Hi Folks,

I'm new to the site and hope you can help me with my engine decision.

I plan on buying a '04 RAM 2500 Quad 4x4 as an everyday driver. I roadrace and pull a car/open trailer/accessories that weight about 7K lbs. I'll trailer 10-12 times over the summer and with everyday use 12K total miles/yr. I've test driven both the Hemi and the Cummins HO engine and they are sweet. I'll need an automatic so my better half can use it.

I'm believe both engines can do the job but I'm not sure which is the better investment. There is a possibility that I wll not be racing at the end of 2006 so I'd put the RAM up for sale.

So end of summer 2006 with 36K miles which truck would offer the best resale return?

Dodge says the oil change interval has doubled to 15K miles. Considering my useage what's a realistic change interval?

Thanks for the assistance. Please add any other comments or suggestions. Robo

 

Although the Hemi has lots of power, I don't feel it's well suited for towing as it doesn't have the lowend torque.So I say go with the Cummins.

You'll get the investment back when you resell. Also you shouldn't have any problems selling it. Take a look in the papers, how many used diesels do you see?

 

I see alot! Everybody tradeing in their old versions for a 3rd gen. Which one to get is a tough decision, at 36K, both gas and diesel have alot of miles left, and good resale value. The Hemi will definately pull your weight, as will the Cummins. Ultimately, it depends on if you want a gas or diesel. I'd get the diesel, but that's me, and I already have one. I don't see how they can say that you can go for 15k miles without changing the oil though. That sounds really high. Must be listing from the "schedule A" or whichever where the driving style is all highway, no start and stop, no off road, and no towing. Almost nobody has that driving style. I usually change mine around 4,000.

 

The real decision is do you want to single digit mileage or double digit mileage?

Monte

 

Get the diesel. I think the Hemi is fine for 7k lbs but the 5spd auto has a lot to be desired with this much weight.

MikeyB

 

What they all said, go with the CTD, you may pay more in the beginning but in the end and at the pump you will do much better. Your fuel mileage is much better on the diesel and I pay anywhere from .05 to .10 a gallon less for fuel. ;D ;D ;D

 

I am questioning the tranny offerings with the Hemi as well..... :-

 

At 100,000 miles the Hemi will probably be ready for a rebuild.

The Cummins will just be getting properly "Broken-in" ;D

 

Robo,

You don't say how far you will be trailering. If the trips are really short, you might consider the Hemi. While it gets poorer fuel mileage, you could opt for the 1500 series truck (Hemi) and get an improved ride. Towing short distances 10 times a year makes you a candidate for either model.

I chose the 2500 diesel for towing 6,000lbs (7'wide x 8.5' high trailer) 50 trips (45 miles), 12 trips (100) miles, 2 trips (240 miles) and 1 trip (800 miles). I don't enjoy the ride compared to the 1500, but I felt it would pull the best.

The 2500 Cummins is quite a bit more expensive and the recovery of that cost in fuel savings won't be realized in the 3 years at your mileage. One thing to consider is resale, or if you lease the residual value at lease end. On a Cummins 2500, the DC residual at the end of 3 years is 4% higher on the diesel. That equates to a lower payment. I did the math on a loaded Laramie (in Canada) 1500 Hemi vs 2500 Cummins 48re and came up with a difference of $111.00 CDN/month) - leasing both at invoice. Your deal will be different because of higher rebates on the 1500 and the rebates available on the 2500 Cummins (that we don't seem to be getting in Canada).

From the standpoint of cost the diesel was an easy choice for me. From the ride perspective, I would have preferred the 1500 Hemi (especially now that they have added an extra exhaust resonator to quiet it down).

I love my truck though!!

 

Robo,

Before I moved into the diesel world I towed all my toys with half ton gas powered trucks. My average weight was between 5 to 7 k.( 32 ft Travel Trailer) On flat level roads the 5.2 Dodge engines would pull the load but not very fast or economically. (55 to 65 MPH and 7mpg) They would get the job done but again their no Hemi.

My neighbor has a new 03 2500 Hemi that he pulls his 6500# horse trailer with and it pulls good but again the MPGs (9 mpg) are just not there like my diesel (13 MPG). Going up hills can also be a problem because it seems to me the Hemi engine has to work harder to maintain speed. With my CTD, we can pull the same trailer faster, with better milage and accelerate up hills rather than just maintain speed. The CTD will out pull the HEMI and will probably out last 2 Hemi engines.

I guess its a matter of personal choice and what you are willing to spend and how long you plan on keeping the truck. In my opnion you can't go wrong with either truck. A CTD for a daily driver is a great choice. As for pulling, the CTD is king!

Just my .02 for what is worth.

goat

 

Thank you for all the replies :-) Please keep them coming.

My local dealer tells me that the blue book adder for the Cummins HO engine at the end of 3 years & 36K miles would be around $4000 and the at Hemi $500. This adder is on top of the base cost of a 2500 Quad 4X4 at resale time. Does this feel like its in the ballpark?

I also learned that the HEMI requires 89 octane fuel but can run on 87.

I did a spreadsheet on fuel costs. Breaking total mileage into my local/highway/towing percentages and I come out with a fuel cost savings of about $2100 over 36K miles using current fuel prices. $1.739 for 89 octane and $1.369 for diesel.

If the resale adder is in the ballpark and the fuel savings prove accurate then it sure positions the diesel as a more attractive alternative than the Hemi.

Please let me know if you think I'm missing anything.

Thanks again -- Robo

 

[quote author=robo link=board=20;threadid=20509;start=0#msg192824 date=1065316293]
Thank you for all the replies :-) Please keep them coming.
<snip>
Please let me know if you think I'm missing anything.
[/quote]You've done the math every which way but loose; and you keep arriving at the same answer. Yeah, it takes a slightly bigger investment up front, but that little 6 cylinder keeps its value over the long haul.

The only thing missing is your CTD sitting in the driveway.

 

[quote author=robo link=board=20;threadid=20509;start=0#msg192824 date=1065316293]
... $1.739 for 89 octane and $1.369 for diesel.

[/quote]

If you can maintain that advantage over the life of the truck, it's a no-brainer. However, where I live, diesel is usually 5-10 cents more expensive than 87 octane. That makes it a little tougher decision.

For people who pull a LOT, there is no decision to make. For those of us who pull occasionally, it's harder to justify on that basis, because a Hemi will easily pull a 7000 lb trailer. It just won't pull some hills at 75 mph.

Another thing to take into consideration is the type of driving you do for the majority of your driving. Mine isn't fully warmed up until I've driven about 15 miles in the morning. A five-mile commute isn't something that a diesel likes.

 

As posted on another thread, the fuel cost difference isn't a big deal...and the added $4-5k for the CTD only pays itself off after abotu 180K miles.... The main reason you should get the CTD is the hemi won't even come near it towing wise, and diesels have a better resale value. Plus they are just so much cooler 8)

 

I really think the bottom line on whether a diesel is necessary depends on the mileage towed each trip and the number of trips per year. If the trips are short and infrequent, I'd recommend the Hemi. If the trips are longer and frequent I'd get the Cummins.

We are all prejudiced towards the diesel on this board because it is a Diesel board. In all fairness though, the Hemi will pull the load (with OD locked out), with the only negative being fuel economy. The pluses of the Hemi include: quicker warmup, better cold weather startup (unplugged), better for short commutes, quicker off the line, (for those who are in a hurry) and lower initial cost.

I agonized over this decision and in the end I went with the Cummins. I like knowing that for the 6,000 - 7,000 miles of towing I do a year, I have a truck that can easily cruise all day at 70MP/H. I also like having a truck that will be able to tow the next (larger) trailer I get this year.

If I was towing 5,000 lbs. 6 times a year for a total of 500 miles, there is no question I would have purchased the Hemi. I wouldn't have needed anything else!