Which engine for this task

[Artgluck99]

I posted this in the non HD ram forum, I am curious if there are different opinions here.

I'm going to trade my Ford F250 (2017, gas, 31,000 miles) in for a Dodge Ram 2500 or 3500. This is what it will be used for, please let me know which engine would make the most sense.

This truck will carry 4,000 lbs regularly on it.

This truck will be used for plowing 1 commerical parking lot and different homes. This truck will not be used for any towing. I have owned diesels and gas trucks in the past, I've always preferred diesels in the past but i've seen different reviews and watched videos that make it seem like more people are reconsidering diesel and going for gas. I'm going to be buying a truck in the next couple of weeks, i'm looking for experienced opinions I am not trying to start an argument about gas vs diesel in a general sense.

 

[jkempken]

4k lbs payload is 3500 territory. There are two different shifting mechanisms for 2019, the Gas Hemi has a rotary shifter like the half ton's and the Diesel's have the traditional Column shifter. If you are plowing there is going to be alot of ****ing so make sure you are ok with the shifting mechanism on the truck.

 

[DevilDodge]

As stated before, but with more thoughts. 6.4l is going to give you more payload, and will be better suited to short cold trips.

You do have to consider the shifter, but the dial is easy to get used too.

4000 lbs payload is not going to happen in a 2500. A 3500 SRW is still gonna be close, unless you go lightly on the options. A longbed will have less payload than a shortbed.(go figure)this changed for 3500 lol

A Regular Cab 2500 and 3500 aren't very far apart on the payload side. A crew Cab will have more payload...again go figure. (These numbers changed since 2018...forgot no more 5.7) regular cab has the most with 4600 and crew longbed with 4400 and crew short with 4200.

Although with all the grid heaters and filter heaters it is almost a thing of the past, you do have to consider your fuel in the cold. Gas will be better suited...but Diesel has come a long way.

Give us some more specifics of want you want...and of course get the SnowChief Package and 4x4

 

[Artgluck99]

Thank you for the time and attention. The comments are definitely helpful.
This truck will be used in Albany NY, last winter we had several day stints of 0 degree weather. I plowed with my ford F250 gas, that truck has both mechanical and electrical issues but my biggest complaint was its inability to push snow. It isn't a bad truck (torque/horse power wise) but it wasn't strong enough and I had to plan more than I used to in the past.
The truck will have steel fasteners on it, nuts bolts screws anchors etc. It will generally be used in a 100 mile loop for deliveries, it will also fill in for longer deliveries that could be hundreds and hundreds of miles. The plowing is my specific point of interest regarding engine choice. I remember our older dodge diesel would shift as soon as you went from reverse to drive. My F250 has a pretty long lag time before it shifts, which is annoying. I don't really know what info to put that would help besides this. I'm 6'4" 283 Lbs so I think either truck would fit me fine.....

I would never buy a 2 wheel drive truck living in the northeast. Not an option. What does the Snow chief package offer?

 

[Jeffmc306]

Thank you for the time and attention. The comments are definitely helpful.
This truck will be used in Albany NY, last winter we had several day stints of 0 degree weather. I plowed with my ford F250 gas, that truck has both mechanical and electrical issues but my biggest complaint was its inability to push snow. It isn't a bad truck (torque/horse power wise) but it wasn't strong enough and I had to plan more than I used to in the past.
The truck will have steel fasteners on it, nuts bolts screws anchors etc. It will generally be used in a 100 mile loop for deliveries, it will also fill in for longer deliveries that could be hundreds and hundreds of miles. The plowing is my specific point of interest regarding engine choice. I remember our older dodge diesel would shift as soon as you went from reverse to drive. My F250 has a pretty long lag time before it shifts, which is annoying. I don't really know what info to put that would help besides this. I'm 6'4" 283 Lbs so I think either truck would fit me fine.....

I would never buy a 2 wheel drive truck living in the northeast. Not an option. What does the Snow chief package offer?

Here’s what’s in the Snow Chief Group on a Ram 2500. Also, consider the 4.10 axle for $145 to help with plowing.

Another thing to consider is the Cummins weighs 900 lbs more than the gas. A friend of mine is a landscaper and said guys are not taking that into consideration when adding a plow to the front and are overloaded causing premature suspension and steering failures.

Check your plow weight before ordering a Diesel!

 

[DevilDodge]

It was a joke about the 4x4. But, I did think you knew about the SnowChief package.



What I meant by more info is...do you need a long bed? What cab? What options?

A tradesman is going to be the best all around truck...but if you want options you will lose payload and will limit your trims.

Also, it seems you need legally 4000 pounds. Gonna have to be a 3500.

You can overload the truck, not recommended if you have to deal with the man though.

I really like my 6.4l Hemi, way more than the Cummins I Had...but all this is opinion, so do what suits you best.

 

[hutchman]

I've owned both gas and diesel....several of each. I think the diesels are needed for towing more tha 13K or so. If I was towing more than that, I would have a diesel.

As stated above, gas wins the payload battle every time and if you need 4000#, a 3500 would be the choice. The following is my opinion based on my diesel vs. gas experience.

It gets cold here too....-10F sometimes. When I had diesel trucks, I was always afraid of fuel gelling.....never had it happen, but I worried about it. I always wondered about finding fuel. Today, most have it, but it was always on my mind. DEF was an issue. Didn't need much when empty, but used more when towing heavy. I always let the truck idle when coming off the highway, especially when towing. Always concerned about the DPF and regens. So my diesels were always a bit of an irritant, but they did not cause me any particular problems.

For a DD, I prefer gas. I like the way a gas truck drives and responds better than diesel They are somewhat brainless when compared to diesels, put gas in and go, but that's what I like for a DD.

I guess my only real concern about a diesel for a plow truck would be the DPF and regens. I wonder if the exhaust will get hot enough? Might not be any issue at all, but that would be my question I guess.


Good luck with whichever you choose. My new truck is the best I've ever owned!

 

[orlando bull]

Just to chime in on the payload... I believe the 3500 SRW has a different GVWR for gas vs diesel, so, it's possible that you don't get (much) more payload with the gasser in the 3500. I was deciding in February and would have gone 2500 gas or 3500 diesel. When I looked at the 3500 gas, I thought the GVWR was lower by 500# or more than the diesel. Could be wrong though.

 

[DevilDodge]

@orlando bull you are correct, but the gasser still has more payload. ( well with the HO Cummins it is less, regular Cummins slightly more)

But, as mentioned that extra weight is right were the plow will add even more weight.

I hadn't researched 3500 much...2500 they are the same at 10000.

So a 6.4l has
11000 and Cummins has 11800. On crew shortbed.

6.4l has 11400 and Cummins has 12300 on Crew longbed

Same thing HO Cummins has the least payload, 6.4l in the middle and regular Cummins slightly more.

Do not remember that being the case with the 4th Gen, but I stopped considering the Cummins in 2014.

Hence why everyone does agree if you are towing and want a Cummins, skip the 2500 and get a 3500.

 

[TonyT]

There's several YouTube channels run by owners of snowplow companies. Lots of great info and reviews of trucks their running on there.