Decisions

[Tex68w]

I used to be concerned about owning a RAM some 12+ years ago but that's no longer the case, hell the same could be said for Ford not long before that. They still have some transmission issues to work out but they continue to get better each generation. I'd say that my RAM's have been as reliable as the Ford's that I've owned and in some ways better, but in others they obviously fall behind as well. My biggest gripe with RAM is the fact that these trucks are built in Mexico, that's not okay in my book and I hate seeing that on the sticker every time I open the door.

 

[GeorgeHayduke]

Another happy Ram 2500 owner here. Better quality, reliability, and value than the Fords and Nissans that I owned previously. People knock the Fiat influence but I think it helped them have the best interiors for the last ~8 years.

But OP back to your original question. I think you should pick between the tundra and a power wagon. Keep the F250 for truck duties where the diesel and a stiff suspension shine and turn one of the gassers into your adventure mobile. Personally, I'd sell the tundra and go with the power wagon + airbags. Sell the grandby and tundra to help pay for the hawk and power wagon. You'd get a beefier drivetrain, lockers, bigger cab, disconnecting swaybars, etc plus a 10 year newer truck. The tundra 5.7 is also a thirsty engine, so MPG will be poor on either gasser. Gas cans on a rear bumper are an effective solution.

 

[jadmt]

just got back from a ~300 mile drive, I kept it 65-70mph and was around 16mpg. In Western Montana you are either going up or down (Missoula to Kalispell and around the lake for those familiar with the area) had 296 miles on the tank and took 18.7 gallons. That included some full throttle accelerations just because on that route there are times you need to get around those slow moving 55 mph vehicles. My wife commented "this sure sounds nice when you go to pass" and she is not a gear head at all.

 

[Chorky]

just got back from a ~300 mile drive, I kept it 65-70mph and was around 16mpg. In Western Montana you are either going up or down (Missoula to Kalispell and around the lake for those familiar with the area) had 296 miles on the tank and took 18.7 gallons. That included some full throttle accelerations just because on that route there are times you need to get around those slow moving 55 mph vehicles. My wife commented "this sure sounds nice when you go to pass" and she is not a gear head at all.

Hey not all of us have newer rigs that can hold that 80mph limit. 60 is a solid hold here. ha! That's decent mileage. Although I must say my truck gets the same (well actually better if I were to have the correct spedo gear installed). I would have though your mileage would be better... was that loaded or unloaded?

 

[jadmt]

Hey not all of us have newer rigs that can hold that 80mph limit. 60 is a solid hold here. ha! That's decent mileage. Although I must say my truck gets the same (well actually better if I were to have the correct spedo gear installed). I would have though your mileage would be better... was that loaded or unloaded?

I run with a GFC camper all the time and probably a couple hundred pounds of stuff in the back in case we decide to camp somewhere unexpectedly

 

[Chorky]

I run with a GFC camper all the time and probably a couple hundred pounds of stuff in the back in case we decide to camp somewhere unexpectedly View attachment 680629

Ok that makes more sense. Looks sweet by the way. I wonder if the OP has been considering mileage as a factor....

 

[jadmt]

Ok that makes more sense. Looks sweet by the way. I wonder if the OP has been considering mileage as a factor....

he mentions in his first post that ram mpg sux so probably a bit.

 

[Tex68w]

I've owned a PW, so has my father and a few buddies as well. Short of when they were bone stock none of us ever saw 16+ mpg. Throw on 35's or bigger and start adding gear, bumpers, toppers, etc. and it's 11-13 mpg full time, especially if you live in a state with 70-80 mph speed limits. Just trying to be realistic here, not trash talking the truck by any means, just know that 16-19 mpg is the exception, not the rule.

 

[calicamper]

I've owned a PW, so has my father and a few buddies as well. Short of when they were bone stock none of us ever saw 16+ mpg. Throw on 35's or bigger and start adding gear, bumpers, toppers, etc. and it's 11-13 mpg full time, especially if you live in a state with 70-80 mph speed limits. Just trying to be realistic here, not trash talking the truck by any means, just know that 16-19 mpg is the exception, not the rule.

Same goes for the Tundra guys who think that one trip they surprisingly saw 16mpg some how translates to it gets 16mpg ??. Not to mention long trips with loud exhaust? LOL city slicker cross town trips yeah ok but long trips? He-lls no..

 

[jadmt]

I've owned a PW, so has my father and a few buddies as well. Short of when they were bone stock none of us ever saw 16+ mpg. Throw on 35's or bigger and start adding gear, bumpers, toppers, etc. and it's 11-13 mpg full time, especially if you live in a state with 70-80 mph speed limits. Just trying to be realistic here, not trash talking the truck by any means, just know that 16-19 mpg is the exception, not the rule.

I have 13,000 miles and keep track of every tankful. hand calculation not computer and I have never been that low. I recently just did over a 3000 mile trip and even going 70-80 got over 13mpg worst mpg I got was surprisingly enough in Minnesota. Were yours 6speeds or 8 speeds? My buddy has a 2020 too and gets similar mpg. I don't recall anyone ever saying 19mpg. seems like 15-17mpg is fairly common tho. this was from Missoula to Boise keeping it at the posted speeds which of course for the most part is 55-65mph. Hand figured was slightly lower.

 

[jgallo1]

I have thought about MPG. That's my favorite thing about my diesel.
The 2011 Tundra/ 2018 hawk is a package deal. I went for it.
The truck comes with airbags and transfer flow 48-gallon tank. It cost less than 2021 power wagon. I really got lucky on this one.
I will be adding new OME suspension
Should be good to go. I am going to pick it up in 2 weeks.

I am going to put my Granby up for sale today. Hopefully, it will sell fast.

 

[Tex68w]

I have 13,000 miles and keep track of every tankful. hand calculation not computer and I have never been that low. I recently just did over a 3000 mile trip and even going 70-80 got over 13mpg worst mpg I got was surprisingly enough in Minnesota. Were yours 6speeds or 8 speeds? My buddy has a 2020 too and gets similar mpg. I don't recall anyone ever saying 19mpg. seems like 15-17mpg is fairly common tho. this was from Missoula to Boise keeping it at the posted speeds which of course for the most part is 55-65mph. Hand figured was slightly lower.View attachment 680679

Most of ours were the older 66RFE 6-speeds (2018 MY's) but my buddies is a 2020 with the new 8-speed and he rarely see's better than 15mpg. The newer 8-speed "should" do better than the older 6-speeds but I haven't seen a big improvement based off of those I've talked to and based on Fuelly numbers. 2019-2021 RAM 2500 Power Wagon Fuelly numbers show an average of 11.96 mpg over those three year models with the 8-speed which is only up 0.84 mpg from those reported from the 2014-2018 6-speed trucks. Who knows how often these guys are towing or if they are running 37's with bumpers, etc. but the average is there in black and white and well below what you've reported.
Obviously driving habits play a big role in these numbers but the truck isn't efficient by any means nor is the Tundra. I think you are more the exception than the rule in this case but that's just my opinion.

I have 37x13.50x18's on my 7400lb CTD RAM 3500 with the 68RFE 6-speed and (hand calculated) the "worst" I've seen mixed driving is 18 mpg, on the highway (65-80 mph) I see 19-22 mpg. I did tug a 12,000lb enclosed trailer a few weeks back and even then I still averaged over 14mpg. That said, my averages are much higher than those reported on Fuelly as well just like yourself, so who knows.

Rumor is that the 2023 RAM's are going to have ZF or Allison trannies, if they put a 8-10 speed from one of those makes in these trucks going forward I think we will see even better fuel economy and hopefully better reliability as well.

 

[Tex68w]

I am going to put my Granby up for sale today. Hopefully, it will sell fast.

How much for the Grandby and what year, build details, etc.?

 

[jgallo1]

I have 13,000 miles and keep track of every tankful. hand calculation not computer and I have never been that low. I recently just did over a 3000 mile trip and even going 70-80 got over 13mpg worst mpg I got was surprisingly enough in Minnesota. Were yours 6speeds or 8 speeds? My buddy has a 2020 too and gets similar mpg. I don't recall anyone ever saying 19mpg. seems like 15-17mpg is fairly common tho. this was from Missoula to Boise keeping it at the posted speeds which of course for the most part is 55-65mph. Hand figured was slightly lower.View attachment 680679

I just saw you listed your rig for sale.

 

[jadmt]

I just saw you listed your rig for sale.

I was trying to be funny . I see so many ads with crazy prices I figured I would jump in and add to the insanity.