Hello folks, stumbled across this fine forum while surfing for info on diesel engines. I am in the market for a truck to pull my boat and use as a daily driver. My main requirements are fuel economy and longevity of the vehicle. Obviously the Cummins will provide these for me. The problem is that I don't really need a 3/4 ton or bigger truck, since my boat is just an aluminum fishing boat. I would like opinions on the fuel economy of either V6 or V8(1/2 ton truck) compared with the Cummins, especially the daily driving numbers. From the posts I have read it appears that I can expect around 15-20 from the Cummins, which doesn't seem like a whole lot of difference from the gasser numbers I've seen. Keep in mind that I will be looking at a Reg. cab, 2wd, 3/4 ton if I go w/ the Cummins. Any help would be greatly appreciated, just trying to avoid buying more truck than I really need. THanks.

 

Perhaps it would be best if you wait, there will be more and more diesel engines showing up in smaller rigs in the coming years. Then of course you're stuck with a new one though, not sure what you're looking for.

 

Infidel, I'm looking at buying used and spending as little as possible. Found a 95 Ram w/ CTD 2wd, reg cab for $5500 yesterday and 147k miles, which would be about the top of my budget. I wish I could wait for a smaller rig, but I'm not really in to buying brand new, since I will drive the wheels off of it anyway and just lose money!

 

I purchased mine for the same reasons you pointed out; fuel economy and engine longevity. I've never had anything hooked to the back of mine either. If you plan to put a lot of miles on it, and hold onto the vehicle for a long time, the fuel savings will pay for the Cummins engine option. But it takes a while for the break point. Unloaded and out on the interstates, I would expect you'd see 20-22 mpg during the majority of the year on the flats. If you do any stop and go driving, that economy gets pulled down fast, so keep that in mind. Another thing to consider is that fact the Cummins option holds it's value, so you may see a better trade-in or resale should the time come.

 

I used to have a little truck with the V-6 in it and pulled my little alluminum boat. The engine did fine on flat open roads but when I came to little hills or mild winds, keep in mind I am in Gulf Coast area of Texas, the engine would struggle some and I was maxing the engine out and was at about 70mph. Gas milage on a small engine is great, as long as you keep it near 55mph. Then it drops suddenly as speed increases. With the cummins, I never have to worry about power, milage at hwy speeds is great , 18-20, but I do get the occasional question of "Are you sure that truck will pull that boad?" at the boat ramp . Resale will definately be good too. Good Luck.

 

Thanks for the input gents. Commatoze, I have been looking at the Toyotas for their bulletproof engines as well, but my fuel mileage w/ the 4 banger will be about the same as the beastly Cummins without the ponies, it's just more money. I guess you do get what you pay for! Matt, I'm quite sure there will be some funny looks at the site of a CTD pulling a little fishing boat! Oh well, some of us like to get the most bang for our buck!

 

You know a full size Dodge truck is great most of the time, and one with a Cummins is even better. But there a many people out there just like yourself, they like the benefits of a diesel and do need a truck on occasion, but full size might be a bit much. I to would like to have the option of a quality truck, with a diesel but less then full size. Unfortunately it does not look like Dodge is going to address this problem (more like potential market) any time soon. But I do think a few others will. Honda has something in the works, they recently made a deal with Satur that allows Satur to use Honda's V-6 in there mini-van. While they get a deisel engine from Isuzu (which is owned my GM which is who controls Satur). Also Nisson has come out with a new full size truck, and the rumor mill says they will have a diesel soon.
While all of this is fasinating, it does little to help you with your current probalems. You can get a used CTD in a 2500 series and see if that will do you. Or since your towing loads are so little, maybe just get yourself a nice mid-size truck? Dodge has the Dakota, and toyota has a Takoma, and Nisson has a Titan. If this route interest you, then I say givr it a shoot. Truth is you can buy a very nice new mid-size truck for what a used CTD will cost. Good luck and let us know what you went with.

 

Since you're going with a used one and want good mpgs a '95 is a good choice. '94 & '95 have smaller pumps and seem to get the best mileage of any of Dodge Cummins made. I consistently get 20 -22 mpg with my auto 4x4 and 22-24 with the 2wd stick. These are highway miles, mpgs suffer greatly with city driving just because it takes a lot of juice to get these heavy rigs rolling.
One thing a 3/4 ton Ram has going for it is safety.
I've talked to a number of insurance adjustors, tow truck drivers and police officers, they all agreed that a Ram always wins in an accident.

 

Yknot, you have expressed my problem exactly and there really are only a couple of options:

An overpowered Dodge or an underpowered at times Toyota. Both of which will provide fuel economy and longevity.

Unfortunately, I have budget constraints to worry about and that will play heavy into affording the Cummins Dodge. We'll see what happens.

 

Infidel, that's good news for me, since a 94 or 95 is all that I will probably be able to afford. The city driving does have me concerned w/ fuel economy, which is where my shopping for a Toyota has come into play. However, I'm buying a truck to avoid the woes of pulling a boat w/ an underpowered vehicle, which I've done for the past year and a Toyota may get me right back where I started.

 

Sounds like the one you found is a real fair price,just check it out real good, ask for the maintanance records,run the vin by the dealer and they will pull up all the dealer records on it, check it out and come back and ask more questions if you need, Goodluck with your decision, Rick

 

You might want to keep in mind that diesel is usually about 10-12% cheaper than gas, up here anyway. I use mine as a daily driver and occasionally haul a camper with it. I'm getting about 14.5 mpg (US) in town and 22 mpg(US) on the highway empty, and about 14 with the camper. You could always buy it, try it, and if you don't like it sell it for what you paid.

 

I will agree that usually diesel is cheaper the gas, but at the same time I only get on average 14-15 miles to a gallon. I have never gotten into the 20+ range, and don't know anyone that has. In all honesty, considering your tight budget, I would opt for the new small truck, rather then the old diesel truck. Anything you buy that is in the 95-97 model year range will require alot of maintenance. The Cummins might be good for a long time, but the truck isn't. So take that into consideration with your purchase and budget. Good luck.

 

I got my Diesel for fuel mileage, cost of fuel and longevity.

I've never had anything hooked to the back,
except the Ford that pulled me out when I got stuck in the mud the first time.
The Cummins is quite heavy and stock tires aren't good mudders.

When I got it, the price of Diesel fuel was well below the price of unleaded, but it has since closed that gap, and last winter was actually more than regular unleaded, but still averages out to quite a bit less.

Consider a comparible gasoline engine powered full size truck will see 10 mpg average, and I'm getting 14 average (yes, I have a heavy foot ) and that gap widens if you put anything behind it.
I have seen as high as 22mpg, but that was a stretch of construction where I was limited to 60mph.

Since it sounds like you aren't looking to buy a new truck, I've seen a lot of slightly used ones that were traded in for the 3rd generation trucks.

There should be a large selection and range of years to choose from.

I came from a Toyota and was very happy with it if you decide to go that route, it was just getting too small for me and my kids.


phox

 

Some great points have been made here, thanks so much to all of you. I'm a little gunshy on the whole domestic car thing, I really stand by the imports. However, my father has driven big trucks his whole life and I am familiar with the Cummins product, just a little nervous on the whole Dodge thing.

What kind of life are the tranny's on these things getting?
What other major maintenance expenses can I expect on a used ram w/ 100K plus miles on it?

THanks so much