My new truck is costing me money!!

[Swinepartner]

Well, I've had my Ram 2500 CTD, affectionately called "The Goat" about a month, and towed our camper 3 times and have 4500 miles on it so far. It drives and towes like a dream!!! Unloaded I'm getting about 19 and towing I get 11.5! It towes so good that I'm trying to find new places to camp! And that means spending more money!! On DEF, I've only used 1/2 a tank, and I'm loving the fact that I can, and do, hit the big rig fueling lanes. Those are easy in, easy out for fueling...I have to use the cruise because it get up to 60 and doesn't even strain, and the next thing I know I am closing in on 65! So I set the cruise to 62, put on the exhaust brake and I'm good to go. Sway control when being passed by big rigs is almost zero. Only if they pass me going a lot faster is it really noticeable.

So, that's my update so far. We are taking a trip to Boone NC Labor Day weekend so that will be the first time in the mountains. Can't wait!!

[herewego]

You should see your Fuel MPG go up as the engine breaks in, we get 26 unloaded, and pulling our Bunk house on flat land 22 and on hills about 19 , we have about 45K on ours now ... The DEF will last you a long time there have been no modifacations to our Truck or the engine we have a 3500 so its a rough ride.

[namusmc65]

I have the Ram 2500 Outdoorsman and my mileage is about the same as yours. We are loving it and that exhaust brake is wonderful. I also have to use the cruise control a lot as I have a heavy foot and your speed gets up there before you realize it! It is a 2015 and the ride is great also. I'm using it as a daily driver as well because I am just more comfortable driving that than the wife's 2012 Ford Edge. I like looking down on the scenery. Tactical advantage!

[schiguy]

The smoother those the trips go, the more you want to book. Having a TV that pulls like a dream just makes it that much smoother.

[estesbubba]

Originally Posted by herewego

You should see your Fuel MPG go up as the engine breaks in, we get 26 unloaded, and pulling our Bunk house on flat land 22 and on hills about 19 , we have about 45K on ours now ... The DEF will last you a long time there have been no modifacations to our Truck or the engine we have a 3500 so its a rough ride.

I'm assuming that 22 towing is in a unit other than miles per gallon.

[goducks]

Originally Posted by herewego

You should see your Fuel MPG go up as the engine breaks in, we get 26 unloaded, and pulling our Bunk house on flat land 22 and on hills about 19 , we have about 45K on ours now ... The DEF will last you a long time there have been no modifacations to our Truck or the engine we have a 3500 so its a rough ride.

MPG doesn't go up with break in. The Cummins needs no break in per the manual. 26mpg? LOL. No one gets 26 mpg in a newer diesel. Maybe doing 35 mph down hill. 22 mpg towing? I'm not sure if you're being serious or not but that's flat out hilarious.

[dmac]

I am most envious of all of your milages. I have a 2016 Ram CTC 2500 with 3500 miles on it and I get 17.5 empty and 12 towing my 28.5 5er. I traded up from a 2007 Ram with a 5.9 CTC 3500 and was getting 19/20 empty and 14 pulling.

[Roaddane]

I'm loving my new-to-me CTD also. Takes all the stress out of towing. Tons of power for climbing hills. An exhaust brake that keeps everything in check for downhills, I rarely have to touch the brakes.

I have found that it only really consumes DEF when climbing hills while towing (ie: working). We did a recent trip towing that was mainly flat land and the DEF gauge barely moved.