2015 RAM 2500 6.7 Cummins turbo diesel

lawdes

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2013
Messages
264
Location
Owasso, OK
Had a Ford F250 with the 5.4 gas. Did alright, but struggled in the mountains or other grades, and mileage really was horrible. But..it worked hard and can't fault it....except knock fillings out of your teeth on a rough road! Can't wait to see how this Cummins does pulling slightly heavier trailer (just over 10K lbs)
 
Welcome to the Dark Side (color of exhaust)! As the signature shows, we tow a Reflection 337RLS with a 2008 (Dodge) Ram 2500, dry weight of fifth wheel about 10,600 lbs. We are pretty much full-timing and have covered about 25 states, including all in the Rockies and many in the Appalachians. I believe you will be VERY happy with the power of the 6.7, and if you got an automatic transmission, very pleased with the engine brake. Our 4x4 rides pretty smoothly, and is quiet in the cab, so much so that unless the windows are open, you don't know it's a diesel. With your truck being 7 years newer, the refinements would probably make me drool! When/if we replace our 2008, it will be a new Ram 3500 dually with a 6.7, automatic, and towing package. Others have done well with Chev/GMC and Ford, but we are committed to Ram. Many happy travels and welcome!
 
Just moved to the dark side as well (diesel) after owning 2 ford V10s. UNBELIEVABLE is all I can say in difference in towing. Still a Ford man though, 6.7 F350, but whatever makes you happy and comfortable while towing. I now understand why my diesel friends say once you tow w a diesel you will never buy a gasser again.
 
I gotta go along with the diesel. We just started this fifth wheel adventure in September of last year. We are towing with a 2008 Dodge 3500, 4dr., long bed. I do love the engine brake. I have towed a lot of different things with big blocks, Ford and Chevy. I would also say that when it comes time to replace the Dodge, it will be a diesel, probably another Dodge 3500, but we will see.

Gord and Janet Fuchs
 
Here's the deal- similar horsepower with gas or diesel. Diesel- TWICE the torque! Torque is what powers you up a steep long grade.
 
In 2001 I bought a new Chevrolet 4x4 3500 dually with an 8.1 liter gas engine, Allison transmission. I was moving way too many possessions from Elk River, MN to Aurora, CO with a 45' 3 axle gooseneck race gar trailer, very full. This was for a career opportunity. The rig scaled at 28,000 + pounds, way over weight. But that 8.1 did an admirable job of scaling the "mountains" between the cities, drinking at a rate of 6.5 mpg. With our Ram 6.7 diesel, our fuel mileage ranges between 10 and 12 mpg, thinking we will scale around 20,000 pounds. Lots of real mountains on our current adventures!
 
Welcome to the Dark Side (color of exhaust)! As the signature shows, we tow a Reflection 337RLS with a 2008 (Dodge) Ram 2500, dry weight of fifth wheel about 10,600 lbs. We are pretty much full-timing and have covered about 25 states, including all in the Rockies and many in the Appalachians. I believe you will be VERY happy with the power of the 6.7, and if you got an automatic transmission, very pleased with the engine brake. Our 4x4 rides pretty smoothly, and is quiet in the cab, so much so that unless the windows are open, you don't know it's a diesel. With your truck being 7 years newer, the refinements would probably make me drool! When/if we replace our 2008, it will be a new Ram 3500 dually with a 6.7, automatic, and towing package. Others have done well with Chev/GMC and Ford, but we are committed to Ram. Many happy travels and welcome!

Thanks! Yeah, its pretty nice. All the bells and wistles. The 2015 models now have coil spring rear suspension instead of leaf springs. Makes it ride a heck of a lot nicer...almost like a big ol' SUV. Putting my last trailer on it to drag it to the dealer didn't cause any sag at all. Think I'm going to love it!

Be safe and have fun!
 
I've owned Dodge, Chevy and Ford trucks and I'm not loyal to any brand. But my current truck is the first diesel powered tow vehicle I've owned. Wow - what a difference. There is a one three mile 7% grade at 7000 feet that we pull every year on our annual family trout fishing trip. My last set up was a 2004 Chevy gasser pulling a 10k# fiver. I was able to maintain about 32 mph up the grade. Of course, I'd always back up traffic on that stretch. With my current rig, I can pull the same grade while towing my 337 at the speed limit of 55 mph and still have lots of throttle left!

Jim
 
There's that twice as much torque in action! Glad to hear your testimonial, Jim! All the diesels in 3/4 or 1 tons are over 800 ft. lb. Interesting that the light Reflections are introduced in about the same time frame as the Ram diesel in the 1500- seems like a match made in heaven for those who will be satisfied with a less elegant package.
 
Similar story as Jim's. This is my first diesel and have heard all the stories on how strong they pull. My father in law and brother were both OTR truck drivers and shared the same information. After buying our 303 in WI about a year ago and bringing it home, the I90 west climb out of the Mississippi River valley (not that long or steep like mountains) was my first experience pulling with a diesel. Driving 65 and then tapping the cruise up to 72 over the course of 30 seconds or so in the steepest part of the climb to not have a semi pass me, not only did the tranny not shift from OD 6th gear but the torque converter did not even unlock ! Roughly 1600 RPM max torque sweet spot @65 for the 2012 Duramax anyway........I was very impressed and now believe the diesel pulling stories (well most anyway.)

Dan
 
Interesting that the light Reflections are introduced in about the same time frame as the Ram diesel in the 1500- seems like a match made in heaven for those who will be satisfied with a less elegant package.

The problem with the Ram 1500 Eco diesel is that they have the lower payloads than the 5.7L Hemi regardless of cab/box configuration...around 250 - 300# less. The 1500 Eco quad cab, 4X4, 6'4" box, payload is only 1400#...crew cab, 4X4, 6'4" box is only 1270#. (the guide I'm looking at doesn't specify trim level so it's probably base). Also the max towing with the Hemi is 1500 - 1700# higher than with the Eco.

Those low payload numbers pretty much exclude them from being 5th wheel haulers IMO.

Dave

Edit: Here's a link to the reference... http://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2015_ram_1500_towing_charts.pdf
 
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So far, my only towing experience with our 3500 HD Duramax has been a 300 mi RT shakedown from Tampa to Lake Okeechobee and back, so the worst "grades" I've encountered were Interstate on/off ramps. :)

On Sunday we'll start north for six months of volunteer campground hosting in the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains, so by November I should be able to testify how my 800 ft-lbs (765, actually) and engine brake conquered the Appalachians.
 
I just gotta throw in my 2 cents worth for my Ecoboost F150 . . . For the smaller Reflections, this is a viable alternative. It is obviously not a TV for Solitude, Momentum, or even the larger Reflections.

It has equal to or more payload than many diesel 3/4 ton trucks. I've seen the door stickers on these fully loaded trucks with payloads around 2000 lbs. Yes . . . you can get more if you restrict options. My F150 max payload package has a 2300 lb payload.

The Ecoboost twin turbo V6 has more torque than any of the gas V8s. It's not "diesel torque" but it's 420 ft lbs from 2000 rpm to 4500 rpm . . . And, according to Ford, there is enough boost reserve to keep this torque curve until elevation gets over 10,000 ft. Haven't tested this part yet :). I have posted this torque comparison graph before.

image.jpg

As a combination TV & daily driver, this truck works well for us. The "smarts" that Ford has built into the "Tow Mode" make our rig controllable and comfortable, going uphill or down.

Rob
 
I agree that the Ecoboost with payload package is a great alternative as a tow vehicle for the Reflections. Diesel is overkill for my trailer and the extra 10-12k isn't worth it for my situation as I only tow about 10% of the time and there are no mountain passes in my future. In addition to the extra cost for the engine diesel gas is 10-15 cents per liter more expensive. I was really interested in buying a Ford but my local dealer would not "deal" with me at all. I went with a gas 3 /4 ton Ram but only because I got a great deal and it was over 10g cheaper than the 2015 Ecoboost Ford with Payload package.
 
I agree that the Ecoboost with payload package is a great alternative as a tow vehicle for the Reflections. Diesel is overkill for my trailer and the extra 10-12k isn't worth it for my situation as I only tow about 10% of the time and there are no mountain passes in my future. In addition to the extra cost for the engine diesel gas is 10-15 cents per liter more expensive. I was really interested in buying a Ford but my local dealer would not "deal" with me at all. I went with a gas 3 /4 ton Ram but only because I got a great deal and it was over 10g cheaper than the 2015 Ecoboost Ford with Payload package.

Well, that's a pretty rightous reason I would say! Enjoy and safe travels!
 
We are pulling our 303RL with an early 2011, 650 lbft model and it is more than adequate in the mountains. Even though its peak hp is the same as your 800, you will have noticeably more power in the 1600 to 2000 RPM range which should make for a very satisfying ride.
 
The 1500 Eco diesel quad cab, 4X4, 6'4" box, payload is only 1400#...crew cab, 4X4, 6'4" box is only 1270#.

What a curious marketing exercise this must be. A diesel 1500 with almost no payload. Exactly the same torque as the Ford Ecoboost (420 ft lbs) but 125 HP lower (240 for the Ram turbo diesel vs 365 for the Ford turbo gas). An alternative for trailers perhaps, but (as Dave notes) not a player for even the smallest 5ths.

Rob
 
It may only be about federal government fuel stds. Diesels are in several makes and models (cars and trucks)and growing trying to raise the overall manufacturers fuel economy ratings. Payload and other carrying measures may not be part of the equation.

Dan


What a curious marketing exercise this must be. A diesel 1500 with almost no payload. Exactly the same torque as the Ford Ecoboost (420 ft lbs) but 125 HP lower (240 for the Ram turbo diesel vs 365 for the Ford turbo gas). An alternative for trailers perhaps, but (as Dave notes) not a player for even the smallest 5ths.

Rob
 

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