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Old 09-18-2016, 04:21 PM   #1
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2005 19' International CCD
Bothell , Washington
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2016 1500 EcoDiesel not cutting it, Best replacement?

I purchased a 2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Crew Cab and we own a 2007 27FB.

First Ill state - I love this truck, I have gotten 31MPG unloaded on the freeway and I am sad it will not work out. The specs all work out, but I am 200 pounds shy of GCWR when fully loaded and hooked up. I am 400 pounds over axle rating no matter how much a crank up the equalizer hitch. The good news is my EcoDiesel is a lemon and Chrysler is buying the truck back in 2-3 weeks.

The problems out side of exceeding weight limits, I live in Seattle. We have several mountain passes. On i90 (Snoqualmie Pass) traveling to central Washington I have the pedal floored to maintain 60mph. On a return trip over US-2 (Stevens Pass) the best I could maintain is 52MPH. I think a Banks kit might fix the speed drops over the pass but it will not fix the weight issue.

So I will be looking for a replacement Truck. I have been considering a ¾ ton Dodge, but should I consider a gasser 1/2ton? Ford sells a ½ ton eco diesel with 12k towing a 4k payload. we camp 5-8 times per year usually in state, but plan to do a couple long road trips with the family in the next few years when the kids are older. I am looking for a truck in the $35-$45k range.

Suggestions? Gas or Diesel? ½ ton or ¾ ton.
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Old 09-18-2016, 04:37 PM   #2
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Sorry to hear that. My "Eco" is a tough little mother. My only real complaints is like you said, the mountain climbing, although I must admit I don't have a problem climbing a 6 or 7% grade at 45 or 50 mph. We did a coast to coast 10,120 mile trip this summer, carrying a lot of gear (we also have 4 corner air bags) & the truck did a good job (equalizer also). I did miss a true engine brake on the decent but we survived with hill assist in the tow mode. I've never had a Cummins diesel but I'm considering it for the next truck.
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Old 09-18-2016, 04:54 PM   #3
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Sorry to hear you are having issues, but glad to hear Dodge is doing the right thing. Just a note on the Ford EcoBoost. It is a turbo charged 3.5l gas engine, not diesel. It has about the same torque as your ecodiesel, while offering more ponies. 240 vs. 365.

I have a fairly stripped down crew cab XLT with the upgraded tow package and 6.5' bed. I have 1780 pounds of payload. I've seen a few with higher available payload, but not many. I'm not sure where you read the 4,000 lb payload, but it will definitely not have that. I think you would still lose speed going over passes with the F150, so if that's important enough to you, I'd say go for a bigger diesel in a 3/4 or 1 ton.

Just my 2 cents, good luck!
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Old 09-18-2016, 04:56 PM   #4
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You didn't buy enough truck for your needs, it's not the trucks fault. Sorry for your mistake, but a different truck with more payload and more power will be good for you.
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Old 09-18-2016, 05:25 PM   #5
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If you are looking in the $35 to $45 range I think gas 3/4 ton would be the choice. I pull with a diesel and love it. But new ones are a lot more than that now. You really are not looking at a lot of pulling. If you are not going to drive the truck much when you are not pulling I would look at the gas trucks. Our diesel is a daily driver and we go out for 3 months at the time so there is a difference in the use. I think diesels do better when they do not sit for long periods. I would be a bit afraid to buy a used diesel. At current fuel prices there is little fuel savings with the diesel. However when fuel was $5.00 a gallon it seemed like a big deal. I have pulled over those 2 routes. But was happy with 55 to 63 mph.
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Old 09-18-2016, 06:54 PM   #6
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With a little work these Ecodiesels pull strong but theres not much you can do about being over the axle weight limit. With my setup im right at 4000 lbs ( 100 lbs over) on the rear axle. The best route would be to step up to a 3/4 diesel which well have am exhaust brake and tons of pulling power.
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Old 09-18-2016, 09:09 PM   #7
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Eco diesel to cummins for us

Sorry to say that ecodiesel 1500 didn't work for us. At 3800 miles we had a 10 day wait for engine repair. 1oo miles later a new significant noise caused us to say "enough". Traded I
In for a 2500 cummins andcouldnt be happier.
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Old 09-18-2016, 09:23 PM   #8
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Ram 3500 with a Cummins and never look back. Get the air suspension of you want the best ride possible. The 2500 all cool suspension is nice, but by he time you all the towing goodies you have the same cost as a 3500. Don't shell or the extra money for the Aisen.

Ram is goin you right with your lemon, give them anthother chance.
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Old 09-18-2016, 11:21 PM   #9
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Thumbs up Go with a Ram 2500 cummins

I just bought my Ram back in July and honestly I can't say enough good things about this beast of a truck. The power plant is the sickest thing I've ever driven with massive amounts of torque and power! Ironically I was at a dove hunt yesterday and met a nice young guy that is an engineer for Cummins. He went on and on about the engine and how the truck was the best bang for the buck on the market for guys that pull stuff. Yes, that includes Airatreams. Maybe look for a used one I bet you could find one in your price range with your trade. Best of luck!
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Old 09-19-2016, 07:44 AM   #10
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2012 Silverado HD Duramax LTZ 4WD... 72k miles. I can go where I want on paved roads and limited by trailer and traction elsewhere.

Plenty power, Allison tranny, it just works. Issues primarily with glow plugs which GM knows are bad and replace as they fail..it causes a CEL when the GP fails. Recently issues with NOX sensors .. Appear fixed.

Not great MPG... Towing About 10-13 depending upon fuel quality (yes it varies these days). In town, 12-14 (lots of start stop and "improved" traffic light coordination). HWY 18.5 running 65.. Faster reduces MPG.

Under tow with our 34', there is no tow issue. Acceleration superb, loves to hill climb.

When in low traction situation the 4wd had no problem pulling the AS out. Of course if I wanted to, I could get it stuck..

Plenty of weight carry

Don't know if that all helps, but there it is

Best wishes
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Old 09-19-2016, 10:12 AM   #11
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Thanks for all the responses. I am happy to say Chrysler is doing right buying the truck back and all the accessories I had bought. I am leaning towards a 3500 Ram likely a 13 or 14 as the cab is identical to the 1500 and I love all the trick gadgets like push button start and cooling seats... I had a moment of madness thinking I could get a F150 with the right weight requirements but I don't like being slow on the passes. Safer to stay with the flow of traffic then being an obstacle.

I had thought about the 2500 but I think the leaf springs will negate the need for cranking the weight distribution up and let the equalizer just be a anti sway. I think one knock on the equalizer hitch is if you have to crank the weight distribution up it hurts the anti sway.
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Old 09-19-2016, 10:42 AM   #12
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We traded our Ram diesel (they never could get ours running right and the mpg dropped dramatically every time we visited the shop for updated reprogramming) on a GM and REALLY like the Allison transmission coupled with the HD.
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Old 09-19-2016, 10:50 AM   #13
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I have a 2016 Ecodiesel as well and have come to the conclusion that it's not enough truck as well. Although mine never over heated the needle would get very close to the red line if you didn't back off.

I've gotten lots of "free" advice on the forum about how to shift or do other things to keep the truck cool but in reality it's 2016 and the truck should do all those things itself.

The real achilles heel is the payload, especially as you load the truck up with options the payload capacity goes down understandably.

I have a 2017 F-250 on order, mostly chose it over the RAM because of the cameras and adaptive cruise control and other features which I'm sure RAM will have in the 2018 model year.
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Old 09-19-2016, 11:18 AM   #14
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I think FCA just produces the 1500 Ecodiesel for owners to drive solo and occasionally tow a bass boat.

I've got a 2015 Ram 2500 Big Horn Cummins and while its OK, so far its only got 2089lbs payload due to the heavy diesel engine. Being a first time diesel owner I now have some reservations about the longevity of the emissions systems. I've already read reports of catalytic converter failures in 2014 models and apparently 18000 owners are awaiting replacements all over the country. Some inconveniences is filling up the DEF tank while towing, 3000miles it gets to 1/3 full, having to wear disposable gloves when filling up because the diesel pump handles are always stinky and the diesel islands at a lot of stations are only at the end island and often taken up by gas cars refueling from the unleaded side of the pump. Truck stop islands have the large nozzle and so far I've only had one instance where the diesel flowed out because I didn't put the nozzle in far enough. The last diesel truck stop I put the large nozzle all the way down the filler and then had a difficult time pulling it out. I thought it was stuck forever. While I like the power to climb long grades at altitude at 75 mph which I tried once and was impressed but don't do it often the fuel mileage is not much better than my Tundra 5.7L gas, 12 mpg on my longer trips trying to keep 60-65mph.

If I start having warranty issues with the emissions system it will be gone and I'll probably look to a F150 Ecoboost. The 2017 with 10speed transmission seems a good match and F150s don't stand so tall as my Ram 2500. I have to carry a folding step ladder in the back to climb into the bed to get stuff.

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Old 09-19-2016, 12:00 PM   #15
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OK, I'm a little critical of my Ram 2500 but I do love the integrated brake controller, tow haul and diesel exhaust brake for towing. The other stuff I can live with except converter failures.

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Old 09-19-2016, 12:05 PM   #16
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I have seen people trade for the bigger truck & or Cummins and I have seen people trade to the smaller Ecodiesel and both end up happy. Depends on needs and or more often perspective and what is important to you. I would say if you have had some issues with your truck and Ram has taken care of you that you will likely be very happy with the larger truck and unstopable torque of the Cummins.

But it is somewhat perspective and experience and working with it. Lots of people on here set up smaller TVs to pull larger TTs than yours and do so successfully. Thats not to say a change for you is not justified. Myself I have 220,000 miles on my ED delivering AS and have no problems towing even 30" 8,000 pound Classics all over the west. I normally tow at 65 but no I don't break any speed records over grades. To assist power and cooling wise I have the 3.92s & a shorter heavier load rated 31.9" tire for a mechanical advantage also the GDE tune for an extra ish 30 HP & 55 TQ and a turbo brake for coming down the grades. Plus the SLT grill to let it have the air it needs to keep things cool. I do most of the longer steeper grades with larger TTs in 5th at 55mph and 2,900 rpms. Not fast but still passing semis and no heat issues.

Doing it commercially you have to stop at state weight stations and Port of entrees. Their chief concern is axle weights. The ED allows 3,900 each or 7,800 combined. I think this is slightly higher than any other standard axle 1/2 ton. My truck with me & full fuel as I run is 5,900. This gives me up to 1,900 pounds to work with. Never been concerned with manufacturers max payload suggestion. Not saying you should not just saying I am not. Useing a no sway WDH & axle to frame airbags I have been with TT & stuff in the bed at my axle limits at scale houses but never over. Distributed well its surefooted & confident. Dangerous is the guy with headlights in your eyes. One thing that helps is all the AS I deliver are brand new and dry. I have had a CVWR of 15,300 with a Harley & gear in the bed while transporting a new boat up and down grades. It handled curves and climbed & descended grades safely. In fact I have criss crossed the country with a couple loads over 15,000 CVWR. Where the weight would push through the turbo brake speed was still comfortably and confidently controlled by supplementing with the trailer brake or the truck brakes with no brakes getting warm. The max CVWR for the RAM 1500 is 15,950 and this is the manufacturer rating not utilizing a turbo brake.

Anyway its about peoples perspective experience and confidence. Well and sometimes actual needs. If my truck & loads were not set up well or if I towed a large 5er or multi car hauler I would need and get a bigger truck. Thinking about it I have never towed a 34' AS but have been over Snoqualmie with a large AS & Stevens with an enclosed cargo trailer both at 55 in 5th. But I never pushed my equipment harder than that. Guess I think more about longevity & fuel as I bill by the mile. Happy streaming.
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Old 09-19-2016, 12:07 PM   #17
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I have been towing a 30' FC for a while now with a Ford F-150, 3.5l EcoBoost.
Works for me.
No issues towing an 8000 lb. Trailer at 110 KPH except for the wife telling me to 'SLOW DOWN'.
So I do, down to 100 'kliks".
"Happy wife, happy life"!
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Old 09-19-2016, 12:33 PM   #18
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griffstream --- I'm in Woodinville, one town over from you, & like yourself have a 27 FB. I've been pulling it with 2015 Ram 2500 diesel, which I bought to pull a 32 ft 5th wheel, which I traded in on the AS. We've now got 11K miles on the AS, & all I can say about the Ram is "Great." The Coastals, the Cascades, the Rockies, etc. simply don't get in its way.

Some comments:

1. I do wish the Ram got better mileage. I drove it dry from Seattle to Portland & got 22, but on our 9K trip to the WV rally, I got only 14.1, & on our more recent trip to the southern OR coast & northern coastal CA redwoods, we got only 13.4, but I should say that coming home from the Redwoods, I was on I-5 North & set the cruise for 65 all the way. On our WV trip, I typically drove around 62.

2. I have heard from others that the Ram 3500's leaf springs work better than the Ram 2500's coil springs for towing, so if I had it to do again, I'd consider a 3500 for a few hundred dollars more.
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Old 09-19-2016, 12:57 PM   #19
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2500 or 3500 diesel Ram, Ford or GM, all good and nothing compares for towing.
Daily driver, a little big, but the question is, "what tows best".
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Old 09-19-2016, 01:05 PM   #20
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Yeah I think RAM is screwing this up. On the non leaf spring trucks they should either come with air suspension as some do or coil assisted by an airbag. The coil assisted by an axle to frame airbag is my preference of the three. But even the 2500s with just a spring is a wallowing pig under a heavy load. If they just sent it out the door with an air assist it would be the shiz.
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