Hello Ram 1500 Diesel!
Have been driving/testing these for a while now, but couldn't say anything, until today! And yes it'll have plenty of towing capacity... Chrysler wrote: Ram to Build Industry's Only Light-duty...
Forum Discussion
17 pages of bickering and nobody has even driven one yet??? This has to be close to a record for pointless arguing on rv.net!
I think this is an interesting idea IF the vehicle has higher payload (around a ton or more would be nice) AND it gets decent mileage both loaded and unloaded AND it is available in lower trim trucks.
Give me 2000 lbs payload, 24/30 mpg unloaded and around 15mpg loaded available in a truck that starts at $28,000 and you have yourself a surefire winner.
Only offer 1500 lbs payload, 25mpg highway and starting at $35,000 you'll still sell some, but not likely as many.
Figure a half ton gas getting 16 mpg combined at $3.50/gallon for 15,000 miles/year is $3200 per year in fuel.
Ram diesel getting 25 mpg combined at $4/gallon for 15,000 miles/year is $2400 per year.
$800 per year in fuel savings for a $7000 more expensive truck takes almost 9 years to recover. Fleet owners who might not usually hold on to a truck for 9 years (tax depreciation, etc) might balk at that significant of an upcharge. I realize that resale value will be higher is the engine proves competent anddependable, but its still a long time to recoup your money. I hope that Ram is willing to offer this engine upgrade in each trim line from their cheap "worktruck" through their top level trim.
I am afraid of the upgrade price of the diesel engine and the increased cose/complexity of the 8 speed transmission. I am excited to see how it performs and what it costs though. Diesels in Europe are common and get better gas mileage. If Ram can offer superior mileage in an affordable and dependable package then the sky is the limit on sales.
I've never been a Dodge guy, but I am super interested in how this truck turns out!
I think this is an interesting idea IF the vehicle has higher payload (around a ton or more would be nice) AND it gets decent mileage both loaded and unloaded AND it is available in lower trim trucks.
Give me 2000 lbs payload, 24/30 mpg unloaded and around 15mpg loaded available in a truck that starts at $28,000 and you have yourself a surefire winner.
Only offer 1500 lbs payload, 25mpg highway and starting at $35,000 you'll still sell some, but not likely as many.
Figure a half ton gas getting 16 mpg combined at $3.50/gallon for 15,000 miles/year is $3200 per year in fuel.
Ram diesel getting 25 mpg combined at $4/gallon for 15,000 miles/year is $2400 per year.
$800 per year in fuel savings for a $7000 more expensive truck takes almost 9 years to recover. Fleet owners who might not usually hold on to a truck for 9 years (tax depreciation, etc) might balk at that significant of an upcharge. I realize that resale value will be higher is the engine proves competent anddependable, but its still a long time to recoup your money. I hope that Ram is willing to offer this engine upgrade in each trim line from their cheap "worktruck" through their top level trim.
I am afraid of the upgrade price of the diesel engine and the increased cose/complexity of the 8 speed transmission. I am excited to see how it performs and what it costs though. Diesels in Europe are common and get better gas mileage. If Ram can offer superior mileage in an affordable and dependable package then the sky is the limit on sales.
I've never been a Dodge guy, but I am super interested in how this truck turns out!
