Ram Eco Diesel towing 3500# 1300 miles

[pmsmechanic]

I regularly pull a variety of trailers. The trailers that catch the most wind are the trips that result in the poorest mileage. Weight doesn't affect mileage as much.

 

[buickanddeere]

As far as these VM Motori diesels being low rpm torquers.
The 2.8 four develops between 154HP at 4000rpm to 197HP at 3800rpm.258lb ft to 369lb ft ft of torque at 2000rpm.

The 3.0V6 develops between 240 to 271 HP at 4000rpm . 420-443 lb ft of toque at 2000rpm.

 

[tcartwri]

I wonder how this truck's performance would have compared to the smaller EcoBoost?

Bob

They did the gauntlet a minute faster with the 2.7 eb. However, people need to realize what an extreme test this is. Ten years ago if you tried to go full throttle up that hill you would be breaking something in any of the brands.

There is no shame in dropping a gear and grinding up a hill at part throttle if you're only ever doing it once. However, being able to hit high twenties sure is satisfying for every other situation.

 

[Trillium Farm]

As far as these VM Motori diesels being low rpm torquers.
The 2.8 four develops between 154HP at 4000rpm to 197HP at 3800rpm.258lb ft to 369lb ft ft of torque at 2000rpm.
The 3.0V6 develops between 240 to 271 HP at 4000rpm . 420-443 lb ft of toque at 2000rpm.

I wonder if the poor performance claimed may not be due to poor rear end selection for the purpose intended.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Obviously we all have different standards of ethics here.
I for one, sure wouldn't start a new,independent thread, based on hearsay.

Questioning my ethics? Too funny.

As far as hearsay I have no need to prove anything but I could with the drivers and trucks DOT Logs. I didn't feel the need to question what I was told. The 3 individuals driving are upper management and of good character.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Wonder what an eco boost F150 would have gotten on the same trip with the same load??? :stirthepot: my money for mileage is still the eco diesel

Also- depending on the part of the Rockies driven, could severely impact the mileage of any brand truck...
And if the truck came from a rental place- what are the odds it was Actually completely full...

Heard of several people filling them till the gauge just touches the full mark and turning them back in-

Once when I rented a large U haul I re filled it to take it back the gauge was well beyond the full mark... not where it read when i picked it up.

About the same. I pulled a larger trailer a few times and saw 13.

Guaranteed it wouldn't struggle though.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

The Eco-Diesel is low on horsepower but nearly equal in torque to the 5.7L Hemi so I could see the power issue but the MPG is surprising. I get about the same MPG on my RAM 3500 Cummins pulling a 15K fiver.

I showed my son your post and he was surprised at the MPG numbers. Before he left Chrysler, he was on the Eco-diesel program as a calibration engineer and spent a great deal of time in the Colorado mountains, Utah deserts, upper Michigan's snow storms working on the engine's calibrations and DEF usage. His experiences showed pulling something that light (as in mini-van territory), the truck should have been north of 23 MPG average.

No way 23 mpg. They average 25 with no trailer.

Chris

 

[dodge man]

Chris, not calling anybody a liar, its just an unusually low number. I don't doubt the actual numbers, its just a lot lower than others I have read.

This is pure speculation on my part, but I'm guessing its a trailer that caught some wind. There also might have been some head winds. They might have been driving the speed limits, but there are places out west that is 75 mph. Throw that all together with some mountains and hills and you get lousy mpg.

 

[Ford850]

Chris, not calling anybody a liar, its just an unusually low number. I don't doubt the actual numbers, its just a lot lower than others I have read.

This is pure speculation on my part, but I'm guessing its a trailer that caught some wind. There also might have been some head winds. They might have been driving the speed limits, but there are places out west that is 75 mph. Throw that all together with some mountains and hills and you get lousy mpg.

17 states with 75 or higher now. 6 of those are 80mph, and TX has some 85mph. That makes it tough for manufacturers to keep people happy with EPA estimated mpg's.
Map of maximum posted speed limits on rural interstates

 

[buickanddeere]

I wonder if the poor performance claimed may not be due to poor rear end selection for the purpose intended.

Rear gears do not make HP . No difference on a hill in 2nd gear with a low rear end and 3rd gear with a high rear end IF engine rpms and ground speed are identical.