So im trading in my 03 silverado 1500 and looking to get a new ram 2500 4x4. The 1500 doesnt seem to be cutting it mechanically and am not to fond of IFS. I use the truck for mainly for construction. I also do tow a boat up to a few times a week in the fall and in the summer do some trailering which at times is on the beach. I have seen the diesels pull the trailers on and off the beach with ease where i could feel my 1500 struggle with just a normal load in the back. I know the additional costs of the diesel compared to the gas. I realize that the hemi gets poor gas milage on the 2500's and was just wondering if it is worth it to get the diesel for most likely a slight increase in mileage compared to the hemi. id rather have more truck than pushing a truck to or past its limitations. Just wondering what others think is the best fit from experience

 

Financially if you can swing it for the extra initial cost of the cummins do it, it should pay you back in the long run. It sounds like you use your truck similarly to how I use mine, and to this day I kick myself for not going with the cummins. However at the time of my purchase cummins was having issues with their emissions junk, which is why I shyed away. Anyways, the hemi is a great top end performance motor, but not so good when it comes to daily towing where you need that low end grunt.

I have an 08' and my brother has an 11'. Both 2500's, both hemi, both 3.73, and we both get about the same mileage: 13 on the highway, 10 in town, 8 or 9 when towing. And when towing 6k lbs the hemi is screaming to move that load and the weight of the 2500 ram. Unloaded its moves the 2500 pretty good for what it is, but put a load on it and it isn't very impressive.

If you decide to go with the hemi I would try to find one with the 4.10's from the factory, that would help out with the lack of low end grunt a little if you plan to tow frequently.

Note that the new cummins now require urea or however you spell it.

 

Ya i was hoping to get a very lightly used 11' or 12' unless the dealrship gives me some great deal out of nowhere. This is not a non stop towing vehicle, nor is it close to a grocery getter, it would truly be an all around truck. im guessing the hemi has enough power, but if i could get a few extra miles more with the cummins than the hemi to make the fuel cost very similar i may lean more towards the diesel. If the diesel is reliable despite the emissions crap, im thinking i might as well get the extra power. ( i think)

 

Go diesel.

 

Go diesel. Many, many more miles out of the engine, effortless towing and no DF prior to 2013. And, my fuel mileage empty is between 15 - 17 mpg highway (as high as 18 once) and around 9-10 mpg towing my 9,000 lb travel trailer. Mind you this is all supplied by the information center. I never figured it out using sharp pencil and paper. JMHO.

 

The thing about the cummins that i am Leary about is not vein able to have constant extended highway miles for the regen. The longest driving 60 would only be about 10 miles a few times a week. Would that really be a problem and trash the milage. Are there any improvements on the later 6.7's than the first couple years

 

If it were me, I'd buy a 1500 Ram. You haven't listed anything that requires a 2500 or a diesel. The 1500 gets better mileage, the 2500 has IFS unless you are buying a Power Wagon so that argument is void. The 1500 Hemi has plenty of power and isn't really comparable to a 03 Silverado.

 

If I'm not mistaken the ram 2500 4x4 has a solid front axle, or am I not seeing authing

 

Ah - maybe that is correct for the 4wd's

 

Do you tow a construction trailer? Or do you just work construction and occasionally haul tools, material, and such? If that's the case then yeah a 1500 would be fine but if you tow almost daily or plan to haul/tow HEAVY loads often or long distances then go with a 2500. Lots of rebates on the 1500's right now. I tow 6k almost daily and it basically wrecked my 04' 1500 Laramie Ram.