Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Max towing number released

parkersdad wrote:

Because I am a Ram fan and I want the lower torque numbers. When it gets 29 on the highway lots of people will probably switch.

And when it doesn't? A hard worked small Diesel doesn't get good fuel economy. Just ask Sprinter owners. The new V6 Diesels get poor fuel economy compared to the I5 the van launched with.

I also wonder why, this far into the cycle Chrysler is being coy about fuel economy?

This might put things in perspective a bit. My 2002 Dodge 2500 5.9L Cummins had 235hp & 460 lbs-ft of torque. It towed my 9000# RV easily, and it was hampered by only having a 4 speed auto trans (and 3.55 gears).

This Ram 1500 diesel has an 8 speed auto, the same 3.55 gears (with smaller tires?), and has 240hp and 420tq.

On the mpg, it has been stated that it (the 3.0L Deisel) will exceed the 3.6L Pentastar V6/8 speed combo which is rated at 25 mpg highway. The same engine/transmission in a Jeep Grand Cherokee is rated at 30 US mpg highway. I'm thinking 28 or 29 mpg when used in a larger Ram 1500 would be a close guess.

VIDEO

Hammerhead wrote:
We bought our Grand Cherokee in 2008 with the diesel engine since most of our driving is not while towing and it gets about 50% better mileage than a Hemi. Maintenance costs haven't been that different from the gasser. Sure, oil changes cost more, but the oil changes aren't as frequent. We saved enough fuel in 60,000 miles to cover the price differences of the CRD over the hemi and now have 127,000 miles on the odometer.

Aw come on! Quit messing this up with facts and actual experience! :W

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Have any of you ever towed a 7K TT with a 200 HP diesel? I own a 200 (with exhaust and the pump turned up maybe around 225??) HP diesel and tow a 7K TT with it. In the big hills I get down to less than 30 MPH.

Now I know this thing will have about 40 HP more or so and more gears so maybe around 35 on big hills with a 7K TT. Then add in the extra ton and you're back to less than 30 MPH again. :E

IMHO they will sell quite a few of these things in 1 or 2 years and then word will get out about performance and sales will drop in the toilet unless they turn the HP up.

Like it or not; believe it or not, performance sells in trucks. If not, the Cummins would still be at 175 HP.

It's a new age. People expect to run 60 to 65 MPH up hills fully loaded. People think if your truck drops a gear or two on hills it is struggling. :R

Guess we will see how thing go for this new oil burner.

While you do have a point, don't forget you are towing with a 4 speed auto, and this new Ram 1500 has 8 ratios.

We bought our Grand Cherokee in 2008 with the diesel engine since most of our driving is not while towing and it gets about 50% better mileage than a Hemi. Maintenance costs haven't been that different from the gasser. Sure, oil changes cost more, but the oil changes aren't as frequent. We saved enough fuel in 60,000 miles to cover the price differences of the CRD over the hemi and now have 127,000 miles on the odometer.

ib516 wrote:

Western Canada - where the majority of diesels are sold in Canada. Right now where I live, diesel is $1.169/L, reg unleaded (87 octane) is $1.239/L.

That's only recently..

And if you look here

http://www.calgarygasprices.com/index.aspx?fuel=D

You'll see it's ~5c/L different. Before July, diesel prices were the same as regular gas.

9200 lbs towing for the 3.55 axle I think. If they make the 3.92 rear available, then I'm sure it'll be bumped up to around 10,xxx similar to the HEMI.
If offered, I see this type of truck attractive to fleet buyers and for the RV'er, it'll offer something that they already tow with their HEMI or 4.7L V8 but with better milage, especially unloaded. I think it'll be a hot seller, especially in Canada.

Have any of you ever towed a 7K TT with a 200 HP diesel? I own a 200 (with exhaust and the pump turned up maybe around 225??) HP diesel and tow a 7K TT with it. In the big hills I get down to less than 30 MPH.

Now I know this thing will have about 40 HP more or so and more gears so maybe around 35 on big hills with a 7K TT. Then add in the extra ton and you're back to less than 30 MPH again. :E

IMHO they will sell quite a few of these things in 1 or 2 years and then word will get out about performance and sales will drop in the toilet unless they turn the HP up.

Like it or not; believe it or not, performance sells in trucks. If not, the Cummins would still be at 175 HP.

It's a new age. People expect to run 60 to 65 MPH up hills fully loaded. People think if your truck drops a gear or two on hills it is struggling. :R

Guess we will see how thing go for this new oil burner.

for some guys the diesel seems to be a good idea but for the driving we "me" do now and same for others it isn't needed. Nice idea for a 1/2 ton for those that want it.
chevman

popupcamping wrote:

ib516 wrote:

N-Trouble wrote:
THe lack of any real payload is why a 1/2 ton diesel just doesn't make sense to me. The current top of the line gas offerings can all easily handle whatever you can "safely" tow with these trucks. You buy a diesel because you need/want the pulling power but when the severly lacking 1/2 ton chassis becomes the weak link I can see why not everybody is jumping onboard with offering 1/2 ton diesels. Maybe Dodge knows something we dont, but I doubt it. Still trying to understand the logic behind a 1/2 ton diesel...

You're looking at it from an RVer's perspective, but most 1500 series truck buyers are not RVers. It also depends on where you live. With diesel being about 10% cheaper than regular unleaded here (Canada), and most people using their 1500 series trucks as the family car here, I think it'll sell like hot cakes.

Diesel cheaper than reg gas?


Where?

not any wheres in Atlantic Canada.

It is the same problem with most diesels. The cost of initial ownership will never be returned with fuel savings with normal driving. Hybrids are under the same umbrella. it takes a really long time to recoup the costs of the technology and that is thrown out the window if there are mechanical failures as they tend to be 3-4 times more expensive than gas.

The biggest problem I see with this "baby" diesel is exactly that, it is a "baby" diesel. it may become a big joke sitting beside the Cummins. Guys generally don't like being snickered at. The Hemi will have as much power and sound a lot better doing it at a lower price. And don't you dare say you dont care about the sound.

Doug

Western Canada - where the majority of diesels are sold in Canada. Right now where I live, diesel is $1.169/L, reg unleaded (87 octane) is $1.239/L.