I’m going to buy a Ram 3500 SRW in November and my dilemma is gas or diesel. I have owned a 02 Cummins for 17 years and it was ole reliable. I only drove it 90,000 in those 17 years and really don’t drive crazy miles. We usually take the DW ‘s car on trips as we are seasonal campers at the moment. Anyway I’m retiring and will be traveling the winter months from November to April in the South. Maybe a trip West in summer time. I’m concerned that a new diesel with the all the new emissions and DEF regen won’t cut it as the other 7 months it will be a grocery getter. We are going to be purchasing a FW early next year with a pin weight of 2100 lbs and a GVW of 11,000. Any input would greatly be appreciated.

I used my 2015 Ram 2500 CTD as a daily driver for the first 4 1/2 years that I owned it and had no issues whatsoever. Two years ago I bought a used minivan for a daily driver so that I wouldn't be running up the odometer on the pickup and to save it for pulling our enclosed car trailer and our travel trailer as I don't want to be shelling out the bucks for another one any time soon. I do love the truck and would buy another in a heartbeat. As for the gas vs diesel, there are certainly pros and cons but I much prefer towing my travel trailer with the diesel.

I’ll wait for Devo’s recommendation…

If you will only be towing 11,000lbs with your RAM you will be perfectly fine with a gasser. If there is a chance, remote or otherwise, that you will be upgrading to a larger RV, I would go with the diesel.Cheers!Mike

Im a tech tech at a CDJR dealer and being diesel certified I would say skip the diesel with your needs. Personally I wouldn’t buy any new diesel unless absolutely necessary. All the stuff that’s been added in to a diesel to clean it up over the years has made them not reliable enough for me to say go ahead. I would just a 6.4 gasser with the lower gearing and you will be just fine.

2016 Ram, 6.4 hemi, 4WD, crew cab---towing a 10,300 lb fifth wheel and now a 10,000 lb travel trailer. When I buy another truck, it will be a copy of what I currently drive.16 MPG empty at 70 + miles per hour. 8.1 to 9.5 MPG towing average for over 30,000 miles towing.The new 6.4 hemi's have a 8 speed trans that would be a great improvement over what I currently have.

Need advise from the Ram Owners | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Aug 30, 2021
MFL wrote:
IdaD wrote:
Last time I checked Rams had the highest percentage of Diesel engines vs gas of any of the HD models. Makes sense I guess. In a perfect world I'd have a Cummins backed by an Allison in a Super Duty.

I know your trying to use all 3, but the SuperDuty has a great dependable transmission.

If Ford had the Cummins engine, even Cummins 12V would buy a Ford!! All, American made, and he'd be rid of those silly antler mirrors. :)

Jerry

Could be!!! But as far as looks go RAM is best IMHO. Actually I like the ANTLERS.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Aug 30, 2021
IdaD wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
ib516 wrote:
I had a 2014 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi and 4.10s. Had 2 Cummins trucks before the 2014 Hemi. I pulled a 12k 5er that was 37' long and had 3 slides. Never lacked for power with the Hemi. Got 7-9 mpg pulling and mid to high teens running empty hwy, depended a lot on wind.

With the 8 speed, the 6.4L Hemi would be that much better than my 6 speed auto was.

The diesel will pull better in every situation and get slightly better mpg while doing it.

I was very happy with the Hemi, and for towing 11k intermittently, it would be my choice.

I noticed starting early last year that a lot of the Ram HD trucks are powered by Hemi's and I continue to see that trend of more and more Hemi powered HD's and less Cummins. Having said that I don't think Chrysler has fixed the lifter problems on the Hemi's so I sure wouldn't purchase one if I were to keep it over 100k miles.

Last time I checked Rams had the highest percentage of Diesel engines vs gas of any of the HD models. Makes sense I guess. In a perfect world I'd have a Cummins backed by an Allison in a Super Duty.

Ford makes good trucks but “Allison in name only” over AISIN???

Remember the CUMMINS doesn’t need 10 speeds.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Aug 30, 2021
FishOnOne wrote:
ib516 wrote:
I had a 2014 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi and 4.10s. Had 2 Cummins trucks before the 2014 Hemi. I pulled a 12k 5er that was 37' long and had 3 slides. Never lacked for power with the Hemi. Got 7-9 mpg pulling and mid to high teens running empty hwy, depended a lot on wind.

With the 8 speed, the 6.4L Hemi would be that much better than my 6 speed auto was.

The diesel will pull better in every situation and get slightly better mpg while doing it.

I was very happy with the Hemi, and for towing 11k intermittently, it would be my choice.

I noticed starting early last year that a lot of the Ram HD trucks are powered by Hemi's and I continue to see that trend of more and more Hemi powered HD's and less Cummins. Having said that I don't think Chrysler has fixed the lifter problems on the Hemi's so I sure wouldn't purchase one if I were to keep it over 100k miles.

What universe are living in? 1500’s gassers, 2500/3500 CUMMINS is the real world.

Honestly you have Ford and RAM mixed up with your theory.
MFL
Nomad II
Aug 29, 2021
IdaD wrote:
Last time I checked Rams had the highest percentage of Diesel engines vs gas of any of the HD models. Makes sense I guess. In a perfect world I'd have a Cummins backed by an Allison in a Super Duty.

I know your trying to use all 3, but the SuperDuty has a great dependable transmission.

If Ford had the Cummins engine, even Cummins 12V would buy a Ford!! All, American made, and he'd be rid of those silly antler mirrors. :)

Jerry
IdaD
Explorer
Aug 29, 2021
FishOnOne wrote:
ib516 wrote:
I had a 2014 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi and 4.10s. Had 2 Cummins trucks before the 2014 Hemi. I pulled a 12k 5er that was 37' long and had 3 slides. Never lacked for power with the Hemi. Got 7-9 mpg pulling and mid to high teens running empty hwy, depended a lot on wind.

With the 8 speed, the 6.4L Hemi would be that much better than my 6 speed auto was.

The diesel will pull better in every situation and get slightly better mpg while doing it.

I was very happy with the Hemi, and for towing 11k intermittently, it would be my choice.

I noticed starting early last year that a lot of the Ram HD trucks are powered by Hemi's and I continue to see that trend of more and more Hemi powered HD's and less Cummins. Having said that I don't think Chrysler has fixed the lifter problems on the Hemi's so I sure wouldn't purchase one if I were to keep it over 100k miles.

Last time I checked Rams had the highest percentage of Diesel engines vs gas of any of the HD models. Makes sense I guess. In a perfect world I'd have a Cummins backed by an Allison in a Super Duty.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Aug 29, 2021
ib516 wrote:
I had a 2014 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi and 4.10s. Had 2 Cummins trucks before the 2014 Hemi. I pulled a 12k 5er that was 37' long and had 3 slides. Never lacked for power with the Hemi. Got 7-9 mpg pulling and mid to high teens running empty hwy, depended a lot on wind.

With the 8 speed, the 6.4L Hemi would be that much better than my 6 speed auto was.

The diesel will pull better in every situation and get slightly better mpg while doing it.

I was very happy with the Hemi, and for towing 11k intermittently, it would be my choice.

I noticed starting early last year that a lot of the Ram HD trucks are powered by Hemi's and I continue to see that trend of more and more Hemi powered HD's and less Cummins. Having said that I don't think Chrysler has fixed the lifter problems on the Hemi's so I sure wouldn't purchase one if I were to keep it over 100k miles.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Aug 26, 2021
SweetLou wrote:
Grit dog wrote:
SweetLou wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Didn’t get the “unlucky” part of what I said.

And built on a Friday

Not defending Ram, or any other mfg, heck, just learned that about 25% of our fleet of 6 speed auto Chevy trucks, circa 2016-2018 have had transmissions blown.
Your issue with the switch panel sounds extremely frustrating, also haven't heard you've looked into what I suggested.
Turbo actuators are a common issue. And the '13s are a pseudo 1st year model, which likely doesn't help.

You take the same risk with any vehicle IMO.
I will be looking into it for sure. The tech has ruled out the new switch bank they tell me. Apparently when he puts his hand up into the dash and wiggles the wires power gets restored to the switch bank. This is why they determine its in the harness and some other ground testing. You can't get to it unless you pull dash I am told. I am leaving for Southern Cal in about 6 weeks. I don't want to open up issues unless I find a good shop first. When I get the truck back I will take a good look at what you were suggesting. Thanks for your help because it is much appreciated.

If you get to SoCal without it resolved call Alex in service at Crystal Chrysler in Cathedral City and get it in. Mike their Diesel Mechanic will work on it as he works on every Diesel no matter the condition. I have had great results with them.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Aug 26, 2021
There is a time and a place for gas tow vehicles..... I don't have either.....
SweetLou
Explorer
Aug 26, 2021
Grit dog wrote:
SweetLou wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Didn’t get the “unlucky” part of what I said.

And built on a Friday

Not defending Ram, or any other mfg, heck, just learned that about 25% of our fleet of 6 speed auto Chevy trucks, circa 2016-2018 have had transmissions blown.
Your issue with the switch panel sounds extremely frustrating, also haven't heard you've looked into what I suggested.
Turbo actuators are a common issue. And the '13s are a pseudo 1st year model, which likely doesn't help.

You take the same risk with any vehicle IMO.
I will be looking into it for sure. The tech has ruled out the new switch bank they tell me. Apparently when he puts his hand up into the dash and wiggles the wires power gets restored to the switch bank. This is why they determine its in the harness and some other ground testing. You can't get to it unless you pull dash I am told. I am leaving for Southern Cal in about 6 weeks. I don't want to open up issues unless I find a good shop first. When I get the truck back I will take a good look at what you were suggesting. Thanks for your help because it is much appreciated.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Aug 26, 2021
SweetLou wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Didn’t get the “unlucky” part of what I said.

And built on a Friday

Not defending Ram, or any other mfg, heck, just learned that about 25% of our fleet of 6 speed auto Chevy trucks, circa 2016-2018 have had transmissions blown.
Your issue with the switch panel sounds extremely frustrating, also haven't heard you've looked into what I suggested.
Turbo actuators are a common issue. And the '13s are a pseudo 1st year model, which likely doesn't help.

You take the same risk with any vehicle IMO.

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