Anyone using a 6.4 as a tow rig? What do you think? Real world mileage pulling 6000-8000 pounds.
Considering swapping from a 12 cummins to a new gasser
Considering swapping from a 12 cummins to a new gasser
6.4 ram tow rigs?
- Thread starter richardderkevorkian
- Start date
Not towing but carrying a 4,685 lb truck camper. This couple travel all over the US with this rig so they have experience with mountains and flatlands. Actual calculated mileage is much less the the RAM feel good meter, 10-11mpg with camper which is on par with what I get with my GMC 6.0 with a truck camper.
http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/2014-ram-3500-experience-update/
http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/2014-ram-3500-experience-update/
I have the 5.7 in my 2500 and have a couple friends with the 6.4. The MPG's suck hard when towing anything with these trucks! About the only time these trucks seem to see good MPG is when running around that 60-65 mark with the cruise set. Comparing them (6.4) from time to time they never seem that better or worse then the 5.7. On our trip to BC from MN this winter I averaged tanks anyplace between 6.4mpg (strong head winds in MT running 80 mph on the interstate) to 11 mpg while running about 60 mph in Canada. All pulling a 7x25 all aluminum trailer.
However from a power standpoint they are both incredible for gasser trucks. I knew going into it that MPG would not be good in any of the 3/4 ton's with a gas motor so that was not much of a surprise.
I know my next truck will have the diesel in it. I couldn't justify it when I bought this one but wish I had.
However from a power standpoint they are both incredible for gasser trucks. I knew going into it that MPG would not be good in any of the 3/4 ton's with a gas motor so that was not much of a surprise.
I know my next truck will have the diesel in it. I couldn't justify it when I bought this one but wish I had.
My riding partner has a 6.4 ram, sled deck and pulling 4 place open trailer, from Mn to Wy. The mileage is on the side of the truck 6.4
V
volcano buster
Well-known member
Father in law has one in a power wagon, tows a 3 place enclosed with it.
Plenty of power and rides well but going up Thompson it drops two gears when it down shifts. Apparently there's a tune or mod to eliminate this but it's sketchy on icy roads.
No other complaints, but not a nice enough truck to get me out of my chevy.
Plenty of power and rides well but going up Thompson it drops two gears when it down shifts. Apparently there's a tune or mod to eliminate this but it's sketchy on icy roads.
No other complaints, but not a nice enough truck to get me out of my chevy.
I agree with Hamlin, owned and driven the 5.7, 6.4, and 6.7 cummins and will never own anything but a cummins/diesel if I'm going to tow anything. Plus, hard to beat 20mpg empty, 12-14mpg when towing a 30' enclosed and setting the cruise at 80 and forgetting it, no downshifting and endless torque.
The problem with the 6.4 trucks lies with crappy transmission programming. My previous '15 power wagon was constantly shifting gear struggling to find fuel economy. It did alright for a truck that size but it was a complete fail as a driver, tower and hauler. No good off road either with all of the electronic nannies which are exponentially worse than on your '12.
I spent thousands to get rid of that stupid truck and couldn't be happier without it. Looked great, worked like sh1t.
I spent thousands to get rid of that stupid truck and couldn't be happier without it. Looked great, worked like sh1t.
I agree with Red 100% they look good and that's about it. The trans is the main trouble and the traction control(get stuck control).
Thanks for all the feedback guys. The main reason I'm considering swapping is for the lifetime warranty of the gasser, I drive 18,000-20,000 miles a year so I'd definitely get some use out of that warranty. Gassers cheaper to do maintenance on and I have never seen the magical 13-14 miles per gallon people claim to get towing with a Cummins. Mine consisistently get 10mpg towing 7-8000 lbs. I do love the torque and mines been a great truck but the new warranty intrigues me.
Lifetime warranty? I may have to put these trucks back on my radar.
Chrysler has offered it for years. You just have to ask about it when you get to the extended warranty part of your buying. They usually won't bring it up. From the 3 rigs I have seen bought with it (1500 Ram, 2500 Ram and a Wrangler Unlimited) it usually runs about $2400 and is a bumper to bumper until 5 years / 100,000 miles full coverage and then is still full coverage and has a $100 delectable after that. And last I heard it's available on any non-diesel rig they sell, non transferable.
Their dealers also have that option on used rigs up until they have 80,000 miles if I remember correct. Runs about $2600 with the same basic runs to it.
Lifetime warranty sounds great on the surface but some of them in the fine print states the maintenance schedule in the owners manual has to be followed religiously at a an authorized dealer. This would never work for me I do all my own maintenance from day one and cringe at the thought of having someone else work on my truck. I guess I've been fortunate not having to have any warranty work done on my vehicles for many years.
I agree, If I am very tender with the foot, I have seen as high as 11.5 towing my 4 place enclosed with 5.9 cummins 3/4t. IF, conditions are right, (iethe flats), otherwise I see 9-10.5 in the mountains.
I have become much less compelled by warranties anymore. The one on my Polaris sucks and so do the dealers. That means serious hassle and inconvenience in order to get things covered. Ram is no different. My Power Wagon had blown, leaking shocks. Only a couple days to get parts but 2 weeks out for a service appt.
If you have a really good dealer with a great service and parts dept. maybe that justifies going for the warranty. Just know that it isn't normally all that it is cracked up to be. Buy a less expensive vehicle and budget for maint.
Both of my vehicles run 25k miles a year =/- 5k. My wife gets a new car with factory warranty. I went naked this time with an older rig. I have had to fix it but I have saved myself thousands doing it at home.
If you have a really good dealer with a great service and parts dept. maybe that justifies going for the warranty. Just know that it isn't normally all that it is cracked up to be. Buy a less expensive vehicle and budget for maint.
Both of my vehicles run 25k miles a year =/- 5k. My wife gets a new car with factory warranty. I went naked this time with an older rig. I have had to fix it but I have saved myself thousands doing it at home.
Mine too. 07 5.9. Difference is, I'll pull my 4 place enclosed, boat or big white whale truck camper at 75-80 mph.
When I towed similar loads with my last 2 F250 6.2 gassers I'd get 8 ish. But I wasn't running 80 mph with the cruise on. It could, but felt like I was wringing it's neck!
Amazingly I can get that 13mpg towing, IF the weather is bad, icy roads, keeping me at 60 mph in the deezul.
Update
Sold the 2012 Cummins and bought a 2017 6.4 gas
5000 miles on it so far and I don't regret it. Towed a 28' trailer up the alcan from Montana to Alaska getting 8.5-9.5 mpg. My Cummins probally would have gotten 10 under the same conditions. The 6.4 is more fun to drive unhooked from the trailer and actually gets around the same mileage unhooked from the trailer. If I lived somewhere at elevation is probally stick with a diesel but I usually drive 0-3500'
Sold the 2012 Cummins and bought a 2017 6.4 gas
5000 miles on it so far and I don't regret it. Towed a 28' trailer up the alcan from Montana to Alaska getting 8.5-9.5 mpg. My Cummins probally would have gotten 10 under the same conditions. The 6.4 is more fun to drive unhooked from the trailer and actually gets around the same mileage unhooked from the trailer. If I lived somewhere at elevation is probally stick with a diesel but I usually drive 0-3500'
Last edited:
Similar threads
