Retirement Truck - 2500 Cummins?

[MontanaDan]

I’m looking to purchase a Ram 2500 in the next year or two as my retirement truck. Plan to use it for long road trips, camping, hauling lumber on occasion, and may or may not tow a trailer. I’m looking at the Cummins for its longevity, being over-capable on steep grades, fuel economy compared to equivalent gas engine, and a cab that is comfortable and roomy. Would you 2500 Cummins owners repeat your choice? Thoughts?

 

[06 Dodge]

I’m looking to purchase a Ram 2500 in the next year or two as my retirement truck. Plan to use it for long road trips, camping, hauling lumber on occasion, and may or may not tow a trailer. I’m looking at the Cummins for its longevity, being over-capable on steep grades, fuel economy compared to equivalent gas engine, and a cab that is comfortable and roomy. Would you 2500 Cummins owners repeat your choice? Thoughts?

If they get the kinks worked out of the 2026 trucks one of them would be nice as it has the new ZF 8 speed transmission an a bit more TQ & HP, one of the draw backs of the 2019-2024 is the DPF/emissions problems.

 

[MontanaDan]

I’m not familiar with the DPF/emission problems on these trucks. I’ll have to do some research. Looking at a 2026-27. Thanks!

 

[RAM DRVR]

Got my 2023 new in 2024 as my retirement truck. Tows my 30’ TT with ease in the PNW. Would buy again.

 

[jejb]

May want to check out this recent thread:

To Cummins or not to Cummins?

I'm looking to get my next truck. Want it for the next 20-40 years. Will likely put 250k-500K miles on it, could be a million, I don't know what the future holds. However, current 5 year forecast says I will drive it in 10 minute intervals a day on the freeway 3 times a week. A few miles...

www.ramforum.com

Depending on your loads through the mountains, you may want to move up to to a 3500.

 

[stevenP]

By the way you plan on using it, you might be better off with the gas version. The diesel does likes to be driven hard to keep the DPF (emissions system) clear.

 

[ppine]

Yes.
I bought a 2002 Ford 7.3 for a retirement truck. Best vehicle but under powered. I drove it for 20 years.
Retirement truck no 2 is a 2022 Ram. I love my truck for everything. Only vehicle I need.

 

[18RAM3500]

My retirement truck is a 2018 Ram 3500 SLT CCSB 6.7L HO/Aisin 4x4, 37K miles, fully maintained. Everything I need, nothing I don’t.

 

[jejb]

My retirement truck is a 2018 Ram 3500 SLT CCSB 6.7L HO/Aisin 4x4, 37K miles, fully maintained. Everything I need, nothing I don’t.

Yeah, '18 was a good year for the Ram Cummins. I traded one in on the '22 I ordered out. Pretty much no frequent regen issues with those.

 

[JayLeonard]

I bought a 21 Bighorn crew cab Cummins to pull our 30 ft TT. Was going to be my retirement truck.
So far no issues with the truck at 62k miles. . I live in Florida and 8 months of the year its my daily driver. Many very short trips, several a week of 1/2 mile or so to our civic club as I do maintenance there. Never ( so far) has given my any problems.
Not sure if I’ll keep it after we are done camping.