Are Ram 2500’s any good?

[Jimmy N.]

11 mpg but nothing to worry about if you are not putting a lot of miles on it.

Hmm. I got around 10, doing 80 or so on my bi-weekly trips between CA and NM (right about 1,000 miles) with an extra tall enclosed trailer behind it.

And as mentioned, I've seen around 15 on my girlfriend's 3500's dash, after her pulling a much larger horse trailer.
Yeah, I think you got a bad one.

 

[vortecd]

This dealer is selling 2500's with 6.7 Cummings for $51k, less if you are military or first responder.

View attachment 140366

I would go this route if you are towing. Is there 2 different 6.7? Do you know which one this is? I know when I looked up some I saw two options. I would want the 1000 torque one

 

[Jimmy N.]

I would go this route if you are towing. Is there 2 different 6.7? Do you know which one this is? I know when I looked up some I saw two options. I would want the 1000 torque one

There are really three different versions.

With the 68RFE transmission you can only get the so-called standard output (SO), like in a 2500. The HO version requires the much stronger Aisin transmission, and a 3500.

Then there's what I have, the low output version which comes in cab and chassis, and can be had with the Aisin transmission.

For what it's worth, the detuned low output engine works for me. Then again, I've never been over 39,000 lbs. CGVW.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Gas mileage for daily driving will be atrocious!

My 2012 Power Wagon (5.7L Hemi with 4.56 gears) got the same fuel economy as my TRX. Not good, but not as bad as one would think.

 

[2ndAmend]

I would go this route if you are towing. Is there 2 different 6.7? Do you know which one this is? I know when I looked up some I saw two options. I would want the 1000 torque one

It is tempting, but I never had a diesel truck, and I'm old and I don't like change or surprises, so I'm going to stay with gas. If I did a lot of long distance towing, it would be a no brainer but we are at about 2-2.5k/year towing a 7k. Besides, it's black, it'll always be filthy!

 

[vortecd]

It is tempting, but I never had a diesel truck, and I'm old and I don't like change or surprises, so I'm going to stay with gas. If I did a lot of long distance towing, it would be a no brainer but we are at about 2-2.5k/year towing a 7k. Besides, it's black, it'll always be filthy!

Find different color. I may buy a durango 392 for a winter/daily driver and thought I could tow if it came up. If I bought a truck and i knew I would be towing it would be a diesel and I have never owned one either. I also would buy something used but if you are in the $45k range for that 392 kinda hard to pass up

 

[SilverBillet]

Find different color. I may buy a durango 392 for a winter/daily driver and thought I could tow if it came up. If I bought a truck and i knew I would be towing it would be a diesel and I have never owned one either. I also would buy something used but if you are in the $45k range for that 392 kinda hard to pass up

I don’t know about the Durango but I think the 392 in the truck is only rated at 410HP vs 395HP for the 5.7? I would give that truck a good test drive before buying it. The Tradesman is a work truck and does not have a great interior and probably does not have a lot of options for that price?

 

[2ndAmend]

Find different color. I may buy a durango 392 for a winter/daily driver and thought I could tow if it came up. If I bought a truck and i knew I would be towing it would be a diesel and I have never owned one either. I also would buy something used but if you are in the $45k range for that 392 kinda hard to pass up

I looked, no good colors on the radar. And all the other dealers in the area have half the discount!

 

[Jimmy N.]

I don’t know about the Durango but I think the 392 in the truck is only rated at 410HP vs 395HP for the 5.7? I would give that truck a good test drive before buying it. The Tradesman is a work truck and does not have a great interior and probably does not have a lot of options for that price?

Less power out of a given displacement usually results in better longevity.

And to me, the fewer options, the less that can go wrong. Actually, there are quite a few options (usually included in packages) that I'd pay extra not to have.

 

[1971demon]

Less power out of a given displacement usually results in better longevity.

And to me, the fewer options, the less that can go wrong. Actually, there are quite a few options (usually included in packages) that I'd pay extra not to have.

I never keep my trucks past factory warrantee ....and as a DD.I..practically live in it...so I get em loaded..and never use 90% of the options...

 

[Jimmy N.]

I never keep my trucks past factory warrantee ....and as a DD.I..practically live in it...so I get em loaded..and never use 90% of the options...

My 3500 isn't driven very often, so far from living in it.

On the other hand, when the lowly Tradesman does get used I'm often in the driver's seat for 24 hours straight, sometimes more.

You'd think that without 48-way power seats with heating.cooling, and massaging, no telescoping steering wheel, not even a 2-foot touchscreen (it has none), or any other "must haves", a 1,600-mile drive would be impossible.

Well, it isn't. If anything, it's more relaxing than driving the 1500 with all its unavoidable extras.

 

[Keith Richards]

Cummins is the only one I would consider, it’s my daily. I am on my 3rd a 2018 3500 SRW Megacab sport. Tows anything I want, gets 16mpg city and 21 on my trips to Oregon when we visit our daughter. Towing enclosed 24’ pace with racecar I am at at 14mpg. Maintenance I do on my own, oil/filter every 5k, 2 fuel filters every 15k and trans fluid every 30k. 2.5 gallons of def every 5k. 385hp and almost 1,000 ft/lbs torque with the 3500 only Aisin trans option.

 

[Jimmy N.]

2.5 gallons of def every 5k.

Wow. That's 2,000 mpg on the DEF. I generally get between 300 and 350.

Then again, the regular mpg is hovering around 10, so it makes sense that there's more DEF usage to go with it.

 

[Keith Richards]

Wow. That's 2,000 mpg on the DEF. I generally get between 300 and 350.

Then again, the regular mpg is hovering around 10, so it makes sense that there's more DEF usage to go with it.

When towing my 24' Pace I am cut less than half, 2.5 gallons in 2000 miles.Also if you have were under that emission recall it might use more as well? I haven't got the recall done as my master tech buddy at RAM said not to and surprisingly enough Calif. DMV gave me my tags last month without it as usually they flag emission recalls.

 

[Jimmy N.]

Thankfully, the cab and chassis models don't seem to be affected by that recall.

But keep getting notices about the tailgate for the 1500. Another one that the C&C is safe from.

 

[2ndAmend]

Cummins is the only one I would consider, it’s my daily. I am on my 3rd a 2018 3500 SRW Megacab sport. Tows anything I want, gets 16mpg city and 21 on my trips to Oregon when we visit our daughter. Towing enclosed 24’ pace with racecar I am at at 14mpg. Maintenance I do on my own, oil/filter every 5k, 2 fuel filters every 15k and trans fluid every 30k. 2.5 gallons of def every 5k. 385hp and almost 1,000 ft/lbs torque with the 3500 only Aisin trans option.

View attachment 140450

Good info, if I could find one in a good color, I'd be seriously considering it. Thanks!

 

[Jimmy N.]

Good info, if I could find one in a good color, I'd be seriously considering it. Thanks!

These days the Build and Price allows you to see what's out there in a much larger area than in the past.

Build one to your liking, including color, and then let the system tell you how many matches or near matches there are.

 

[1971demon]

My 3500 isn't driven very often, so far from living in it.

On the other hand, when the lowly Tradesman does get used I'm often in the driver's seat for 24 hours straight, sometimes more.

You'd think that without 48-way power seats with heating.cooling, and massaging, no telescoping steering wheel, not even a 2-foot touchscreen (it has none), or any other "must haves", a 1,600-mile drive would be impossible.

Well, it isn't. If anything, it's more relaxing than driving the 1500 with all its unavoidable extras.

You can have all the other stuff..(not sure I even know what it all is...)...but I've gotten very used to the heated..and vented 48 way seat...

 

[1971demon]

Cummins is the only one I would consider, it’s my daily. I am on my 3rd a 2018 3500 SRW Megacab sport. Tows anything I want, gets 16mpg city and 21 on my trips to Oregon when we visit our daughter. Towing enclosed 24’ pace with racecar I am at at 14mpg. Maintenance I do on my own, oil/filter every 5k, 2 fuel filters every 15k and trans fluid every 30k. 2.5 gallons of def every 5k. 385hp and almost 1,000 ft/lbs torque with the 3500 only Aisin trans option.

View attachment 140450

That's one BIG truck...even in 18 it had to be close to the 6 figure mark......

 

[2ndAmend]

These days the Build and Price allows you to see what's out there in a much larger area than in the past.

Build one to your liking, including color, and then let the system tell you how many matches or near matches there are.

I looked and looked, all the dealers in the area are offering $10-11k off, not even 20%. The Build and Price is a great tool, but it only leads to the local dealers and you get what they have/offer. This one dealer, for reasons I cannot explain (yet) is offering a full $25% off! Which is why I put down a non-commitment deposit until it arrives.

Monday the wife and I are going there to take a similar 2500 for a 40mi test drive on backroads and highway under construction. We should get a good feel of the ride and handling.