Dodge with Cummins

[Oogway]

Is a Dodge with a cummins a good tow vehicle? If so, is there a location on the airforum where I can learn what people are pulling with them? Appreciate any information.

Thank you,
Craig

[J. Morgan]

A dodge with a cummins is an excellent tow vehicle. Imho it is the only diesel offered in a pickup that makes financial sense.

I say this even though i hold a 25 year old grudge against Dodge.

[NevadaGeo]

You'll accelerate going up hill pulling most any airstream with a Cummins. And enugh tow vehicle weight to take up some braking fauxpaws in the trailer. But there's discussion on the diesel truck being too solid and not enough give, for your airstream's comfort, with potential for popped rivets.

But I'd sure hate to put out the money for a new one.
There, that should open the burners; flame on!

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by Oogway

Is a Dodge with a cummins a good tow vehicle? If so, is there a location on the airforum where I can learn what people are pulling with them? Appreciate any information.

Thank you,
Craig

Hi, on this forum you'll find that people are pulling Airstreams with them.

[Steve & Mary]

I have always been a Ford kind of guy. I love my 2012 F-250 Power Stroke. But when it comes to that particular class of tow vehicles I have to say the Cummins engine is probably the best you can get. So I would have to say "YES"..... it is a good tow vehicle.... steve

[SteveH]

I have a 2012 Dodge Ram 2500 with the Cummins Diesel engine, and overall it is a great engine, and a good tow vehicle. Mine is a 4X4, and they have issues in the front suspension and steering. Not as stable or accurate of steering as the 4X2, but it can be improved. Should you get a 4X4 and want to improve on it's handling, give me a shout and I'll let you know what helps.

Prior to getting this truck I had a GMC 2500 with the Duramax Diesel engine, and I liked it as well. IMHO, it was a better truck, had better suspension and handling, I had no problems with it, but the engine wasn't rated to deliver as many trouble free miles. I traded it at 120K miles without having any problems with it.

[pappy19]

You don't NEED a diesel to tow an Airstream, you may WANT one. Just be prepared to pay a lot more money initially and a lot more money for maintenance vs a gas, and more money for fuel. All of that extra money for additional power and a few more miles per gallon.

[Bill M.]

Dodge Diesel Forum powered by V Bulletin.
I tow with a Dodge with a Cummins. I think it is a great TV.

[J. Morgan]

Imo, along the lines of. Pappy's thoughts, a gas engine makes more economic sense for towing an Airstream.

My 5.3 pulls my 6,500 lb trailer very well, and i doubt a new cummins equipped dodge could be bought for twice (or thrice almost) what i paid for my. 08 Chevy 4x4.

[GCinSC2]

Www.turbodieselregister.com

Lots of experience on TDR to be shared.

[GCinSC2]

Craig,

BTW, welcome to Airforums you'll enjoy the conversations and the trailer.

I tow with an 05 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 speed.

Gary

[OregonVista]

We started with the 2007 Ram 2500 diesel and then traded for a 2012 Ram 2500 diesel. I did a lot of research before we bought the 2007 and concluded the Cummins engine was the best. I love the truck, the power, and the stability. It could probably pull 2 or 3 Airstreams.

That said, there are a lot of good tow vehicles out there, and a close look at the towing thread will give you lots of options, including the 1/2 ton trucks.

[switz]

The Cummins design life is over 350,000 miles and many have over 500,000 miles. Both the Duramax and Ford offerings are sub 250,000 mile design life....

2012 models are the last year without the "DEF" fluid inconvenience and expense. Running out of DEF in a remote area can be a negative experience as the engine will not restart after the out of DEF message is displayed until the DEF tank is refilled. The stuff is still not available at every remote Mom & Pop store.

Our rig crossed the scales at 18,860 pounds and tows the mountains without breaking a sweat. If your interest continues, send me a PM (by clicking on my handle to the left) and I can fill you in on modifications to my truck that make the driveline run cooler.

The level ride air suspension by Kelderman softened the ride for both the trailer and the truck passengers. I can dump the rear air bag air and lower the tailgate over three inches which make loading and unloading easier for me as I am relatively short and less agile now at 69.

[genearnold]

I began towing my 34' Limited with my 1996 Dodge Cummins in 2001. I sold the trailer in 2013. Towing with the Cummins was a joy in every way! On our first tow I was getting the feel for it on U.S. 30 east bound out of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Previous tows of the Limited were with my 5.7 Chevy and maximum speed over this incline was about 30mph (automatic transmission). Halfway up I was still in fifth gear, and must have been grinning because my wife looked over and said, “You're really enjoying this aren't you.” She was right and the twelve additional years were just as enjoyable.

In those twelve years I never experienced any trailer problems that I felt were attributable to the ride quality of the truck. My hitch was fastened just tight enough to make the unit level.

Since age has made me decide it wise to not continue to tow, I'm now in the process of selling the truck (it is listed in the Forum classifieds). I hate to part with it, but really have no use for it now.

[J. Morgan]

Last time i towed with a dodge cummins combined with a 26' van trailer I tipped the scales at just a touch over 26K and I got a ticket at the Louisiana scale for proof.

[Oogway]

Thank you for the feedback. I will search around in the forum and see what year models and truck specs are found to be good.
Thank you again.

Craig

[r carl]

Originally Posted by switz

The Cummins design life is over 350,000 miles and many have over 500,000 miles. Both the Duramax and Ford offerings are sub 250,000 mile design life....
.

My god what have you been smoking?
The gas engines are expected to go 250k.

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by r carl

My god what have you been smoking?
The gas engines are expected to go 250k.

I was told by a person employed by General Motors that most all gasoline engines designed today are designed with the objective of going 150,000 miles. The same person told me Ford and GM Diesels are designed to go 250,000 miles, and the Cummins, 350,000 miles.

That's not to say they won't go more miles, but that is what he said the manufacturer's design criteria was.

[polarlyse]

Your original question has been answered several times over so one more won't hurt. I tow our 30' AS with a 2006 Ram 3500 diesel 4x4 w/ auto trans. Tows great and I have not found any front end issues. These heavy duty trucks will cost a bit more in labor and parts when they do need work but the ease of towing is great. I do think that fuel economy alone is not enough to justify getting one but if you want one they do make towing heavy a joy.

[nickcrowhurst]

Originally Posted by Oogway

I will search around in the forum and see what year models and truck specs are found to be good. Craig

I did just that research 14 years ago, and decided that the 1998 12 valve Ram Cummins diesel was the best for me. Mechanical fuel injection, so no electronic control, and no expensive high pressure fuel injector pump to fail if the lift pump delivered at low pressure, as can the post 1998.5 24 valves. I do my own maintenance, so I don't want a vehicle that has to be taken to the dealer for fault-finding, or re-flashes of a computer. The 1998 incorporates a major change in styling, with quad cab option, and simple mechanics.
All the body panels are zinc plated, so there's no corrosion I can see. (I've injected the sealed compartments with rust-proofing fluid). It's as good as new as far as I'm concerned, after 170 k miles.
Towing a 25 foot 6500 pound Excella I get 13 mpg at 63 mph, 12 mpg at 70 mph, 18 solo round town, and 22 when I try, solo, and keep off the Interstates.
Oh yes, and it's a dream machine to tow my Airstream.
Nick.