Ram 3500 DRW 6.4L Hemi "Game Changer"
Truck Camper Magazine article and review HERE 18.2 mpg empty and 12.8 mpg with a 4700# slide in camper on board with 3.73s. That's with a dually! The truck has 5800# plus payload and would hav...
Forum Discussion
FishOnOne wrote:RoyJ wrote:Cummins12V98 wrote:
I don't care about the other brands, Cummins is what I am referring to.
12qts oil and a $12 Fleetguard filter. Dirt cheap.
My truck has been cheap to maintain even using AMZ/OIL products. Look at the cost of Fleetguard filters on genos.com.
No special coolant additives.
When comparing Diesels one should look at cost of maintenance.
7 qts and $6 napa filter for me, cheaper than dirt.
Fuel filter maybe once in its lifetime. No DEF, DPF, turbo, or injection pumps to worry about.
That's one truck. If you're the fleet manager for 100 trucks, the extra cost adds up quick.
What cummins doesn't realize is most today's gassers go 10k miles OCI on standard off the shelf oil and they don't require any boutique special oil like cummins98 uses at 7500 mile OCI which is basically throwing money away. It's obvious the operating cost is a non issue fo cummins98.
Also the '13-'14 RAM's have two radiator's, two expensive fuel filters, and just about every maintenance item is just more expensive on the cummins compared to a same year model gasser. Also replacing injector's on a gas engine is almost unheard of.
Bottom line today's diesel will pull better than today's gasser no question about it, but the cost to own and operate will cost you more.
Still disagree, you are not considering fuel costs. If I towed with a gasser I would be 6-7 mpg, maybe. RANDU used to tow his similar MS with a GM gasser. He now has a D=MAX. I will bet his costs are less now.
Fuel filters 13-14 Cummins $106. Air filter $26, oil filter $13.50.
Lets say I change all filters and use AMZ/OIL, cost for 15K = $250
15,000 miles Diesel towing at 9.5 = $6,315
15,000 miles Gasoline towing at 7.0 = $8,571
Even if there is NO cost for maintenance with the gasser it is still $2,000 cheaper to drive the Diesel.
Both figure $4.00 per gallon.
Talk future costs if you want but most people sell when warranty is up. Even if you don't you just saved more than enough at 100K for future repairs.
With the RAM you get 5yr 100K drivetrain coverage.
BTW I don't have to use the AMZ/OIL I choose to.
