you have experience already with certain setup. Why you want to change it?
If it was me, I would go with gas engine. You would lose payload with diesel but you were already doing it before, so doesn't seem to bother you.
With Gas, you will lose torque that diesel would have given you if you get stuck somewhere.

 

[stevenP]

The biggest reason I went with a diesel both times was for the exhaust brake feature when towing. It really works very well, but I will be towing a heavy fifth wheel which pushes me down hills. Currently both transmissions on the diesels are only 6 speeds too. So if your load wont be that high, the gasser is $10k less. That will buy a lot of fuel.
One more consideration is re-sale. The trucks hold their value like gold around my area. And the diesels are are always a premium feature.

 

[nlambert182]

Thank you BossHogg! All great things to think about.

I always tell myself that I'll keep the truck for 8 to 10 years, but I really never keep anything more than three or four. I have a problem with trucks, lol.

I won't be towing really ever at all, just hauling the slide in camper. I imagine I will likely be at a total payload around 2,500 pounds fully loaded (passengers, gear, fuel, water, camper). The gas certainly has the additional payload on paper, but I know the diesel also easily supports it as that is what I ran before.

Thanks for the thoughts - you are right, very tough decision!

Interestingly, right now, I can get a 2021 RAM 2500 Laramie Cummins for $55,500 with 21k miles on it, or a 2022 RAM 2500 Hemi Laramie for $51,200 with 9k miles on it. The price difference is really pretty close on it, and the 2021 has a few extra creature comfort options, and only a $3.5k difference.

With the price of vehicles these days, combined with interest rates / financing, I'd prefer to stick with one vehicle, but had considered the beater option.

Quite torn on this one!

If you're planning on 2500 lbs in the bed, a 2500 Laramie with a 6.7 Cummins won't fit the bill. Payload on the Laramie's is fairly low and is reduced another 900 lbs by the 6.7.

While it may technically do it, there's a lot more weight on the suspension with the diesel variant so I would hesitate to exceed it by a lot. I would at least consider a 3500 SRW for the diesel and you can get there. But in your use case, I'd probably go Hemi.

And don't worry about the emission systems. Those failures are not as common as you think... but you do need to take it on long drives and not limit it to short 25 mile type trips. That's when you're likely to begin having issues.

 

[Exdeus]

Hey all!! Appreciate the responses! Just a quick update. I went and test drove a 2021 RAM 2500 Cummins. I ended up buying a 2024 RAM 2500 Laramie Rebel with the Hemi last night. Got a killer deal on it, $12k below sticker and it is loaded. It seemed like the absolute best compromise. It has every bell and whistle I can ever ask for, plus some. It has a 2.9k payload capacity as it sits. The camper I am going to haul is 1,700, so it leaves me plenty of payload for my butt, the wife and our gear / gas. Already lifted, offroad tires, rear locker, etc. Honestly, no modifications will be needed except adding a winch to it, which I will get OEM parts and put on. Otherwise, it's got everything I need except the steps to get in (that suckers high!). Oh, and that Harmon Kardon sound system is absolutely incredible! Rides a little stiff on it, but that is to be expected for sure.

Overall, to answer the question, I had a 2017 RAM 2500 Cummins that I lifted and built out. It had the AEV setup on it, ran 37's and was a great truck. I had a Four Wheel Camper Hawk slide in. I sold the Hawk and the truck and got a RAM 1500 Rebel with a 23' bumper pull RV. I hated towing it, and hated campgrounds. I've regretted selling the first truck ever since. Knowing I wanted to go back to the slide in camper, payload was critical for me. Folks do use the Power Wagon for this setup, but most who do highly encourage others not to due to the softness of the coils. The Rebel seems like an absolutely awesome compromise because I am not rock climbing this thing to the point of needing a disconnecting sway bar and hopefully not a front locker. I think I ended up with the best of both worlds on it!

 

[CanRebel]

Looks like good choice for you. I like my 1500 Rebel. But have looked at 2500 Rebels. Looked at PW, but low payload/weight sucked for my use.

Add some steps and go get that white dirty

 

[68PowerWagon]

Hey all!! Appreciate the responses! Just a quick update. I went and test drove a 2021 RAM 2500 Cummins. I ended up buying a 2024 RAM 2500 Laramie Rebel with the Hemi last night. Got a killer deal on it, $12k below sticker and it is loaded. It seemed like the absolute best compromise. It has every bell and whistle I can ever ask for, plus some. It has a 2.9k payload capacity as it sits. The camper I am going to haul is 1,700, so it leaves me plenty of payload for my butt, the wife and our gear / gas. Already lifted, offroad tires, rear locker, etc. Honestly, no modifications will be needed except adding a winch to it, which I will get OEM parts and put on. Otherwise, it's got everything I need except the steps to get in (that suckers high!). Oh, and that Harmon Kardon sound system is absolutely incredible! Rides a little stiff on it, but that is to be expected for sure.

Overall, to answer the question, I had a 2017 RAM 2500 Cummins that I lifted and built out. It had the AEV setup on it, ran 37's and was a great truck. I had a Four Wheel Camper Hawk slide in. I sold the Hawk and the truck and got a RAM 1500 Rebel with a 23' bumper pull RV. I hated towing it, and hated campgrounds. I've regretted selling the first truck ever since. Knowing I wanted to go back to the slide in camper, payload was critical for me. Folks do use the Power Wagon for this setup, but most who do highly encourage others not to due to the softness of the coils. The Rebel seems like an absolutely awesome compromise because I am not rock climbing this thing to the point of needing a disconnecting sway bar and hopefully not a front locker. I think I ended up with the best of both worlds on it!


View attachment 555174

WOW! That's sharp! Congrats.

 

[OC455]

Hey all!! Appreciate the responses! Just a quick update. I went and test drove a 2021 RAM 2500 Cummins. I ended up buying a 2024 RAM 2500 Laramie Rebel with the Hemi last night. Got a killer deal on it, $12k below sticker and it is loaded. It seemed like the absolute best compromise. It has every bell and whistle I can ever ask for, plus some. It has a 2.9k payload capacity as it sits. The camper I am going to haul is 1,700, so it leaves me plenty of payload for my butt, the wife and our gear / gas. Already lifted, offroad tires, rear locker, etc. Honestly, no modifications will be needed except adding a winch to it, which I will get OEM parts and put on. Otherwise, it's got everything I need except the steps to get in (that suckers high!). Oh, and that Harmon Kardon sound system is absolutely incredible! Rides a little stiff on it, but that is to be expected for sure.

Overall, to answer the question, I had a 2017 RAM 2500 Cummins that I lifted and built out. It had the AEV setup on it, ran 37's and was a great truck. I had a Four Wheel Camper Hawk slide in. I sold the Hawk and the truck and got a RAM 1500 Rebel with a 23' bumper pull RV. I hated towing it, and hated campgrounds. I've regretted selling the first truck ever since. Knowing I wanted to go back to the slide in camper, payload was critical for me. Folks do use the Power Wagon for this setup, but most who do highly encourage others not to due to the softness of the coils. The Rebel seems like an absolutely awesome compromise because I am not rock climbing this thing to the point of needing a disconnecting sway bar and hopefully not a front locker. I think I ended up with the best of both worlds on it!


View attachment 555174

That is pretty bad@$$

 

[olyelr]

Nice lookin pickup! Good job doing your homework…looks like the new rig will suite you well. Tough decision for sure, but i think you made a good choice!

 

[Tom Davis]

Congrads! Nice looking truck.

 

[rzr6-4]

But PW has very low payload to start with. airbags aren't going to change that.

Technically, you are correct. In reality, I have seen it done more than once. PW with airbags is a solid all around set up.

Hey all!! Appreciate the responses! Just a quick update.

To the OP, glad you were able to make a decision. Truck looks great and I think HEMI was the right choice.