3/4 ton with pop-up as daily driver: Older model diesel or newer model gas?

[FarmerFrederico]

Hi Everyone,

I've asked a few questions over the last year but my wife and I are still trying to make a decision about the best set-up for our needs...as we should...lots of investment on these projects.

If we go the pop-up route it will most likely be a FWC Hawk and I've decided that a 3/4 ton is the best way to go.

Trying to find a PU cheaper than $35K - would you go with an 2008 RAM diesel (100k) or a 2014 RAM gas (<30K)? Both are about the same price.

Thoughts? Thanks for all the feedback.

AP

 

[ripperj]

A FWC is basically no load to a 3/4 ton, so I would definitely not go diesel unless you tow tons(literally)

 

[craig333]

Either will be fine. The question is do you pay a premium for the diesel. I love mine but would I pay that much extra for it again? Probably not but, I do think that some day I may tow more than my Jeep, if that happens I'll be glad I had the diesel.

 

[CKent323]

I have a 1993 Dodge W250 LE Clubcab longbed Diesel I use to carry my 2009 FWC Keystone. It is the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. I have over 350,000 miles on it and it is still running strong. It now needs paint and new driver seat so I am preparing to refurbish the truck. Will probably add sound deadening material in the cab walls, floor and overhead as well as upgrade to Recaro Expert M seats since I can't find replacements for the OEM Captains Chair seats.

I have looked at the 1994 - mid 1997 12 valve Dodge trucks as well as newer models and I am convinced this is the most reliable year of all. Further is does not have the electronic injector issues and reliability issues as the newer trucks do. However the ride in these first generation Dodge Diesel trucks is stiff and they are noisy but I think I can lower the noise significantly and with some aftermarket springs along with the Recaro seats I believe I can improve the ride a meaningful amount. I still see these pop up from time to time on the West Coast with under 200,000 miles for about $10 - $12 K and I think if in good condition and well maintained they are worth every penny of that.

Regards,

Craig

 

[Overdrive]

Adam, I'd stay away from the '07.5 through 2012 diesel models if you can. They had an emissions system that relied on re-generating ("re-gen") of the DPF and if the truck was not driven hard all the time, things would clog up and cause problems; they also returned poorer fuel mileage than new ones or '07 and older. I'm a huge fan of diesels, especially the Cummins, (own/have owned 6 of them) but of the two choices you give, I'd go gas. With the new Rams you'll get the coil spring rear suspension which rides much nicer. Seems like for $35K you could find a brand new gasser? A few months ago I saw base-model Rams ,4x4, diesel, automatic for under $37K. Good luck in your search!

 

[FarmerFrederico]

Thanks, Overdrive, that's the kind of info I'm looking for. Thanks to everyone else for the input as well. We live on the Front Range in Colorado (emissions are strict), and I'll be regularly driving the rig uphill with a full cab and bikes on the back too. Do you think the 5.7 gasser will be work any harder with a FWC Hawk in it than my current 6cyl. 4Runner with full seats and bikes out back? It's got to be a Crew Cab.

We don't need the rig to go everywhere, but it does need to travel well in snow. With a 2013 or newer diesel and the FWC Hawk the price is pushing in to 4x4 Sprinter territory. Decisions decisions.

 

[Mk10108]

I debated gas vs diesel and as much as I want a oil burner, chose gas. Pulling my camper (6500 lbs) I get 8.5 mpg. Drive the speed limit (CA) and get 17 mpg. Check fuelly.com and note diesels at most get 2-3 mpg more, however fuel cost 25% more. Diesels are nice and I like the low rpm, but 8K entry plus maintenance tip me to gas.

 

[Overdrive]

I can't speak to the comparison of your 4Runner to a V8 pickup, don't know. A buddy has a 2001 Dodge with the 5.9 gas and tows a large boat and a toy hauler all over with it, over 120K miles and still going strong.
Of course the diesel will out-perform any gas motor at the higher elevations where you are.
Just for information ('cause I love to look) BonhamChrysler.com has lots of 2015 crew cab 4x4 Rams with the 6.4 gas for $36,200. And a diesel for $39K. I only mention them because they are up-front enough to post their prices on the internet, unlike most other dealers. I would buy new at that price before paying $35K for one with 30,000 miles on it. If the used one has the high-zoot interior, then it has the electronically controlled transfer case. NO THANKS.
Get the Tradesman interior and you'll get an honest-to-goodness floor shift transfer case.
No doubt the 6.4 will have more power than you need but will suck more gas than a 5.9.

 

[Gatordoc]

Will you keep the camper on full-time? Have any plans to tow with it on a regular basis?
.
If you aren't going to legitimately need the capability of a HD diesel with a good amount of frequency, I'd say go with the gasser. The lower cost of entry, fuel, and maintenance will pay for a whole lot of extra gas. Less so with a gas 2500, since much of the extra maintenance expense comes from the notoriously weak, maintenance intensive Dodge front end. Still worth considering, though, especially if you don't do your own maintenance and will have to pay a shop.

 

[chet6.7]

2015 crew cab 4x4 Rams with the 6.4 gas for $36,200. And a diesel for $39K.
I would buy new at that price before paying $35K for one with 30,000 miles on it.
Get the Tradesman interior and you'll get an honest-to-goodness floor shift transfer case.

You make some good points.
I started out looking for a used Ram/Cummins, the prices for vehicles, that looked clean,had lower mileage, were not that much lower than a new truck.
I went diesel,but gas seems to be a good choice these days.Lower initial buy in,but as the post quoted above,it is not that much more for diesel power.
Diesel fuel is more expensive,and there is more maintenance,the new front suspension on the Ram 2500/3500 make oil changes harder and there are two fuel filters to change at 15K or one year.

The diesel will give you low end torque,and being turbo charged it is less effected by altitude.
You may want or need to plug in the diesel block heater if it gets real cold where you live.
There is a youtube of a cold start in AK,the truck started fine.
The exhaust brake on the diesel is nice going down a grade.
I will take a manual T case every time.

 

[Regcabguy]

I've carried a 1800# wet Northstar TC800 around 24/7 for seven yrs now with my 5.9 Ram CTD. I really couldn't imagine a gas engine with this much weight. From what I've read a loaded 4wheel camper can greatly exceed the advertised base shell weight. Certainly less overhang and wind trade though. than mine. As stated a 14' Tradesman would sure be nice.
Lots of variables especially the tire size,gearing to name two.

 

[jkosten]

As previously stated, the 08 6.7l Cummins is an emissions truck with a DPF regeneration system. It uses more fuel and has more maintenance involved. I bought my 06 Megacab because I wanted a 5.9l truck without the extra emissions parts. The 2013 and newer trucks went to an SCR system which is an after treatment system. That brought the milage back up. That bring said, the 2014 hemi trucks do pretty darn well, if you don't need the torque of a diesel. Either choice there are suspension options for the trucks from Thuren Suspension out of Bend, Oregon.

sent from my pocket...

 

[FarmerFrederico]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I actually went to our local RAM dealership this afternoon and test drove 3 vehicles - all 2015 Tradesmen Crew Cabs with a 6'4" bed: a) 1500 Ecodiesel (1200# payload), b) 2500 6.4l HEMI (3,100# payload), and c) 2500 6.7l Cummins (2,300# payload). I definitely liked the Cummins the best. Without the camper I'll regularly have an 850lb payload with people and mountain bikes on a hitch rack. I would expect the FWC Hawk camper to come in close to 1400# wet with the options I intend to add. Seems like the Cummins would be the best route considering altitude (5-9K feet regularly with 10-12K passes 3-4 times a year). The HEMI seemed anemic compared to the Cummins for sure.

While the fuel efficiency of the Ecodiesel would be great I just can't imagine suspension modifications meeting my needs - although there are so many pictures of people doing just that with their 1/2 tons. Is it advisable?

With my payload regularly approaching the limit on even the Cummins 2500 should I spend the extra $2K and just get a 1 ton SRW 3500 and be done with it with a 3,000+# payload and the Cummins engine?

 

[chet6.7]

"With my payload regularly approaching the limit on even the Cummins 2500 should I spend the extra $2K and just get a 1 ton SRW 3500 and be done with it with a 3,000+# payload and the Cummins engine?"

That may be the way to go.
I think the air bags for the rear of the 3500 may be finally happening,I haven't paid attention,so you would have to check that out.The air bag--leaf spring combo should ride pretty good.
You can get the Aisin trans on a 3500.
The 2500 has coil springs on the rear,it rides nice. Does Ram recommend a big camper on the 2500?
I think they advise against it,if I remember it right.
I just have an A.R.E. DCU so that didn't matter to me.

http://www.dodge.com/bodybuilder/2009/docs/dr/cgrcc.pdf

 

[Overdrive]

Glad to see you are really doing your homework. Yep, I would go with the 3500. If you plan on adding heavy duty bumpers, winch, etc, it all eats into your payload. I'm of the school that it's not good to exceed your GVWR on a regular basis--not because the truck can't handle it (the drivetrains are the same between the 2500 and 3500, notwithstanding the Aisin option)--but for liability. I know plenty of folks will disagree with that as you alluded to.
My dream truck would be a utility bed with the Hawk on it...need a 3500 for that.
Keep us posted Adam!