Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Max towing number released

itguy08 wrote:

ib516 wrote:
Where does this "higher maintenence costs" BS you keep spouting come from? Facts please.

The more frequent and expensive fuel filter changes, the more expensive diesel oil changes, DEF, larger cooling systems. Now those are costs for the 3/4 and 1 tons but I'd imagine this engine will have similar requirements.

Comparing the EcoBoost 3.5L gas engine to a HD 6.7L diesel? Not exactly meaningful.

How about facts instead of biased BS?

The maintenance costs for a Ram 1500 diesel and any other gas 1/2 ton truck will be so similar that it wouldn't make a bit of difference to anyone.

What WILL make a difference is fuel economy.

F150 EcoBoost gets 21 mpg hwy
1500 RAM diesel will likely get ~29 mpg hwy.

How do I get that number?

I get it from facts. The same diesel engine and 8 speed trans is rated for 30 mpg hwy in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Jeep has a drag coefficient of 0.371 where the Ram 1500 has a drag coefficient of 0.360 (areo mode, active grill shutters, etc.), so 29 mpg is not unreasonable to assume.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that when these two trucks (the RAM diesel and the Ford EcoBoost) are put head to head, the 125hp advantage the EcoBoost has will make it win the race to the end of the drag strip, or to the top of the hill, towing and empty. If people want a high performance RAM 1500, they can opt for the Hemi/8 speed combo which gets similar mpg to the EcoBoost towing and empty, and performs similarly.

But, the RAM 1500 EcoDiesel will win at the pump (towing and unloaded), and it will ride and handle much better thanks to the air suspenion. I guess the end consumer will have to decide which is more important to them.

I think the majority of buyers of "half ton" trucks are looking for a vehicle that is primarily used as the family vehicle. They own a truck to haul stuff, haul their family around, tow a trailer here and there, and they are looking for a vehicle that can do all that and not kill their wallet at the pump. That is where the RAM 1500 diesel will shine.

Time will tell how this goes.