Towing with an Eco Diesel 2015 or wait till 2020

[jamm999]

So I'm thinking about switching from a Hemi to an Eco Diesel First question is should I wait till the 2020's come out or pick up a used 2015 with 33000 on it ? Second and more important is how does it do for power and fuel mileage towing ? Im towing mostly an enclosed 14' snowmobile trailer with 2-3 sleds . My Hemi drops to around 9 mpg but I always have enough power how does the Eco do for power and mileage ??

 

[tjfdesmo]

I have read of far too many "reciprocating assembly failures" on Ecos to buy the original at any price. Given that, I would not buy until the "new" version is out for a year or so.

 

[Kapt]

I have a 1960 Dodge Dart. Big car. When I bought it we towed it home from the valley to the hills where I live. 65 - 70 mph the whole way and 16.7 mpg while doing so. It sagged a little, but I don't tow very often so it's all good. I would do something to fix it if I towed more often. All in all, the Eco is a good tow rig

 

[turkeybird56]

Depending upon the weight and sail factor, ED do ok. BUT, it depends upon the history and upkeep. The 2014-16 are on a EPA update that FCA has to do, and I am reading on the ED site issues with the EPA update. SO U may want to wait for the new ED, but if U R trying to tow a heck of a lot, like say higher than 8K, U may wanna think of a 2500, all IMHO. FWIW< I owned an ED and traded up to a Hemi as my needs changed, but that ED pulled a 2100 lb trailer with 5000 lbs of hay no problem... IMHO

TO BE FAIR, On the ED site, there are professional ppl who tow with ED for a, living, one being VernDiesel, he went 370K before new motor, so U may want to go on ED forum and become an informed purchaser...

Here is the URL: https://www.ram1500diesel.com/forum/forum.php?s=a116e368405a3166b000da427731b236

 

[Kapt]

I meant to post this earlier, but I was on my phone and it wouldn't let me. Here's my Eco sagging with my big ole car on the back of it

 

[Shawn226]

Heaviest I’ve towed so far is a 1000lb rzr 800 on a 3500lb rated trailer (not sure how much the trailer actually weighs). I went from 24 mpg to about 20. I have a 2017, which is after the FCA update started going out with the new trucks. I did some “alterations” so I don’t feel the effects of it like some people do

 

[Elkman]

Your fuel savings with the ecodiesel will not be enough to recoup the sales tax on the new truck for at least 50,000 miles and that is ignoring the higher maintenance costs with a diesel engine.

I was towing a 13,000 lb. boat and trailer and needed a diesel with my 2500HD but on my last 3 trips the engine went into limp mode and my maximum speed was held to 55 MPH which made for tense driving and freeway merging with the tractor rigs. After the last trip was ended prematurely I stopped using the diesel truck for trips and decided to buy a gas powered pickup to replace it.

What the diesel provided in addition to more torque for towing and the capabilities of the exhaust brake, was 25% greater range on a tank of fuel. Fewer gas stops when towing a trailer and less chance of running out of gas were key concerns. That would also be the case with the Ram ecodiesel with the ability to get a 39 gallon aftermarket fuel tank from Titan Tanks. With the Ram 1500 gas powered trucks the best I can do is a 33 gallon tank and that adds at least $2,445 to the price for the truck and their are no aftermarket options available.