2013 Ram 2500 6.7 with 70k purchase?

[Cr250Ram]

I am looking at upgrading to heavy duty to tow my 7,000 camper. I have a 19 ram 1500 now. I have a 22 F-250 XLT 7.3 (new Gas engine) 4.30 on order. A used 2013 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.7 with 70,000 popped up for sale. I normally like to do a lot research before buying but time isn’t permitting. The Ford has a higher payload and all the features I need, warranty, no emissions worries. I’m not made of money and I’m worried about potential costs of emission and maintenance issues with a 13 diesel with 70k. Can anyone fill me in on any issues the 13’s have had? And what to look out for? I also made a poll for the choice…

*both tow about the same, but the Ford has about 800 lbs more payload

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

The 13 was the last year before they went nuts on emissions i would buy that over any ford any day

 

[Cr250Ram]

The 13 was the last year before they went nuts on emissions i would buy that over any ford any day

I was under impression the 13’ 6.7 has all of the same emissions equipment as the current 6.7? (DEF, SCR, EGR, etc)

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

You are right i was mistaking it for the 2012s…. Still i would get the ram any day

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Neither.

 

[Nick]

I had a 14 3500 mega 6.7 sold it to my son a year and a half ago . It now has close to 100,000 with no emission problems.

 

[RAM_Dad]

If you’re looking at a new Ford, why not look at a new RAM? This isn’t really an apples to apples poll.

 

[MtnRider]

I'm another neither vote. 13 is too old (for my taste) and I'd never buy another gas HD truck. I'd do the 2022 Ford (or Ram) in a diesel though.

 

[Cr250Ram]

If you’re looking at a new Ford, why not look at a new RAM? This isn’t really an apples to apples poll.

-I’m not a fan of the 6.4 as It requires mid grade. That 8 speed with 4.10 drive awesome tho!
-I want an axle locker which only Ford offers. Ram has a limited slip that is tuned to be very gentle.
-Ford’s 7.3 blew Ram’s 6.4 out of the water on the Ike gauntlet, Ram went into some kinda limp mode.

 

[Cr250Ram]

I'm another neither vote. 13 is too old (for my taste) and I'd never buy another gas HD truck. I'd do the 2022 Ford (or Ram) in a diesel though.

I wish I could have a new diesel. Budget dictates otherwise tho. Priced out a 22’ Ram 6.7 CCLB big horn with just a couple upgrades, came out to 70,000 OTD. Sticker shock! Some say you can get most of back on resell but that just seems crazy to me.

 

[RAM_Dad]

-I’m not a fan of the 6.4 as It requires mid grade. That 8 speed with 4.10 drive awesome tho!
-I want an axle locker which only Ford offers. Ram has a limited slip that is tuned to be very gentle.
-Ford’s 7.3 blew Ram’s 6.4 out of the water on the Ike gauntlet, Ram went into some kinda limp mode.

If Ike Gauntlet is your standard, then sure the 7.3 gasser is a better engine. If you’re doing a lot of high elevation, steep grade towing then no gas engine should be on your list. Just not what they’re made for.

The HEMI 6.4 wouldn’t even blink with an 8k trailer, even on the Ike Gauntlet. Quite a few on this forum towing 10-12k without issue.

I’d also note that the Ike Gauntlet test had the 3.73 rear end and the truck would have done better had they not just mashed the pedal and actually drove it like an experienced driver.

I wish I could have a new diesel. Budget dictates otherwise tho. Priced out a 22’ Ram 6.7 CCLB big horn with just a couple upgrades, came out to 70,000 OTD. Sticker shock! Some say you can get most of back on resell but that just seems crazy to me.

If you buy from the right dealer, you can get 10-12% off without even asking. Not sure what your budget is though. Seems like a Ford with gasser would be in the same ballpark.

 

[WXman]

At the moment I'm in the same boat. I found a 2013 Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins with 106k on the clock. One owner, METICULOUS service records, truck looks almost brand new. Price seems very good relative to what else is out on the market around here. My only fear is the emissions system since there's no warranty left. Carfax on it shows no repairs or service to the truck at all. Just routine oil, filter, and fuel filter changes every 7,000 miles on average for the life of the truck, so it seems to be a reliable rig.

 

[gimmie11s]

Tough call. That new 7.3 gas Ford is a beast. But she is THIRSTY. Like... Bigly thirsty. Be prepared for an average of 10-11 mpg empty.

 

[WXman]

A 12 MPG truck that runs on 87 octane, or a 15 MPG truck that runs on diesel at $0.50/gal more. I'd say in the end that would be a wash.

Take out half the oil volume, fuel filter, etc. during service intervals and the gas probably moves ahead in the ownership cost column.

Take out the need for an eventual delete kit on the diesel and the gas definitely starts winning.

I just can't personally justify $65k on a new truck, hence looking at used ones. And there are NO older gas trucks I'd really consider buying. And slightly used Ford 7.3s are very hard to search for online because they sold the 6.2 along side them, so a simple "gas" query ends up pulling all the 6.2 trucks up. It gets annoying.

 

[Cr250Ram]

7.3 gas vs 6.7 diesel Cummins

Fuel cost;

Fuelly has the 7.3 at 11.5 and the 6.7 Cummins at 15.4. Here gas is 4.5 diesel is 4.75 (approx).

Driving 10,000 a year the diesel saves you $828. But diesel maintenance is higher, insurance is higher, and you are out an additional $8,500. The break even point is at 113,541 miles (assume gas price stays same), but this doesn’t account for recoup of higher diesel resell if it’s something you want to factor in.
This is where the diesel wins *if* you factor in higher resell value (this resell value is proportional to the initial surcharge for the Diesel engine, it doesnt seem to be higher in proportion to the initial out of pocket cost, maybe the pre-emissions trucks are an exception to that rule but for how much longer?)

Diesel extra components;
Regardless at that many miles something expensive may go wrong with the diesels extras (turbo, injectors, hpfp, EGR, DEF, DEF heater, SCR) factor in the repair of one of those if your unlucky and you will never recoup that cost.
Granted something could also fail on the gas but it doesn’t have extra components like the diesel the gas fuel pump, injectors spark plugs are chump change compared to diesel parts and the large engine bay allows the willing user to do most repairs without a lift etc.
*This is where I think the gas wins

Engine blocks
The 7.3 is likely a 300k block and internals, it’s extremely robust and even has oil jets bathing the back of the pistons, it’s designed for the abuse. The diesel is likely a 500k block and internals, idk maybe more or less…
*I think this is wash; most non-commercial users trucks’ interiors and body will fall apart much sooner then engine blocks need replacement. This is also where the pro diesel people claim longevity. I just don’t see the benefit when the rest of the truck is dated/falling apart/ unable to obtain replacement interior parts (door handle anyone?) not to mention I’d rather replace the block then get hit with some of the extra component failures.

Vehicle wear and tear;
The diesel weights 800lbs more, the front end and brakes will need more upkeep than the gas. How much? Who knows.

Factoring everything in;
The diesel wins hands down if you get lucky and don’t get stuck with any expensive repair bills (trade that baby in at end of warranty.) Regardless the higher resell “value” is worth approximately 8,500 so you are ahead that much. Put it towards the extra maintenance and/or repairs and if you don’t end up ahead you will likely be even. With that said, diesels enjoy an image of “longevity” from the diesels of the 90s and early 00s. I *think* it’s only a matter of time before people realize how expensive an out of warranty diesel repair is/can be. This won’t hurt new sales but I think it could pull down, to some degree, the higher resell value currently enjoyed by used diesel owners. *unless people stay addicted to the power of a diesel over gas* well that is until electric takes over

 

[Grayson]

7.3 gas vs 6.7 diesel Cummins

Fuel cost;

Fuelly has the 7.3 at 11.5 and the 6.7 Cummins at 15.4. Here gas is 4.5 diesel is 4.75 (approx).

Driving 10,000 a year the diesel saves you $828. But diesel maintenance is higher, insurance is higher, and you are out an additional $8,500. The break even point is at 113,541 miles (assume gas price stays same), but this doesn’t account for recoup of higher diesel resell if it’s something you want to factor in.
This is where the diesel wins *if* you factor in higher resell value (this resell value is proportional to the initial surcharge for the Diesel engine, it doesnt seem to be higher in proportion to the initial out of pocket cost, maybe the pre-emissions trucks are an exception to that rule but for how much longer?)

Diesel extra components;
Regardless at that many miles something expensive may go wrong with the diesels extras (turbo, injectors, hpfp, EGR, DEF, DEF heater, SCR) factor in the repair of one of those if your unlucky and you will never recoup that cost.
Granted something could also fail on the gas but it doesn’t have extra components like the diesel the gas fuel pump, injectors spark plugs are chump change compared to diesel parts and the large engine bay allows the willing user to do most repairs without a lift etc.
*This is where I think the gas wins

Engine blocks
The 7.3 is likely a 300k block and internals, it’s extremely robust and even has oil jets bathing the back of the pistons, it’s designed for the abuse. The diesel is likely a 500k block and internals, idk maybe more or less…
*I think this is wash; most non-commercial users trucks’ interiors and body will fall apart much sooner then engine blocks need replacement. This is also where the pro diesel people claim longevity. I just don’t see the benefit when the rest of the truck is dated/falling apart/ unable to obtain replacement interior parts (door handle anyone?) not to mention I’d rather replace the block then get hit with some of the extra component failures.

Vehicle wear and tear;
The diesel weights 800lbs more, the front end and brakes will need more upkeep than the gas. How much? Who knows.

Factoring everything in;
The diesel wins hands down if you get lucky and don’t get stuck with any expensive repair bills (trade that baby in at end of warranty.) Regardless the higher resell “value” is worth approximately 8,500 so you are ahead that much. Put it towards the extra maintenance and/or repairs and if you don’t end up ahead you will likely be even. With that said, diesels enjoy an image of “longevity” from the diesels of the 90s and early 00s. I *think* it’s only a matter of time before people realize how expensive an out of warranty diesel repair is/can be. This won’t hurt new sales but I think it could pull down, to some degree, the higher resell value currently enjoyed by used diesel owners. *unless people stay addicted to the power of a diesel over gas* well that is until electric takes over

With the Tremor package the best mpg I had was 16.0 on the highway using 93 and around town it was 12.8-13.2. In the 22' 2500 Cummins, I get 21 highway and roughly 18.9 around town which I think is SuPeR!

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

7.3 gas vs 6.7 diesel Cummins

Fuel cost;

Fuelly has the 7.3 at 11.5 and the 6.7 Cummins at 15.4. Here gas is 4.5 diesel is 4.75 (approx).

Driving 10,000 a year the diesel saves you $828. But diesel maintenance is higher, insurance is higher, and you are out an additional $8,500. The break even point is at 113,541 miles (assume gas price stays same), but this doesn’t account for recoup of higher diesel resell if it’s something you want to factor in.
This is where the diesel wins *if* you factor in higher resell value (this resell value is proportional to the initial surcharge for the Diesel engine, it doesnt seem to be higher in proportion to the initial out of pocket cost, maybe the pre-emissions trucks are an exception to that rule but for how much longer?)

Diesel extra components;
Regardless at that many miles something expensive may go wrong with the diesels extras (turbo, injectors, hpfp, EGR, DEF, DEF heater, SCR) factor in the repair of one of those if your unlucky and you will never recoup that cost.
Granted something could also fail on the gas but it doesn’t have extra components like the diesel the gas fuel pump, injectors spark plugs are chump change compared to diesel parts and the large engine bay allows the willing user to do most repairs without a lift etc.
*This is where I think the gas wins

Engine blocks
The 7.3 is likely a 300k block and internals, it’s extremely robust and even has oil jets bathing the back of the pistons, it’s designed for the abuse. The diesel is likely a 500k block and internals, idk maybe more or less…
*I think this is wash; most non-commercial users trucks’ interiors and body will fall apart much sooner then engine blocks need replacement. This is also where the pro diesel people claim longevity. I just don’t see the benefit when the rest of the truck is dated/falling apart/ unable to obtain replacement interior parts (door handle anyone?) not to mention I’d rather replace the block then get hit with some of the extra component failures.

Vehicle wear and tear;
The diesel weights 800lbs more, the front end and brakes will need more upkeep than the gas. How much? Who knows.

Factoring everything in;
The diesel wins hands down if you get lucky and don’t get stuck with any expensive repair bills (trade that baby in at end of warranty.) Regardless the higher resell “value” is worth approximately 8,500 so you are ahead that much. Put it towards the extra maintenance and/or repairs and if you don’t end up ahead you will likely be even. With that said, diesels enjoy an image of “longevity” from the diesels of the 90s and early 00s. I *think* it’s only a matter of time before people realize how expensive an out of warranty diesel repair is/can be. This won’t hurt new sales but I think it could pull down, to some degree, the higher resell value currently enjoyed by used diesel owners. *unless people stay addicted to the power of a diesel over gas* well that is until electric takes over

If you think any broken part on a diesel is expensive just think any dinged up body panel on the ford will cost you way more and if cost is that big of a deal to you just run your 1/2 ton when towing as 7k is not that big of a deal on a 1/2 ton with a WDH and maybe a set of airbags the hemi wont hesitate to pull it and how often do you pull vs run around empty…. The HD trucks are a pay to play game also the big thing about gas VS diesel maint people forget is the diesel gets 2x the life out of the oil so that cost remains equal its the added cost of fuel filters that sets them apart but the fuel milage difference more than makes up for that