2014 RAM 1500 EcoDIESEL has arrived!

[Mr & Mrs S]

I know I'm way behind in the times as you've had your new truck for nearly a year but nonetheless I'd like to congratulate you on a nice choice of truck.
I just talked my father-in-law into buying the same truck and he's loving it daily.

Nice to see I rubbed off a little before I left a long silent absence from the forums.

Congrats Top, thats a fine rig you have and looks like you just recently enjoyed a nice outing with your family!

[DHart]

Long belated congrats! Having a nice truck like that is a real pleasure. The latest 1/2 ton trucks ride and handle practically like passenger cars.

[Top]

Thanks!

I guess people like the looks of a RAM towing a polished Airstream.

[Top]

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[tlcbuilder]

Hello, just wondered about lower payload capacity on EcoDiesel, does anyone have any experience pulling any trailer in the 7000# range approx. 700# tongue, plus weight distribution hitch, AND with 1000 pounds in the bed . I know it's over "specs" when you add two passengers on most 1/2 tons. Currently running a 2012 F150 Ecoboost Lariat with 28' International rated around 1890 pounds payload capacity and no problems after 50K miles towing, but looking at ordering the Dodge ECODIESEL QUADCAB Laramie with about 1400 payload rating and very concerned about the 500 pound difference inn payload rating. Any thoughts or actual experience appreciated. Thanks

[slowmover]

Weigh the trailer. Get back to us after that.

And lose some of the cargo/gear. Or get a one ton. I'm not in favor of trucks in general, but the "need" to haul a spare cast iron sink and a cord of firewood means a pickup capable of the job.

The limits on a vehicle are the wheel/tire/axle ratings. Push too hard to that past "payload" and you may not like the thing. A few short trips per year is one thing, long trips another.

[Mrjkq]

Originally Posted by tlcbuilder

Hello, just wondered about lower payload capacity on EcoDiesel, does anyone have any experience pulling any trailer in the 7000# range approx. 700# tongue, plus weight distribution hitch, AND with 1000 pounds in the bed . I know it's over "specs" when you add two passengers on most 1/2 tons. Currently running a 2012 F150 Ecoboost Lariat with 28' International rated around 1890 pounds payload capacity and no problems after 50K miles towing, but looking at ordering the Dodge ECODIESEL QUADCAB Laramie with about 1400 payload rating and very concerned about the 500 pound difference inn payload rating. Any thoughts or actual experience appreciated. Thanks

My Airstream 25FC ( on order ) will be towed by my 2015 Ecodiesel RAM Laramie. I don't have any doubt that it's the right truck for the job. I've had diesels in previous tow vehicles & I guess it's safe to say I'm a diesel guy, say nothing of the great mpg. The reduced payload is the price paid for the smaller engine vs. the power house Hemi.

[Top]

Hand calculated MPG towing to the coast.


65 mph tow/haul mode and cruise control.


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[slowmover]

Down to this coast? That's a whole lot nicer number than 14.5. I'll take those ten percent increases any way I can git'em.

Are you running the same route in return? That should make a nice round trip average if you don't hit traffic. The weather is sure cooperative for FE now the rains have stopped.

[Top]

Yep.

[Top]

We got back early this morning from our trip to the coast. Here are the trip totals.
914.8 miles
60.716 gallons of diesel
15.07 MPG
This is for all miles traveled.

The best segment towing returned 16.08 MPG from the house to Wharton, TX on TX 36 and TX 60. I used tow/haul and cruise set at 65 MPH.

The worst segment towing returned 14.43 MPG. This included spending 3 hours to go three miles on I35 while they cleaned up after a fatal accident. That will put a damper on the MPGs. Average towing was 15.3 MPG.

Much better than the 8-10MPG with the '02 Sequoia.

[slowmover]

And do you have a solo mpg figure running same speed on cruise on same roads? Or ?

Percentage drop for towing is?

[DHart]

Originally Posted by Top

The worst segment towing returned 14.43 MPG. This included spending 3 hours to go three miles on I35 while they cleaned up after a fatal accident. That will put a damper on the MPGs. Average towing was 15.3 MPG.

Much better than the 8-10MPG with the '02 Sequoia.

Yeah... people dying on the roads really messes up the fuel mileage! Hate it when they do that.

[slowmover]

1,334 of them thus far this year just in Texas. A statistic none of us care about despite any piety to the contrary.