2023 Ram 3500 dually

[wild1]

I am looking at moving from my 2018 3500 DCSB with a Cummins 6.7 to a 2023 350 dually crew cab with a Hemi. I will be using it to carry a Northern Lite 8-11 while flat towing my Jeep Gladiator. My Cummings handles this load effortlessly, any experience in how well the Hemi would handle this load. The camper plus gear is near 4500 pounds and the Gladiator is about 6000 so well inside the trucks capacity my concern is strictly power.

 

[hoodlum]

So your total weight is about 16K. Go into the mountain and drive down some long and steep winding roads. Now ..DO NOT.. use your Engine Break.
I think you’ll have your answer.

 

[wild1]

So your total weight is about 16K. Go into the mountain and drive down some long and steep winding roads. Now ..DO NOT.. use your Engine Break.
I think you’ll have your answer.

Good point! I have been thinking more in terms of getting up the grades but what goes up must come down and an engine brake is hard to beat.

 

[deserteagle56]

Going up any kind of grade pulling all that weight the hemi will be turning 4000+ rpm and mileage will be in the single digits. If you're good with listening to the engine scream and watching your fuel gauge drop then go for it.

I have both a gas-powered one-ton and a dually with the Cummins. Pulling with the Cummins is a non-issue...just another drive. Pulling with the gas engine is nerve-wracking in comparison.

 

[TexasSixSeven]

Going up any kind of grade pulling all that weight the hemi will be turning 4000+ rpm and mileage will be in the single digits. If you're good with listening to the engine scream and watching your fuel gauge drop then go for it.

I have both a gas-powered one-ton and a dually with the Cummins. Pulling with the Cummins is a non-issue...just another drive. Pulling with the gas engine is nerve-wracking in comparison.

Mileage will be in the single digits pulling those grades regardless of engine choice. The difference is still noticeable. Like the poster above said the lack of engine braking would be my biggest concern. It’ll still handle it just fine, but it’ll require a lot more attention and strategy to not overheat the brakes vs just letting the motor eat with the Cummins.

 

[TexasSixSeven]

OP if you’re fine babysitting the truck on the downhill side of steep passes then the gasser would be adequate. However if you want to turn the engine brake on and forget it then the Cummins is still the answer. Mileage will suck with both, but not near as bad with the diesel. However higher fuel cost will offset a good portion of that fuel economy savings.

 

[wild1]

Thanks for all of the great input. I ran anF350/v-10 for over a decade and I still remember doing 40 miles per hour on the climbs at 4000 rpm’s and it wasn’t relaxing. I love my current truck and the Cummings but it is at its max load capacity with my setup and I would like a little more safety margin. We travel a lot and most of it is in the high mountains of the west. I think I will stick with the Cummings and just grin and bear the added cost.😎

 

[UglyViking]

If for no other reason, the resale on a dually with the hemi is gonna be basically worthless. The market for that buyer has got to be slim.

For the amount of weight and towing you plan to do, I'd go Cummins without a second thought. You could do it with the hemi for sure, but you're not gonna be thrilled with it.

Also, I'll be that guy and say it's "Cummins" not "Cummings" (no g).

 

[Tex68w]

There's no way in hell I'd buy a gasser dually in todays market. No engine brake, screaming RPM's and worst of all, absolute crap resale value. Stick to the diesel for this use.