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.