6.7 Fuel Milage

[Jonnybow]

I think I'm in the same boat as the OP but figured this is a good place to tag along instead of making a new post.
I currently have a '18 3500 SRW long bed 6.4 gas truck and am pulling a new 36' bumper pull camper that weighs in at 12,700 loaded according to my math. I'm probably going to trade it on a new 3500 SRW LB diesel based on the capacity and the fact that I'm close to the max of my current rig. I've never owned a diesel and never really thought I'd need one until this recent trailer purchase.
Over the years, I've had too many Ram trucks to count, most of them were 2500's and all of them were gas.
My truck won't be my daily but the ride to work is 25 miles and all highway which seems to be acceptable with regards to getting the truck up to temperature etc.
Other than the extra attention for DEF and quality fuel, what changes should I be aware of that will need attention?

 

[thecastle]

Your maintenance costs will be significantly higher from, yearly fuel filter changes ~$400 at a dealer (probably a good idea while under warranty), trans oil changes every 30K miles on the AISIN, more expensive oil changes. Basically it costs more to buy, more to maintain and needs more frequent maintenance in some areas than gasoline. In exchange for improved towing/range and fuel economy. Also it will reduce your payload due to the weight of the engine vs a gas option, something to consider if your worried about payload. I'd get the 50 gallon tank option on a LB for towing range. I have a Titian 50+ gallon tank on my SB / MegaCab and like I can tow about 450 miles a tank, before stopping to refuel.

P.S. I'd wait to see what the face lifted '25s bring they should be out shortly (new trans 8spd rumored and new engine tune). With an 8spd and new tune the '25s might improve fuel economy. Also RAM is drowning in vehicles and they will pour on the discounts at some point, I'd probably wait to buy a new truck.

 

[CdnHO]

Given the better fuel mileage especially towing, the operating costs per mile is probably a wash. What. you spend on oil and filters you save on fuel. But the towing experience with a diesel is second to none. Choose your options carefully. I second the 50 gallon tank as an option. It's a steal at that price over adding a tank later on.

 

[Trash Panda]

Nobody buys a diesel pickup for cost savings, however, I am pleasantly surprised at the mileage of my 22 SO pickup. Seeing an average of 16ish on my trips to town, and 18-20 on my highway trips (all unloaded)

The loaded down mileage sucks, but at least the truck isn’t a screaming dog like my previous gassers.

Especially coming from the consistent 12-15mpg of my 03 5.3L chevrod.

 

[thecastle]

Nobody buys a diesel pickup for cost savings, however, I am pleasantly surprised at the mileage of my 22 SO pickup. Seeing an average of 16ish on my trips to town, and 18-20 on my highway trips (all unloaded)

Agreed! If people bought vehicles based on need / finances then we'd never see anyone spend more than about 35k+ for a new vehicle or more likely a used car. As a pickup is just as capable of going to the grocery store as a 35K economy car.

 

[Trash Panda]

Agreed! If people bought vehicles based on need / finances then we'd never see anyone spend more than about 35k+ for a new vehicle or more likely a used car. As a pickup is just as capable of going to the grocery store as a 35K economy car.

Yeah… I had that mentality for years.

Don’t know what the **** happened to me. Buying a big truck to tow 3x a year was dumb.

I do love it though.

 

[Units]

I do love it though.

That’s all that matters.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Your maintenance costs will be significantly higher from, yearly fuel filter changes ~$400 at a dealer (probably a good idea while under warranty), .

if you are paying the dealer to change the filters at 400$ thats just insane. Also they do not need to be changed anually only every 15k miles or when the indicator shows them needing to be changed.


The Diesel maint costs are not much higher since the diesel goes 2 times as long as the gas truck between services. So it ends up as a wash for oil changes. As far as the trans its much cheaper to change the aisin fluid at and filter at 30k miles vs the 8 speed at 100k miles since its 50$ a qt and 300$ for the filter/pan setup its 1000$ CAD with tax

 

[MEGA HO]

Why do people still bring this "you will take XXX million miles to recover the initial cost of a diesel, bla-bla... not worth it" nonsense? Have they looked at the prices and demand of the used diesels?

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Why do people still bring this "you will take XXX million miles to recover the initial cost of a diesel, bla-bla... not worth it" nonsense? Have they looked at the prices and demand of the used diesels?

Its amazing how much people analize the cost of things like this do you need the truck if yes then buy it, if you need the diesel or want the diesel you buy it. Worrying about resale is silly to me or worrying about the cost of maintenance, if you cant afford to maintain it then you wont be able to afford the cost of repairs

 

[56ram2500]

if you are paying the dealer to change the filters at 400$ thats just insane. Also they do not need to be changed anually only every 15k miles or when the indicator shows them needing to be changed.


The Diesel maint costs are not much higher since the diesel goes 2 times as long as the gas truck between services. So it ends up as a wash for oil changes. As far as the trans its much cheaper to change the aisin fluid at and filter at 30k miles vs the 8 speed at 100k miles since its 50$ a qt and 300$ for the filter/pan setup its 1000$ CAD with tax

My 2022 down loaded owners manual list to change both fuel filets every 12 months or 15,000 miles

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

My 2022 down loaded owners manual list to change both fuel filets every 12 months or 15,000 miles

I dont care what the manual says it makes no sense to change fuel filters based on a time frame. The filter wont go bad its just a silly thing they put in there

 

[Trash Panda]

My 2022 down loaded owners manual list to change both fuel filets every 12 months or 15,000 miles

Yeah, but fuel filters don’t oxidize and go bad like motor oil.

Annual filter change intervals for the fuel system is just… dumb.