Ram1500 ecodiesel Cummins

[oneofthemoms]

Looking to buy this truck for TV for my 1968 International Sovereign. Will it be strong enough. Marine SIL will be towing from KY to Camp Pendleton CA to full time live in during 3 year stint. Thoughts from group appreciated.

[BayouBiker]

It's a good match, plenty of good reasons to choose this setup over some of the more powerful and larger vehicles. The main limitation will be payload at a bit under 2000 lb after accounting for typical optional equipment then you'll have to subtract 1000-1200 for the tongue weight.

The torque is very nice, horsepower a tad low but still decent. All in all you'll not have any issues with acceleration and starting on even steep grades. Overheating won't be an issue either.

[oneofthemoms]

Thanks for quick reply! I feel better hearing from people with greater knowledge of the details than myself.

[afneill]

Unless things have changed with this years model the ecodiesel is not a Cummins engine. I have a 2015 Ram ecodiesel and use it to tow my 25' Safari. I love it and would buy again but it is not a Cummins.

[AirstreamJim]

Correct. The RAM 1500 EcoDiesel uses the VM Motori 3.0L V6 diesel, not the Cummins. And if you’re looking at the 1500, your payload capacity isn’t going to be anywhere near 2,000 lbs. To get a Cummins engine and near or above 2,000 lbs payload capacity, you need to step up to the 2500.

I don’t know if they’ve finally started producing “Gen 2” of the EcoDiesel engines, but “Gen 1,” which I have in my 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, has significant reliability issues. Specifically, the engine has a higher than average propensity to suffer main bearing failure, which means you get a new engine, along with 6-8 weeks of major aggravation dealing with FCA. Ask me how I know this... (a clue: my Jeep has 25000 more miles on the body than the engine...).

Otherwise, it’s a decent engine. I pulled our 2007 Safari 25FB from Salt Lake City to Long Island, NY with our Jeep EcoDiesel and it performed very well. It will pull your ‘68 International Sovereign with ease.

Jim

[oneofthemoms]

I learn something new everyday. So is Motori the manufacturer of this engine? We have run Ram Cummins engines (2500 series) on our farm from beginning of Dodge using that engine. I hope I haven’t steered my SIL and daughter in the wrong direction on this truck. It only has 27750 miles so warranties have expired due to age of truck. Maybe, they should consider extended warranty, AirstreamJim, your post sent off alarm bells. But glad to hear none the less. Thanks guys for your honest opinions, as we sat In dealership lot, I knew I could post here and get good info!

[AirstreamJim]

Yes, the engine is manufactured by VM Motori, which is owned by FCA. It’s a descendant (in part) of Detroit Diesel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VM_Motori

Jim

[AlbertF]

Tongue weight is not a concern with a 1968 Sovereign. From the factory, empty weight was about 4700 lbs with about 425 on the tongue. Loaded, maybe 650 lbs, some of which gets transferred to the trailer axles with a weight distributing hitch.

Those vintage trailers are considerably lighter, and are definitely towable with a half-ton, or a well set up car.

[Goin camping]

Originally Posted by oneofthemoms

I learn something new everyday. So is Motori the manufacturer of this engine? We have run Ram Cummins engines (2500 series) on our farm from beginning of Dodge using that engine. I hope I haven’t steered my SIL and daughter in the wrong direction on this truck. It only has 27750 miles so warranties have expired due to age of truck. Maybe, they should consider extended warranty, AirstreamJim, your post sent off alarm bells. But glad to hear none the less. Thanks guys for your honest opinions, as we sat In dealership lot, I knew I could post here and get good info!

I understand your concern. My wife has 60K on her 2014 Grand Cherokee Diesel. The only problem to date has been a throttle positioning sensor. So your Sister may get lucky.

In the same vein. What about chevy's inline six half ton diesel. I've heard of them but have no idea if they are out or how they are doing. I'd prefer an I6 for the extra torque and reliability.

[AKmtnpilot]

1500 will be just fine. I tow a Classic 30 with no problems but it is a gasser.

[musicman_786]

I have also considered the Ram Ecodiesel for towing our 2016 25FB (FC). We currently. tow with a 2018 Ford Expedition and love it except that the tongue weight is kinda marginal. I know the independent rear suspension limits this and there is not much that can be done about it besides balancing the WD Hitch carefully. DO we have any current (Gen 3) Ram ED streamers out there? What is the average MPG when towing? WIth gas, MPG drops in half - does diesel?

[Tiny Cloud]

Good Choice. 2015 RAM ecodiesel. Bought it used, 111000 miles, and already in four months I have driven 5000 additional. Great towing, smooth, and very comfortable. No issues. Original owner maintained all maintenance schedules and upgraded with Blisten Shocks and Sumo springs.

Torque is great, although I kinda wish it had 50 more horses under the hood.

Avg mileage on a tow with our 2019 Flying Cloud 19CBB is 15-18mpg.

Pendelton has a great rv camp on the bluffs, plus another beach campground in Del Mar. Navy base in SAN also has an outstanding facility.

Hope to see you out there soon.

[musicman_786]

What do you think an extra 50 HP would buy you? I thought towing was mostly all about torque... or are you maybe referring to when not towing?

[Daquenzer]

The new eco diesel has more power and torque. I think it can tow up to 12,000lbs. You should check out TFL truck web site. It did decent on the Gauntlet test.

https://tfltruck.com/2019/10/can-the...auntlet-rebel/

[BayouBiker]

Torque drives acceleration. Horsepower is required to get you up a hill at constant speed.

[rubikcube]

I’m currently driving the gen3 Ecodiesel and towing a 23’ globetrotter. The truck has the 3.92 gears and 4x4, so that limits the efficiency a little bit. Also, it’s a little light on payload.

Still, the MPGs hover between 13-14 driving 70 in heavy west Texas winds and the mountains of New Mexico. Not too bad in my opinion.

Overall, I love the truck and would recommend it. Just remember to check the payload sticker before you buy.

[BayouBiker]

Very nice, that is a fair amount better than my 6.7 Cummins. I'd get about 12.6 at 70 in crosswinds. I try to stay at 62 where I can do 14.8 in no wind.