2012 Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel thoughts

Code54 · Aug 26, 2012

I am looking very seriously looking at a 2012 (new) Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel 4x4 6'4" Big Horn version. I want a 3/4 ton for the extra towing ability and the additional payload. It will be my daily driver sort of. I have a work truck so I don't drive back to work normally so I only put 40-50 miles a week on my vehicle at the average. I would love to get 25mph but I know that will never happen and am expecting 15-16 out of this combo (3.72 rear end I do believe) Due to my low miles I am not too worried about the price of diesel vs gas. Seems my current truck (gas) gets around 12-13 around here so if I would get 15 the difference in cost will be off set enough for me) - what do you all get?
Anyway, any one have one and what do you think of it? Like it, hate it? Problems? I know some of the past one had some soot problems in the past but have not heard a lot of newer ones having issues. One thing that really draws me to the Dodge is the warranty - I can add a lifetime warranty for about 2K and that is a great thing for me because of the mileage I will keep it a LONG time (if at all possible). I know a lot of people will say the Ford/Chevy rides better, has more power, can tow 80 tons and do it with a flat tire and a wheel missing but I am not looking for any brand wars just some honest thoughts and answers.
Also any thoughts on rebates/dealer hold backs on these. Looks like I can get 3500 in rebates and that and discounts almost total of $9500 off sticker so the price seems pretty decent?
Thanks

foreman Etexas · Aug 26, 2012

I bought one of the left over 2011's and it rides great,he// you dont even know your in a 1ton most of the time and the interior really nice. Exhaust brake is great,alpine sound is great,pulls whatever I put behind it,no complaints here(well mpg is around 14 but its not a daily driver,just farm truck)... Would I do it again yes sir!!!

Code54 · Aug 26, 2012

Not too bad to get 14 on the DRW. (Nice truck by the way) Glad to hear you like it. The one I am thinking of has the Alpine System and after hearing it I must say I really like it, not too bad for the price.
Thanks for the info and cant wait to hear from more people

foreman Etexas · Aug 26, 2012

got 10mpg pulling this to the house but it was about 40miles of backroads around 60mph tops,didnt have any trailer brakes and the exhaust brake worked great,saves your truck brakes big time...

Guess should add has 15,ooo miles so far(most with loaded trailer on back),been to shop once.No biggy ran fine just a sensor out,check engine light stayed on,when I took it in they done a free service on it while I was there for having to make the 60mi. drive.

dave1949 · Aug 26, 2012

I have a 2011 3500, Cummins 6.7 liter (I think that's right), 6 spd manual, 3.72 rear-end, dual rears. It's just getting broke in a bit with 1400 miles.
I ordered a cab-chassis unit and had a 8' x 12' dump rack bed put on it. Have a snow plow too for my own driveway.

It's my last truck I hope, it is sort of for anything, general purpose. I might get 15 mpg on a good day, 13 mpg is more usual. According to the built-in mileage meter, it doesn't help to put it in 6th gear unless going over 50 mph or so. Haven't had any issues with the DEF fluid, doesn't seem to use much. I guess that depends on how it's driven and the load weight. I pretty much baby it.

I dithered a long time between a standard 8' dump bed and the 12' rack/dump with wood floor, obviously one of each is thing to have. :laughing: I wanted to be able to haul bulky, longer stuff than the std. 8' dump bed without having to do so much tieing down, etc. The 8' all metal dump would be more durable for loading rough stuff from the FEL bucket.

I have no complaints. The ride can be real rough when our frost heaves are up on our crap roads in winter. Once they flatten out, the ride is just fine. Purrs along real nice. I'd buy another.

kenmac · Aug 26, 2012

Code54 said:
I know a lot of people will say the Ford/Chevy rides better, has more power, can tow 80 tons and do it with a flat tire and a wheel missing but I am not looking for any brand wars just some honest thoughts and answers.

Don't know about that. The Cummins can be had with 350 HP & 800 LB FT. Torque.

I have an 07 5.9 but, would love to have a newer 6.7. I think you'll love it

Fordman1981 · Aug 26, 2012

I had a 2010 dodge 2500 short bed quad cab 6.7 auto 3.73 rear end. It averaged 15 to 17mpg around town and 17 to 21 mpg was the best I was able to get on a 1000 mile trip. Now I have a 2012 long bed quad cab 6.7 6 speed manual 3.73 rear. It is getting 15 around town same 1000 mile trip it was getting 17/18 mpg it only has 4,500 miles in it and the owners manual says allow 6,000 miles for break in and mileage. I hope it gets as good of mileage as my last ram. I can say I pulled an 18' 10 ton trailer with an l4400 fel bush hog and box blade in the bed on the return 1000 mile trip and averaged 13.5/14 mpg. I hope this helps sorry if this reply doesn't look the best sending from my phone.

PioneerMan · Aug 27, 2012

dave1949 said:
. Haven't had any issues with the DEF fluid, doesn't seem to use much.

I would hope not, cause I thought that cummins is going to def in 2013...

dave1949 · Aug 27, 2012

PioneerMan said:
I would hope not, cause I thought that cummins is going to def in 2013...

I guess my truck didn't get the memo :laughing:

I have a 2.5 gal. jug of Mopar Diesel Exhaust Fluid that I have poured into the truck's 8 gal DEF tank. Little blue filler cap just behind the cab on the driver's side. That's all I know about it. Maybe Cummins is rolling that out to different models in different years?

It does clean up the diesel smell of the exhaust by a good bit.