5.7, Eco Diesel. or 6.4

[tsmith35]

Here's a brief rundown of my situation.

I currently have a 2019 Ram 1500 with the 5.7. I am considering trading it in for a 2020 eco diesel simply due to the fact that the 5.7 seems to be hurting when I pull my camper and I am getting ready to transition into living full time in my camper and traveling as an insurance adjuster. My question is keep my truck and make a few mods, trade in for the eco diesel, or a 6.4 2500. I will only be pulling the camper once a month or so but it'll be longer trips. The camper is only about 7000 lbs dry. With a 1k tongue weight. Sticking with a 1/2 ton I will definitely be putting helper bags on the back. What move would y'all make and why??

 

[silver billet]

Others will no doubt disagree, but I believe that 8000 pounds is the limit for these 1500's if you plan to do this often. Once a year or close trips might be a different story.

If you've already made up your mind to trade, then I think the 2500/6.4 is the obvious choice, you have more room to grow and lots of payload to spare. Loaded MPG is probably quite similar for the 5.7, since the 6.4 would work less hard towing the same load. I would make sure you grab the 2019 2500 though, or whenever it was they put in the 8 speed with the 6.4, older 2500's still use the 6 speed and it's not nearly as good.

 

[jdefoe0424]

It depends on how far your towing trips will be, and where your towing trips will be. If you're moving it say 2-3 hours on the highway/mostly open road with a sane person behind the wheel, then you might be ok with the 1500. I'm sure you already know this but...weight distribution is a must, and airbags or other bumpers will help keep the ride comfortable when towing.
If you're going farther distances or will be frequenting mountain roads, passes etc. then the 2500 will be a step up from a control and safety perspective.

FWIW...I have 2014 Coachmen 282BHDS, spec'd at 5600 dry, 750 tongue(probably closer to 1,000), 7700 gvwr. I really need to get it to the scales for actual numbers...but with the weight distribution hitch the only real complaint I have is the porpoising on the highway. This year I have pulled it nearly 3,500 miles and will be at about 4k after the last trip of the year.

For me personally, the ED wasn't a good fit as i have a 9 mile commute to work...though I think if I pulled every weekend(which I don't always do) then it might be ok. Also when I bought my 1500 I planned on it being a few more years before we bought a camper...thanks COVID for speeding that process up, otherwise I probably would've bought a 2500/3500 6.4. I am definitely around max payload on my 1500 when pulling with the family.

 

[Mtsabo]

2500 cummins will tow that like a dream and still get 14-16 mpg.

 

[tsmith35]

It depends on how far your towing trips will be, and where your towing trips will be. If you're moving it say 2-3 hours on the highway/mostly open road with a sane person behind the wheel, then you might be ok with the 1500. I'm sure you already know this but...weight distribution is a must, and airbags or other bumpers will help keep the ride comfortable when towing.
If you're going farther distances or will be frequenting mountain roads, passes etc. then the 2500 will be a step up from a control and safety perspective.

FWIW...I have 2014 Coachmen 282BHDS, spec'd at 5600 dry, 750 tongue(probably closer to 1,000), 7700 gvwr. I really need to get it to the scales for actual numbers...but with the weight distribution hitch the only real complaint I have is the porpoising on the highway. This year I have pulled it nearly 3,500 miles and will be at about 4k after the last trip of the year.

For me personally, the ED wasn't a good fit as i have a 9 mile commute to work...though I think if I pulled every weekend(which I don't always do) then it might be ok. Also when I bought my 1500 I planned on it being a few more years before we bought a camper...thanks COVID for speeding that process up, otherwise I probably would've bought a 2500/3500 6.4. I am definitely around max payload on my 1500 when pulling with the family.

So you are pulling with a 5.7? What does your MPG look like? What kind of terrain have you seen?

 

[tsmith35]

2500 cummins will tow that like a dream and still get 14-16 mpg.

I can't justify that extra cost for the cummins. I love them, but don't use it enough to be cost effective.

 

[jdefoe0424]

So you are pulling with a 5.7? What does your MPG look like? What kind of terrain have you seen?

I am. Open highway 65-70, I'm looking at 7-9 depending on winds. Drafting a semi I have gotten up to around 10. If you click on fuelly in my signature you can see my mileage.
Being able to drive 55-60 I would think an average of around 10, or maybe more, would be possible.

I have the 3.92 rear and do not tow with cruise control because I find it to be too aggressive and it's constantly downshifting with the slightest incline. I drive by foot and if I'm drafting(or not driving too fast) I can keep it in 7th except for hills.


The $10k premium of the Cummins is a steep price to pay if you're not going to work it every day, or keep it for 10 years, or put 200k miles on it.