zylberberg

My truck was stolen from a commuter lot a few weeks ago. Looking like the insurance company is going to pay me out this week. So have to buy a new truck. I use my truck primarily to tow my 26' toyhauler to motorcycle events and put on about 20-25k miles of driving on her. Primarily towing approximately 10K lbs.

My 2005 got about 20-22 miles per gallon with Edge computer and stage two afe air intake. Going 65 miles per hour with no load.

Now that I need to buy a new one, do I buy an 08 that from what I've read is only going to get 13 or so miles per gallon highway? Towing at 65 on my 2005 I could get 11 or so.

Or the dealer in my area has a 2007 with 8k miles on it with a 5.9l engine. Pretty well equipped asking 32,500.

It seems the 2007 has the better engine from a fuel economy standpoint but want to hear what all you experts think.

Thanks
Z

Floorman

i vote 5.9

zylberberg

Sorry for the double post, I asked the same question in the 5.9L forum.

My truck was stolen from a commuter lot a few weeks ago. Looking like the insurance company is going to pay me out this week. So have to buy a new truck. I use my truck primarily to tow my 26' toyhauler to motorcycle events and put on about 20-25k miles of driving on her. Primarily towing approximately 10K lbs.

My 2005 got about 20-22 miles per gallon with Edge computer and stage two afe air intake. Going 65 miles per hour with no load.

Now that I need to buy a new one, do I buy an 08 that from what I've read is only going to get 13 or so miles per gallon highway? Towing at 65 on my 2005 I could get 11 or so.

Or the dealer in my area has a 2007 with 8k miles on it with a 5.9l engine. Pretty well equipped asking 32,500.

It seems the 2007 has the better engine from a fuel economy standpoint but want to hear what all you experts think.

Thanks
Z

Spooler

32,500 for an 07' 5.9..... I would look it up on KBB. Trade in price is probably what they payed for it. Do your research, don't lie down and be a sucker. The 5.9 will get a maybe 1-2 mpg better. The max mileage I can get is 18 MPG hand calculated, that's it.

06RAM2500

X2 on the 07

dodgemaniac

go with the 5.9

zylberberg

Thank you but why? Trying to build a case and want to make sure I have my facts straight. Aside from the fuel special they are running right now, what would be the advantage? Or would that be enough? If I'm towing and only getting 8mpg, on a 1000 mile round trip would use up 125 gallons of fuel so the 800 gallons per year wouldn't last all that long.

Thanks
Z

zylberberg

Haven't negotiated with them yet so I'm figuring realistically I'm buying the truck for 30K

Sandaholic

If your dealer has both of the rigs you are looking at and they know you are serious about buying, tell them you want to hook up your trailer to check the milage. Run them both and compare. If you were getting 20-22 mpg empty you must have been running stock size (or near) tires? 2x4 or 4x4? I just want to point out that even if you get a 5.9 again you might not end up getting the 20+ mpg. If the 20+ is not attainable maybe the exhaust brake and the new 6-spd auto would appeal more than the old 48RE?

Where are you located?

MajikMD

Another vote for 5.9L. Here's my answer to your "why" question:

1. A bit better mileage (but not the main reason).
2. Proven engine reliability.
3. No new Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) in the exhaust.
4. No new EGR system.
5. Much easier to find parts.
6. Much larger aftermarket for the 5.9.
7. Less complicated electronics...
8. More engine compartment room to work with.

Shall I go on?

On another note, I paid right at (maybe a hair under) 30k for mine brand new. Now, I'll give you that it is a manual tranny (which I wanted), and no leather, but I'd at least check your price...you may be able to get it a bunch cheaper.

Hope that helps!

donhov

With the truck and SUV market where it is today it sounds a little high for the 07. But as you state many are trying to find them so maybe the dealer has a large group looking at it. I paid 34K for my 07 brand new so he is almost there unless its fully loaded or something. Mine is a 07 5.9 4X4 Big Horn cloth interior, with tow package, snow plow pkg, auto tranny, manual transfer case, and a few other options. Not knocking your offer but I'm thinking around $30K would be a better deal.....Just my $.02 worth though and I do know they are hard to find......

ps around Christmas made a hurried trip without the 5th wheel from Tampa Fl to Lansing Mi area and got an actual 21.7 MPG average round trip. Towing it's usually around 11 or so. Towing a !12K fiver, high profile and usually run 65-75 mph range.

Sasqoutch

Id say go with the 5.9, its tried and true.

bigvick

Here are my stats

2007 Ram 3500 Laramie MegaCab
6.7L, 4x4, 6sp Auto, 3:73's, 305/55/20

Towing a 28ft Toy Hauler (Campmaster) I am averaging 8mpg doing 65mph. The best I got was hand calculated on a trip with no wind, and I was BABYING it I got almost 13mpg. That was driving like a 70 year old man... Im 30 and wanted so badly to do 75mph, but I wanted to see what she could do.

My brothers 05 dually manual with th 5.9 towing a vw notchback on an aluminum trailer averaged 20mpg going 65mph to 70 and he was out pulling me big time. Up the steep grades he blew my doors off. Yeah I had the 28ft trailer with the auto, and his was set to a stage 2 on his programmer, but damnit it ****** me off seeing his mpg so much higher then mine and having more power. So with that, I say go 5.9...

Just my $.02

Or buy my 07'...

rvman

As someone who now owns a 6.7 and Loves the truck, if fuel milage is a big concern I would recomend the 5.9. My 01 5.9 pulling a 10,000 lb 5ver got right at 14 mpg towing at 62 mph. In my opinion the 6.7 is smoother and more powerfull plus the exhaust brake and 6 speed is great. I think eventually the after market will solve the fuel milage problem with the 6.7. If you ever plan on pulling more weight then you might consider the 6.7 as I did.

GlennRMK

My buddy got a new 6.7 Cummins Auto SXT 4x4 Quad Cab(which has power windows, cruise, power locks, CD, etc) but not as nice of seats or wheels as the SLT for $32,500.

I like the 6 speed auto a lot.

Its a tough call. My buddy has almost 5000 miles on it and just drove to oregon and back. Got around 17-17.5 MPG going 70 with the TS Ramifier and 35x12.50s and leveling kit.

I think I vote 5.9 but I might get a 6.7 someday.

I'm wondering when someone will figure out how to put a 68RFE behind a 5.9!