About 500 lbs extra for a quad cab 4x4 vs the 3.6 gas. I think a better comparison
The 3.6 at 5080 lb tows 7440 with a 3.55 axle vs
ecodiesel weighs 5552 lb tows 7690 with a 3.55 axle.

To get tow nearer a Hemi you need a max tow pkg 3.92 axle in the ecodiesel then they are close at 8690 vs 8670 lb tow.
If you need to equip for max tow then buy a 2500 makes more sense to me , then if the towing miles justify the diesel then the Cummins would be a better choice

2 hr long video:eek: owner talking about his 109,000 mi EcoDiesel...yes I watched it:)


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ulGQ59tV9RE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I've driven a new Ram 1500 w/ Hemi and 8-speed trans, it's a sweet truck but I still think that diesel engines are better suited for almost any truck application. It's a drag that they're so expensive, I wish it was like Europe where absolutely everything but super cars are TDI powered and prices were reasonable. :cool:

Drove to work today. 1/4 of it is stop and go. Rest is interstate / cross country. Mileage is getting better as it breaks in. Diesel is $2.65/gal right now ...

:)

G

Also bought a slide in camper (pop-up) and drove that camping on the weekend. Even with the weight and added wind resistance, it was doing 22 mpg. If I ready what others get in their half ton trucks with these same campers, I am almost 2x as good in gas mileage. This is where it matters to me the most. If I go on a road trip with (or without) a camper, I don't want the gas bill to put me in the poor house. With the Sequoia this replaces, you were looking at 15 mpg on a good interstate trip. On a bad one 12-13. :eek:

G

In CA. right now, we have an unusual situation with diesel being more than a dollar a gallon cheaper than gas. It makes a diesel even a bigger advantage than it always is.

Finally a couple pictures, including the camper. Went to the mountains hunting this weekend. Really happy with the rig. The torque is great. It puttered through some rough climbs like it was nothing - inclines that would definitely require to put it in 'low' on all V6 and some V8 trucks. I did about 500 miles round trip, 80 miles in the woods on dirt roads with a 5000 foot climb. 21.5 mpg. And diesel is 2.49 right now. ;)

I didn't get anything hunting, so easy clean up, haha. It is just starting to cool down here. I wish I had a couple weeks instead of a couple days to hunt. Hopefully this truck will last until I am "between jobs" again some day ...

G

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1440994943.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1440994960.jpg

On a more technical note. Looks like banks is planning on building this 3.0 diesel for other applications, including military vehicles. This article shows some pretty cool internal pictures. I especially like the bottom end and the crank / rod diameters. What scares me is the DOHC and 4 valves per cylinder. :) I'd post some pictures, but he article doesn't allow to easily link to them.

Inside The Banks VM Motori 3.0L 630T V6 Diesel Engine - Diesel Power Magazine

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Very nice! I think this truck is on my shortlist of next vehicle purchases. A truck would be nice to have around, and the diesel mpg sure would be nice!

if anyone is interested, I have a 2013 VW Touareg Diesel for sale. Having driven a diesel in a large vehicle, I won't go back to gas. Great torque, mileage across 50K miles is north of 25. Solid great car.

that is a nice truck!!

i like being more mature and not have to suffer wanting to install a lift kit on every 4x4 i own..next truck i buy, i am leaving it alone..for sure, i think..okay i'll try. seriously.

i wish the new dodge half ton was taller like the half tons from just a few years ago..but whatever..i'm over it. :)

Vash, you are such a redneck. I agree, the truck would look a lot better with a 4" lift. The reason the truck is low is fuel economy, no doubt. The ground clearance is specified at 8.7" with dragging the front bumper for fuel economy reasons. I bottomed out the front bumper a couple times this weekend. But it has a large plastic valance, so it isn't that you are getting stuck, just a few redneck pin stripes on the plastic ... It is a good compromise for me - I am not a four wheeling nut, just need to get to my camping spot on a rough / slick dirt road and hunt on foot from there.

G

so how are you liking this truck two months later?

I love my '06 tundra but find myself longing for modern conveniences like hand free phone, big screen for xm radio, heated seats, etc.

the new tundras are just ugly as sin inside so those are out. dodge looks like they have 'cush' figured out pretty well and I need something that can tow a 23' boat and a loaded open car trailer.

Based on what I've read about the Ecodiesel Ram I wouldn't buy one to tow my 23' boat. It is rated at lower tow capacity than the F150 5.0 that I just replaced with an Ecoboost to gain more towing power. Nothing against the Ram but it's optimized for MPG, not towing.

so diesel doesn't just mean towing monster any more I guess.

i'm just not wild about the new ford styling. loved the styling from around '06 or so, nice flat sides and simple. big interior, lots to like just was totally unimpressed with the motor. now they say the ecoboost is the real deal for towing which just seems crazy to me.

my friend got a new tundra. he said MPG is 11-13. so bad, he leased a Prius C or something. besides trying to wrap my mind around his financial sense, i cant afford a truck that guzzles it like that!!

having said that..i like ALL the half tons based on looks. i think they all look good.

if i land on my feet after this pending house move, i am gonna truck shop.

The RAM has a 3.0 V6 diesel. Towing monster diesel trucks are 3/4 ton, have larger displacement and in return larger thirst. IMHO the Ecodiesel tows as good as any 1/2 ton, but I can't say I speak from experience. I know it hauls a load nice, including serious wind resistance. With my camper, I can go 80 mph on a steep grade and not even know it is there.

As far as styling goes, I think "transformers" has gotten to the truck world. Horrible designs all around. The RAM is the only truck these days that has some decent classic lines and no crazy angles and creases on the body and throughout the interior!

You should test drive the RAM ecodiesel same weekend you take out an F150 and whatever else you like. That sold me. The ride was orders of magnitude nicer and the interior, even in basic trim was much nicer than any of the crazy stuff going on in other brands!

G