I'm looking for a new truck to tow an 8000 lb travel trailer and I'm torn between the 2018 RAM 2500 6.4L Hemi and 6.7L Cummins diesel. All the reviews that that I've read show that diesel will tow better than the 6.4L, so surprise there. Unfortunately, all the tests that I've read are done with at least 12,500 lbs and I'm wondering how the 6.4L hemi would do only pulling 8000 lbs. We plan upon doing a lot of traveling out west, so we'll be towing up and down a lot of steep grades and I was hoping to hear some real world towing experiences on how the 6.4L Hemi does does in that situation pulling 8000 lbs. Can it maintain it's speed up the hills and do you have to red-line the RPMs doing so? How does it do going down? Does the 4.10 rear axle do much better than the 3.73?Thanks.

Just sold my 2500 last week, to get a used diesel.No more changing gears uphill and no engine screaming. The diesel has way stronger torque and better fuel mileage.

This is an apples to oranges comparison, but considering the power difference between the two engines towing the same TT, I think it might be 'similar'.. ha, ha.. Okay, NOT, but whatever..Towed my little #5000 TT with a 97 F150 with the 5.4, E4OD trans and 3.55 gears. I did have taller tires (265/75/16) on that truck. Going up the grades, it was in 2nd gear pulling some 3500 rpms and going maybe 50-55 mph and pretty much could not hear the radio or have a conversation with your passenger and didn't have much pedal left..With the 13 F150 Ecoboost... Well, there is just no comparison.. The first tow with the Eco and just pulling out into traffic for the first time was a "wow" experience..Pulled my first grade and another "wow"... 4th gear, pulling 2500 rpms and holding an easy 60 mph with tons to spare if needed...Anyway, I know you are talking new Dodge 2500 and big ol' Hemi V8 and probably at least 6 speeds (like my Eco) or more that has probably the same or higher power rating compared to my little 3.5 Eco... And of course the Cummins is just thru the roof on power, but does it all at a lot lower rpms, kinda like my little Eco... Peak torque on my little Eco is at 2500 rpms.. Compared to over 3000 or higher for the V8's..Anyway, not trying to spend your money.. ha, ha..I'd get the Hemi if I was only a seasonal tower and needed the truck as a daily driver.. I'd get the diesel if I towed year round and even as a daily driver, it won't be that 'bad'... I'd just make sure I didn't do a whole lot of short trips with it without having some long runs splitting up the routine..Anyway, good luck and either truck will pull that trailer.. :)Mitch

You will be much happier with the diesel. The Hemi will do the job but it will scream and shift a lot. The Cummins will slog along down the highway and just be a nicer towing experience. Less noise, shifting.And when your done with it you get the extra cost of the diesel back.All JMHO.

How often do you tow? The 6.4 will get it done. If just tow occasionally, the 6.4 will be OK.However if you tow on a regular basis get the diesel.From my performance standpoint the diesel always wins.From a financial standpoint You must tow enough to make the extra cost worth it!

The brand new Ram 2500s will be mating that venerable 6.4 to an 8 speed. If you've really researched, you know that ANY 3/4 ton vehicle will easily handle a 8000 lb trailer under ANY typical towing conditions. Some may call 3000 - 4000 rpms screaming. I call it humming. Just as I would be while pulling that 8000 lbs with my little 5.7. The diesel owners can be rightfully proud of the their powerful tow rigs, but they should figure out when to quit crowing. That would probably be around 10,000 lbs and below.

How well does the RAM 2500 6.4 Hemi tow? | Good Sam Community

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jun 06, 2022
You guys can say all you want. If I was looking for a new truck. I would go with gas! 30 year diese tech here. The diesels ever since DEF came to be have been consistently unreliable. Only because of all the garbage attached to it!
goducks10
Explorer
Jun 06, 2022
Gatorm wrote:
Uhm, I would say it’s pretty accurate. I deal with dealerships and their mechanics on a regular basis and I can tell you, without a doubt, they think the newer diesels are going to be nightmares to keep on the road as a whole as they get older. No matter the brand.

Also, I would say the cost spread between gasoline and diesel is more than $1

Depends on where you live. The stations near me vary between the same or up to .80.
The 2.5 mpg difference when towing negates the higher diesel cost up to a dollar difference.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jun 06, 2022
BurbMan wrote:
You dredged up a 2 1/2 year old post to add this nonsense? Half of this isn't even remotely true. Marty time to close another chapter of the the ol' gas vs. diesel peeing match.

Newb probably didn't look at the time line raised from the long dead ancient history beat to death thread.
Camper445
Explorer
Jun 06, 2022
Gatorm wrote:

Also, I would say the cost spread between gasoline and diesel is more than $1

I was in PA over the weekend, paid $6.09 for diesel south of Pittsburgh.

While I was fueling the digital price sign changed for regular gas from $4.79 to $4.89 in the blink of an eye LOL.
Gatorm
Explorer
Jun 06, 2022
Uhm, I would say it’s pretty accurate. I deal with dealerships and their mechanics on a regular basis and I can tell you, without a doubt, they think the newer diesels are going to be nightmares to keep on the road as a whole as they get older. No matter the brand.

Also, I would say the cost spread between gasoline and diesel is more than $1
BurbMan
Explorer II
Mar 08, 2022
You dredged up a 2 1/2 year old post to add this nonsense? Half of this isn't even remotely true. Marty time to close another chapter of the the ol' gas vs. diesel peeing match.
Gatorm
Explorer
Mar 08, 2022
hvac wrote:
Hammerboy wrote:
hvac wrote:
And another thought. Why are fleets dumping diesels like UPS and cable companies? Why is Ford introducing a rebuildable big block push rod gasser? Why? Speaks volumes.

I think it's simply because of the nature of their work, a lot of urban stop and go driving idling etc. With the current diesel emissions that doesn't work really well, semi trucks that travel on the other hand you don't see them going to gas because for them diesel makes more sense.

So the big 3, all have a new baby diesel. Everyone is all excited. A form should be signed by all who buy one so that they understand some basic issues.
Buy your diesel from high volume outlets. Keep receipts as your on your own if you get bad fuel
Buy you DEF with caution. Keep receipts. Old DEF is not covered in your warranty
Don't drive locally or idle as this will result into the engine going in a shut down mode.
Your emission system is only covered under a 3/36 warranty. EGR coolers fail frequently, cost to repair exceeds 2k.
Your intake manifold will be clogged by 75k to 100k miles.
Deleting or tuning will resolve many of the above issues but will violate your warranty and the federal clean air act.

Seems reasonable??
Dan

Other than all of that **** plus the fuel systems are time bombs, they’re real cost effective compared to a gas truck LOL. And as of today, fuel is about $1 a gallon more than gas. I just drove from Phoenix back to Nashville and it was consistently $1 or more the entire way. The reason the big 3 are reenergizing gas motors is obvious…..the new age diesels ARENT RELIABLE anymore compared to pre 2007ish. It’s just a fact. Just go ask your local dealer mechanic.
hvac
Explorer
Aug 18, 2019
Hammerboy wrote:
hvac wrote:
And another thought. Why are fleets dumping diesels like UPS and cable companies? Why is Ford introducing a rebuildable big block push rod gasser? Why? Speaks volumes.

I think it's simply because of the nature of their work, a lot of urban stop and go driving idling etc. With the current diesel emissions that doesn't work really well, semi trucks that travel on the other hand you don't see them going to gas because for them diesel makes more sense.

So the big 3, all have a new baby diesel. Everyone is all excited. A form should be signed by all who buy one so that they understand some basic issues.
Buy your diesel from high volume outlets. Keep receipts as your on your own if you get bad fuel
Buy you DEF with caution. Keep receipts. Old DEF is not covered in your warranty
Don't drive locally or idle as this will result into the engine going in a shut down mode.
Your emission system is only covered under a 3/36 warranty. EGR coolers fail frequently, cost to repair exceeds 2k.
Your intake manifold will be clogged by 75k to 100k miles.
Deleting or tuning will resolve many of the above issues but will violate your warranty and the federal clean air act.

Seems reasonable??
Dan
hvac
Explorer
Aug 18, 2019
A good friend owns a small trucking company. About 70 or so semi long haul. He gets real angry when you discuss new generation diesels.its not a good subject to bring up.
Hammerboy
Explorer
Aug 18, 2019
hvac wrote:
And another thought. Why are fleets dumping diesels like UPS and cable companies? Why is Ford introducing a rebuildable big block push rod gasser? Why? Speaks volumes.

I think it's simply because of the nature of their work, a lot of urban stop and go driving idling etc. With the current diesel emissions that doesn't work really well, semi trucks that travel on the other hand you don't see them going to gas because for them diesel makes more sense.

Dan

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How well does the RAM 2500 6.4 Hemi tow?

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