2013 Dodge Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

[micpib1]

I currently have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with the Cummins and an auto trans, I am considering a new 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi. I just returned from a trip to Mexico, running empty 17.4 mpg was my best, towing my 10,250# trailer on my last trip I got around 12 mpg. The Cummins tows great, but the mileage is not that impressive, especially considering the current cost of diesel over gasoline and when I factor in the cost of the Cummins motor in a new Dodge, it appears to be a very costly option. The new Dodge with the Hemi is advertising better mileage than what I currently get, but if it won’t handle the trailer, the mileage may not matter. Is anyone else towing a 10k trailer with the Dodge 5.7 Hemi and are you happy with the results? JH

[wintersun]

Get a new truck if you want Bluetooth or heated or cooled seats or airbags or some other function but not to save money on fuel. It will never happen.

Do the math. A new truck is going to cost you $35,000 plus sales tax and DMV fees and higher auto insurance premiums. Figure about $40,000 overall if you pay cash. If the new truck uses no gas at all and there is zero fuel costs to drive it instead of 12 MPG for your current truck, your breakeven point would be at 120,000 miles with the new truck. In reality the breakeven point is going to never be reached with the new truck.

My diesel truck cost $9,000 more than the same model with a gas engine. I get 20% more miles per gallon with the diesel engine but pay 15% more for diesel than for regular gas. My breakeven with the diesel engine, if I ignore the higher maintenance and repair costs for the diesel, is at 250,000 miles at current fuel prices.

The diesel engine provides more power for acceleration and going over hills and better engine braking and for that I paid the extra cash. I have no illusions that the higher MPG with the diesel is going to save me a penny in any form or fashion while I own the truck.

[ib516]

The OP might want to wait and look at the 2014 RAM HDs (2500/3500) as you can get the 6.4L Hemi in them. 410hp/429tq, and available rear air suspension.

VIDEO

[VintageRacer]

My take is it depends on how often you tow, and how far you tow when you do. When my average towing trip was 200 miles twice a month, my Dodge 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi was the best truck in the world. Towed my 8K load on the flat ground that I covered with ease. Even when I went south twice a year I was a happy camper, and didn't mind the fuel stops every 200 miles. Then things changed. For two years I had a trip every three to four weeks that was 2500 miles round trip, half in very hilly country. All of a sudden the Hemi was getting 7.5 mpg and I was shifting between third and fourth gear (standard trans) about every 5 minutes in some stretches, and I couldn't run the speed limit. I changed to a F250 with the 6.0 PSD, and literally got 33% better fuel mileage (and diesel costs less up here). I could run the speed limit (68 mph) in fifth gear, and have the odd downshift to fourth on only the steepest hills. The fuel mileage difference meant I was saving a full tank of fuel a day - $125 per day in savings, $500 per round trip.

So it depends on what your needs are, mostly.

Brian

[goducks10]

I'll beat the tom tom on diesels. I have a 2500 with the CTD and tow 9000lbs. 3.73 gears. I wouldn't have it any other way. Yes a gasser would get me there and back but having enough reserve power makes it much nicer. I feel the 2500 CTD and my 9000lb 5'er are a perfect match. Sure the Ram is rated to tow more but so are most trucks with what people tow with. I get 10.5-11.5 depending on conditions. I will see 12mpg with no wind doing 62mph. 17-18mpg empty.

JMO, but I would skip the 5.7 and get a 2014 2500 6.4 Hemi if your serious about a gasser. IMO the 5.7's are gas hogs and the new 6.4 should be better with more power.

[ford_coupe]

been towing 5th wheel (10000 11500#s) w/3500 dually .hemi, 4.10 gearsnever had any trouble. mileage not the best,but didn't buy it for mileage. 10-12 mpg empty--8-10 mpg towing. got into asituation in south dakota a few years ago missedour turn to go to rusmore,foud a hill put peddle to the metal 10mph @ 6000 rpm's never heated up at all. fingers were a little sore by the time we got to the top.

[Dave_H_M]

mic

I think you are wasting your time posting a topic like that. The diesel guys just lay in wait for a thread where they can pound their tom tom on.

I tow over 10K with a gassser, but it is a 6.2 Ford. I will never look back on switching from the diesel to gas.

If a six speed trans and 380 ponies won't get me there with ease, it is a place I do not want to go.

I am also wasting my time on this thread but the dogs got me up early and it is gonna be a slow day with the current heat wave. :W

[scuba0331]

I just came back from Bristol TN towing a 2008 Outback 26RLS with a 2012 Ram 1500, Hemi, 4x4, Crew Cab, 3:55 gears. I also use a ProPride 3P hitch.

The truck pulled the hills pretty well. I never lost power but it was running about 3,800 doing @ about 62-65 mph on the grades. We avg about 8.5 mpg.

I'm not sure how much heavier the 2500 is compared to the 1500. I think 3:92 gears would be nice as well. At least for towing!

[Targa]

pastort55 wrote:
Hi! I was curious what you dedided on the hemi or cummins? I'm looking at purchasing a 2013 hemi and towing a 9500lb travel trailer and am concerned i may have issues. dealership says I'll have no problems with the 2500 hemi ... what was your experience?
thanks!

I had a 12' 2500 Hemi, I loved that truck and really miss it. I have owned a couple of diesels, the latest being a 09' Ram and although diesels tow effortlessly, especially the latest offerings, the Hemi will still handle a 9500lb TT without a problem, you just need to accept the higher RPM's and lower MPG's.

[pastort55]

Hi! I was curious what you dedided on the hemi or cummins? I'm looking at purchasing a 2013 hemi and towing a 9500lb travel trailer and am concerned i may have issues. dealership says I'll have no problems with the 2500 hemi ... what was your experience?
thanks!

[druk62]

RamTC wrote:
The 13' 2500 models are rated higher than you'll need with the 4.10s, but I've never seen any advertising on mpg? The 2500/3500 HD Hemi is not the same as the 1500 Hemi. Even the CTD won't give you 17.4, the days of old 5.9s are gone. I'm considering a 13' 3500 Hemi SRW, but a 7000 truck with 4.10s, I'd be lucky to see 13 mpg empty.

13.5 is the best I've got on my 2012

[Dave_H_M]

Chlirod wrote:
I have to weigh in on one item - towing my Toyhauler at roughly 9,000# loaded, my 1/2 Ton Hemi got between 5.5 and 7.5 mpg. With a 22 gallon tank, I had to stop every 100 - 120 miles to fill up - with very little reserve. The 3/4 is still the same engine working just as hard, so even with perhaps a 34 gallon tank, you are only extending the range to 160 - 200 miles.

For me, it was not the cost of fuel, or even the cost of upgrading to the diesel engine, but more the convenience. If my new 2500 6.7 gets 11 or 12 mpg, with 34 gallons I can go closer to 300 miles between fill ups.

I dreaded having to navigate gas stations, and having to do so every 2 hours made my trips a burden. I haven't towed with the new RAM yet, but getting fuel every 4 or 5 hours is much more appealing and will increase the distance I am willing to venture.

I agree. I like to choose where I take a break and also a potty break for the hounds. So I went with an aux tank in the bed. Done deal. If anyone wants to start the illegal and other stuff issues, so be it, most of it is urban legend anyway.

[Chlirod]

I have to weigh in on one item - towing my Toyhauler at roughly 9,000# loaded, my 1/2 Ton Hemi got between 5.5 and 7.5 mpg. With a 22 gallon tank, I had to stop every 100 - 120 miles to fill up - with very little reserve. The 3/4 is still the same engine working just as hard, so even with perhaps a 34 gallon tank, you are only extending the range to 160 - 200 miles.

For me, it was not the cost of fuel, or even the cost of upgrading to the diesel engine, but more the convenience. If my new 2500 6.7 gets 11 or 12 mpg, with 34 gallons I can go closer to 300 miles between fill ups.

I dreaded having to navigate gas stations, and having to do so every 2 hours made my trips a burden. I haven't towed with the new RAM yet, but getting fuel every 4 or 5 hours is much more appealing and will increase the distance I am willing to venture.

[64thunderbolt]

Not trying to start anything I've never owned a Ram. But I know a lot of Superduty's & Dmax's getting up there in miles and still nice trucks. And I imagine that Cummins will go just as many miles as anything else.

[64thunderbolt]

Lots on my friends are @ or near 300K and I plan to do it barring an accident that totals it. Why would you spend a lot of money for the "new car small" If the truck does the job and is in good cond why would you spend that money??