I will be ordering a 2014 RAM 3500 SRW in the next couple of months. I am really having a hard time deciding on whether to get the 6.4L Hemi Gas or the Cummins. Initially I was leaning towards the gas motor for several reasons. I only put about 7000 miles a year on my vehicles. This truck would be my daily driver and my work is only 6 miles away. I have heard driving diesels for short distances is bad. But now I am leaning towards the Cummins. The wife and I are looking a fifth wheels (currently have a TT) and every time we go to a show, she seems to keep looking at bigger and bigger units. I believe the 6.4 Hemi would be fine towing what I am looking for but there really isn't any data available yet on this motor since no one seems to have one. The other thing I noticed locally is that about 90+ percent of the 2500/3500s around here are diesels (regardless of brand). I guess I have a fear of diesels. I read about high pressure pump problems, having to use DEF, higher maintenance cost, etc, etc. I plan on keeping this truck for at least 8-10 years so I want to make sure I don't "mess up" and buy the wrong thing. Anyone else do short daily (going to work) trips with their diesels? I usually tow our TT once a month so occasionally the truck with get a workout. I will also mention that price is not really a concern to me since it seems that you get most of your initial diesel investment ($8000+) back when you sell the truck. I just don't want to kill the motor with my short daily drives.Burch

I love my '14 3500 RAM DRW! DEF is a non issue. One 5.5 gal fill goes thousands of miles. Since you are looking at trailers. a diesel is a very good way to go. Do it, don't look back.The new ones are 15,000 mile service intervals. Not much cost per mile there.

The short trips are going to cause the DPF to plug, and you are gonna have to get it out on the road to do a regen (but not as much because of the DEF). I would let the size of the trailer determine the powerplant.I'm really interested in the 6.4L. I've been nudging the wife about a new crew cab 6.4L 2500 with the air ride! If I actually had the money I would drop my Cummins for one in a heartbeat, no bigger than my trailer is.

boogie_4wheel wrote:I'm really interested in the 6.4L. I've been nudging the wife about a new crew cab 6.4L 2500 with the air ride! If I actually had the money I would drop my Cummins for one in a heartbeat, no bigger than my trailer is.I am really interested in the 6.4L as well. Apparently, there is a hold on them right now for quality inspections. I'm not sure what the deal is but several people on ramforumz.com are upset because they ordered trucks back in August with the 6.4 and they are being held. Maybe this is normal for a new motor.The 5'ers the wife likes are approaching 14,000lbs GVWR. The 6.4L with 4.10 gears is rated for 15K+ but people tell me I won't be happy with the performance. I live in Florida so there aren't any hills so not sure if that will be an issue.

Wow - I sure wouldn't let DEF influence my decision. I use about one gallon every 1100 miles. It costs about $4-5 per gallon and is available in most auto parts stores and truck stops now.

I went Cummins-tows great(about 12000 lbs.)-if you want to tow the big "C" is the way to go!-whsk

Trouble deciding 2014 Ram | Good Sam Community

The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Nov 01, 2013
Me Again:

Chris, you must admit that with the engines, computer controls, smog equipment, etc etc, NONE of the vehicles made today, gas or diesel, are DIY's.

I mean, sure many of us change oil and filters, but beyond that, wow, there is not much any of us could do to fix something major.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Nov 01, 2013
RamTC wrote:
Always lots of reply's in a Gas vs. Diesel! Ok, so one more... I tried to convince myself that the 6.4 Hemi was for me in a 3500 SRW. If not for my heavy truck camper, that would have been my choice. No data yet, but a 410HP 6.4 with MDS seems like a good plan and I think many people will now choose this over the diesel. Diesels have become absurdly complex and that's no BS, I'll have to determine now if I'll ever keep one outside of the warranty.

I would not own any of the new diesel pickups past the factory warranty without a good extended warranty. Removing the Cab from a Ford pickup to work on the engine is not a DIY job! Absurdly complex is maybe an understatement.

Chris
RamTC
Explorer
Nov 01, 2013
Always lots of reply's in a Gas vs. Diesel! Ok, so one more... I tried to convince myself that the 6.4 Hemi was for me in a 3500 SRW. If not for my heavy truck camper, that would have been my choice. No data yet, but a 410HP 6.4 with MDS seems like a good plan and I think many people will now choose this over the diesel. Diesels have become absurdly complex and that's no BS, I'll have to determine now if I'll ever keep one outside of the warranty.
campingken
Explorer
Oct 31, 2013
We have a 2003 non HO Dodge 4x4 diesel Quad cab. We bought it new and have driven it 140,000 miles. It has 460 pound of torque and 235 HP. With our Northstar TC 650 pop up camper and towing our 7500 pound GVW 2 horse trailer with 2 horses we are lucky to get a little over 13 mph. Empty we sometimes get 20 mpg on a flat road with the cruise control set between 60 -65.

Unless you are towing a lot of weight a diesel no longer makes sense, dollar wise. Where we live diesel is $3.77 and gas is $3.06.
bmanning
Explorer
Oct 31, 2013
hbensley wrote:
I'll say it again because it's true. I do get almost double the mileage and 50% better mileage towing.
22 vs. 12 while not towing.
12 vs. 8 while towing.
My towing and driving habits didn't change when I changed trucks.

I believe you but I don't think the numbers you're getting are typical, particularly the 22mpg empty. If you're averaging that and not having to go 55mph to do so you've got a gem there.

Even now and then, for whatever reason, a particular truck (engine) just gets really good fuel economy. I had a 1997 Toyota 4Runner V6 like that-- it consistently got about 3mpg more than every other 3.4L Toyota V6 out there. Your truck sounds like another example of that.
camping_man
Explorer
Oct 31, 2013
I'd go diesel for towing, and resale is crazy good on a CTD 4x4, it'll be sold before you could put a sign in the window. I traded my 05 4x2 in, and the dealer raised it 5k, and it was gone by the end of the week. Wish I bought my own sign. I did try to sell my GMC gasser by myself, but as soon as I said gas, they hung up on me.
hbensley
Explorer
Oct 31, 2013
I'll say it again because it's true. I do get almost double the mileage and 50% better mileage towing.
22 vs. 12 while not towing.
12 vs. 8 while towing.
My towing and driving habits didn't change when I changed trucks.
The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Oct 31, 2013
Mind you, I do NOT start rumors, but I certainly pass them along! :B

And rumor has it that the new Rams SRW with the Cummins diesels are really getting some decent fuel mileage, with some reports up to and into the 20 MPG range.

I seriously doubt the Hemi is going to get that kind of mileage empty.
zogg
Explorer
Oct 31, 2013
I had exactly the same quandry....gas or diesel?? Towing 8,000 pounds put me right on the boarder between the two. I test drove several diesels and gassers of all brands. I knew it would be a Dodge, but which one?

Since I dont tow more than 4-6 times a year and generally less than 1000 miles, I thought the diesel would be overkill, and for almost $8000 I thought I could buy a lot of gas.

Opting for the Hemi was a good choice for me. Mostly flat land in IL lets the truck pull much better than the GMC hd 2500 I traded in. Went thru the Ozark mountains in Missouri and the hemi did a lot better than I would have ever thought. Certainly, it is not like a diesel, it does hear down some, but still maintained 9.4 mpg.

I doubt a cummins would have got "double" the mileage as some have stated....I had an 03 cummins that never got over 12 mpg towing similar weight.

Yep, the hemi does the job for me.....now, if I towed weekly, or towed 10,000 pounds, I would probably be driving a Cummins.....
maxwell11
Explorer
Oct 31, 2013
I had an older model gm gas 3/4 ton
I now have an dodge diesel 3/4 ton.

I enjoy pulling much better with the dodge diesel 2005 model, so much more power and better mpg.

I know mine is much lacking in power compared to the new models, but I think you will enjoy the power of the dodge diesel engine.

I have 72K miles on my truck and it has been a very good truck, my wife can handle it fine pulling the trailer.

man-o-man that diesel engine has the power, maybe its just the kid in me. I may be 65, but I still like to roll some coal from time to time.

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