Forum Discussion

4girls2dogsandm's avatar
4girls2dogsandm
Explorer
Aug 06, 2021

Need advise from the Ram Owners

I’m going to buy a Ram 3500 SRW in November and my dilemma is gas or diesel. I have owned a 02 Cummins for 17 years and it was ole reliable. I only drove it 90,000 in those 17 years and really don’t drive crazy miles. We usually take the DW ‘s car on trips as we are seasonal campers at the moment. Anyway I’m retiring and will be traveling the winter months from November to April in the South. Maybe a trip West in summer time. I’m concerned that a new diesel with the all the new emissions and DEF regen won’t cut it as the other 7 months it will be a grocery getter. We are going to be purchasing a FW early next year with a pin weight of 2100 lbs and a GVW of 11,000. Any input would greatly be appreciated.
Tow Vehicles
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Aug 06, 2021
    As long as you are only towing 11K you can get by with a gasser.
    If that weight creeps up or you upgrade to a heavier rig you will want the diesel.
  • Blazing_Zippers's avatar
    Blazing_Zippers
    Explorer II
    Aug 06, 2021
    2016 Ram, 6.4 hemi, 4WD, crew cab---towing a 10,300 lb fifth wheel and now a 10,000 lb travel trailer. When I buy another truck, it will be a copy of what I currently drive.
    16 MPG empty at 70 + miles per hour. 8.1 to 9.5 MPG towing average for over 30,000 miles towing.
    The new 6.4 hemi's have a 8 speed trans that would be a great improvement over what I currently have.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Aug 06, 2021
    Im a tech tech at a CDJR dealer and being diesel certified I would say skip the diesel with your needs. Personally I wouldn’t buy any new diesel unless absolutely necessary. All the stuff that’s been added in to a diesel to clean it up over the years has made them not reliable enough for me to say go ahead. I would just a 6.4 gasser with the lower gearing and you will be just fine.
  • Mike_LeClair's avatar
    Mike_LeClair
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2021
    If you will only be towing 11,000lbs with your RAM you will be perfectly fine with a gasser. If there is a chance, remote or otherwise, that you will be upgrading to a larger RV, I would go with the diesel.

    Cheers!

    Mike
  • whjco's avatar
    whjco
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2021
    I used my 2015 Ram 2500 CTD as a daily driver for the first 4 1/2 years that I owned it and had no issues whatsoever. Two years ago I bought a used minivan for a daily driver so that I wouldn't be running up the odometer on the pickup and to save it for pulling our enclosed car trailer and our travel trailer as I don't want to be shelling out the bucks for another one any time soon. I do love the truck and would buy another in a heartbeat.

    As for the gas vs diesel, there are certainly pros and cons but I much prefer towing my travel trailer with the diesel.

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