Trip Report - 2014 Ram 2500 Hemi 6.4
We are back from our Disney trip with the new truck and I wanted to share for those looking at the 6.4 Hemi.
Summary
My truck is a 2014 Ram 2500 CC LB 4x4 6.4 4.10 gears. We purchased the truck at the end of September and it had around 1400 miles on it when we left. We were pulling a 2015 Sprinter 324FWBHS, around 11,500. In the truck, it was my 3 year old, my wife, my 30lb dog, and myself. I had my toolbox with a good amount of stuff in it plus the heavy B&W companion hitch. We travelved from central Ohio to Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. Round trip, including driving around a little near Disney was 2100 miles.
MPG
We averaged right around 7mpg hand calculated for the entire trip at 65-70 mph. Some as low as 6.4 and some near 7.5. Spent around $900 in gas :E . Range was pretty short as well. Luckily, we generally stop often anyway for our daughter and dog to get out. We usually went a little under 200 miles between stops, as I don't like to let the tank get so low the light comes on, especially when towing.
Performance
The truck had plenty of power, as long as I will willing to let it shift down. We went on 77 through WV with grades of 5-7%. Spent a lot of time in 4th. Spent more time in 3rd than I would have really cared for, but only saw 2nd a couple times on the steepest climbs and was able to accelerate if needed in 2nd. I was generally happy with the truck, but as I mentioned, would have preferred to see less of 3rd. I was in 5th a lot too, and even able to be in 6th on some of the flatlands. I never felt underpowered or anything, and even at 5000rpms or more, it wasn't loud to the point of being obnoxious as I have seen in some older gas trucks at higher RPMs.
The ride was smooth and sometimes you could almost forget you had that huge, almost 39', trailer attached.
I would love to be able to go the same part of the route from my house through WV and then back with my 5th wheel in new Cummins for comparison. I feel the Hemi did better than my 2003 standard output Cummins. The new trucks are leaps and bounds better in the comfort and interior level. My old truck was an SLT and the new one is a Big Horn.
Campground
This was our first time staying the Fort Wilderness Campground and honestly only our 2nd trip camping with this camper (or ever). The campground was nice and very clean. My biggest issue was paying $90/night plus tax for a "premium site" and then having very narrow roads and back in spots that were difficult to get into. I had to use the site across from me to get in and then had to move my truck to allow the guy that came in later to get in the spot across from me. We are planning on something different next year, but not sure what yet.
Disney was a great, but tiring experience with a 3 year old. We went last year, but only one day at Disney and rented a house. This year we went 5 days.
Conclusion
A trip like this with the camper will likely only be a once a year thing, with smaller trips closer to home (maybe 4 hours or less away). I also have a 6x12 enclosed trailer and a 20' deckover utility trailer. Neither of those get used that often. I am currently using the the truck as a daily driver, but am looking for a deal on a commuter car. With the way I use it, the diesel didn't make as much sense to me. If I was full-timing or had any heavier of a trailer, I would have gone diesel 3500. If I was buying again tomorrow, there is a good change I would go diesel with a manual transmission. Not because this truck didn't perform, but just what I like.
I would definately recommend the 6.4 to people that have similar or lesser needs. I do wish it got better mpg, but it is a 410hp gas V8, so I knew it wouldn't be good going in. Overall, I am happy with the purchase.
Any questions, just let me know.
Summary
My truck is a 2014 Ram 2500 CC LB 4x4 6.4 4.10 gears. We purchased the truck at the end of September and it had around 1400 miles on it when we left. We were pulling a 2015 Sprinter 324FWBHS, around 11,500. In the truck, it was my 3 year old, my wife, my 30lb dog, and myself. I had my toolbox with a good amount of stuff in it plus the heavy B&W companion hitch. We travelved from central Ohio to Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. Round trip, including driving around a little near Disney was 2100 miles.
MPG
We averaged right around 7mpg hand calculated for the entire trip at 65-70 mph. Some as low as 6.4 and some near 7.5. Spent around $900 in gas :E . Range was pretty short as well. Luckily, we generally stop often anyway for our daughter and dog to get out. We usually went a little under 200 miles between stops, as I don't like to let the tank get so low the light comes on, especially when towing.
Performance
The truck had plenty of power, as long as I will willing to let it shift down. We went on 77 through WV with grades of 5-7%. Spent a lot of time in 4th. Spent more time in 3rd than I would have really cared for, but only saw 2nd a couple times on the steepest climbs and was able to accelerate if needed in 2nd. I was generally happy with the truck, but as I mentioned, would have preferred to see less of 3rd. I was in 5th a lot too, and even able to be in 6th on some of the flatlands. I never felt underpowered or anything, and even at 5000rpms or more, it wasn't loud to the point of being obnoxious as I have seen in some older gas trucks at higher RPMs.
The ride was smooth and sometimes you could almost forget you had that huge, almost 39', trailer attached.
I would love to be able to go the same part of the route from my house through WV and then back with my 5th wheel in new Cummins for comparison. I feel the Hemi did better than my 2003 standard output Cummins. The new trucks are leaps and bounds better in the comfort and interior level. My old truck was an SLT and the new one is a Big Horn.
Campground
This was our first time staying the Fort Wilderness Campground and honestly only our 2nd trip camping with this camper (or ever). The campground was nice and very clean. My biggest issue was paying $90/night plus tax for a "premium site" and then having very narrow roads and back in spots that were difficult to get into. I had to use the site across from me to get in and then had to move my truck to allow the guy that came in later to get in the spot across from me. We are planning on something different next year, but not sure what yet.
Disney was a great, but tiring experience with a 3 year old. We went last year, but only one day at Disney and rented a house. This year we went 5 days.
Conclusion
A trip like this with the camper will likely only be a once a year thing, with smaller trips closer to home (maybe 4 hours or less away). I also have a 6x12 enclosed trailer and a 20' deckover utility trailer. Neither of those get used that often. I am currently using the the truck as a daily driver, but am looking for a deal on a commuter car. With the way I use it, the diesel didn't make as much sense to me. If I was full-timing or had any heavier of a trailer, I would have gone diesel 3500. If I was buying again tomorrow, there is a good change I would go diesel with a manual transmission. Not because this truck didn't perform, but just what I like.
I would definately recommend the 6.4 to people that have similar or lesser needs. I do wish it got better mpg, but it is a 410hp gas V8, so I knew it wouldn't be good going in. Overall, I am happy with the purchase.
Any questions, just let me know.
