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Hemi vs Cummins

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DougB

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There are already several discussions on this topic in this forum. Use the search function and enjoy the friendly and respectful debates on this subject. :D
 

DougB

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For me: Cummins

My reasoning:
1 - Currently have 2006 Cummins to tow 6k trailer with Jeep and 9k 36’ travel trailer. Didn’t want to get 16 year newer truck but with less torque than I have now.
2 - Didn’t want to have to pull into regular gas pumps with trailer. Prefer using truck diesel lanes when trailering when possible.
3 - Prefer truck to have more capability than I would ever need.
4 - Extra $$ for Cummins was not a deterrent
5 - Already used to $100+ oil changes every 7500mi
6 - Buying DEF is cool lol

Good luck in your decision
 

RVTRKN

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Cummins = cost and ability.
Hemi = affordability with limited power.
If Hemi is best for you, get the Power Wagon.
 

LateToTheParty

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Don't mind me. Just settling in waiting for the name calling to begin.
 

RVTRKN

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True, I guess it depends on your location. I’d need the most capable 4x4, for my needs/wants.
 

matemike

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To the OP, tell us what you plan to do with the truck. For all we know you may need a 3500 Cummins High Output.
Otherwise, use google and youtube to learn and determine the capabilities of each.

I wanted a more sensible daily driver = gas
I occasionally haul a 7200 lb camper (<1,000 miles/year) = gas
I wanted to keep most available payload in a 2500 = gas (heavy diesel engine robs some of the chassis's payload)
 

H3LZSN1P3R

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Depends on your needs and pocket book… i tow lots and heavy so cummins is the best fit but if your using it as a mini van with the occasional trailer behind get the hemi
 

gimmie11s

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Hemi 100%. They get 22mpg on the highway, can pull 20k lbs up a 30% grade going 80mph.

Cummins is trash that is hampered by too many emissions components. You'll be lucky to get 10mpg unloaded at 55mph. The throttle lag is so bad it is dangerous while pulling out into traffic.

Joe Biden 2024!!
 

whitexc

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Hemi 100%. They get 22mpg on the highway, can pull 20k lbs up a 30% grade going 80mph.

Cummins is trash that is hampered by too many emissions components. You'll be lucky to get 10mpg unloaded at 55mph. The throttle lag is so bad it is dangerous while pulling out into traffic.

Joe Biden 2024!!
You sir, need a coffee. Starbucks...now!

Sent from my semi-smart telephonic device
 

matemike

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I crunched some numbers today just for the mere sake of crunching numbers. I'm sure this has been done before. But here it is:
With today's gas prices on google, I found Us avg price of gas to be $3.38/gal and diesel to be $3.62/gal. And let's say the gas truck gets 15 mpg and the diesel gets 20 mpg. this is obviously pulled out of my a$$ and not taking into account any towing, especially anything heavy. just driving.

$3.38/15mpg for gas gives a price of 0.225 per mile
$3.62/20mpg for diesel gives a price of 0.181 per mile

So a gas truck costs $22,500 (in fuel alone) to drive 100,000 miles
A diesel truck costs $18,100 (in fuel alone) to drive 100,000 miles

$22,500 - $18,100 = $4,400

that's a $4400 difference costing more to drive the gas truck every 100,000 miles (in fuel alone)

But let's not forget, today's price for identical Ram trucks, it costs $9400 more to get the diesel (not H.O.)

$9400/$4400 = 2.14

2.14 x 100,000 miles = 214,000 miles

214,000 x .225 = $48,150 for gas
214,000 x .181 = $38,7334 + $9400 = $48,134 for diesel

You have to drive a diesel truck 214,000 miles until an identical truck with gas engine costs the same out of pocket on fuel and sticker together to also drive 214,00 miles for all things to be equal.

Of course, not all things are equal. The diesel will get much better mpg when towing. so let's round the whole thing down to 175,000 miles being the break even point for gas/diesel costs.

But then again, diesels need DEF. I don't know how much it is, but that's an expense that goes 100% to the diesel. So let's round it back up to 200,000 miles being the break even point.

And lastly every 5000 miles a truck needs an oil change. 200,000 miles. each truck has needed 40 oil changes.
40 x $150 for diesel = $6,000
40 x $75 for gas = $3,000

Oil change numbers also pulled from my a$$. not gonna figure all that in again.

But there you have it, to run a diesel truck ~200,000 miles is the break even point to run an identical gas truck same distance when it comes to money spent. Are you going to keep your diesel for 200,000 miles?

The diesel is obviously an upgrade. It's better at pulling, strength, longevity and resale...all that. So if that's what you are gonna do, then get the diesel. If you're not going to tow at all, or very little, get the diesel anyway but keep it for a quarter million miles so you can say it was the smarter decision financially.
 

elephantrider

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your not taking into account the def saving quite a few folks get over the life of truck :D
 
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