Looking at Dodge 2500

[sd455dan]

F-I-L has 2005 2500 Heavy Duty. With the larger crew cab (not mega cab) and a long bed. It has the 5.7 Hemi in it with a 5-speed auto. We took it and my utility trailer to Florida last year to pick up a '76 Corvette that he bought. Man, that was an uncomfortable truck. Between the seats being uncomfortable, no way shape or form could I get it adjusted to fit me, him adding some type of air intake that whistled every time you gave it the gas, an aftermarket exhaust that was loud - especially once the car was on the trailer and the fact that you couldn't lock 5th gear out so it was constantly shifting even it tow haul mode. It was just a miserable trip. This is with a truck that had less than 15k miles on it when we left. Yes, 15k. Between the horrible gas mileage (even just with the empty trailer) and the fact that he wouldn't let the gas gauge get below half tank we must have stopped every 100 miles for gas. I would have rather taken my much older with many more miles half ton Silverado. I think it would have been a much more comfortable ride and done probably 3 times the fuel mileage and actually pulled the trailer and car better. I tow heavy with my Silverado, so I know how it will behave as I tow our 10k lb 36' camper with it.

Wow- maybe they have changed the seats in a bad way since the 03, or are the Laramie, power adjustable ones with the adjustable bolsters way different than the slt versions... I did notice my nephews 2012 model did seem much stiffer than the 03, but attributed it to 10 years and 100k miles difference.

3 times the mileage?? what Did he get out of the gas V8??

 

[jwstewar]

Pulling my trailer empty, I can do 17 or so depending on how far how above speed limit I run. I bet with the empty trailer and running the speed limit I bet we were 10-11 and with the car probably about 8. So 3 times was an exaggeration, but probably not by a ton.

 

[Ken]

Pulling my trailer empty, I can do 17 or so depending on how far how above speed limit I run. I bet with the empty trailer and running the speed limit I bet we were 10-11 and with the car probably about 8. So 3 times was an exaggeration, but probably not by a ton.

The 2500 4X4 diesel dodge that i have usually get 17.5 at 65 mph empty trailer. load with 12 head of cattle each 1200 adverage weight and fuel mileage drops to 16.

A there was a comment of refilling every 100 miles or 1/2 tank. I am able to travel from Ark to Hays Kansas on fuel on truck and Northern Iowa if going this direction.

At a road side truck stop using urnial and trucker next to me made a comment "Used to get 500 miles out a tank of fuel and same for the bladder now it is about 3 stops" Maybe this is cause of frequent stops not the truck.ken

 

[PRF]

I bought a 2010 5.7 2500 and love it so far.. It pulls my car to the track like it's not even there.. I get around 12 mpg and 9 or so towing.. I would have loved to have gotten the Cummins, but don't rack up enough miles to justify the expense..

 

[Diamondpilot]

I bought a 2010 5.7 2500 and love it so far.. It pulls my car to the track like it's not even there.. I get around 12 mpg and 9 or so towing.. I would have loved to have gotten the Cummins, but don't rack up enough miles to justify the expense..

You got what I did. 12 mpg mixed, 10 around town, and 8 towing my old 8,600# boat. The F150 it replaced got 16 mixed, 15 around town, and 8 also towing the same boat.

Neither truck was ever reallt ran on the highway unloaded but my guess is the Dodge would have done 14/15 and the F150 17/18.

Chris

 

[MESSMAKER]

It is to replace a F150 that has done a fair job. It just does not have enough power to make towing easy(4.6). It squats a good bit with a 6000 lb load behind it even though it has had a helper spring installed. It is getting less than 10mpg when towing so I am not going to take much of a gas hit no matter what I get. The ford gets about 13 unhooked in town and maybe 16 on the open road. My choice is move up to a 3/4 ton (way more Mopar in my area) or get another f150 with more motor and add air bags.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It is to replace a F150 that has done a fair job. It just does not have enough power to make towing easy(4.6). It squats a good bit with a 6000 lb load behind it even though it has had a helper spring installed. It is getting less than 10mpg when towing so I am not going to take much of a gas hit no matter what I get. The ford gets about 13 unhooked in town and maybe 16 on the open road. My choice is move up to a 3/4 ton (way more Mopar in my area) or get another f150 with more motor and add air bags.

Or a F150 with the high GVWR package.

Chris

 

[jwstewar]

At a road side truck stop using urnial and trucker next to me made a comment "Used to get 500 miles out a tank of fuel and same for the bladder now it is about 3 stops" Maybe this is cause of frequent stops not the truck.ken

No, it was more he was of the believe that once a vehicle hit a half tank of gas they start using more fuel. Most of the time none of us would go in - well, he would have to go in twice. First to prepay, then second time to get his change. He refuses to use a debit card. Man, that was a frustrating trip.:confused2:

 

[mbrule]

The 2500 4X4 diesel dodge that i have usually get 17.5 at 65 mph empty trailer. load with 12 head of cattle each 1200 adverage weight and fuel mileage drops to 16.

A there was a comment of refilling every 100 miles or 1/2 tank. I am able to travel from Ark to Hays Kansas on fuel on truck and Northern Iowa if going this direction.

At a road side truck stop using urnial and trucker next to me made a comment "Used to get 500 miles out a tank of fuel and same for the bladder now it is about 3 stops" Maybe this is cause of frequent stops not the truck.ken

First you are comparing diesel to gas, apples and oranges.
Second, are you saying that with your Dodge diesel with 14,400 lbs of cattle plus trailer (4000 lbs??) that you get 16 MPG?????

 

[Ken]

First you are comparing diesel to gas, apples and oranges.
Second, are you saying that with your Dodge diesel with 14,400 lbs of cattle plus trailer (4000 lbs??) that you get 16 MPG?????

mbrute
Think I mentioned I have a diesel engine. also pay a nickle a gal. more than 18 whl'r pay for fuel because our pick-ups wear out the highways. so says the dept. of Transporation.
Also said I travel about 65 mph. steady driving not stop start and jumping the traffic lights.
Load of dairy cattle Holsein usually 12 head adverage around 1200 lbs. weight And drive a steady constant 65 on highway and when getting to top of hill get off the throttle and use engine to maintain the steady forward motion instead of using the brakes.
Now I had no reason to not give the fuel mileage accurate. The man I travel with has a 3/4 ton Ford and simular sized trailer . Buys the fuel and usually uses 1 gallon less per fuel filling of trucks. A frequently discussed subject.
Notice your from Mass. Here we have long flat highways and sometimes travel all night with out meeting another vehicle on the road. This could be the improved fuel mileage
.
ken

 

[Diamondpilot]

mbrute
Think I mentioned I have a diesel engine. also pay a nickle a gal. more than 18 whl'r pay for fuel because our pick-ups wear out the highways. so says the dept. of Transporation.
Also said I travel about 65 mph. steady driving not stop start and jumping the traffic lights.
Load of dairy cattle Holsein usually 12 head adverage around 1200 lbs. weight And drive a steady constant 65 on highway and when getting to top of hill get off the throttle and use engine to maintain the steady forward motion instead of using the brakes.
Now I had no reason to not give the fuel mileage accurate. The man I travel with has a 3/4 ton Ford and simular sized trailer . Buys the fuel and usually uses 1 gallon less per fuel filling of trucks. A frequently discussed subject.
Notice your from Mass. Here we have long flat highways and sometimes travel all night with out meeting another vehicle on the road. This could be the improved fuel mileage
.
ken

People don't belive me but I have gotten 17 mpg with my chipped 06 F350 pulling my 15,600# boat from North Central Indiana to the Kentucky/Tennessee line. I have done the trip twice using just 17 gallons of fuel. 2/3 of the trip was done at 60mph and 1/3 at 70mph during the interstate portion.

Chris

 

[sd455dan]

In response to Kens excellent- trailering mileage

The good mileage could in part be a result- from all those night miles (nice cool dense air...) my truck 03 dodge cummins always shows more mpg at night on the same stretch of road verses daytime, and agree about night traffic being lighter -also improving mileage..

 

[Diamondpilot]

In response to Kens excellent- trailering mileage

The good mileage could be a result- from all those night miles (nice cool dense air...) my truck 03 dodge cummins always shows more mpg at night on the same stretch of road verses daytime, and agree about night traffic being lighter -also improving mileage..

Lots of factors. Good fuel being one. Tough to see in my F350 or my neighbors Chevy 3500 but he also has a Passat diesel. Twice he has lost nearly 10 mpg buying fuel at one station in our area. Makes a big difference going from 42 mpg vs 32. In a truck you may not notice due to it being tenths versus miles.

Chris

 

[Ken]

People don't belive me but I have gotten 17 mpg with my chipped 06 F350 pulling my 15,600# boat from North Central Indiana to the Kentucky/Tennessee line. I have done the trip twice using just 17 gallons of fuel. 2/3 of the trip was done at 60mph and 1/3 at 70mph during the interstate portion.

Chris

Some day drivers will learn to keep a light foot on the throttle. the fuel pump keeps up the pressure to engine pump . Don't need to pump the throttle.
It is hard to convince the gas drivers diesel is good fuel to use.
ken

 

[mbrule]

The best I get with my stock 06 F350 with my 14k fifth wheel is barely 11. Fifth wheel is high (wind resistance), trips have been in New England and PA lots of climbing. may be that is why so low????

Ken, I wasn't necessarily doubting you, just surprised (and jealous), almost makes me want a Dodge.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The best I get with my stock 06 F350 with my 14k fifth wheel is barely 11. Fifth wheel is high (wind resistance), trips have been in New England and PA lots of climbing. may be that is why so low????

Ken, I wasn't necessarily doubting you, just surprised (and jealous), almost makes me want a Dodge.

Its not the truck, its the trailer and terrain.

Chris

 

[mbrule]

Its not the truck, its the trailer and terrain.

Chris

I think you are right Chris. I love the truck and am happy with how it tows, the fifth wheel is tall and heavy!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think you are right Chris. I love the truck and am happy with how it tows, the fifth wheel is tall and heavy!

Yea, weight is really not the issue so much unless it all stop and go. I tow a 25,000# boat twice a year about 30 miles each way. Its all 60 mph with only 2 stop lights. I can do mid 12 mpg pulling it.

Aerodynamic drag is the killer. Towing a 12,000# 5th wheel I would be lucky to get 12.

Chris

 

[Ken]

I think you are right Chris. I love the truck and am happy with how it tows, the fifth wheel is tall and heavy!

mbrule
When there is a trip toward Hershey ,Pa. from Iowa or Ill. and get on the turn pike or other high
ways.going East the speed every one travels kind of breath taking. watching. the tail gaters run in caravans.

No way could anyone prevent series of accidents should a tire blow.

The double trailers of coal,iron ore? don't know but speed limit of 60 and they were traveling close to 80
people in cars or smaller vehicles had to stay in right lane. or get horn blowing until they did.

We have quit I 80 and travel I-76 unless there is a trip toward the Corning New York area.

Now a dis claimer since the new administration has taken power the small dairymen have gone by the way side and dairys now are Factory farms. raising there own replacement cows.

Have not made a trip into norhtern states or back East since Christmas.

Come June taking a trip to New Mex. and Ariz. fuel mileage maybe less climbing from 600 feet to a mile high. may take more fuel.
ken

 

[sd455dan]

In the market for a new work truck. Found a Dodge 2500 club cab 4x4 with a 5.7 v8 in it. It has auto trans, and is clocking about 100k. I think I can get it for about $8500. What is the deal on this setup. What to look for? Anything to avoid?

It is a 2005 model.

Did you end up with the Dodge, or maybe a different Ford, are you still (on the hunt) for a different truck??? inquiring minds would like to know.