Simple answer is you are getting about the same mpg you will get with a non deleted 6.7 cummins and gas cost less money. 15 to 16 mpg for a 6,500 lbs gas truck is pretty darn good if you ask me. I have owned both a 2009 with a 4 gen VVT hemi and the 6.7 cummins, and you see what I drive now. The hemi in a 2500 will get about the same mpg or just a little less then a non deleted 6.7. You made a good purchase in buying the hemi unless you pull 10K lbs everyday for a living then you should have got a diesel. I get 15 - 16 mpg with the hemi and I got right about 16 mpg with the 6.7 cummins. Towing is about the same difference between the two. Not to mention all the issues I had with my 6.7 emissions equipment and powertrain that are not present on a hemi powered 2500.

 

evan, was year was your diesel? One guy I talked to was in a lifted 06-09, and then the other guy was a 4th gen 2500, and they both said they are getting way more than me city, and slightly better highway.

When I was buying my truck, everyone on here dissuaded me from diesel saying the only time I was going to get better mpgs was when I was towing. Only now when I get the chance to talk to anyone in a cummins, they say they are getting better mpgs.

 

Mine was a 2008, but in 2008 it uses the same 6.7 motor and G56 manual tranny that they use now in the 4th gen dodges. Towing my same fifth wheel I got now I got about 11 or 12 mpg with the 6.7 and about 10 - 11 with the hemi.

The only way you will get better mpg is if you delete the emissions system on the 6.7. Which I ended up doing and I got about 19 mpg hwy and 13-14 towing my fifth wheel. Not long after that my clutch and flywheel went out, and then my G56 tranny went. Guess what no warranty because my truck was deleted and had just over 36K miles on it. I traded it off for the hemi and don't regret it one bit. I owned several 5.9 cummins trucks before this and loved them all. All of them got 18 - 20 mpg hwy and 13 - 14 towing, and they never had any issues with over 100K miles on them.

 

I'll jump in. Mine is a 2011 2500 club cab 4X4, hemi, 4.10 gears. I'll typically get 12-13 going to work and back...mostly 25-30 mph with 2 miles of highway at 60 mph. Unloaded highway I can get 16-17, but there are some variables there that I'll hit in a minute.

Towing a car hauler (about 5500-6000 pounds) with another 1200 pounds of stuff in the truck from sea level in CA to 6500 ft in CO, I averaged 12.5 mpg, with speeds in the 65-70 mph range.

Variables: I've learned a couple things. My highway mileage drops to about 12-13 if I'm cruising at 75 mph and running the 10-15% ethanol blend...drop to 65 with ethanol and I'm back in the 16 mpg range. Add a 1-2 mpg for pure gas. So speed and fuel are both huge variables. Along those lines, headwinds will kill mileage too...driving from 6500 ft in CO back to CA sea level with a motorcycle in the back and a 30 mph headwind for all but the last 100 miles netted me 12.5 mpg, with speeds generally around 70, and that was all with 10-15% ethanol. Temperature is another variable. I consistently get 1 mpg less if it is cold outside (40-ish degrees and lower). If it is in the low 40's in the morning with highs above that, and my mileage improves.

Also keep in mind that I've got Goodyear DuraTracs on my truck...not really the best tire for good MPG, but phenomenal in the snow & ice.

For the PowerWagon, you have to remember that it weighs a few hundred pounds more than the regular 2500 hemi, and it's revving higher on the highway due to the tighter gears...the gearing is partially cancelled out by the taller tires, but you'll still be revving a 200-300 rpm higher in the PowerWagon vs a regular 2500 with the 4.10 gears.

 

damn man, thats pretty bad. your going about the same as me, and I'm running on much bigger tires and a small lift.

i guess I should have mentioned my mpgs when i was stock, which was only the drive home from the dealer in ny, I averaged 19 mpgs, there was even times it was in the low 20s but that was at like 65 the entire way.

 

I have the same truck as soldier guy, except I have 3.73 gears, and my mileage is the same as his. I had a 09 1500 trx4 that got 1 to 2 mpg better than my 2500. I really don't see how anybody is getting any better than that.

 

Yeah my mpg does seem to be on the low end. I attribute it to the ethanol, the DuraTracs, the complete lack of level ground anywhere I go, and generally cold outside temperatures. When I've had the chance to run gas without the corn syrup, my mileage goes up 1-2 mpg, and warmer temps also bump my average by about 1 mpg. So I'm not sweating it.

 

I get great diesel mileage with my 04.5 2500 5.9. I have the bullty dog triple power pup on crazy larry setting and stay bellow 2000 rpm with my 6 speed manual. 23 MPG!!!! Up steep hills on the freeway and around town stop and go.

I don't tow on this setting though.

 

5.9L, Cummins was doing it right. To bad that engine wasnt a option in the new heavy duties

 

I owned a 2004.5 5.9 and yes they are great, so are all the 5.9 cummins motors. I wish we had no EPA, or the 6.7. That is why I can't see myself buying any new diesel again.