Should I get the Diesel out of my head?

[doolin64]

I like MPG...yes you don't buy a truck for fuel mileage...I've heard it before. But the MPG these diesel trucks are getting is outstanding.

I test drove a Laramie with an etorque Hemi today and a '20 Limited with 3.92 gearing and the Ecodiesel. My intentions I couldn't believe it was a diesel. Quiet, smooth, plenty of pep for me.

I drive about 12k miles a year. Mix of highway and backroads. We take my truck on road trips, I haul some atvs on a trailer or dirtbike. My "normal" commute is only 5 miles from my house. So some days, it's out of the garage to work and then home. I do live in the northeast where it gets cold, the truck would sleep in a garage and I could plug the block in. Do I need a diesel? no. Heck do I need a hemi? no. I just don't want to prematurely kill an engine because it doesn't always get up to temp.

 

[My1stHemi]

What’s kept me away is the complexity and cost of parts if they fail. I had an awesome 3rd gen Cummins but even that got pricey with injectors. These newer engines are engineered to the limit it seems to make EPA happy. The power is nice but not the way a Hemi delivers. it seems to make more sense for those who log miles and I do believe short commutes are killers.

 

[WXman]

Why do you like MPG? Range or money savings? Range is artificially limited by the fact that only 50% of stations in the U.S. sell diesel per AAA. Money savings is killed by the fact that diesel costs more than gasoline on average, and, most people aren't seeing EPA ratings in the real world with the diesel.

If you like the feel of the torque (when the powertrain calibration finally gets around to allowing it to happen after you press the pedal) then by all means go with the diesel. If you're looking to save money or drive something "economical" then give the diesel a hard pass. You'll end up spending a fortune to keep it on the road as the years pass. Fuel, maintenance, etc...

 

[tom318]

FYI: I do't currently drive the RAM Ecodiesel (on order) but have driven other small diesel (VW TDIs, BMW diesels) for years and for the last year have spent considerable time in the new F150 powerstroke.

Like WXman said, don't do it to save money because you wont. I personally prefer the diesel for a daily driving experience. Its smooth and in no real hurry so i'm less frustrated daily driving it. When i daily drive something fast (BMW M5) for a longer time i find myself frustrated and always trying to pass (i become a stereotype BMW driver within 3-5 days). If you take several (1 or 2 a month) long trips then you should be fine but if its only 4-5 a year then maybe its not the right choice. My buddies dad has a diesel (not ram, ford 6.7) and he rarely drives it and anytime he does a longer trip it comes back with some kind of CEL, usually nothing major but still. He does maybe 3-4k miles a year though. I could see issues way down the road with it never getting to temp but how long would you keep it, it does have a 5yr 100k warranty on powertrain. You didn't mention if you were looking to buy or lease but maybe lease one since you don't drive much, if you love it buy the next one.

 

[silver billet]

The usage you described is very bad for a diesel. They need to work hard or run long distances, otherwise you get EGR issues.

The Hemi is still more powerful, quicker in every metric, and does much better for short on/off trips. The amount of miles you drive in a year, you will never come close to saving money, ever.

 

[jkm312]

Not to highjack this discussion, but here is my question. For those of you, who park your diesel's in an attached garage to your houses, do you have any exhaust smell in the house? The DEF tanks have cleaned the exhaust up considerably. Is it enough to stay out of trouble in an attached garage?

 

[hunter1234]

Love my diesels and would not at this time move to a gas engine. I have had three the last two the RAM eco diesels. I do get much better gas mileage than I do with the company Ram Hemis as I commute 150 miles a day it made a big difference, I like the power of the diesel. Having driven both (I buy about 10 of the 1500 and 2500 per year for the company - all gas ) I have seen some real world differences. The Hemi is fast and tows but screams when towing a load and uphill, the diesel I find tows the same load but never feels the pain going uphill. There are times with the company truck I feel I need to tow a tanker behind me as it does seems to go through the gas. I like the feel of the diesels but as other have mentioned you have to be driving it, long hauls are what it is meant for. Short city commutes would kill it. My 2020 has been averaging around 28 on the freeway doing 70 or better but still too early to say if that will be what it settles to - could be better or worse but only have 1300 miles on it. The cost of fuel is only slight more than gas here and with the long trips I do not burn a lot of DEF. I do park it inside a garage and have never noticed the smell like my old pre-EPA and DEF one. For me towing (about 3,000 lbs) and driving an average of 36,000 miles a year it pays for itself, if I were at 12,000 per year it likely would not.

 

[doolin64]

Thank you everyone. As for money savings...yes but know. It all honesty it's a mental thing. I like seeing a number in the 20s. My '05 F150 with 3.21's and the 5.0 would average around 18 in town and 23 on road trips when stock. This is driving normal and only using the trucks computer. When I added larger tires and a level (did not fix speedo). I would get mid 16's in town 20.3. That truck did not like towing anything, even if it was just my quad. Fast forward now, I'm driving '20 Gladiator Rubicon with 35's and the speedo corrected. I can't believe how much the speedo correction helped. I'm averaging right around 16-17 in my normal driving. With bed loaded and family of 4 on board, I pulled down 19.8mpg driving for 3.5 hrs out of VT to MA last weekend. Really not bad, but I'm over the Gladiator ride and the dealer is giving me 2500 less than what I paid for it. Now I'm Ram hunting. If I can get what I'm getting in the Gladiator in the Ram, I will be happy. I know with the Hemi there is no way I'll see over 20.

 

[Nomad]

I have a 2020 Eco Limited. Traded in my 14 Big Horn Eco for it. Would not change for anything.

 

[PowerJrod]

I like MPG...yes you don't buy a truck for fuel mileage...I've heard it before. But the MPG these diesel trucks are getting is outstanding.

I test drove a Laramie with an etorque Hemi today and a '20 Limited with 3.92 gearing and the Ecodiesel. My intentions I couldn't believe it was a diesel. Quiet, smooth, plenty of pep for me.

I drive about 12k miles a year. Mix of highway and backroads. We take my truck on road trips, I haul some atvs on a trailer or dirtbike. My "normal" commute is only 5 miles from my house. So some days, it's out of the garage to work and then home. I do live in the northeast where it gets cold, the truck would sleep in a garage and I could plug the block in. Do I need a diesel? no. Heck do I need a hemi? no. I just don't want to prematurely kill an engine because it doesn't always get up to temp.

For longevity regarding low miles per year I'd stick with the Hemi Etorque...even the 3.21 axle ratio will be more than enough to pull your trailer while getting very respectable gas mileage. The Ecodiesel is very nice too but without using it for "work" or a lot of driving I'd be pushed away from it ....also due to the high maintenance costs. Slightly better gas mileage for your use might not be cost effective. Now of course...if you like it THAT much Better than the Hemi....go for the EcoD.

 

[Billy James]

As others have said here; if you are only driving 5 mile trips then get the Hemi. Diesel engines don't typically do well with short trips all of the time.

 

[mrfreon]

Not to highjack this discussion, but here is my question. For those of you, who park your diesel's in an attached garage to your houses, do you have any exhaust smell in the house? The DEF tanks have cleaned the exhaust up considerably. Is it enough to stay out of trouble in an attached garage?

I leave mine idling while warming up for 2 or 3 minutes with the garage door closed all the time in my attached garage. It has a slight "sweet smell" that most people wouldn't even notice. I wouldn't say it's a safe thing to do though.... could probably kill ya.

 

[phisch]

I’m loving mine, man. The hwy torque is unbelievable, and I have 325 miles on this tank and it’s still half full. 1200 miles on my new Longhorn North, came from a hemi Grand Cherokee purchased new in 2011. Just know you can’t accelerate into oncoming traffic like you can with a hemi, but you can pass them pretty easily once you catch them.

 

[J-Cooz]

I had a 2019 Hemi and traded it for a 2020 EcoDiesel and love it. 19mpg to 30pmg.
Life is too short to not drive what you really want.

 

[My1stHemi]

I’m not ashamed of the Hemi when towing. It handled a large Travel Trailer like a champ over hills and in the curves.
I do miss the diesel torque, sound, and smell, but it’s has a higher risk for lower mileage use for sure.
I bought my truck in September and have just over 18,000mi so far. I use my truck for work now and don’t pay for fuel. I am blessed to not have to worry about fuel cost besides my personal road trips. If I was paying for fuel at my annual mileage rate I would be more inclined to go diesel and lease the truck.

 

[WXman]

Not to highjack this discussion, but here is my question. For those of you, who park your diesel's in an attached garage to your houses, do you have any exhaust smell in the house? The DEF tanks have cleaned the exhaust up considerably. Is it enough to stay out of trouble in an attached garage?

The smell is almost non-existant. It's amazing how little you smell ANYTHING with this new diesel.

Thank you everyone. As for money savings...yes but know. It all honesty it's a mental thing. I like seeing a number in the 20s. My '05 F150 with 3.21's and the 5.0 would average around 18 in town and 23 on road trips when stock. This is driving normal and only using the trucks computer. When I added larger tires and a level (did not fix speedo). I would get mid 16's in town 20.3. That truck did not like towing anything, even if it was just my quad. Fast forward now, I'm driving '20 Gladiator Rubicon with 35's and the speedo corrected. I can't believe how much the speedo correction helped. I'm averaging right around 16-17 in my normal driving. With bed loaded and family of 4 on board, I pulled down 19.8mpg driving for 3.5 hrs out of VT to MA last weekend. Really not bad, but I'm over the Gladiator ride and the dealer is giving me 2500 less than what I paid for it. Now I'm Ram hunting. If I can get what I'm getting in the Gladiator in the Ram, I will be happy. I know with the Hemi there is no way I'll see over 20.

That's exactly what I came from. A '20 Gladiator on 35s. And I was getting 16-17 MPG also. I have a family of 5. And I tow an enclosed trailer sometimes and a utility trailer other times.

Now I'm in a '20 Ram CC 4x4 EcoDiesel. I like the added space inside to stretch out. And I like that it tows the same trailers in gears 6-8 whereas the Gladiator would use 3-8. BUT.... right now if I could go back to the day I traded my Gladiator I would undo the deal and keep the Gladiator. The Gladiator is a much more simple truck to tinker with, service, and own. It's more fun. It's more valuable. It's more inexpensive day to day. I wasn't constantly afraid of the $10,000 fuel system failing or the emissions system having a failure or the engine going to the shop (which my Eco has already done to my dismay). Nope, with the Gladiator I just drove it and smiled. And there are four million accessories for them. Heck, I even took it to a local car show last summer just because, and people ignored the classics and muscle cars and hung out around the Gladiator all night. Life is short, and I enjoy driving vehicles that make me smile.

 

[Finn5033]

Just picked up my 2020 Ecodiesel a couple days ago. From all the research I’ve done those constant short trips will be the killer. I had a 2019 Hemi with 3.21 gears. A couple months after I got it we bought a RV fish house, then a couple months later I got a job offer that Added 20k miles a year to my commute. I drive a minimum of 80 miles a day round trip for work plus my truck is our family vehicle and tow vehicle. So I’m going to be putting 25-26k miles a year on the truck with I’m guessing 3k a year of that will be towing the RV. So for my use the ecodiesel is the perfect truck for me. I’ve wanted one of these since they first came out but I could never justify getting one because I didn’t tow anything and only put 5-6K miles a year on my trucks until now. I didn’t buy it to save money though, I bought it for the towing, the gas mileage when unloaded is just a bonus.

After two days and 160 miles I love it. It is very different to drive then my Hemi was but I’m already getting used to it. I love how it holds a gear where my Hemi would always downshift. I haven’t towed the RV with it yet but I know its’ going to be much better. My Hemi would pull it fine but it would scream to do it.

 

[aedhasdad]

Am fond of oil burners, drove lots of them before I moved to USA in 2015.
My big question is WHY is america SOOOO expensive for diesels, maintenance and parts? and why is the fuel so expensive?
In Europe we've had diesels for decades, my last car was diesel - 96 mpg from a 1.4 Turbo DI and my wife's would do 66 mpg in her 1.6 TDI 7 seat soccer mom van.
Diesel Engines are the same price as gas engines in Europe, the fuel is cheaper and maintenance is the same cost and done by the same mechanics, we don't need "specialists" as all mechanics are trained on both.
Also worth noting, the service intervals on my last 2 diesels were 18k and 20k between oil changes, and that's with the crappy UK Climate (like WA).

I used to work on Diesels in the Army, less parts in a diesel engine than a gas, no sparkplugs, no HT system, no Coil Packs.

The Only thing to ever go wrong on any of my Diesels (25k miles a year) was one of my cars needed 4 new glow plugs - $10 from our version of auto zone and a spare hour.

 

[WXman]

Am fond of oil burners, drove lots of them before I moved to USA in 2015.
My big question is WHY is america SOOOO expensive for diesels, maintenance and parts? and why is the fuel so expensive?
In Europe we've had diesels for decades, my last car was diesel - 96 mpg from a 1.4 Turbo DI and my wife's would do 66 mpg in her 1.6 TDI 7 seat soccer mom van.
Diesel Engines are the same price as gas engines in Europe, the fuel is cheaper and maintenance is the same cost and done by the same mechanics, we don't need "specialists" as all mechanics are trained on both.
Also worth noting, the service intervals on my last 2 diesels were 18k and 20k between oil changes, and that's with the crappy UK Climate (like WA).

I used to work on Diesels in the Army, less parts in a diesel engine than a gas, no sparkplugs, no HT system, no Coil Packs.

The Only thing to ever go wrong on any of my Diesels (25k miles a year) was one of my cars needed 4 new glow plugs - $10 from our version of auto zone and a spare hour.

Yeah those were the good ol' days. Now, the American EPA has made it so hard to even sell a diesel engine in this country that automakers have strapped thousands of dollars worth of add-on parts to them solely to make them legal. Those add-ons, in turn, destroy reliability and longevity, eat up fuel efficiency, and make them expensive and hard to work on.

 

[brian42]

Personally, if I had a 5 mile commute I would not be considering a diesel.

I had a diesel for 11 years before this truck. I loved it and would still be in it if it didn't get totaled.

Granted it was bigger than the EcoDiesel in these trucks (an old pre-emissions Ford Powerstroke) but diesels are more expensive to maintain regardless of size. Parts cost more, mine took 15 qts of oil every change, and did not like short hops (no matter how long you let it idle before or after).

Did I love the power? Yes. Did I love the smell? Yes. Did I love the parts cost? No. Did I enjoy 4 gallons of oil every 5K miles? No. I think the EcoDiesel is 'only' around 10 or 11 quarts. That's not much more than the 7 qts for the HEMI but, if you pay to have the oil changed, you will pay a premium for the diesel (and maybe another bump for the amount being more than a gas V-8).

I did not have a common rail fuel system in it so that kept the price down. I took a serious look at an EcoDiesel but decided that, as much as I love compression ignition, it wasn't a cost-effective purchase for me.

If you add all the time you wait-to-start, warm-up idle, drive to work, and cool-down idle (my dad's '16 Cummins ran hot and needed to cool down before shutdown), your truck has as many (or more) engine hours sitting as driving to/from work. Yes, a diesel is meant to run and idling is no big deal, but that's also time you are tethered to the truck. Some people don't mind that and some realize that they prefer to get in, start up, and go.

Again, that's just my .02