RockinRobin
Well-Known Member
I agree, you don't need a 2500 to tow something that light. I borrowed a friend's flatbed trailer once and hauled the race car 150 miles with the RAM 1500. It towed great and got decent gas mileage.
Going to try for a new tow vehicle
- Thread starter RockinRobin
- Start date
-
Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
My suggestion is to wait until this temporary supply issues cools down... save yourself at least $10,000 or more.
We had the same manufactured small car shortage in the 70's when gas prices hit forty cents per gallon... there was a surcharge on every Pinto and Toyota in the country... meanwhile you could buy a really nice four year old hemi Roadrunner for $700.00!!!
We had the same manufactured small car shortage in the 70's when gas prices hit forty cents per gallon... there was a surcharge on every Pinto and Toyota in the country... meanwhile you could buy a really nice four year old hemi Roadrunner for $700.00!!!
RockinRobin
Well-Known Member
But then your trade in is worth $10,000 less than it is now so it's a wash. In my particular situation my trade in was starting to have things go wrong with it. A small crack had appeared in the corner of the windshield, one headlight had water in it, someone put a nice door dent in it, but they were willing to give me top dollar for it so it made sense to unload it now.
that was our feeling too…. I mean when you can sell a 21 year old 200k mile pickup for 17500 it makes that 59k purchase price a little softer.
RockinRobin
Well-Known Member
This is my 1st Diesel, I need advice on how to operate it and take care of it. What is different than a gas motor? Do I let it warm up longer? Are there driving habits to avoid? Should I use the Jake brake when not towing? Etc.
Starters are expensive. Our here in the sticks, we let ours run more than just starting it more than necessary.
If auto, let it warmup in neutral like the old Mopars. But my Cummns Ram is a 95 thats what 27 years old?
If auto, let it warmup in neutral like the old Mopars. But my Cummns Ram is a 95 thats what 27 years old?
BVoelzke
Well-Known Member
Correct .... when you get a decent price on trade in it makes the purchase price of the new one not so bad. when I ordered my new 1500 last year the dealer gave me a trade price based on pictures. When the truck I ordered didn't arrive for months I purchased a different 1500 model off the lot that had just came in. when they saw my trade I don't think they were to happy even though I gave a good description. My 08 H.Q.C. trade had its problems even with only 55,000 miles : the usual rust starting over the rear wheels, I repaired a rusted trans line a month before trade in, a rusted thru brake line I just repaired with a union as I couldn't get the brake line removed from the caliper and I couldn't even get the brake bleeder free so I just turned it in that way with working brakes but a low pedal, there was a dent over the tailgate latch. I don't think they liked the cat back exhaust either .. but they had no problem selling it a few weeks later. My 08 was a good truck that towed well but it was time for it to go.. I really like my 21 H.Q.C. I don't drive it a lot ( just turned over 4,000 miles since getting it the end of last June ) mainly just to tow , it is comfortable and plenty powerful for my use.
Last edited:
Swinger 340
Well-Known Member
Start it up and drive. Fuel injections, you don't need to warm them up. The computers will adjust the fuel and air on a cold motor, but on the Turbos, after a long or hard drive, you should let the motor idle a little before shutting down to cool down the turbo or turbos. The biggest difference between the turbo diesels and gas motors is the turbo ones takes a second or two to allow braking on a panic stop. Oil and fuel maintenance are different. Follow your book for details and you will have a 300,000 to 500,000 mile truck. Note: Use good fuel and not Bio fuels.
mcodecuda
Senior Member
I disagree with your comment on braking. I’ve had 4 Ram Diesel pickups since 94 and don’t ever remember having a braking issue with any of them. My wife tows a 25 foot gooseneck horse trailer with ours and believe me if there was a braking issue with it I would have heard about it by now. Plus a manufacturer would not be allowed to sell a vehicle that had an 1 to 2 second lag in braking.
Last edited:
mopar65
Well-Known Member
I use the exhaust break all the time even when i am not towing. It helps keep the vanes in the turbo from sticking from the soot. The only time I dont turn it on is when there is snow/ice on the ground. I try not to let mine idle very long except when I have the remote start turned on. Which will only let it idle for 15 minutes two times. I change my oil/Filter and fuel filters when my Eric says its time to change them. Like was said try and run the cleanest fuel you can.
mopardude318
Well-Known Member
Nice truck. But for me anything without a long bed is about useless. I had a short box once. Never again.
Swinger 340
Well-Known Member
mcodecuda, maybe you misunderstood my statement. The Turbo is still pushing the motor a second or two at a full throttle. Try at a full throttle (even at a low speed). let off and brake, as in a panic stop. You will feel the push on what I'm referring too.
RockinRobin
Well-Known Member
UPDATE ON GAS MILEAGE:
Made a 90 mile trip this morning.
At 65 mph it runs right around 1500 RPM and gets about 20 MPG.
At 75 mph it runs at 1750 RPM and gets about 18.5 MPG.
The truck now has 250 miles on it, definitely not broken it yet, so these mileage figures are very encouraging!
Also, I had someone tell me to have the jake brake turned on even when I'm not towing. Your opinions on that.
Made a 90 mile trip this morning.
At 65 mph it runs right around 1500 RPM and gets about 20 MPG.
At 75 mph it runs at 1750 RPM and gets about 18.5 MPG.
The truck now has 250 miles on it, definitely not broken it yet, so these mileage figures are very encouraging!
Also, I had someone tell me to have the jake brake turned on even when I'm not towing. Your opinions on that.
mcodecuda
Senior Member
I sort of remember a braking issue on my early (‘94) truck where it might run out of vacuum if you applied the brakes a few times in succession.
mcodecuda
Senior Member
Was this while towing? My 22 3500 Ram Diesel 4WD with 2500 miles got almost 24 empty going from Charlotte to Syracuse and back this past week with the cruise set at 66.
RockinRobin
Well-Known Member
I guess I should have specified that this was driving while empty. Still, this is better mileage than I was told and I assume it will get better as the rings seat.
Minnesota Muscle
Well-Known Member
I have a 2017 2500 with the 6.4, I test drove a handful of them before buying this one with 19000 miles on it. I have 90k on it now. Been a great truck. The trick to a smooth riding 3/4 ton is to get the off road package, it comes with blistine shocks and is night and day difference from a standard suspension 2500.
I always loved the guy that bought the half ton because " the dealership salesman showed me there in the literature where it is rated blah blah blah to pull my whatever!!!
Swinger 340
Well-Known Member
LOVE IT!!!! When I was shopping for my Dodge Ram 2500, 4 door, two wheel drive, 6.5 bed, tow package, Laramie interior and 5.9 Cummins, the dealer calls me a couple hours latter and says he found the truck for me, but it's a FORD.I always loved the guy that bought the half ton because " the dealership salesman showed me there in the literature where it is rated blah blah blah to pull my whatever!!!
-
