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Old 04-21-2015, 01:57 PM   #1
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Ram 1500 ecodiesel 2015

Hello all,

I am considering upgrading my tow vehicle to a newer 2015 model, and I have had a chance to test drive the new Ram 1500 eco diesel 2015. I have read good things about what it can do in terms of towing, especially that MPG you can expect to get out of it. I am not looking for comments as to whether or not it makes financial sense given the price of fuel vs gas, and given it is more expensive an engine to buy.

I am curious if any of you have made the choice of buying one, and what your towing experience have been so far.

My trailer is the Jayco x213 which has a dry weight of 4300 lbs, well below the Ram's towing capacity of 8300 lbs (with the crew cab and the 4x4)

Thanks in advance,
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Old 04-21-2015, 08:01 PM   #2
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I bought a 2015 RAM EcoDiesel about two months ago....6,800 miles. We haven't made any long trips, but on three or four 2-300 mile trips pulling a 24RKS @ about 7,000 pounds, we're getting about 14 mpg in relatively flat country....Central Texas. I'm getting about 27-28 at 70mph and about 24 at 80 mph on the highway. 22 or so in town.

I've driven Fords and Chevy's for 50 years and said lots of disparaging things about Dodges, but this half ton, 6 cylinder is a machine. I love the interior, the ride and the electronics.

Within the next few weeks, I'll pull the dash to install Ham radio equipment and antennas for a trip to MT/WY/ID in late June - early July.

If you have specific questions, feel free to message me and I'll be glad to try to help.
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Old 04-22-2015, 06:32 AM   #3
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I bought a 2015 RAM EcoDiesel about two months ago....6,800 miles. We haven't made any long trips, but on three or four 2-300 mile trips pulling a 24RKS @ about 7,000 pounds, we're getting about 14 mpg in relatively flat country....Central Texas. I'm getting about 27-28 at 70mph and about 24 at 80 mph on the highway. 22 or so in town.

I've driven Fords and Chevy's for 50 years and said lots of disparaging things about Dodges, but this half ton, 6 cylinder is a machine. I love the interior, the ride and the electronics.

Within the next few weeks, I'll pull the dash to install Ham radio equipment and antennas for a trip to MT/WY/ID in late June - early July.

If you have specific questions, feel free to message me and I'll be glad to try to help.
Thanks for the info, it sounds promising. I must admit I am very tempted. I am driving a 2009 F-150 Supercrew 4X4, and I have enjoyed it very much, but I want to have piece of mind with a newer vehicle.

How is it to deal with having to fill the DEF? Is it really only once every 10 000 miles you have to fill it?

Thanks in advance,
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Old 04-22-2015, 07:10 AM   #4
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I saw my first one last month. I have a friend who pulls a 30'Jayflight. He had a 3/4 ton Dodge diesel and traded for this 1/2 ton crew cab. It looks and runs super. He is very pleased but I can't figure why he did it.

I hear the engine is a proven one from other uses and am looking forward to long term reports.

I don't think the tow ratings will allow towing a big fifth wheel.
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Old 04-22-2015, 08:10 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by jfguay2 View Post
Thanks for the info, it sounds promising. I must admit I am very tempted. I am driving a 2009 F-150 Supercrew 4X4, and I have enjoyed it very much, but I want to have piece of mind with a newer vehicle.

How is it to deal with having to fill the DEF? Is it really only once every 10 000 miles you have to fill it?

Thanks in advance,
It seems the DEF tank will go about 10,000 before a fillup, but I've simply added 2 gallons when it approaches the half way mark. The fill hole is next to the fuel fill and is very accessible and easy.
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Old 04-22-2015, 08:28 AM   #6
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My buddy got one last fall and so far is real happy with it. It tows his 20' Lance camper like there was noting behind it..
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Old 04-22-2015, 08:55 AM   #7
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Check the payload ratings on the door sticker. Ram 1500 ED's are known for really low CCC. Usually around 900-1100lbs. Figure two adults at 300lbs and one or two kids maybe and that's 400lbs off the CCC. That only leaves 500-700lbs for a TT's tongue weight. IMO it's the biggest draw back of the Ram ED. Why they don't offer some kind of Heavy Duty payload package beats me. Wouldn't have to be much, maybe 500lbs more.
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Old 04-22-2015, 09:26 AM   #8
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We have a 2014 Ram 2500 Diesel, the DEF had it's moments to get used to. We traveled 9,000 miles last summer and had a few learning lessons. Here is what we have learned. It is about a 5 gallon tank.

1. Living in the desert it does evaporate a bit faster than if we lived in cooler weather. We were told to keep the DEF container in the fridge until ready to use. Didn't really like that idea. Also going uphills you will use a bit more.
2. DEF is more accessible today than a year ago. Most truck stops have it in with their diesel isles for about $1.50-$2.00 a gallon. Some tanks need a special magnet or key, make sure you ask at the counter when you prepay otherwise it can be frustrating, cashiers don't give you this info, lesson learned.
3. Walmart carries a 2 1/2 gallon container with nozzle included for about $12.00. It has come in handy a few times. Auto parts stores also carry DEF but it is more expensive. Some just have a 1 gallon container.

We try not to go below 1/2 but we have one time we were at 1/4 but we stopped at a Walmart and added the 2 1/2 gallon and we were good to go.

We loved the improved gas mileage over the 2012 Ram 2500 Diesel we traded in. Yes, it is a bit to get used to but now it comes as second nature to us.

Hope this helps.
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Old 04-23-2015, 08:33 PM   #9
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I have a 2014 Ecodiesel Ram 1500 4x4 Outdoorsman and have pulled our 2015 WhiteHawk 20MRB almost 1300 miles so far. Diesel mileage has been 14-16MPG
without having experienced any real hills yet.

Solo mileage on Interstates has been 28MPG and combined is 25MPG. So far I am pleased with the truck performance.

DEF usage increases somewhat with towing, so don't expect to see 10k miles between fill ups.
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Old 04-23-2015, 11:32 PM   #10
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If you like it buy it. I have owned 3 Chevies over the past 20 years. They all performed well. For some reason the 2015's didn't suit me. I drove a Ram, Titan, and Ford. All of them would have towed my trailer. Then I test drove a Tundra and it just felt right. That Dodge will tow your trailer so if you like it get it.
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Old 04-24-2015, 08:13 AM   #11
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DEF is a non issue. I actually waited for Ram to put it on their pickup line before I bought my 1 ton dually. The benefits way outweigh the negatives. DEF does degrade in heat so buying in bulk and storing it at the house is not a great idea. I don't daily drive my truck so I keep the DEF on the low side and only fill it halfway unless I'm planning on a long trip or towing heavy then I fill it right up.

Now that I sold the fifth wheel, I have no need for a 1 ton dually so I looked at trading in on the Eco diesel. i would be driving one right now except that the depreciation on a year old truck with 15,000 miles was too much for me to handle so for now, I still have it.
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Old 04-24-2015, 10:08 AM   #12
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I looked really hard at the 1500 Ecodiesel but what pushed me away was the payload. I don't know what model the OP is looking at but I looked at a Crew Cab 6.5' bed 4x4 SLT Big Horn; payload was around 815lbs. So by the time an average TT is hooked up there is enough payload for a driver and fuel. No matter how I did the math I couldn't get it to add up. The payload is just ridiculously low. I have also noticed increasing reports on the Ram forums that they are starting to see a steady line of failures with guys towing in the mountains. It appears the cooling system is lacking.
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Old 04-24-2015, 12:20 PM   #13
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The ecodiesel of Dodge & the new Cummins in the Titan were built for the 10Klbs. range. Dodge, Ford & Chevy all can pull double that. They are considered heavy duty. Nothing wrong with the trucks they were built for a market. People seem to have higher expectations without researching. DEF was due to California emissions which most states & provinces are now bound by. I have a 2003 Dodge dually. It can only pull 16Klbs. I came with no catalytic convertor just a straight muffler. Yet its still one of the cleanest diesels when I get it tested once a year. It pulls my 1998 323 Eagle 5th wheel no problem.
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Old 04-24-2015, 12:38 PM   #14
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I looked really hard at the 1500 Ecodiesel but what pushed me away was the payload. I don't know what model the OP is looking at but I looked at a Crew Cab 6.5' bed 4x4 SLT Big Horn; payload was around 815lbs. So by the time an average TT is hooked up there is enough payload for a driver and fuel. No matter how I did the math I couldn't get it to add up. The payload is just ridiculously low. I have also noticed increasing reports on the Ram forums that they are starting to see a steady line of failures with guys towing in the mountains. It appears the cooling system is lacking.
My 2015 Camry has more payload than that.
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Old 04-24-2015, 01:54 PM   #15
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My 2015 Camry has more payload than that.
I know! I just double checked myself to make sure I was right. GVWR is 6950, standard payload is 1350. Add in options and diesel motor= 815lb payload. I don't understand what the heck Ram was thinking. I would have one in my driveway right now had they been rated the same as the F150s.
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Old 04-24-2015, 03:10 PM   #16
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My 2015 Camry has more payload than that.
Not really sure what you looked at but that truck can pull 8,000lbs. It has a steel frame under it. Not as heavy as a 1 ton but that has a frame which your Camry doesn't & you seem to lacks information. You think they would build a truck to pull 900lbs? Do diligence.
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Old 04-24-2015, 03:51 PM   #17
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Not really sure what you looked at but that truck can pull 8,000lbs. It has a steel frame under it. Not as heavy as a 1 ton but that has a frame which your Camry doesn't & you seem to lacks information. You think they would build a truck to pull 900lbs? Do diligence.
i assume he was jokingly referring to the PAYLOAD CAPACITY (the amount of weight the vehicle can carry). you seem to be referring to the TOWING CAPACITY (the amount of weight the vehicle can pull). ease back on a brother.
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Old 04-24-2015, 03:59 PM   #18
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i assume he was jokingly referring to the PAYLOAD CAPACITY (the amount of weight the vehicle can carry). you seem to be referring to the TOWING CAPACITY (the amount of weight the vehicle can pull). ease back on a brother.
Well let's look at another way. 1 ton roughly 2000lbs. 1/2 ton 1000lbs but I would say less because of the way they are built. 800lbs is not bad is it? I am a brother local 105 Hamilton, Ontario
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Old 04-24-2015, 07:25 PM   #19
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Well let's look at another way. 1 ton roughly 2000lbs. 1/2 ton 1000lbs but I would say less because of the way they are built. 800lbs is not bad is it? I am a brother local 105 Hamilton, Ontario
My 3/4 ton is 2550# so I would assume a 1 ton would be somewhere around 3000#?
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Old 04-24-2015, 07:33 PM   #20
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I'm talking about weight. 1 ton equals 2200lbs. I don't think your saying you box can handle 2500lbs? Your tires your frame?
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