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TK21 · 03-25-2016, 10:18 AM

I am looking for a tow vehicle (truck) to replace my 2005 ram 1500 with a 5.7 engine. I get bad gas milage towing or not towing.
I looked into the Ram 1500 eco-diesel and the gas milage is great. The price was $12,000 cheaper than the 2500 cummings.
My question is has any body tried this truck and with what results? Thanks for your time and help. TK21

switz · 03-25-2016, 10:39 AM

Depending on the trim, many of the 1500 Ram diesels could have a payload of 1,092 pounds which is typically inadequate for a 25' trailer Airstream Literature 833 pound tongue weight and two people in the cab.

The actual tongue weights typically are closer to 1,000 pounds. Our new 25FB at the dealership with full fresh water and propane tanks and a Hensley Arrow hitch head installed had a 1,150 pound tongue weight.

When playing with the Ford build site for ½ ton trucks, the payload difference between a base model and the fully loaded King Ranch model was a 500 pound payload hit. That is similar for the Rams as well.

There are many tow vehicle threads in this forum and your question has been answered too many time to count (even specifically the Ram 1500 diesel).

The payload is the achilles heel of the Ram 1500 diesel. It has all the power to pull the trailer.

**DKB_SATX** · 03-25-2016, 10:42 AM

This topic has been discussed at length on AIRForums. I recommend the "Google Search" option under the Search menu in the top menu bar. Here are a couple of threads it turned up in a search for "Ecodiesel":

2014 RAM Ecodiesel has arrived!

Dodge Ram 1500 Ecodiesel

The bigger RAM diesel is from Cummins. No g.

dkottum · 03-25-2016, 11:08 AM

Well, we just bought a new Ecodiesel to replace our 2012 Ram 1500 Hemi. We were about to head out tomorrow and I could give you a full report, but some health issues are delaying us a couple of weeks. We have just over 1,000 miles on it, no towing, and it has averaged 28 mpg for that period.

You will soon be advised you cannot use any well-equipped half-ton truck because of payload capacity. Some on this forum is hung up on it, with no consideration of the handling, braking, comfortable ride, daily driving ease, GAWR or GCWR ratings, lower purchase, maintenance, and operating cost advantages of these lighter trucks.

Payload is what you place in the bed of your Ram, therefore a variable, the total weight of the truck should not exceed GVWR when loaded and hitched. The only way you will know your truck's weight is by weighing the combo loaded for travel on a truck scale. If it's a little over GVWR, you should take some weight out of the truck and/or adjust the trailer load to reduce hitch weight. If you need to carry heavy loads in the truck bed and tow a heavy trailer, you need a heavier truck.

Manage your loads and the Ram 1500 Ecodiesel is a really nice truck.

Bruce B · 03-25-2016, 12:00 PM

I just purchased a Ram 2500 Cummins to replace my loaded Platinum F-150. I've doubled my payload, the truck rides better than the Ford and I'm getting about 16.5 mpg towing and 20 mpg just driving around unloaded!
Nothing like Cummins for reliability too...

dkottum · 03-25-2016, 01:22 PM

We decided on the new Ecodiesel because I loved the way our last Ram 1500 handled and the coil spring ride was very pleasant for us and our Airstream. Just a great trouble-free tow vehicle, daily driver, and home chore vehicle for us.

This time she wanted the Laramie upgrades, sunroof, electronics and I'm now sold on them as well. We love this vehicle and its 700 mile fuel range on a standard size tank, probably half that towing our 25 Airstream.

I wanted the Ecodiesel for its extraordinary fuel economy, low rpm 420 ft lb of torque, 8-speed trans to best use it, option of 3.92 gears for best towing ability on the steep grades, and a turbo to maintain power at higher elevations.

Any vehicle has limitations and trade-offs. This one was a heck of a good buy with great trade-in, piles of incentives/discounts (last day of the month), and 0% interest (cash buyers keep your money on interest/dividends and use theirs to pay for it). Love it because it fits both our needs very well as we travel with it 6 months a year.

Moflash · 03-25-2016, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

We decided on the new Ecodiesel because I loved the way our last Ram 1500 handled and the coil spring ride was very pleasant for us and our Airstream. Just a great trouble-free tow vehicle, daily driver, and home chore vehicle for us.

This time she wanted the Laramie upgrades, sunroof, electronics and I'm now sold on them as well. We love this vehicle and its 700 mile fuel range on a standard size tank, probably half that towing our 25 Airstream.

I wanted the Ecodiesel for its extraordinary fuel economy, low rpm 420 ft lb of torque, 8-speed trans to best use it, option of 3.92 gears for best towing ability on the steep grades, and a turbo to maintain power at higher elevations.

Any vehicle has limitations and trade-offs. This one was a heck of a good buy with great trade-in, piles of incentives/discounts (last day of the month), and 0% interest (cash buyers keep your money on interest/dividends and use theirs to pay for it). Love it because it fits both our needs very well as we travel with it 6 months a year.

Have you even pulled your Airstream with this truck Doug?Sometimes reading the brochure and reality are two different things.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

dkottum · 03-25-2016, 08:08 PM

Mo, we had planned to leave tomorrow on our first trip, about 3,000 miles but two trips to ER in two days have put us off for a weak or so and may shorter our trip to 2500 miles.

We have towed all over the country with our Ram 1500 Reg cab Hemi and ProPride hitch. Did a great job. The Ecodiesel is the same truck, a little more torque at low rpm, little more wheelbase and a little more fancy trim. I expect similar good results and quite a drop in fuel usage. She loves the electronics and they're growing on me fast.

I know you travel with lots of gear and need a bigger truck, nothing wrong with that. We travel with little gear in the truck and have for 50 years (years past it was two backpacks in the back seat of our VW convert), that works for us.

BoldAdventure · 03-25-2016, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moflash

Have you even pulled your Airstream with this truck Doug?Sometimes reading the brochure and reality are two different things.

Buy this man a beer.

darsea · 03-26-2016, 12:27 PM

We love our 2016 ECO Diesel. Replaced our 2014 Hemi which we had great performance from. A great feature is the gear shifting on the steering wheel, great for the mountains.
The tongue weight was an issue on our 2014 but corrected with the factory air suspension on our 2016.
Almost 12,000 miles and loving it. A great vehicle without the trailer and a great one towing our 25 AS.
Without the trailer 28 mpg. Towing less than 55, 20 mpg, less than 60 18 mpg.

rodsterinfl · 03-26-2016, 12:34 PM

LOL, so many opinions, so little time! I looked at one too as a potential candidate. When I shared my 1000# tongue weight with the manager of the dealership (Galeana) he said no. The payload on the one I looked at was 1220# they led me straight to the 5.7 with 3.92 rear. I ended up with a different truck.

The best thing to do, IMHO, is to read about the various technologies being employed by the big three- engine, suspension, transmission, etc. It is an eye-opener, EACH has advantages and disadvantages but, depending on your intended usage, there is a truck brand that will better match your intended use for sure- Just for tow?; daily driver? Etc.

Mrjkq · 03-26-2016, 12:45 PM

No regrets here. My ecodiesel has 22k miles on it with about 3k towing. I have the Laramie Limited which comes pretty well decked out including air bag suspension. On a trip through the Smoky Mountains in Tenn. it pulled the Airstream flawlessly up and down steep grades and we managed to get 16.5 mpg at 65mph.

jtwind · 03-26-2016, 02:30 PM

Have one, love it! I just tow a Sport 16 and it's perfect. Rides nice 18-20 mpg towing, 28-30 when I'm not. Nice truck. Am up grading to 19' trailer and I'm sure the truck will do great up to 23'. I do travel fairly light, better things to do than keep track of stuff!

Moflash · 03-26-2016, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

Mo, we had planned to leave tomorrow on our first trip, about 3,000 miles but two trips to ER in two days have put us off for a weak or so and may shorter our trip to 2500 miles.

We have towed all over the country with our Ram 1500 Reg cab Hemi and ProPride hitch. Did a great job. The Ecodiesel is the same truck, a little more torque at low rpm, little more wheelbase and a little more fancy trim. I expect similar good results and quite a drop in fuel usage. She loves the electronics and they're growing on me fast.

I know you travel with lots of gear and need a bigger truck, nothing wrong with that. We travel with little gear in the truck and have for 50 years (years past it was two backpacks in the back seat of our VW convert), that works for us.

Hope you have a great trip Doug,be safe.Congrats on the new ride.

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

dkottum · 03-26-2016, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrjkq

No regrets here. My ecodiesel has 22k miles on it with about 3k towing. I have the Laramie Limited which comes pretty well decked out including air bag suspension. On a trip through the Smoky Mountains in Tenn. it pulled the Airstream flawlessly up and down steep grades and we managed to get 16.5 mpg at 65mph.

Looks terrific, great fuel economy!! Our Laramie is Pearl White, she choose the color. We have the same truck and Airstream model.

How did the transmission automatic down shifting do when going down the steep grades in Tow/Haul mode, did you need to add much truck/trailer brake?

Lance M · 03-26-2016, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK21

I am looking for a tow vehicle (truck) to replace my 2005 ram 1500 with a 5.7 engine. I get bad gas milage towing or not towing.
I looked into the Ram 1500 eco-diesel and the gas milage is great. The price was $12,000 cheaper than the 2500 cummings.
My question is has any body tried this truck and with what results? Thanks for your time and help. TK21

Yes. The results are great. I love it. I think, scheme and daydream of reasons to hitch up to our Airstream and be gone. I just can't get enough.

DKB has already linked my thread, but I'll give it another plug here.

AL4411 · 03-27-2016, 06:03 AM

There are two 3.0 RAM Ecodiesels. One 6 cylinder in a pickup and a 4 cylinder Iveco engine in the RAM Promaster. My TV is a Promaster 1500 with 295 ft/lbs of torque. I cruise at 62 mph/100 kph and consistently get 20-21 mpg towing my 19' international. 25+ Mpg without the trailer in tow.

Mrjkq · 03-27-2016, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

Looks terrific, great fuel economy!! Our Laramie is Pearl White, she choose the color. We have the same truck and Airstream model.

How did the transmission automatic down shifting do when going down the steep grades in Tow/Haul mode, did you need to add much truck/trailer brake?

While in tow/hall mode it downshifted very well according to amount of brake pressure applied.

purdiferis · 03-27-2016, 07:51 AM

HI,

I call it the spaghetti diesel, it is a fiat engine. I have had mine for a little over a year pulling our 24 foot tradwind. Our challenge is always getting home, based at 9450 feet, its just a bit of a pull. The Spaghetti diesel rips up here if I have too and cruises like a caddy. The mileage is awasome too. My only beef and it is interesting to read from the people that dont have one, is I have not figured out a good way to boost the rear end. I hear the ones with the air suspension do not sag like mine, I bought the strippy model, four wheel drive. I have the ballons that go in the spings but popped a line, I have got another kit to go in but have not got around to it yet. I want to inquire about getting stronger springs. Frankly it is my first PU with coil springs in the back, very strange for me.
Overall having a peppy PU with awesome mileage , awesome towing for the AS is a big win. The super diesel pick ups are great but much more then I need or want. Chevy colorado is coming out with a diesel too!!

dkottum · 03-27-2016, 09:05 PM

Hi purdiferis, with a lot of sag there's a few things that can cause the problem. Too much weight in the back of the truck, especially behind the truck's rear axle. Too much weight in the front and/or on the tongue of the trailer. And not enough lift from the weight distribution hitch.

This could be adjustment of the hitch head not tilted down enough for the w.d. bars to get enough lift, w.d. bars too weak for the task, or the hitch or trailer tongue weight too heavy for it to distribute the weight.

Wonderful truck and engine but like any vehicle it has load limitations. Do you think it could be too much load for the truck, or w.d. hitch problem . . . ? Is the truck lifting higher at the front wheels wells when you're all set for towing, than when unloaded? Loaded within capability and with a quality well adjusted w.d. hitch there should not be much sag, nor much rise at the front. You should not need helper air bags if all set up and loaded properly.