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Dodge RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel

PostPosted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 1:58 pm
by mpeyser
Does anybody have experience towing with this truck? I am looking at a Crew Cab, std. bed, 3.0 Diesel to pull a 20 ft. trailer that weighs approx. 7000 lbs. fully loaded. Truck is rated for 8500 lbs. towing cap.

Re: Dodge RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel

PostPosted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 12:36 pm
by GregCirillo
mpeyser wrote:Does anybody have experience towing with this truck? I am looking at a Crew Cab, std. bed, 3.0 Diesel to pull a 20 ft. trailer that weighs approx. 7000 lbs. fully loaded. Truck is rated for 8500 lbs. towing cap.


I do not, but I tow a much lighter trailer with Mercedes GL with a 3.0 liter diesel which is rated for 7,500 lbs.

I would feel pretty comfortable with the manufacturer's rating. The displacement seems small, but if you look at what Ford is doing with the F150, all of the old rules about displacement seem to be out the window.

Re: Dodge RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel

PostPosted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 1:45 pm
by Racer X
I just did a lot of research on this before purchasing a new (to me) trailer. Generally what I've read is to be safe, give yourself a 10% buffer from total GCWR. For instance my diesel Excursion + new trailer fully laden was just shy of 18,000 pounds. With a GCWR of 20k on the Excursion, I came in just within the 10% buffer.
This is opposed to just factoring in the weight of the trailer vs the GVWR alone.
Just my .02...
RacerX

Re: Dodge RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel

PostPosted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 7:35 am
by mpeyser
Thanks. Got tired of 10-11 mpg with 2500 Sierra, got a great deal, so I bought it. GCVW is 13,750. 420 ft-lbs should be adequate to pull hills.

Re: Dodge RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel

PostPosted: Thu Mar 05, 2015 12:54 pm
by Racer X
Ah 10-11 MPG, those were the days... (not happening with my new trailer :) ).
Gratz on the purchase!

Re: Dodge RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel

PostPosted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 11:17 am
by mvultaggio
please keep us posted on how it works out for you.

thanks

Re: Dodge RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel

PostPosted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 1:23 pm
by mpeyser
Ok folks - Here's the report after towing round trip to VIR, with un-loaded side trip to Asheville

- Tows great - maintains cruise at 68, but it will go 80 no sweat. Towing stability excellent.
- Mileage un-loaded approx. 25mpg, towing was around 14.5 which was a little disappointing
- Drive/Rides great - much better than 2500 Sierra it replaced
- Should have ordered air-suspension option. Minimized tongue weight as much as possible, but back still droops a bit.
- Minor problem with water leak into interior coming out of driver side grab rail... Not sure where it is coming from. Going back to shop to be fixed this weekend.

Aside from the disappointing towing mileage, I would say it suits my needs quite well... I'd give it a B+

Mark

Re: Dodge RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel

PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 5:36 pm
by srf99
Hmm, you may just have me reconsidering hanging onto my Silverado 2500/Duramax/Allison. I love it, but the 10-11 MPG towing is about what I see as well... :-(

Re: Dodge RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel

PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2015 10:02 pm
by kurtbob
Hmmm ... the fuel mileage sounds pretty good to me. 14.5 mpg while towing 7000 lbs. is not too shabby. I just bought an F150 with the Ecoboost engine. It pulls effortlessly, but I get a little less than 13 mpg towing less than 5000 lbs.

I had considered trying the Eco Diesel, but the dealer only had highly optioned models priced way too high for a pickup truck.

Re: Dodge RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel

PostPosted: Tue Apr 28, 2015 7:34 pm
by steve kramer
if we are comparing: my 2012 F150 Eco towing a 20'Vnose at about 6K#: 70-75 MPH = 7-8 MPG; slowing down to 65 is about another MPG or so.