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.

 

[murderman]

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.

Agree, no frequent regens with my 2018 Cummins, but the vast majority of my use is towing heavy and I never make short trips with it; I've got another vehicle for short trips.

 

[Aggie]

My 24 Cummins SO has been a pain in the a$$... Constant DPF codes for frequent regens. I wish I'd have gone with the Hemi, but they were unavailable at the time. Recently had a DEF warning as well, although that was a passive glitch. It tows like a monster but the improved fuel economy hasn't made up for the headaches.

 

[ReddJackson]

My retirement truck is a 2015 2500 Cummins Laramie, can’t say enough good things about it, everything I need, nothing I don’t. I keep it fully maintained like clockwork

 

[18RAM3500]

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.

Funny thing, mine was a leftover ‘18 that evidently no one wanted because it had few options. There were a lot of ‘19’s on the lot but being a changeover year I elected to stay with what was proven, and in retrospect I’m glad I did.

I’ve got another vehicle for short trips.

I could use another vehicle to drive around town but being retired I don’t think I could justify the expense (especially in light of today’s prices).

 

[de1212]

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?

I’m 5 years into my 2021 2500 CTD and I still love it.

Have not encountered any problems with the emissions system as others have. I occasionally use it for several short trips, however, I’m mindful of those and try to “go long” to get a REGEN after that happens.

Towing has been the best benefit, followed by RAMs creature comforts which make long trips more enjoyable. There IS a loss of “smooth rides” with HD, but that’s the cost of doing business. Airbags help here.

I loaded it out at purchase—which was financially depressing—however, since I planned to keep it until it breaks, it was worth it. New trucks are simply not financially wise, but they serve their intended purpose well.

Be positive the rig you choose will provide the payload # you will need in the future. Some year models have surprisingly low payload.

If you plan to use it a lot to tow and move things around town, put strong consideration into going with the long bed. Makes life in a supermarket parking lot harder – – but when it comes to towing and loading her up, you’re in a far better quadrant. (I do regret getting the 6’4” bed.)

Good luck!

 

[18RAM3500]

I had a ‘95 F350 7.3L Navistar CCLB that I traded in on my ‘09 Ram 3500 6.7L Cummins CCSB because it was so challenging to maneuver around town. I would have probably kept it if all I did was tow but I don’t miss it in the least now, as my ‘18 Ram CCSB is my only mode of transportation (& I live out in the County).

 

[Bob Horowski]

I absolutely loved my '98 12valve. But always remember diesels have their specific uses and needs. Do not buy a diesel and use it like a gasser, you will soon regret that decision. Properly maintaining a diesel is not always cheap and the price of fuel is another factor.

 

[MarshRam]

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.

You'll have to excuse my ignorance, but I'm in the same boat and am interested in such a truck with somewhat similar questions. He said, "Plan to use it for long road trips, camping, hauling lumber on occasion, and may or may not tow a trailer." And as important, it's his retirement truck, he's seeking longevity and doesn't want to think about buying another truck ever again. Why would a diesel be a bad choice considering his plans and use? I thought these trucks were built for long trips, hauling, longevity, etc. And, if DPF issues is all you have to worry about for your particular locale, can't you just delete it?

 

[jejb]

You'll have to excuse my ignorance, but I'm in the same boat and am interested in such a truck with somewhat similar questions. He said, "Plan to use it for long road trips, camping, hauling lumber on occasion, and may or may not tow a trailer." And as important, it's his retirement truck, he's seeking longevity and doesn't want to think about buying another truck ever again. Why would a diesel be a bad choice considering his plans and use? I thought these trucks were built for long trips, hauling, longevity, etc.

Tough to say how it would turn out in the OP's scenario. I think we are waiting on to see if the newer updates make any difference. But knowing what I know now, I'd pretty much only choose the diesel of any brand pickup as a hotshot truck, pulling constantly. It sucks what the EPA has done to these trucks.

And, if DPF issues is all you have to worry about for your particular locale, can't you just delete it?

I asked that question a while back. Can't be done without some kind of special tune to ignore/defeat the sensors. Might as well go for a full delete. Those are hard to get these days though.

 

[stevenP]

I am on my third retirement truck! The selling point of the diesels are that you could, put hundreds of thousand of miles on them with no issues. But the reality is the emissions on these new diesels are very finnicky. There are countless threads on here alone, where guy have regens constantly, plugged DPF, all of which will put you into a limp mode, and are very expensive to fix. When I got my diesels, I had no ides of the pitfalls either. But I only really drive my truck to haul a heavy RV, and so far it hasnt given me any emissions issues.