Truck Camper Magazine Chooses RAM

Since in the TCM article brand loyalty was effectively mute, I wouldn't case this in terms of brand wars, ultimately its always personal preference that causes one to sign on the line, period ...

I do however think that in this age of the 'Mega Camper' (well understood to require a H.D. 1 ton+ & DRW), the former 2by short bed gasser was inadequate as an overall camper test-bed. JMO.

Also fair to note that with a HD truck, Horsepower ratings should be saved for the glossier marketing brochures (as part of the brand theology wars...) since with a heavy load it's chiefly torque that matters. But then the fair question that should be asked is "torque at what RPM"??

It should also be pointed out that as good a news as the 6.4 Hemi's 429 ft/lbs is, that this figure occurs at a whopping (compared to a Dsl) 4,000RPM, which (with a heavy TC - especially so in the Western mountain ranges) will require a fair amount of downshifting into the lower cogs to keep one's forward momentum happy...

Compare this to the typical (but costlier to buy and to maintain diesel), of say 650 ft/lbs at 1,500 (07.5 dodge) where even with the largest camper, with a 16' x 7' enclosed trailer in tow, and up the Sierra Nevada's, downshifting occurs only occasionally and even then, from OD II (6th) to OD I (5th), all while maintaining acceptable freeway speeds. Its in this scenario that the side mirrors are what reveal a trailer is in tow - not downshifting. And power is even greater on the newest of diesels (i.e. silly power).

Yet admittedly, after just having to replace my dang VN turbo ($4,717 - at 108k mi due to perpetual EGR sooting...), the TCM article did catch my certain attention. It will be very interesting to see what size camper the experts at TCM mate to the mighty 6.4 Hemi - May the 6-7% grade wars begin!

3 Tons (out of necessity...)

egarant wrote:

Wake me up if he is still seeing those double digit gas mileage figures while carrying a TC on the back. I'll be the first to congratulate him.

My only concern with the review was that it appeared that they were using the Rams' overhead display for mileage figures instead of hand calculating. I am on my second Ram/Cummins and I've found that the mileage figures provided by the overhead display on both trucks bore little relation to reality. Drive that truck a couple thousand miles, add up the fuel used and do the calculation. That's the only figure I'll believe!

Their next camper must be quite large as they went to an 8 foot box, maybe it is a newly designed camper?

brholt wrote:

-Kevin wrote:


I think a 6.4 HEMI with 410 HP and 429 LB-Ft doesn't compare to 370 HP and 850 LB-Ft and I want more power pulling mountains around here sometimes.

As an engineer I kind of had to smile at this statement.

As an engineer, I don't understand your point. Please elaborate.

wintersun wrote:
an individual writer with questionable credentials writes an article.

speaking of questionable credentials; lets see a picture of you, your rig, or a trip report.

Gordon and Angela are well travelled, well known by many in the TC community. They have had the benefit of meeting many Industry professionals, many TC'ers, and are gracious and generous enough to share that info. They offered honest insight as to how they chose their new truck. Nothing wrong with that. I think it is safe to say "sex appeal" plays a role for any of us when we choose a new vehicle.

I am not sure anyone here on this forum, or several others has ever met you, or seen a picture of you/your/rig.
elkhornsun/wintersun/redsky...man up...what is your deal???

What's with all the smoke/mirrors???
Post a pic!!!
Come to a rally and meet some Folks!!!

Bill

Gordon White's wife Angela did not like the exterior of the GM truck so they went with a Ram that she did like the front.

The assumption so often made is that a "magazine" has some level of expertise in a particular area when seldom is that the case. Instead an individual writer with questionable credentials writes an article.

If the headline was "Angela Thinks the Ram is a Prettier Truck" it would be accurate and provide a better sense of what took place.

I dislike the looks of the Ford trucks' exterior and think the interior looks like something out of the 1970's, but that alone would not be reason to not buy one.

-Kevin wrote:


I think a 6.4 HEMI with 410 HP and 429 LB-Ft doesn't compare to 370 HP and 850 LB-Ft and I want more power pulling mountains around here sometimes.

As an engineer I kind of had to smile at this statement.

If I go online, the cheapest NEW 3500 Cummins crewcab dually 4x4 I can find is $41,800.

Gas (with the MDS engine)? $34,800

If, and this is a BIG IF, their new Ram 3500 continues to get that kind of fuel mileage- close to a Cummins- 7 grand will buy a bunch more fuel (at least here where diesel is $.50 more than regular).

Will the MDS Hemi give up that big diesel torque advantage? Yes. But it is closing in on power and mpg/$$.

And in our area (northern New England) all stations have gas, but many do not have diesel. I have 2 places within 1/2 hour of my home that have diesel. Gas? Many more, and closer.

BUT

My 2012 gas Chevy gets 10mpg w/TC and 13mpg w/o. I'm OK with that. It is 2 years old and has 21,000 miles on it. A new Hemi or diesel doesn't make $$$ sense to me.

Gasoline has power with the right gearing, but then you lose the mpg, of course. The new gasoline engines that can reduce power on flat ground are pretty cool though.

I really do appreciate TCM and used their site as a resource when choosing my TC, but I was shocked when they originally chose a SHORT BED truck. I guess they also realized their mistake, as long bed was now the only option.

Not everyone can afford swap out for new trucks like they have when you make a mistake, although I am sure they write it off as a business deduction, taking some of the sting off the transaction.

The lesson here is, try and buy the biggest truck you can afford. It is hard plan for the road ahead, but not many people end up buying a smaller boat, or a smaller TC (I generalize). I don't want an under sized truck limiting my future decisions.

IMHO, some of his comments justifying gas over diesel is mostly justifying in his mind the gasser purchase.

Some statements are just plan funny: "A credible argument can be made that a diesel engine will offer better longevity, and improved resale value compared to gas engines. Of course this difference would need to be quite significant to offset diesels higher upfront costs, maintenance costs, and fueling costs."

Credible argument, come on now, yes there is an upfront cost but you will make that back in spades in a re-sale.

There is also NO increased maintenance costs. That might have been true in the old days, but with a recommended oil change interval of 15,000 miles (RAM Truck) I don't see that comparison anymore. I am almost ready for my second service at 30,000 miles, my first service was at 15,000 miles and cost me $252.64.

Diesel in So. California is still 10 cents cheaper then regular unleaded.

Wake me up if he is still seeing those double digit gas mileage figures while carrying a TC on the back. I'll be the first to congratulate him.