Is the Ram 2500 Cummins the most fuel economical amongst 3/4 ton to one ton diesel pickup trucks?

I'm thinking it depends mainly on the driver technique and speed. I get 12 mpg +/- .5 mpg towing the fifth wheel in my signature with a 3/4" GMC 6.6 Duramax.I'm very non-aggressive and tow at 60 mph on interstates and less than that on 2-lane.

I am not sure what you want. You have recieved some very good info from the members here in regards to your threads. They have covered your questions from the Tundra all the way to the HD trucks. The new trucks are so close in overall performance that the only thing one has over the other in todays market is your personal preference on its looks and interior. So there you go, drive them and see which one you personally like best.

I don't believe you will find one brand diesel having a significant advantage over another in mpg, perhaps in different model years maybe, but new, not so much. As was already stated, driving habits, loading, wind, etc all have an affect. If you're trying to make a new truck purchase decision on this factor alone, you may be focusing on an unimportant issue. I believe all the big three diesels are very capable haulers and darn nice trucks. I've always been a Cummins guy having just purchased my 4th one. Would still have #3 if I didn't need to upgrade to a dual wheel, it only had 103K miles on it when I traded it. Just saying...

People do not buy diesel trucks for fuel economy. They buy them to do a job! If you want foel economy, buy a Prius for goodness sakes.

donn0128 wrote:People do not buy diesel trucks for fuel economy. They buy them to do a job! If you want foel economy, buy a Prius for goodness sakes.Can prius tow a trailer?

Ram 2500 Cummins the most fuel economical | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

N-Trouble
Explorer
Apr 16, 2015
doublenot7 wrote:
I get pretty good mileage on my 6.7L F250, max is up to 24.5mpg in city/highway combined. I'm pretty certain any of the major brands newer diesels can do just as good. I don't think the brand is what will determine your mileage but instead it is mostly the driver.

You're not going to find anything that has great mileage while towing.

Them is a big number. What is your city mileage? Hwy mileage and speed?
bigg-limo
Explorer
Apr 15, 2015
Scooter86 wrote:
Sadly, you used to be able to get better fuel mileage and cheaper fuel from a diesel. The epa has pretty much ruined those days unless you can do an emissions delete and chip it. I have a '10 2500 Cummins combo. All stock. My best was 19mpg highway NY to NC. Towing 8k I am looking at more like 8 or 9mpg over the same run. A solid 1.5mpg over my previous 5.7hemi in a similar truck. By internet rumor I could probably upgrade mpg again with the 6.4 hemi.

All of which still leaves me curious about the new 5.0 Cummins about to be released. 310/550 is pretty close to what the big 3 were selling just about 8 years ago.

I'd bet the ratings will still be lower than what they were back then,...depending on what class truck the engine will be in.
thehippie
Explorer
Apr 15, 2015
doublenot7 wrote:
I get pretty good mileage on my 6.7L F250, max is up to 24.5mpg in city/highway combined. I'm pretty certain any of the major brands newer diesels can do just as good. I don't think the brand is what will determine your mileage but instead it is mostly the driver.

You're not going to find anything that has great mileage while towing.
Ur right it depends on the driver. I press lightly when it's traveling 75mph and computer says 30 mpg already. I drove 40 miles and the remaining miles
Went from 400 to 440. It even increased. Lol.
doublenot7
Explorer
Apr 14, 2015
I get pretty good mileage on my 6.7L F250, max is up to 24.5mpg in city/highway combined. I'm pretty certain any of the major brands newer diesels can do just as good. I don't think the brand is what will determine your mileage but instead it is mostly the driver.

You're not going to find anything that has great mileage while towing.
steelpony5555
Explorer
Apr 14, 2015
Sorry forgot they switched to DEF and mileage went up again ...my bad...
transamz9
Explorer
Apr 14, 2015
steelpony5555 wrote:
Newer the truck the worse the MPG....If you can find a nice Dodge 5.9 it will get the best fuel mileage....even a 3 Gen 6.7 Dodge is not too bad...buy a 4th Gen 2014 and the fuel mileage will go in the crapper....

:h My 13 is very close to my 05. My 2010 was like you said though.
thehippie
Explorer
Apr 14, 2015
shum02 wrote:
thehippie wrote:

Eco diesel is a good option I know already that and has been my option but I also like mor power like the 2500 cummins diesel. So I'm just weighing things before coming to a wise decision.

Your asking for peoples opinions....and everyone has one. Try finding published facts/articles and then work your way backwards to opinions.

BTW I also agree it's the person in the drivers seat that determines mpg. I can get 20mpg hiway all days driving 55-62mph, a combined 15mpg to work and 10-12mpg towing.

Not to bad in my world. As usual YMMV.
i actually bought today 2015 ram2500 diesel long bed tradesman crew cab. So far I've driven it 75 miles in the city at 20-22 mpg. Good thing traffic is just moderate in the city.
Scooter86
Explorer
Apr 14, 2015
Sadly, you used to be able to get better fuel mileage and cheaper fuel from a diesel. The epa has pretty much ruined those days unless you can do an emissions delete and chip it. I have a '10 2500 Cummins combo. All stock. My best was 19mpg highway NY to NC. Towing 8k I am looking at more like 8 or 9mpg over the same run. A solid 1.5mpg over my previous 5.7hemi in a similar truck. By internet rumor I could probably upgrade mpg again with the 6.4 hemi.

All of which still leaves me curious about the new 5.0 Cummins about to be released. 310/550 is pretty close to what the big 3 were selling just about 8 years ago.
jus2shy
Explorer
Apr 13, 2015
steelpony5555 wrote:
Newer the truck the worse the MPG....If you can find a nice Dodge 5.9 it will get the best fuel mileage....even a 3 Gen 6.7 Dodge is not too bad...buy a 4th Gen 2014 and the fuel mileage will go in the crapper....

Just a minor correction, for RAM, 2007 to 2012 don't get very good fuel mileage. 2013+ with the new DEF emissions strategy and far more passive regenerations will get very good mileage, pretty much pre-emissions level fuel economy or even a little better. I've pulled just a hair under 22 mpg with mostly highway driving. I think I could had done better if I was driving on flat ground versus mountain passes and having to get around slower drivers when passing lanes present themselves.
steelpony5555
Explorer
Apr 13, 2015
Newer the truck the worse the MPG....If you can find a nice Dodge 5.9 it will get the best fuel mileage....even a 3 Gen 6.7 Dodge is not too bad...buy a 4th Gen 2014 and the fuel mileage will go in the crapper....