RAM - 0-60, mpg, and tow test (pt 3) Hemi vs Cummins
OK, so all the videos are uploaded now.
Just to set the stage, we were comparing a:
2014 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi (410hp/429tq) with 4.10 axles to a 2014 Ram 3500 SRW 6.7L Cummins (370hp/800tq) with 3.42 axles. Each was hauling the same 14,000# RV (a 40' Silverback by Cedar Creek 5th wheel). For all the testing, I drove my truck, and SKG drove his. Though we have driven each other's vehicles - but not when towing.
0-60 test towing 14,000#
Impressions (my opinion):
The Hemi built power smoothly and had the more power at higher RPM (duh). It was a very predictable flow of power, and didn't seem "lacking" at all. It does have the characteristic flat spot in the power as soon as it changes from 1st to 2nd gear as the step between those gears is pretty large. It takes the engine a few seconds to recover from that gear change. I would best describe it as "adequate" power (IMO) for the load. The "clunk" you hear right at the end is from the fancy airbag hitch on the 5er.
Hemi 0-60 towing 14,000#
The Cummins powered truck was a completely different experience. It tugged like crazy in first gear from about 1500 - 2500 RPM, then the power kind of drops off at higher RPM and as the trans shifts between gears. Fully uncorked and not held back by the computer, the power is much more evident than with the Hemi. I don't care what anyone says, the power output is definitely being "managed" by the computers. There are stark differences between full ON (I'd call "impressive") and tq managed when the accelerator is held to the floor. When the RPM and speed are right and the computer isn't choking the power it pulls amazingly hard - even with the heavy load we had behind it.
Cummins 0-60 towing 14,000#
MPG test towing 14,000#
OK, firstly, I know this is not as scientific as could be done. But remember, we're just a couple of guys, not scientists. We ran each truck at the same speed on the same road, towing the same RV one after another. We let each "settle", after accelerating from a stop, then started the video recording. The passenger did the recording, so the angle isn't ideal, but you can see the mpg display on each hopefully.
I also didn't want to post a 10 min video of each test. It takes FOREVER to upload and it would be boring to watch. Each video is around a minute long.
We each had a side/corner wind to deal with, but it had a much more detrimental effect on the Hemi mpg as it had to work harder to maintain speed. The Hemi would run in 4th gear at about 2500 RPM (6 speed auto trans) when hitched up. With my lighter 5er (it's about 12k#), it will usually run in 5th. The Cummins quickly settled into top gear (6th) at just under 1400 RPM, even with the load.
6.4L Hemi & 4.10 gears - mpg towing 14,000#
6.7L Cummins & 3.42 gears - mpg towing 14,000#
The side wind we dealt with gave us a chance to compare the chassis and road feel of each truck. The 5er we were towing has a very large, high, flat front cap, and a tall side profile. Personally, I didn't feel either truck was "unstable" at all. Each felt confident and stable; it was quiet and relaxed in the cab. I will say that the 3500 SRW felt a little "stiffer" in the rear than the 2500 - makes sense I guess based on the squat measurements. If the 2500 was a 9/10 for stability (just an example), the 3500 SRW was a 9.5/10.
I welcome your comments.
SKG - what is your opinion?
Just to set the stage, we were comparing a:
2014 Ram 2500 6.4L Hemi (410hp/429tq) with 4.10 axles to a 2014 Ram 3500 SRW 6.7L Cummins (370hp/800tq) with 3.42 axles. Each was hauling the same 14,000# RV (a 40' Silverback by Cedar Creek 5th wheel). For all the testing, I drove my truck, and SKG drove his. Though we have driven each other's vehicles - but not when towing.
0-60 test towing 14,000#
Impressions (my opinion):
The Hemi built power smoothly and had the more power at higher RPM (duh). It was a very predictable flow of power, and didn't seem "lacking" at all. It does have the characteristic flat spot in the power as soon as it changes from 1st to 2nd gear as the step between those gears is pretty large. It takes the engine a few seconds to recover from that gear change. I would best describe it as "adequate" power (IMO) for the load. The "clunk" you hear right at the end is from the fancy airbag hitch on the 5er.
Hemi 0-60 towing 14,000#
The Cummins powered truck was a completely different experience. It tugged like crazy in first gear from about 1500 - 2500 RPM, then the power kind of drops off at higher RPM and as the trans shifts between gears. Fully uncorked and not held back by the computer, the power is much more evident than with the Hemi. I don't care what anyone says, the power output is definitely being "managed" by the computers. There are stark differences between full ON (I'd call "impressive") and tq managed when the accelerator is held to the floor. When the RPM and speed are right and the computer isn't choking the power it pulls amazingly hard - even with the heavy load we had behind it.
Cummins 0-60 towing 14,000#
MPG test towing 14,000#
OK, firstly, I know this is not as scientific as could be done. But remember, we're just a couple of guys, not scientists. We ran each truck at the same speed on the same road, towing the same RV one after another. We let each "settle", after accelerating from a stop, then started the video recording. The passenger did the recording, so the angle isn't ideal, but you can see the mpg display on each hopefully.
I also didn't want to post a 10 min video of each test. It takes FOREVER to upload and it would be boring to watch. Each video is around a minute long.
We each had a side/corner wind to deal with, but it had a much more detrimental effect on the Hemi mpg as it had to work harder to maintain speed. The Hemi would run in 4th gear at about 2500 RPM (6 speed auto trans) when hitched up. With my lighter 5er (it's about 12k#), it will usually run in 5th. The Cummins quickly settled into top gear (6th) at just under 1400 RPM, even with the load.
6.4L Hemi & 4.10 gears - mpg towing 14,000#
6.7L Cummins & 3.42 gears - mpg towing 14,000#
The side wind we dealt with gave us a chance to compare the chassis and road feel of each truck. The 5er we were towing has a very large, high, flat front cap, and a tall side profile. Personally, I didn't feel either truck was "unstable" at all. Each felt confident and stable; it was quiet and relaxed in the cab. I will say that the 3500 SRW felt a little "stiffer" in the rear than the 2500 - makes sense I guess based on the squat measurements. If the 2500 was a 9/10 for stability (just an example), the 3500 SRW was a 9.5/10.
I welcome your comments.
SKG - what is your opinion?
