Dodge trucks

[riverwolf1]

I currently use an F-250 V-10 to pull our 9000lb travel trailer to shoots, It typically averages 7.5 mpg which sucks. I am thinking about a new Dodge with either the 5.7 liter or the new 6.4 liter. I am looking for guys that can give me feedback that are using either engine and what kind of mileage your getting while towing! The dealer just told me they avg 18mpg but had no towing mileage estimates! I used to own diesel trucks, but diesel fuel prices are always 70-80 cents more than unleaded reg, plus everything on a diesel is more expensive. Any info will help, so tell me what your using.

 

[GT Accuracy]

I had a few trucks in the past few years trying to get out from under exactly what you are describing. I was pulling machinery and/or a camper/boat almost every weekend during the summer. What I found is that if you are going to be towing that weight and you want to do it safely, MPG doesn't matter. When I was pulling my Lathe and 2 mills 200 miles I was only getting 8.5 mpg in a little 1500 Ram with the 5.7 Hemi. It towed it and was under weight from what the manual said but I didn't feels safe at all. I traded it in for a used 1-Ton for all my heavy moving. Even if it just sits during the winter, I won't put my family at risk when towing heavy loads on family weekends.

 

[stacy]

6.4 DODGE WILL DO IT BUT A DIESEL WOULD DO IT BETTER OR IT DOES FOR ME

 

[TZaun]

I'd be willing to bet that the honest guys will all average under 10 MPG when pulling anything heavy or even a big enclosed trailer, with any breed of pickup, or flavor of motor. In my experience, they all seem to run around 8 MPG +/- depending on speed. This has the makings of a big measuring contest, but just remember my 8th word.

 

[yenak]

For towing diesel is the only way to go.

 

[M-61]

I currently use an F-250 V-10 to pull our 9000lb travel trailer to shoots, It typically averages 7.5 mpg which sucks. I am thinking about a new Dodge with either the 5.7 liter or the new 6.4 liter. I am looking for guys that can give me feedback that are using either engine and what kind of mileage your getting while towing! The dealer just told me they avg 18mpg but had no towing mileage estimates! I used to own diesel trucks, but diesel fuel prices are always 70-80 cents more than unleaded reg, plus everything on a diesel is more expensive. Any info will help, so tell me what your using.

Remember "UREA" is required with most diesels today. That you can add to your '70¢-80¢ more than regular' statement.

 

[swd]

I just bought my 3rd Cummins 3 weeks ago. Haven't towed with it yet. My 06' 5.9 would get 12-14mpg pulling a 6500lb boat and trailer and 20-24 on the highway empty. I don't expect the new one to do that good but it sure is nice.

 

[Mr.Spradlin]

Wont buy another Dodge newer then 2003 5.9 Cummins.
Motor went in my 2004 work truck at 179,000ish on the clock and cost 12k to fix and it still sucks.
Glad my company paid for it

 

[NickB1075]

If you routinely pull a true 9000 lbs trailer I would suggest going diesel. You would be suprised what you can do with the older diesels, before they put so much emissions control on them. I started with a small 5.3 liter gas and now found an older f250 with 7.2 diesel in it for my heavy hauling. There is no comparison between gas and diesel. I get about 15 mpg when hauling on the highway.
I agree with Greg on the tow ratings. In my opinion the safe tow ratings on the new trucks are ridiculously inflated.

Nick

 

[Terry]

I have a 2016 Ram 2500 Maxi Cab. 20-2 MPG with out a trailer, 17.5-18.5 with a 8x5 trailer. 15 MPG into a strong headwind with the trailer.

 

[BP1]

I would look for a 02 dodge with as little mileage as possible that's when they switched to disc breaks on the back.I would put 275rv injectors and chip it and switch the electronic fuel pump over to the 12v manual p pump.

 

[Tommie]

I am service manager at an automotive repair shop. Been in the business for 20 years. Diesels are great (own one) but don't buy one thinking you're going to save money. What money you may or may not save in fuel will be gobbled up in much higher maintenence/repair costs.

 

[Dos XX]

There is no replacement for displacement. Get a great big un.

 

[riverwolf1]

You guys are hitting all the things I am thinking about. I remember oil change on diesels was $100.00, fuel filter change every other oil change was $115.00 plus now you have to put in the new additive, which is I think M-61 was referring to. I think the Dodge 6.4 may be the way to go. Ford also makes a 6.4 so gotta look at them too. I would be happy with10-11 mpg!

 

[cwall64]

I understand that the diesels are more expensive to maintain, but there has to be a reason when you drive by a cattle auction barn, the parking lot is full of Dodge diesels with gooseneck 24 foot trailers... I use a Ford 350 just cause I like the Fords, but every other rancher tells me it will not last as long as the Dodge!

 

[mpickle]

You guys are hitting all the things I am thinking about. I remember oil change on diesels was $100.00, fuel filter change every other oil change was $115.00 plus now you have to put in the new additive, which is I think M-61 was referring to. I think the Dodge 6.4 may be the way to go. Ford also makes a 6.4 so gotta look at them too. I would be happy with10-11 mpg!

I have a Dodge 2500 diesel that I bought new in 1996. Still now sure if I like it, only have 460,000 miles on it. I got 20-22 mpg when it was new, pulling a 27' 5th wheel trailer at 70mph i would get 12 -14 mpg. I guess the reason I keep it is that it still gets 20 -22 mpg empty and it is worth more to me than it is worth. I no longer have the travel trailer. I would start out tomorrow going anywhere is the US in it. Most of all the parts that break on it, starter, alternator, front end, etc., have a lifetime warranty from Auto Zone. All that aside if you could find a 1995 - 1998.5 12 valve Dodge with low mileage snap it up. NO COMPUTER, all mechanical engine. Just my $.02. Regards Macon.

 

[cheek9075]

We have 2 dodge 2500 trades Man trucks (gas) in our fleet at work. Both are 4 door, 1 short, 1 long wheel base. The long wheel has 35k miles in less than a year, we have changed both wheel bearing on the front wheels. The short has 17k in about 6 months, no issues yet. Both trucks are used to haul weight, we are an industrial scale company, they run with 2k of weights plus tools in them at all times. Truck weight is about 9500lb give or take a couple hundred lbs for fuel and tools. We use them to pull a trailer with 6k of weights sometimes. Total weight of truck and trailer are roughly 17k. Running with out the trailer we are getting avg 16mpg, with trailer we are getting avg of about 13 mpg. The dodge truck have coil spring over the rear axle, we have loaded them heavy, the truck does not squat at all with over 4k loaded in the beds. I still don't know if they will hold up the task, we will see.

We have been running f250 gas, weighing over 9k and use them to pull the trailer also, we get about the same mileage with them. We have ford f250 with over 175k miles and haven't had many issues (shocks and tires). The ford's seem to not handle the weight as well as the new dodge, but they have leaf spring, they have held up with service life of 4-5 years and 200k miles.

Having said all that, I have to order a new truck this year and don't know which truck to purchase. The dodge handles the weight better, but with having to make repairs before 50k miles, I'm leary of them. The Ford trucks seem to hold up to the job, but don't handle the weight as well. Maybe we got a lemon in one of the dodge truck we purchased last year.

 

[V509]

If you work the engine hard diesel is for you
If you use the truck for transportation and pull a trailer half the time or less a hemi is for you

 

[MrBottleneck]

Go with the Cummins if your mind is made up for Dodge.
Much higher torque and far higher towing capacity.
Not to mention the resale value will be a lot higher on the Cummins vesus a gas.
The Cummins will outlast the body.
All this coming from a Ford guy.

 

[MrMajestic]

I've logged 1M miles in three Dodge/Cummins diesels. Started with a '93 auto and cranked the VE pump a little and swore not another auto diesel. Next was a '99 5 spd and I double stacked it with RV injectors. Man would that thing roll the coal and scoot when the turbo lit! Ended up busting up the 5 spd and had to replace it. I understand it is from lugging in OD as it was suspended off the back of the transmission. Next was a new '06 six speed that I am running a Smarty on. Love this truck and now have 210k miles on it. Not running work miles now so I hope it outlasts me! The sticks get 20 mpg if you are not playing but can't say for towing. I am not interested in any other truck after owning these 3.