6.4 Hemi Towing MPG Report
8500lb loaded TT, average amount of stuff in the truck - maybe 1000# including me, a couple little ones and some basic camping stuff.
Roughly 100 mile trip from Portland area over the coast range to the pacific oceawn. This included about 1/2 interstate (stuck in stop/go traffic for part of it) and climbing over the 1000 ft. mountain range.
I averaged 8.3 mpgs which I though was pretty good. My old Dmax on the exact same trip with same trailer and gear got about 10-10.5. Losing only 2 mpg is about the best I could have hoped for making the switch from diesel back to gas.
As for power, I'm now out of all the break-in periods and could really see what this truck has.... and it's a lot. With tow/haul engaged it seems to really like 2nd, 3rd & 4th gears. The way the ratios work out (3.73 axle) 2nd gear is an absolute beast for climbing steep grades. 55-60mph seems to be right in the meat of the power at about 4500rpm. I was able to accelerate from 45 at the base of a fairly steep grade right up to 60 and could have probably kept going.
The engine braking with the tow/haul is totally amazing. I literally did not touch the brakes once coming down the winding back side of the mountain range. The suspension and overall handling of the truck continues to amaze me as well.
Of course, the Dmax had more overall power but the 6.4 is more than adequate for the 8500lb TT. EVERY other aspect of the Ram I like better. To be fair though, this truck is 8 years newer technology so it should be better.... I'm sure the new Dmax is a lot better handling wise, etc. than my 06.
Roughly 100 mile trip from Portland area over the coast range to the pacific oceawn. This included about 1/2 interstate (stuck in stop/go traffic for part of it) and climbing over the 1000 ft. mountain range.
I averaged 8.3 mpgs which I though was pretty good. My old Dmax on the exact same trip with same trailer and gear got about 10-10.5. Losing only 2 mpg is about the best I could have hoped for making the switch from diesel back to gas.
As for power, I'm now out of all the break-in periods and could really see what this truck has.... and it's a lot. With tow/haul engaged it seems to really like 2nd, 3rd & 4th gears. The way the ratios work out (3.73 axle) 2nd gear is an absolute beast for climbing steep grades. 55-60mph seems to be right in the meat of the power at about 4500rpm. I was able to accelerate from 45 at the base of a fairly steep grade right up to 60 and could have probably kept going.
The engine braking with the tow/haul is totally amazing. I literally did not touch the brakes once coming down the winding back side of the mountain range. The suspension and overall handling of the truck continues to amaze me as well.
Of course, the Dmax had more overall power but the 6.4 is more than adequate for the 8500lb TT. EVERY other aspect of the Ram I like better. To be fair though, this truck is 8 years newer technology so it should be better.... I'm sure the new Dmax is a lot better handling wise, etc. than my 06.
