New RAM half-ton EcoDiesel gets 28mpg?..

[TooTall'sTruck]

My uncle in Oregon gets a new Dodge every year or two, his Hemi is leaving for the Diesel. He always pays cash and always gets the showroom model with every option. SO I plan on driving his when he gets it and visits, but he is old and has an FL70 RV for travel, so the Dodge will get a front mount tow bar I am sure.

CLUTCH---technically the C70 is 4 wheel drive....4 tires are driving the vehicle. I can speak as to the remarkable-ness of the mid-duty trucks ability when driven properly, I worked for a CAT dealer and all their trucks had a select able interlock for the rear end and were RWD only. With a properly set up truck (in that case it was 2000 lbs over GVW) and most of that over the rear axle, the trucks would climb up the crappiest landings and even up chip piles that consisted of <2" wood chips. With proper driving skills the RWD should go anywhere that a truck should be put..4 driven wheels spells trouble!!

And I really want to see these trucks after a years worth of travel, since most american consumers dislike diesel because of the driving style needed to run effectively, you have to get them hot in order for the modern emissions systems to work properly. CAT's DPF magic number was 1080* inside the filter itself. If the vehicle was used properly (read:shown a sustained long term load) then the system would meet the desired temperature passively. In school bus' where they rarely sustain any load, especially with idiot on/off/on drivers, the DPF would constantly clog with soot and set a limp mode. The active regeneration system was barely able to keep the soot under control, I told the bus supervisor that he needed to take those bus' out monthly and drive them like they were stolen to attempt to clean out the DPF.

We will see if the american Joe's and Jane's are ready to drive diesels appropriately.....

 

[Clutch]

CLUTCH---technically the C70 is 4 wheel drive....4 tires are driving the vehicle. I can speak as to the remarkable-ness of the mid-duty trucks ability when driven properly, I worked for a CAT dealer and all their trucks had a select able interlock for the rear end and were RWD only. With a properly set up truck (in that case it was 2000 lbs over GVW) and most of that over the rear axle, the trucks would climb up the crappiest landings and even up chip piles that consisted of <2" wood chips. With proper driving skills the RWD should go anywhere that a truck should be put..4 driven wheels spells trouble!!

LOL...technically they are! But you know what I mean...they aren't AWD. I was going to throw our Tri-Axle Mack in there...it is rear wheel drive, but technically it is 4...no make that 8 wheel drive.

4WD just gets you stuck further from help.

 

[escadventure]

As only one other post here mentioned this, I'll chime in. Sometimes range between fill ups is paramount regardless of overall cost. For expedition use, this is a big factor. Compaired to some of the other big expo rigs on this forum, I think this fullsize American pick up would be a great (maybe better) option than those, if fitted with a camper cabin.

This new Dodge is still not for me. I have a growing distrust of new cars. They're nice, and do great things. But I don't appreciate the way the manufacturers find creative, hidden ways to create a dependancy on them resulting in after sale income for them, with no added value to the customer.

 

[MT6bt]

Good points. I like the concept, but the platform is catering to urban dwellers. Independent suspension? Good bye articulation! Payload capacity with those airbags I wonder about as well...

As only one other post here mentioned this, I'll chime in. Sometimes range between fill ups is paramount regardless of overall cost. For expedition use, this is a big factor. Compaired to some of the other big expo rigs on this forum, I think this fullsize American pick up would be a great (maybe better) option than those, if fitted with a camper cabin.

This new Dodge is still not for me. I have a growing distrust of new cars. They're nice, and do great things. But I don't appreciate the way the manufacturers find creative, hidden ways to create a dependancy on them resulting in after sale income for them, with no added value to the customer.

 

[jeryshery]

Why would you be concerned about payload capacity on airbags? If their made by any tire company they'll be capable of handling far more than the truck ever could.

 

[Clutch]

Good points. I like the concept, but the platform is catering to urban dwellers. Independent suspension? Good bye articulation! Payload capacity with those airbags I wonder about as well...

1/2 tons have had IFS for quite some time, Ram goes one step further with a linked coil sprung rear end...looks good to me. Want SAS go 3/4-1 ton.

I would love full independent suspension...will eat up washboard roads like they are nothing. No engine to deal with (read you can use longer arms)...should be able to pull 16-18" of travel out of it no problem.

 

[east_tn_81]

I agree that it makes it nice for smooth rides and that yota has a pretty sweet setup but solid axles are easier to maintain and do allow for more articulation. It is just a matter of what you want.

Clutch where did you find that yota I would love to hear the specs?

 

[east_tn_81]

I find it funny that Toyota and Nissian are both going to have their diesel built by Cummins but Dodge dosent.

 

[Clutch]

I agree that it makes it nice for smooth rides and that yota has a pretty sweet setup but solid axles are easier to maintain and do allow for more articulation. It is just a matter of what you want.

I have no desire, where you need extreme articulation...stock F150 and the like are pretty weak at it anyways. Have a dirt bike for the real silly stuff, most "built" trucks can't hang with it. Only until recently a Trophy Truck have beat the bikes in the BAJA 1000...but they had to throw a couple million dollars at the effort. Where as the bikes are $20-30K...

I am go fast guy anyway. Drive fast, Take Chances.

The old IFS/IRS TRD Trophy Truck

Clutch where did you find that yota I would love to hear the specs?

That is the Sema truck from 2008.

 

[Clutch]

I find it funny that Toyota and Nissian are both going to have their diesel built by Cummins but Dodge dosent.

I got a little chuckle out of that as well.

 

[oldestof11]

I find it funny that Toyota and Nissian are both going to have their diesel built by Cummins but Dodge dosent.

Why would a company use a 3rd party engine when you already own a reliable diesel?

Nissan also showcased a Frontier with a 2.8L Cummins and GM showcased a 2.8L Duramax in their Colorado/Canyons.

 

[east_tn_81]

Not sure why. They already have a strong following in the HD market with the Cummins why stop there and give your competition an edge.

 

[haven]

The folks at Pickuptrucks.com completed a comparison test featuring six pickups with six cylinder engines. The RAM 1500 Ecodiesel 4x4 was included. Also present were Tacoma, Frontier, Silverado, GMC and Honda Ridgeline.

The fuel economy test covered city, highway and gravel roads. The results had the Ecodiesel at 26 mpg. The other trucks, all powered by gas V6 engines, clustered around 20 mpg. That's a 30% better result for the Ecodiesel.

The Ecodiesel didn't fare as well in the value category. The truck tested was a Longhorn 4x4 that was loaded with options. Sticker was about $56K.

Another question raised by the test was the carrying capacity (not towing capacity) of the truck. With a curb weight of 6,460 lb, it seems the cargo capacity of the truck, equipped with Ecodiesel plus 4x4 plus air suspension plus options would be only 500 lb. Ouch! I think RAM will have to offer an upgrade to the coil springs when buying a diesel.

The comparison does not address the question, What about the Ford F150 with EcoBoost 3.5L V6 turbo, a vehicle with similar torque rating to the Ecodiesel? The EPA rates the Ecoboost at 15 city, 21 highway mpg. A similarly equipped Lariat SuperCrew Ecoboost 4x4 would cost about $44,000, and weigh about 5700 lb. GVWR is about 7300 lb, so payload is about 1600 lb. The $12,000 savings compared to the RAM would buy a lot of gasoline.

Read more here
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2014-annual-physical.html

 

[Regcabguy]

I got a little chuckle out of that as well.

Italian owners. German Daimler influence yielded the Mercedes G-56.

 

[Deleted member 12023]

I don't know why they even bother with the halfton trucks anymore. There are so many light duty diesel trucks here in South America. These trucks are complete workhorses too. They should stick with 3/4 ton diesels and up, and put a small diesel in the Dakota. The average consumer would be more likely to buy a Dakota, chevy Colorado or Tacoma anyway. Here they have the Colorado with a small dura max, VW Amarok with the TDI, Nissan Frontier...don't think its a Cummins though and the hilux which everyone on here is horny for anyway. The trucks that make the most sense to me are Full size diesels which can haul some weight, or an efficient light duty pickup for the average guy with a 2.0 - 2.5L diesel.