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Why are there so few 2500's with a Hemi?

jm888

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Looking at dealer stock, the majority of 2500s on lots have the diesel engine and if there are any with the gas, they are mostly Tradesman. Same thing with GM, the only 2500s with a gas engine are the work truck model but the higher trims of either all have diesel. Why is the gas engine so unpopular? Do they figure if people want a HD truck, they are going to tow huge trailers and will want a diesel? Makes sense if everyone pulls a big 5th wheel but what about the intermediate trailer in the 7k-9k range where you don't need a diesel and want something a little stronger than a 1500? Do most people just push their 1500 to the limits for the mid size trailers and then just go diesel for the big ones?
 
I experienced the same thing. I wanted/needed a daily driver 2500 and have no need for a diesel nor did I want to pay for it. I searched for a few months for a gasser with some decent options and just couldn't find it. Best option for a gasser seems to be order what you want which is what I ended up doing.
 
Same here. Shopped around some and knew going into his I was going gas this round. The cost and unneeded power/issues (cough) with the new diesels was never really a thought. I too found the gas engines in low trim trucks that would be used for work. This isn't my case. It will be my driver and TT puller. I anted some creature comforts. I may work it once in a while but not often enough to justify the diesel or low trim options. It was cool to go through the order process and while I am anxious....it will get here when it gets here.

I did let my 2nd gen go a few days ago. That was slightly heartbreaking. Also being truckless, in the middle of moving and having outdoor projects to do kind of sucks....bad.

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Same here in MN. Almost all of the 2500's are diesels, 98% of the gas engines are Tradesman.
 
Went through the same thing. Searched nation wide for months and could never find what I was looking for, so ended up ordering exactly what I wanted. I'm impatient, so the wait was painful, but it was worth it. Much better than settling for something I didn't want or paying for something I didn't need.
 
My guess is that it is the corporate bean counters. They probably figure the diesel is a value added that they can get away with. If you are already staring at $60,000 for a loaded gas truck they probably figure you won't blink at the extra for the diesel. Just a hypothesis.
 
I have accepted the fact that I will need to order one which is fine and probably better so I can get exactly what I want, but would like to see or drive something though beforehand. What did you guys end up test driving before you ordered? Did you just find a Tradesman on the lot with the same bed size to test drive? I would image it would have a similar ride, right? And as far as seeing options/packages, did you look at some diesels or even 1500s on the lot to get an idea of what the options look like, especially the interior?
 
I was coming from a 2016 Hemi 2500, so knew pretty much what I was wanting. I did go check out a couple of CTD equipped trucks on dealer lots to re-confirm a few of the options that I was thinking about and just for grins, I took a couple for test spins (Power Wagon, a 2500 w/ CTD and a 3500 w/ CTD), but what wasn't to assess ride quality or anything of the sort.
 
I'm looking at ordering a 2500 or 3500 SRW Limited with a Hemi. Now that I drove a dually, I'm really confused lol. I thought I would hate driving the dually, but I didn't. o_O
 
I have accepted the fact that I will need to order one which is fine and probably better so I can get exactly what I want, but would like to see or drive something though beforehand. What did you guys end up test driving before you ordered? Did you just find a Tradesman on the lot with the same bed size to test drive? I would image it would have a similar ride, right? And as far as seeing options/packages, did you look at some diesels or even 1500s on the lot to get an idea of what the options look like, especially the interior?
I drove the only thing available.........a diesel! At least I could feel the seats, ride, etc. that should be comparable.
 
My guess is that it is the corporate bean counters. They probably figure the diesel is a value added that they can get away with. If you are already staring at $60,000 for a loaded gas truck they probably figure you won't blink at the extra for the diesel. Just a hypothesis.
Each dealership is responsible for the vehicles on their lot, meaning someone at the dealership places orders for "on the lot vehicles". They order what sells best on their lot.
 
I would say that the first thing is that there is a popular perception/misconception that for towing you need a diesel. A lot of first timers are told this by the unscrupulous salesperson who has a vested interest in selling what's on the lot. Add to this that often times a guys buddies will tell him its not a real truck unless it has a diesel. When we ordered our 2020 30' Airstream I knew that max weight would be just under 9k. From a number of people I talked with (my uncle is a retired truck mechanic) and the research I did online, I easily determined I did not need nor want a diesel. If you are in the 10 to 12k or less range a gasser is a great alternative. You lose almost 1000 pounds in payload by going with the diesel. Therefore I don't see how it makes sense to get a diesel in a 2500, especially the MegaCab. And as I have said before, please don't get me wrong, the Cummins diesel is an awesome engine. If you tow heavy and often it is the way to go. But most guys out there don't need it for what they are doing with the truck. Now if money is no problem and you just love the sound and torque of a diesel, then fine, thats what choice is all about. I would rather not deal with the diesel emission fluid and regen issues. My truck is not a daily driver and will sit for weeks at a time. But when I tow it performs flawlessly. Plenty of power going over the mountains.

It's unfortunate that dealers don't seem to stock the big Hemi in the higher trim levels. I would just say to everyone, for as much as you are paying, why would you not want to get exactly what you want. To me ordering almost always make the most sense. You can still negotiate price and will get whatever incentives are in place at time of delivery. Yes I know it sucks waiting (ours took 3 months) but it's worth it in the end. We did the same thing when we bought my wife's 2019 Pacifica. We ordered it so we could get the spare tire instead of the stupid vacuum, plus we wanted the tow package. Best of luck to all and safe towing!
 
I would say that the first thing is that there is a popular perception/misconception that for towing you need a diesel. A lot of first timers are told this by the unscrupulous salesperson who has a vested interest in selling what's on the lot. Add to this that often times a guys buddies will tell him its not a real truck unless it has a diesel. When we ordered our 2020 30' Airstream I knew that max weight would be just under 9k. From a number of people I talked with (my uncle is a retired truck mechanic) and the research I did online, I easily determined I did not need nor want a diesel. If you are in the 10 to 12k or less range a gasser is a great alternative. You lose almost 1000 pounds in payload by going with the diesel. Therefore I don't see how it makes sense to get a diesel in a 2500, especially the MegaCab. And as I have said before, please don't get me wrong, the Cummins diesel is an awesome engine. If you tow heavy and often it is the way to go. But most guys out there don't need it for what they are doing with the truck. Now if money is no problem and you just love the sound and torque of a diesel, then fine, thats what choice is all about. I would rather not deal with the diesel emission fluid and regen issues. My truck is not a daily driver and will sit for weeks at a time. But when I tow it performs flawlessly. Plenty of power going over the mountains.

It's unfortunate that dealers don't seem to stock the big Hemi in the higher trim levels. I would just say to everyone, for as much as you are paying, why would you not want to get exactly what you want. To me ordering almost always make the most sense. You can still negotiate price and will get whatever incentives are in place at time of delivery. Yes I know it sucks waiting (ours took 3 months) but it's worth it in the end. We did the same thing when we bought my wife's 2019 Pacifica. We ordered it so we could get the spare tire instead of the stupid vacuum, plus we wanted the tow package. Best of luck to all and safe towing!
excellent point(s)......also you don't get that many incentives, if any on 2500 vehicles that I can see. Only savings is a hold over model and I can tell you, I searched nationwide hoping for a 20 holdover to save some coin but they just weren't there.
 
I test drove, nearly bought but walked away from a Power Wagon and that was my only higher trim Hemi comparison. It was a beautiful truck but had things I never would have used. So glad I ordered. Now it just needs to get here already.

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I test drove, nearly bought but walked away from a Power Wagon and that was my only higher trim Hemi comparison. It was a beautiful truck but had things I never would have used. So glad I ordered. Now it just needs to get here already.

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I actually did test drive a Power Wagon but I would imagine that would be a totally different ride from a Big Horn or Laramie 2500 with the tires and off road suspension it has on it, right? I guess I can use that though for the experience of the engine and then maybe drive a diesel of whatever else to feel the suspension and handling?
 
Yeah not sure what you are coming from but I just sold a 2002 2500 Cummins with 226k on it. Let's just say compared to most vehicles it rode like a stage coach. That said.....it was the best truck in the world. I miss it already. My opinion on the ride may be skewed. I was more interested in the interior and those bits.

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One thing that I don’t like about the Hemi is that I can’t see what gear I’m if it’s in eco mode.
 
Yeah not sure what you are coming from but I just sold a 2002 2500 Cummins with 226k on it. Let's just say compared to most vehicles it rode like a stage coach. That said.....it was the best truck in the world. I miss it already. My opinion on the ride may be skewed. I was more interested in the interior and those bits.

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk
 
Yeah not sure what you are coming from but I just sold a 2002 2500 Cummins with 226k on it. Let's just say compared to most vehicles it rode like a stage coach. That said.....it was the best truck in the world. I miss it already. My opinion on the ride may be skewed. I was more interested in the interior and those bits.

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What truck did you end up ordering?
 
White '21 Big Horn CC Hemi 6'4" bed 3.73, antispin diff, night edition, level 2, premium lighting, bed utility group, premium sound....black steps....whatever else lol

Order placed 1/21/21 and is supposed to be here next week or the following. Kind of need it at this point.

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