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micpib1's avatar
micpib1
Explorer
Feb 18, 2013

2013 Dodge Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

I currently have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the Cummins and an auto trans, I am considering a new 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi. I just returned from a trip to Mexico, running empty 17.4 mpg was my best, towing my 10,250# trailer on my last trip I got around 12 mpg. The Cummins tows great, but the mileage is not that impressive, especially considering the current cost of diesel over gasoline and when I factor in the cost of the Cummins motor in a new Dodge, it appears to be a very costly option. The new Dodge with the Hemi is advertising better mileage than what I currently get, but if it won’t handle the trailer, the mileage may not matter. Is anyone else towing a 10k trailer with the Dodge 5.7 Hemi and are you happy with the results? JH
  • M_GO_BLUE1's avatar
    M_GO_BLUE1
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2013
    So now you want to replace a 3/4 ton diesel with a 3/4 ton gasser?

    You can do that but you wont be happy how it will pull the trailer..a diesel will get better mpg than a gasser

    Not a good idea what you are planning...
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2013
    A diesel will always get better mileage than a gas engine. It will just about always be cheaper to fuel a diesel unless diesel gets a lot more expensive. If mileage and cost per mile are your concerns the diesel is still the way to go.
    What's the Hemi's tow rating? I suspect it's going to be close with your trailer.
  • hammer21661's avatar
    hammer21661
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2013
    If you do You should keep the diesel so when you get fed up with the hemmeroid you don't have to buy another diesel.

    Good luck!
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2013
    There will be no problem handling the load. But the performance (acceleration, ability to hold speed on grades) will suffer, and so will the mileage.
  • RamTC's avatar
    RamTC
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2013
    The 13' 2500 models are rated higher than you'll need with the 4.10s, but I've never seen any advertising on mpg? The 2500/3500 HD Hemi is not the same as the 1500 Hemi. Even the CTD won't give you 17.4, the days of old 5.9s are gone. I'm considering a 13' 3500 Hemi SRW, but a 7000 truck with 4.10s, I'd be lucky to see 13 mpg empty.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Feb 19, 2013
    The first time you tow up a hill with a gasser your going to say to yourself, "What the hell have I done".
  • Bionic_Man's avatar
    Bionic_Man
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2013
    I'll probably be in the minority here, but I would wager that the new Hemi will pull your trailer better than an '01 CTD. The Hemi gives up about 40 lb/ft of torque but has around 150 more HP and at least two more gears.

    That said, neither a new CTD or Hemi will match your 01 in mpg. If that's your main concern your better off keeping your exsisting truck. There are a lot of advantages to the new truck, but overall $ saving isn't one of them.
  • micpib1's avatar
    micpib1
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2013
    Thanks for the opinons, I may need to re-think this... hmmmm. JH
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Feb 19, 2013
    micpib1 wrote:
    I currently have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the Cummins and an auto trans, I am considering a new 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi. I just returned from a trip to Mexico, running empty 17.4 mpg was my best, towing my 10,250# trailer on my last trip I got around 12 mpg. The Cummins tows great, but the mileage is not that impressive, especially considering the current cost of diesel over gasoline and when I factor in the cost of the Cummins motor in a new Dodge, it appears to be a very costly option. The new Dodge with the Hemi is advertising better mileage than what I currently get, but if it won’t handle the trailer, the mileage may not matter. Is anyone else towing a 10k trailer with the Dodge 5.7 Hemi and are you happy with the results? JH


    What speeds were you running? Mileage ratings will vary with speed and gear ratio.
    I can pull 20 mpg with my 01 Cummins 4X4 with 3.55 gears, I also pull an 11,000#+ 5er up and down the Oregon coast range, at the speed limit, do you really want to give that up?
    It is YOUR $7,000 to $8,000 difference in price, happiness has a cost.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Feb 19, 2013
    Bionic Man wrote:
    I'll probably be in the minority here, but I would wager that the new Hemi will pull your trailer better than an '01 CTD. The Hemi gives up about 40 lb/ft of torque but has around 150 more HP and at least two more gears.

    That said, neither a new CTD or Hemi will match your 01 in mpg. If that's your main concern your better off keeping your exsisting truck. There are a lot of advantages to the new truck, but overall $ saving isn't one of them.


    I agree with this. The towing experience will be different, but I'd give a gentlemen's bet that a 2013 Ram Hemi will tow 10000 pound faster than a 2001 diesel.

    Compare acceleration times between gas and diesel in the quarter mile and up at 16% hill. And 2011 diesels have a lot more power and gearing than 2001.

    The gasser will use more fuel. To accomplish those acceleration rates the gas engine will need to spin about twice as fast as the diesel. Both will handle a 10k pound RV with ease. It is the many people than cannot handle (sound, psychological) the gasser at 4000-5000rpm at times.

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