OK, its looks like the modified 1500 isn't the way to go with an 11,500# GVWR TT, but:
I STILL DON'T WANT A DIESEL!!

If you tow a TT or heavy box trailer with a Ram2500 Hemi, how does it perform?

What's the type and loaded weight of the trailer?

What axle gears do you have?

What performance goodies have been added?

Where do you tow?

What MPG towing and solo??

What do you like/dislike about the Ram Hemi??

This is big-time serious pre-purchase research, so maximum input will be much appreciated. I'd hate to buy a Ford V10 or GM 8.1 and then find that a Hemi would do the job!!

Thanks

Mac

 

all I ve ever towed was this didn't have a problem. sorry I cant help you with details but that was about a year ago

[IMG]local://upfiles/4069/DA287A2440CC49948CA73DDFCB9AD174.jpg[/IMG]

 

What do you have against the Cummins Diesel?

I ask this cause I followed your last thread and you seem so against oil burners, curiosity is just getting to the cat is all.

 

I'm with Drew on this one. What wrong with a diesel? Why would you want an engine (hemi) with shorter longevity, burns more fuel per mile, would pull your load with power to spare?

 

So far the heaviest thing i have towed with mine would be our 9000lb skid loader and the gooseneck which is about 5000lbs id guess and it towed it good. ive only put on a flowmaster and a drop in k&n but i have a cai on order. i personally would rather have a cummins but i didnt have enough money at the time

 

Why do I not want a Diesel??

Before I get into it, I love the belt buckle Drew. Better get a new one though, as it's soon to be bye bye Cummins from DCX and hello Mercedes.

First thing is the noise and smell. I know they are better than they used to be, but if you RV, you get pretty tired of waking up to diesels firing up at 6am (and earlier) and idling/clattering for 5 - 10 minutes before they leave for the early tee off or, worse yet, jockey around for another 10 minutes while they hitch up and then idlle/clatter for another 10 minutes while they put everything away and tidy up their site before they pull out. That has given me a negative view to start.

The major argument is the cost. As a fulltiming RVer, I will tow about 9-10K a year with another 5-6K solo. Take the inital cost of the diesel option, and the higher service costs, combined with the now higher priced diesel fuel in most areas in the west (from SoCal to AB last month, we calculated an average of 15% MORE FOR DIESEL at the pumps when we filled up) and the better fuel mileage doesn't compensate for about 20 years at today's costs. Its hghly unlikely I'll have any truck that long.

Lastly, I have driven diesel versions of all 3/4 tons and found them just too agricultural for my liking. To each his own. If its your only driver, ya gotta like it!

I hope I have justified our choice to those who ask, I know we have to ourselves and that's what really counts.

Now, where are the Hemi owners on this forum that tow?

 

I tow anything I want with my Modded Diesel, remember Don't Stroke it Ram it.

 

I know you're dead set against diesel, but have you driven the new ones? Just saying that you know they are better than they used to be is a complete disservice to the new Cummins. I implore you to go and take 20 minutes out of your day to go test drive a new Cumins. If you don't like it after that, well, I know you will love your Hemi. A Dodge is better than no Dodge at all! They new ones are not loud, don't smoke (relatively speaking here) and the maintenance issues? Longer oil change intervals and longer warranty. Every other maintenance issue is the same e.g. brakes, rear end, etc. The diesel in your area is 15% more. That is roughly 0.37 per gallon more based on 2.50 gas? I'm glad that disparity does not exist around here. Also you will get way better gas mileage loaded vs unloaded with a diesel. What are some of you Hemi guys getting with 10K# TT's vs you CTD guys. Low double digits vs low single digits is a big difference. When you are looking to get more power to tow a huge load over some hills, guess which one is easier to get more power out of for rather cheap? You guessed it, the CTD! If you don't keep the vehicle around that long you will recoup the money for the diesel when you sell it. What do you mean by too agricultural? That it is a 2500/3500 or that it is a CTD? Or are you talking about the over cab lights? Sorry that this is a long winded response, but I am just suggesting that you keep and open mind and test drive a new diesel. If you don't like it after you test drive it, stick with the Hemi. I know you'll enjoy either one.

 

I dont know about the 2500, but pulling 5000# worth of boat with my half ton Hemi absolutely KILLS the gas mileage. I cant imagine it being much different with teh 2500. Seriously, the Cummins gets better gas mileage with 5000# hooked up to it than my Hemi unloaded on the highway. The new diesels are NICE. Noise isnt a factor really. Not like those old school diesels that sound like you're driving a dump truck. Its no louder than the Hemi with factory exhaust. Agricultural... I dont think so. Very very plush. Also, Diesel prices are more stable than gas. It doesnt fluctuate nearly as much. Right now, in Va, diesel costs the same as the mid grade you'd have to run in the Hemi.

 

I've tugged around a skid steer on a cronkite drop deck (about 10500#) without any problems whatsoever.
Unless you start talking about fuel consuption. Milage went South in a hurrry, waaayyy south. (never was that far North to begin with)

I have an '04 2500 4x4 QC 5.7l with 3.55 gears.
Solo mileage is 13-13.5 average hwy/city mix.
Towing mileage is 8MPG avg.

Furd's triton V-10 sux fuel worse though and has a very narrow power band.
I'd rather be burned at the stake than drive a piece of shizzle GM product.