What fuel mileage do you get in your 3/4 or 1 ton diesel? Which brand is best?

[Charlie175]

2008 RAM 6.7 CTD, 6 speed auto quad cab. Emissions deleted with EFI Live
I get 14-15 around town, 19 or so on the road, unless it is interstate then I get lower.
10-12 towing 14k around.
First year Dodge had the built in Exhaust brake. Very nice option to have.
Predelete is got 2-3 mpg lower.
My Ram is rougher riding than a friends GMC 2500. I call his a caddy!

 

[scoutcub]

2006 f350 Crewcab dually with 4:10 gears and 6.0 PS. Just installed new injectors, egr deleted, mild chip, and 4" exhaust. Unloaded 17-18 mpg.
Just towed 14k on a 300 mile trip, 15 mpg. If I load heavier down to 12 mpg. Should've done the work a lot sooner, made a huge difference in mpg and power. 122 k miles.

 

[tractorshopper]

This weekend I drove a 2017 F-350 Lariat dually and a 2016 Ram 2500 Laramie. The Ram also had exhaust brakes, so that confirms all 3 have the exhaust brake option in the 3/4 tons. I've seen them all personally. I drove these two, one after the other. The Ford obviously had a very stiff suspension. Plenty of get up and go. I still like it's interior and features better than the Ram's.

The Ram felt like a smoother ride to both my wife and I. This one was an automatic this time (on purpose). For some reason to me, it feels like it has some drag to it like not freewheeling as much. The salesman said because it was very low on fuel. He said that's not normal but they tend to feel like they are dragging when low. I haven't really heard that before, but he sells both brands so it wasn't like he was trying to convince me one way or the other. I also put my foot in the floor of it and while it climbed through the speed quickly, it didn't feel as punchy as the Ford or the Chevy I previously drove. That said, it was very smooth through the gears and I never really felt the shift points, so that may be why I don't feel like it just gets up and goes. I'm used to feeling the different undulations of going through gears.

Externally, the Ram still sounds like a diesel truck. I liked that; my wife didn't. Internally, I didn't notice any excessive road noise in either of them.

Both were averaging just below 14 mpg on the fuel gauges, but neither one had any appreciable miles and I'm sure it's all foot on the floor city test driving just like I was doing.

I went to a GMC dealer who has some DMax's in transit, but none currently on the lot, so I haven't driven a Sierra yet.

Maybe a little unfairly, I think I've ruled out the Ram at this point. Can't put my finger on it exactly or really quantify it, but just am not in love with it. It is a smooth ride though and for that I should probably keep thinking about it. Very comfortable seat too. I may try driving it one more time.

I keep wondering if I like the Ford so much because that is what I'm used to driving right now, so it already feels and is laid out much like my current truck. That could be tainting my comparisons. I really am trying to be objective, but maybe it's not entirely possible.

 

[Snobdds]

This weekend I drove a 2017 F-350 Lariat dually and a 2016 Ram 2500 Laramie. The Ram also had exhaust brakes, so that confirms all 3 have the exhaust brake option in the 3/4 tons. I've seen them all personally. I drove these two, one after the other. The Ford obviously had a very stiff suspension. Plenty of get up and go. I still like it's interior and features better than the Ram's.

The Ram felt like a smoother ride to both my wife and I. This one was an automatic this time (on purpose). For some reason to me, it feels like it has some drag to it like not freewheeling as much. The salesman said because it was very low on fuel. He said that's not normal but they tend to feel like they are dragging when low. I haven't really heard that before, but he sells both brands so it wasn't like he was trying to convince me one way or the other. I also put my foot in the floor of it and while it climbed through the speed quickly, it didn't feel as punchy as the Ford or the Chevy I previously drove. That said, it was very smooth through the gears and I never really felt the shift points, so that may be why I don't feel like it just gets up and goes. I'm used to feeling the different undulations of going through gears.

Externally, the Ram still sounds like a diesel truck. I liked that; my wife didn't. Internally, I didn't notice any excessive road noise in either of them.

Both were averaging just below 14 mpg on the fuel gauges, but neither one had any appreciable miles and I'm sure it's all foot on the floor city test driving just like I was doing.

I went to a GMC dealer who has some DMax's in transit, but none currently on the lot, so I haven't driven a Sierra yet.

Maybe a little unfairly, I think I've ruled out the Ram at this point. Can't put my finger on it exactly or really quantify it, but just am not in love with it. It is a smooth ride though and for that I should probably keep thinking about it. Very comfortable seat too. I may try driving it one more time.

I keep wondering if I like the Ford so much because that is what I'm used to driving right now, so it already feels and is laid out much like my current truck. That could be tainting my comparisons. I really am trying to be objective, but maybe it's not entirely possible.

Ram has not figured out the Torque management yet. With all that power, it sure seems like they hide it when you need it.

 

[om21braz]

Ram has not figured out the Torque management yet. With all that power, it sure seems like they hide it when you need it.

Someone here I'm sure can answer this - Does it feel the same in a 3500 w/ Aisin trans? Does it have firmer shifts?

 

[Snobdds]

Someone here I'm sure can answer this - Does it feel the same in a 3500 w/ Aisin trans? Does it have firmer shifts?

Look at Dyno results on stock Ram trucks with the cummins. There is always torque losses through the drive train (on every car/truck/bike etc/), but there is an unexplainable large loss of drive train torque on the cummins. Most speculate Ram did this to keep the drive train alive. There are 3 choices of transmission behind the cummins right now and both the autos experience this. The standard transmission is not electronic so it can't be tuned, so Ram just derated the engine with lower torque values.

Once the stock tuning is removed and BOTH the engine and transmission tuning is replaced...the truck runs like it's suppose to. However, unless supporting mods are done to accommodate the extra power...the chassis and drive train usually don't last very long.

 

[coobie]

Look at Dyno results on stock Ram trucks with the cummins. There is always torque losses through the drive train (on every car/truck/bike etc/), but there is an unexplainable large loss of drive train torque on the cummins. Most speculate Ram did this to keep the drive train alive. There are 3 choices of transmission behind the cummins right now and both the autos experience this. The standard transmission is not electronic so it can't be tuned, so Ram just derated the engine with lower torque values.

Once the stock tuning is removed and BOTH the engine and transmission tuning is replaced...the truck runs like it's suppose to. However, unless supporting mods are done to accommodate the extra power...the chassis and drive train usually don't last very long.

Ya them Rams are junk thats why you see in my area 80% of them are pulling heavier loads verses ford/chevy trucks.Some folks are brand loyal BLIND,I am not.Thanks for the belly laugh..

 

[Snobdds]

Rams are far from junk. We still have a 93, 12 valve that I don't think a nuclear bomb could destroy.


However, I call a spade...a spade. The torque management behind the Cummins sucks. Its a known fact. It can all be fixed though, with a simple reflashing of the PCM.

 

[coobie]

Rams are far from junk. We still have a 93, 12 valve that I don't think a nuclear bomb could destroy.


However, I call a spade...a spade. The torque management behind the Cummins sucks. Its a known fact. It can all be fixed though, with a simple reflashing of the PCM.

Your story go with it.

 

[Snobdds]

Sounds like you have first-hand experience behind the Cummins with each tranny combo. Why stay so silent if you know so much?

Offer up some knowledge, or just continue to thow stones at glass house from a safe distance.

 

[roadhunter]

This thread seems to be going well. LAffin

 

[Snobdds]

Quite well.

 

[roadhunter]

I guess if you like internet pillow fights.

 

[Snobdds]

Let me guess, you're a psychiatrist. You're pretty observant.

 

[sdef]

I have a 2015 Ram 2500 diesel, CC, 4WD, 6.4 bed, auto. trans. with 11,400 miles. Anywhere I drive is continuously hilly from one degree to another with seldom a level spot of road for more than 100 yards or so. But no mountains. My truck carries 300 - 400 pounds of stuff inside and in the bed as a minimum and tows a 10.5k pound tractor load occasionally. Actual highway mileage is ~ 16.5 - 17 driving the speed limit with a light load and ~ 11ish towing the tractor on the Interstate and less on the back highways which are steeper in grade and with speed changes through small towns. Vehicle computer shows mileage to be ~ 1.1 to 1.5 MPG higher than hand computed. On the rare occasion I have driven on a fairly level stretch of road for a couple miles, the computer shows up to 21.x MPG running under cruise control.

This mileage is what I hoped for when purchasing. As an aside, I did a lot of investigation and settled on Ram. Really loved the 2500 with 6.4 Hemi engine in town. It was super responsive and a joy to drive whereas the diesel was a bit sluggish in this scenario. However, on my "test track" of Interstate entrance ramp and highway acceleration testing, by the time the non loaded gas truck got to 65 MPH, it was out of breath and the diesel was still pulling like the proverbial freight train. So I paid the extra $10k for the diesel and never looked back. The diesel engine braking feature is a really nice option to have while towing a load. Only downside for the Ram diesel for me was the mandatory 10k pound rated suspension with the diesel and this causing the truck to ride rougher with a light load. YMMV.

 

[tractorshopper]

I have a 2015 Ram 2500 diesel, CC, 4WD, 6.4 bed, auto. trans. with 11,400 miles. Anywhere I drive is continuously hilly from one degree to another with seldom a level spot of road for more than 100 yards or so. But no mountains. My truck carries 300 - 400 pounds of stuff inside and in the bed as a minimum and tows a 10.5k pound tractor load occasionally. Actual highway mileage is ~ 16.5 - 17 driving the speed limit with a light load and ~ 11ish towing the tractor on the Interstate and less on the back highways which are steeper in grade and with speed changes through small towns. Vehicle computer shows mileage to be ~ 1.1 to 1.5 MPG higher than hand computed. On the rare occasion I have driven on a fairly level stretch of road for a couple miles, the computer shows up to 21.x MPG running under cruise control.

This mileage is what I hoped for when purchasing. As an aside, I did a lot of investigation and settled on Ram. Really loved the 2500 with 6.4 Hemi engine in town. It was super responsive and a joy to drive whereas the diesel was a bit sluggish in this scenario. However, on my "test track" of Interstate entrance ramp and highway acceleration testing, by the time the non loaded gas truck got to 65 MPH, it was out of breath and the diesel was still pulling like the proverbial freight train. So I paid the extra $10k for the diesel and never looked back. The diesel engine braking feature is a really nice option to have while towing a load. Only downside for the Ram diesel for me was the mandatory 10k pound rated suspension with the diesel and this causing the truck to ride rougher with a light load. YMMV.

Very informative. Thank you. You are right, I did notice that the Ram was still climbing at the same rate when I hit 65 and had to let off the throttle.