Hemi 5.7 or Diesel

boatman37

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May 14, 2015
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I'll also add that my '15 ram 1500 hemi 8spd 4x4 crew cab with 3.92s gets 20-21mpg on my daily commute on 87 octane... that's what my wife's '11 Ford Edge gets. And being a gas engine the routine maintenance isn't expensive.

I get about 18-19 on the highway with mine empty but i had a 2015 for a few days when mine was in the shop and it was an 8 speed with 3.92s and i got about 20-21 on the same route so it was about 2-3 better than mine
 

ajgraz

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Mar 1, 2010
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Hi Everyone,
I am considering getting a new (to me) truck and am trying to decide on a gasser or diesel. Would a Ram 5.7 Hemi tow my Maxum 2700SCR? Dry weight is supposed to be 6500 lbs., but the trailer is a beast and must weigh at least another 2500 lbs. My current rig, GMC Sierra 4.8, obviously will not get the job done. I had the seller tow the boat to the Harbor last summer, where it has been in a slip ever since.

What are you doing with your Sierra? Is it a crew or extended cab by any chance?
 

98Shabah

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Mar 11, 2010
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408
I get about 18-19 on the highway with mine empty but i had a 2015 for a few days when mine was in the shop and it was an 8 speed with 3.92s and i got about 20-21 on the same route so it was about 2-3 better than mine

I'm still amazed at how fuel efficient and comfortable trucks have become. Driving this thing is like being behind the wheel of a big sport sedan with 400hp, throaty exhaust, and a trunk with no lid. lol. The only gripe I have is the +/- shift buttons on the steering wheel are WAY too small.
 

SDSeville

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Mar 19, 2010
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What are you doing with your Sierra? Is it a crew or extended cab by any chance?


It is an extra cab. I will be selling it when I figure out what I am buying. Won't be asking much, I hate selling stuff and will want it gone quickly.
 

ajgraz

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It is an extra cab. I will be selling it when I figure out what I am buying. Won't be asking much, I hate selling stuff and will want it gone quickly.

Let me know when you do. I'd be interested, if it will also double as a 10-mile each way daily commuter (looking to pare down my # of vehicles), and it gets better than the 12mpg my old beater Dakota with broken overdrive gets.
 
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boatman37

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I'm still amazed at how fuel efficient and comfortable trucks have become. Driving this thing is like being behind the wheel of a big sport sedan with 400hp, throaty exhaust, and a trunk with no lid. lol. The only gripe I have is the +/- shift buttons on the steering wheel are WAY too small.

yeah. i don't use the +/- buttons so no big deal to me there. i do wish the tow/haul was still on the shift lever though.but yeah, i have had trucks my whole adult life, the oldest being a 1978 GMC. I was thrilled that I was able to get about 14MPG in my 1978 and 1979 GMC's (both 4x4 1/2 ton 350's). never imagined I'd see a full size truck getting over 20MPG
 

SDSeville

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Let me know when you do. I'd be interested, if it will also double as a 10-mile each way daily commuter (looking to pare down my # of vehicles), and it gets better than the 12mpg my old beater Dakota with broken overdrive gets.


You got it. I will PM you when I find something. I will certainly give the iboats bro deal.
 

lineman09

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Jun 10, 2011
Messages
126
i run a ram 3500 CTD .I wouldn't trade it for any gas truck.. with that being said I would go for a 2500 gas engine if you don't want to spend on a diesel .. they are priced close to a half ton and you don't need any tow upgrades with a 2500, better running gear ,transmission ...just my 2cents!!!
 

JP127

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Jun 5, 2015
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i run a ram 3500 CTD .I wouldn't trade it for any gas truck.. with that being said I would go for a 2500 gas engine if you don't want to spend on a diesel .. they are priced close to a half ton and you don't need any tow upgrades with a 2500, better running gear ,transmission ...just my 2cents!!!

Was just about to post something along these lines. I recently bought a Ram 6.4 and love it.
 

Leardriver

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Oct 7, 2008
Messages
380
Diesels don't really cost more. My 2012 F350 cost $45K new with a Powerstroke, and they book and are selling for $36K right now.
Buy a 2012 gasser for $38K, and it sells for $15-18K now.
A diesel with 800 foot lbs of torque near idle is an amazing vehicle capable of a lot of work, but for towing short distance a couple of times a year, use anything that has the required rating.
 

Lou C

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The cost factor with diesels is if you have to do a fuel pump and injectors and some of the emissions stuff can cause problems. This is on recent diesels not older ones. For a Ram truck I'd be tempted to go with a 2500/6.4 Hemi-8 speed trans. That will be easy to maintain and I bet last a long time and will pull like a freight train.
 

muskyfins

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Jun 7, 2012
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Check out the "Ike Guantlet" videos on YouTube where they compare each truck (Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Toyota) and they towing ability. Any questions you have have will be answered (gas, diesel, 1500, 2500, even the Ecodiesel) These videos got me to fall in love with the 2016 Ram 1500 which I eventually bought.


Stong first post.:thumb::welcome:
 

KD4UPL

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Feb 13, 2010
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683
Diesel is great if you really need it. I've had 2 over the years. In my opinion you don't need one. You're not towing that much weight and not very often. However, you are towing heavy enough I wouldn't get a 1500. By the time you put passengers, pets, gear, etc. in the truck and hook up that load you will be pretty maxed out I think. I would step up to a 2500 and then get the 6.4 Hemi. It's a great engine. I've heard nothing bad about it. When I test drove one it felt much stronger than the 6.0 Chevy.
 

strokendiesel002

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May 15, 2012
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You've not mentioned the most important factor, which is not how much weight you'll be towing, it's how far. Short distance, 80 miles or less to and from your campground/ launch a gasser is just fine and dandy. However, if you'll be travelling several hours at a crack on anything other than flat lands, the diesel (whichever brand) will be a fat more enjoyable experience. They're considerably heavier, which makes for more easily controlled braking situations, not relying as heavily on the trailer brakes every time you apply the left peddle). Again, they're considerably heavier, allowing a more stable ride when high winds start to whip your giant brick of a travel trailer. There is so much more to towing than power. Yes, diesels have more torque and a higher resale, but the up front cost is worth it for me, as I travel long distances. At this point, you're the only one here who knows how far you'll be travelling and if the extra upfront cost will be worth it. The current 1500 series are amazing as daily driver's and have the power to move something, but I'd still not select one for ME, as they don't have the weight.

Good luck sir!
 

Powerstroke in a Prius

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I have some stuff to consider: I have mechanical aptitude, so I bought a classic diesel (1st gen Ford Superduty) and I maintain it myself. If it weren't for my own wrenching, I don't think I would have saved a lot of money by buying used - my truck needed a lot of work. If you buy new diesels... they are crazy expensive before you leave the lot, no shade tree mechanic can really work on them, and they are scary expensive when things go wrong. Saying that... modern diesels are quiet, go very easy on the nose, and have stupid power. If I were to pull heavy on the Grape Vine once a month, I would invest in diesel. If were to I pull on the flat a few times a year, I'd get a good tow gasser.

As it stands... I pull heavy, I pull often, and I pull on some damn steep grades... so I wouldn't be without a diesel.

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SDSeville

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Mar 19, 2010
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Right now I will be towing mostly local with a few trips a year to Lake Mohave -- 330 miles each way with some pretty good hills. However, when we get the travel trailer that will increase to about 10 long trips a year. I have seen several "lighter" travel trailers on the road lately, but it would be nice to have a tow rig strong enough to not have to worry about weight and just get what I want. However, my budget is only about $25k, so it might not be realistic to get a diesel. I am looking 3 to 5 year old gassers and 6 to 10 year old diesels. I am not sure how reliable a 10 year old diesel would be going forward.
 

bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
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When I replace my 1/2T gas, the next one will be a 3/4T diesel because I am also going to be buying a travel trailer. It will be one of the lighter weight ones so it will be 7k pounds or less but I still am going to get the diesel.
 

On Holiday

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Aug 3, 2016
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I have a 2003 F150 and a 2004 Dodge 2500 diesel, I tow a Regal 2400. Obviously the diesel is hands down a better tow vehicle however the F150 is capable of towing. The main difference is the Dodge is heavier and I feel less pushing from the boat on the tow vehicle. I also can accelerate up hills in the Dodge while say "I think I can" over and over again in the Ford. At the end of my journey I feel much more relaxed when I arrive at my destination in the Dodge.
 
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