Considering a 3/4 Ton Diesel Tow Upgrade

[dlockhart]

Originally Posted by speeder

New diesel trucks are crazy expensive. Heck, used diesel trucks are crazy money. You really need to have a business where you can use it and write it off and really need a huge depreciation write-off.

That's just the sad reality, unless you're a guy who can buy $60k PU trucks and it's no big thing.

Crazy money, which is why I went with a old toter for my racing travels.

I drove a new Ram Laramie 1/2 ton with the diesel a couple weeks ago. It was quiet, had good power and drove amazingly well. Listed for $50K, and first price they shot me was $40K. I didn't push harder cuz I still don't want to make a move. An article I read comparing the Ram diesel/Ford Ecoboost said Ford was faster, but Ram is torquier. Ford sucks gas hard when towing, but Ram only lost a couple MPG.

[EarlyPorsche]

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

I drove a new Ram Laramie 1/2 ton with the diesel a couple weeks ago. It was quiet, had good power and drove amazingly well. Listed for $50K, and first price they shot me was $40K. I didn't push harder cuz I still don't want to make a move. An article I read comparing the Ram diesel/Ford Ecoboost said Ford was faster, but Ram is torquier. Ford sucks gas hard when towing, but Ram only lost a couple MPG.

We have that diesel from the 1/2 ton Ram in our Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ecodiesel or something - its a dream to tow with and has been dead reliable. Only thing I don't love is that its one of the diesels that uses the DEF juice but I believe almost all diesels now use that? I think I've put a couple bottles in it since new and they were about $10 for 2.5 gallons at tractor supply.

I believe the pre-dpf/pre-def diesels sell at a premium just because less things to maintain on the emissions side but boy are they expensive.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by speeder

You would have to be going 50 mph downhill with a tailwind to get 14 mpg from a V-10 Ford in a CC 4x4 Superduty. The only mileage figures that matter to me are *real world*, either towing what I tow or empty going 75 mph on the interstate.

I haven't changed my tires yet on the F350, but when I put the highway radials on the F250, the highway mileage became ~19.5mpg (diesel). The F350 should beat that by 10-20%. My around town F350 mileage is 13-14 which is better than the 12.5 from the F250.

At the Gas Pump, a guy with a V8 Tacoma said he normally would get 8-10 mpg.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

We have that diesel from the 1/2 ton Ram in our Jeep Grand Cherokee. Ecodiesel or something - its a dream to tow with and has been dead reliable. Only thing I don't love is that its one of the diesels that uses the DEF juice but I believe almost all diesels now use that? I think I've put a couple bottles in it since new and they were about $10 for 2.5 gallons at tractor supply.

I believe the pre-dpf/pre-def diesels sell at a premium just because less things to maintain on the emissions side but boy are they expensive.

The post DEF diesels get better mileage due to less air recirculation for emission control

[speeder]

Originally Posted by red-beard

The post DEF diesels get better mileage due to less air recirculation for emission control

That's interesting. My understanding was that mpgs took a hit in '07 or '08 when something changed on diesels, (DEF?), but then mileage improved again in 2011 or '12 when something else changed(?)

One factor that does not exist in the rest of the country right now is that diesel fuel is a lot cheaper than gasoline in CA. A couple months ago, it was a dollar a gallon cheaper than regular if you knew where to buy it. This was a function of our expensive gas but diesel prices the same as everywhere else.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by speeder

One factor that does not exist in the rest of the country right now is that diesel fuel is a lot cheaper than gasoline in CA. A couple months ago, it was a dollar a gallon cheaper than regular if you knew where to buy it. This was a function of our expensive gas but diesel prices the same as everywhere else.

It is awesome. Currently I am spending about 7 cents / mile on fuel on my TDI. I fill it up every 10 days for under $3 gal.

I am going to pull the trigger on the ecodiesel 1500 RAM, I think ...

G

[vash]

Originally Posted by aigel

It is awesome. Currently I am spending about 7 cents / mile on fuel on my TDI. I fill it up every 10 days for under $3 gal.

I am going to pull the trigger on the ecodiesel 1500 RAM, I think ...

G

please do..if you do i want to check it out...!!

even my wife likes them..to be nitpicky..i am saddened that Dodge runs their truck so low to the ground. i remember when they were factory lifted..kinda. they had lots of ground clearance and fender clearance.

i wont put a lift kit on any truck anymore. so it would be great if they were a tad taller from the factory.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by speeder

That's interesting. My understanding was that mpgs took a hit in '07 or '08 when something changed on diesels, (DEF?), but then mileage improved again in 2011 or '12 when something else changed(?)

One factor that does not exist in the rest of the country right now is that diesel fuel is a lot cheaper than gasoline in CA. A couple months ago, it was a dollar a gallon cheaper than regular if you knew where to buy it. This was a function of our expensive gas but diesel prices the same as everywhere else.

More exhaust recirculation to reduce emissions AND particulate filter traps. My 2010 had a particulate trap. The 2014 still has one, but the new style does a better job of burning out the particulates.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by speeder

One factor that does not exist in the rest of the country right now is that diesel fuel is a lot cheaper than gasoline in CA. A couple months ago, it was a dollar a gallon cheaper than regular if you knew where to buy it. This was a function of our expensive gas but diesel prices the same as everywhere else.

Here, for a while, Diesel was a lot more expensive. It used to only be the same price as 93 octane. It is back down to being about the price of mid-grade.

I filled up for $2.59/gal last week. My usual place is $2.49/gal

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. I really want a Raptor but they just aren't set up for towing, and I considered an Ecoboost F150 but don't think it will give me the upgrade I want. Seems like a vehicle that mostly gets used for towing should be optimized for that purpose.

Originally Posted by xfg

Thanks for the feedback guys, I appreciate it. I really want a Raptor but they just aren't set up for towing, and I considered an Ecoboost F150 but don't think it will give me the upgrade I want. Seems like a vehicle that mostly gets used for towing should be optimized for that purpose.

WtF is the point of these spambots???

Edit: I just noticed there's an embedded link in the spammers quote. I think my net-nanny at work blocks it...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Shameless plug, but if anybody wants a really mint 2012 F150 4x4 5.0 loaded XLT with 53k.....

[onewhippedpuppy]

One other question, is there such a thing as a reliable 6.0 Powerstroke diesel?

[Dan J]

Duramax. That's all you need to know

[TimT]

One other question, is there such a thing as a reliable 6.0 Powerstroke diesel?

Yes,

My 03 F250 PSD with 6.0 just turned over 200K, Its been in the shop a handful of times... Under warranty fuel filter console, a glow plug and an injector were replaced (all while the truck was young i.e. under 100K) The alternator went at 120K... easy fix in my driveway...

Any 6.0s you find in the wild now will probably be great reliable trucks...

What Ford did in the chase for HP/Torque bragging rights was hot rod a IH (Navistar) 6.0 that came from IH at around 225HP... Ford remapped it to 325hp? and upped the torque also...That same 6.0 is powering many cab forward delivery trucks without a hiccup......


If a 6.0 ever had a Banks, or Bully Dog or any piggy back tune on it I would be hesitant to buy..

[billybek]

Originally Posted by TimT

If a 6.0 ever had a Banks, or Bully Dog or any piggy back tune on it I would be hesitant to buy..

This... For any truck not just the 6.0.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

They are willing to negotiate pretty hard at Ram. I was at the dealer and seriously considering this exact truck: 2015 Ram 2500 Tradesman For Sale in Rockville MD | VIN: 3C6UR5HL0FG656424

It was sticker at just under $50K and the internet price is $39K and I do believe if I was going to take it home right there it would have been $38K plus tax tag title prep fees. Luckily I came to my senses and didn't spend $38K on a pickup! My old beat up truck costs less a year to maintain than 1 month of that beast...but boy was it nice on the inside...I didn't drive it.

Yeah, but if you make it a loaded model with 4x4 you're talking another probably $15k.

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

I drove a new Ram Laramie 1/2 ton with the diesel a couple weeks ago. It was quiet, had good power and drove amazingly well. Listed for $50K, and first price they shot me was $40K. I didn't push harder cuz I still don't want to make a move. An article I read comparing the Ram diesel/Ford Ecoboost said Ford was faster, but Ram is torquier. Ford sucks gas hard when towing, but Ram only lost a couple MPG.

The Ecodiesel Ram wins on MPG but really isn't designed for heavy towing. The Ecodiesel is actually rated under the Hemi and similar to the F150 5.0. The Ecoboost has a significantly higher tow rating.

[porsche4life]

Matt I think you want the 3/4 ton the more I think about it... Which one is hard to say.. I spent a fair bit of time behind the wheel of dads '13 Ram 2500 CNG. Truck rides good enough for a truck imho. It's better than the older trucks he had, it's not a Cadillac, not supposed to ride like one! plenty of space in the back seat for 2 kids, one in a booster, and an adult. Plenty of legroom, even for me.

[vash]

A duramax rides like a heavy car. Very plush. I love driving my brothers. It feels very manly


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[onewhippedpuppy]

After sleeping on it for a few days, Sid is totally right. I don't think an Ecoboost will give me the upgrade I desire. I'm now looking at the 2008+ F250 with the 6.4L Powerstroke. It seems that the 6.4L is much more reliable than the 6.0, still has massive amounts of power, and the styling is very similar to the newer models.