Question for Ram 6.4 Hemi owners

[M_R_E_]

I'm contemplating getting a 6.4, I have an '02 Ford with the 7.3 diesel. It has a DP 60hp tuner and I get 11.9 mpg towing 10,000 lb 5th wheel from MI to FL. I now will tow 13.000 lb. In '14 they said it used 87 octane, now it says premium unleaded . If that's the case, I would rather buy diesel , gas engine isn't worth premium to me . What is your opinion ?

[IdaD]

ib516 wrote:

nirion wrote:
I have a 14 6.4 with 4.10s. Especially since you have a diesel now, I would go with the Cummins for that trailer. Mine is about 12,000 loaded and it does ok, but not great. And I got about 7-7.5 mpg pulling from Ohio to FL.

I am currently considering an upgrade to a 3500 SRW with the Cummins. Not because the Hemi won't do the job, but because the Cummins will do it so much better and it will be a better experience. Stopping every ~200 miles to get gas on a long trip can get old.

My 6.4L Hemi did a great job pulling 12k, but if you're towing 13k for long distances, the Cummins will do a better job. Total cost of ownership and the potential maintenance differences must also be considered.

Total cost of ownership is a wash unless you're unlucky and run into a big problem (gas or diesel). Spend a little more up front and on maintenance with the diesel, spend a little less on fuel and lose less depreciation on the diesel. In the end the cost difference is immaterial, so the decision should come down to which you prefer driving. Just my opinion, anyway.

[ib516]

nirion wrote:
I have a 14 6.4 with 4.10s. Especially since you have a diesel now, I would go with the Cummins for that trailer. Mine is about 12,000 loaded and it does ok, but not great. And I got about 7-7.5 mpg pulling from Ohio to FL.

I am currently considering an upgrade to a 3500 SRW with the Cummins. Not because the Hemi won't do the job, but because the Cummins will do it so much better and it will be a better experience. Stopping every ~200 miles to get gas on a long trip can get old.

My 6.4L Hemi did a great job pulling 12k, but if you're towing 13k for long distances, the Cummins will do a better job. Total cost of ownership and the potential maintenance differences must also be considered.

[nirion]

goducks10 wrote:
200 miles is 3.07 hrs @65 mph.
200 miles is 3.63 hrs @55 mph.

I can't make either one of those with my bladder. 🙂
DW and I tend to drink lots of water during the day. It's a healthy thing I hear.

Even so, sometimes it is easier to just pull in to a rest area for a stop and have a nice walk around and take a restroom break, especially with a dog and 4 year old (vs the gas station). 🙂

[goducks10]

200 miles is 3.07 hrs @65 mph.
200 miles is 3.63 hrs @55 mph.

I can't make either one of those with my bladder. 🙂
DW and I tend to drink lots of water during the day. It's a healthy thing I hear.

[nirion]

I have a 14 6.4 with 4.10s. Especially since you have a diesel now, I would go with the Cummins for that trailer. Mine is about 12,000 loaded and it does ok, but not great. And I got about 7-7.5 mpg pulling from Ohio to FL.

I am currently considering an upgrade to a 3500 SRW with the Cummins. Not because the Hemi won't do the job, but because the Cummins will do it so much better and it will be a better experience. Stopping every ~200 miles to get gas on a long trip can get old.

[IdaD]

M.R.E. wrote:
Made a mistake on the weight of the 5th wheel. It's just over 12,ooo loaded. I do love the torque of the diesel in the mountains.So that's probably what I should get. Thanks for the replies.

I debated the 6.4/CTD thing for quite awhile but ultimately there's not much price difference if you look at the total cost of ownership, and there's just no replacement for all that torque. God, the torque... :B

[M_R_E_]

Made a mistake on the weight of the 5th wheel. It's just over 12,ooo loaded. I do love the torque of the diesel in the mountains.So that's probably what I should get. Thanks for the replies.

[goducks10]

$1000 a month depreciation? We're talking about trucks not RV's.

[zb39]

06Fargo wrote:

45Ricochet wrote:

06Fargo wrote:
I'd hang tight until Ford brings out the V10 ECO boost... twin turbo/intercooled

600hp @ 4500rpm / 847lbs-ft at 1900rpm on 87 octane.

25 mpg highway

Pipe dream :B
Nice dream though for the year 2016

Releasing April 1st I heard 🙂

Won't have all them diesel issues and high maintenance costs... you know, like $50 more for an oil change on a truck that depreciates $1000 a month ... (oh oh the D word...)

$1000 a month. After 52 months of ownership my 2011 NADA is 41k. I paid 49k for it.
I don't think I lost 1k a month. In fact RAM just bought it back for 45k. I'm pretty happy.
I never had this truck back to the dealer even once. Never had an issue. But for that money I sold it and ordered a new one.

[noteven]

45Ricochet wrote:

06Fargo wrote:
I'd hang tight until Ford brings out the V10 ECO boost... twin turbo/intercooled

600hp @ 4500rpm / 847lbs-ft at 1900rpm on 87 octane.

25 mpg highway

Pipe dream :B
Nice dream though for the year 2016

Releasing April 1st I heard 🙂

Won't have all them diesel issues and high maintenance costs... you know, like $50 more for an oil change on a truck that depreciates $1000 a month ... (oh oh the D word...)

[Dave_H_M]

I think you have to do a lot more figuring (like initial cost) than just the price of fuel at the pump. :h

[Me_Again]

Holy Smokes, I weighed Cherry this afternoon ready to tow for our trip South, minus 1/2 tank of diesel and 5 gals of spare diesel. So about another 160-170 pounds to be added.

And it weighed 8900 lbs Front axle was 5140 and rear axle was 3760. So rear axle has 3240 of remaining capacity and GVWR 2800 pounds. Both minus the missing fuel weight.

So with a mid size 29 foot trailer I am going to max out a SRW 3500!

I will try to weigh the whole thing while passing thru Oregon, as they leave their scales available when unmanned.

I am heavier than the GVWR of the old 2001.5 without even hooking up to the trailer.

Chris

[blofgren]

Buy a Ram 3500 with the Cummins and enjoy! Good luck with wiping the ongoing grin off your face:B

Seriously it will pull at least 3x better than your 7.3L and get at least as good fuel mileage doing it if not better. And you will have the legendary Cummins reliability.

I bought my truck after owning 3 Fords over the past 20 years including a 7.3L and 6.0L and have absolutely no regrets. If you're going to tow over 14k lbs give serious consideration to a dually. Our truck handles our 16k lbs fiver with ease up AND down all types of overpasses here on the Westcoast.

Good luck and please keep us informed.

[45Ricochet]

06Fargo wrote:
I'd hang tight until Ford brings out the V10 ECO boost... twin turbo/intercooled

600hp @ 4500rpm / 847lbs-ft at 1900rpm on 87 octane.

25 mpg highway

Pipe dream :B
Nice dream though for the year 2016