Anyone tow with a Dodge Hemi????

jlbota · Mar 6, 2005

I am in the market for a new truck and have been considering a Dodge 2500 4x4 with the Hemi engine. Just wondered if anyone here tows with one or has towed with one and can give me some input.
I just sold my 03 Dodge 2500 that had the Cummins H.O. and an Auto transmission and it would pull just about anything with ease. I sold this truck because we were getting alot of crankcase fumes in the cab and Dodge never could fix it right. Loved the Cummins but couldn't take the smell...I always had to have my window down. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Anyway....any input would be great. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Dargo · Mar 6, 2005

A friend of mine who owns a car dealership just sold his hemi 2500 to go back to the Cummins because he was not at all pleased with the hemi (or any other gas engine in any other make) for towing after having the Cummins. He said that the hemi was constantly having to down shift on the highway when towing his race car, while the Cummins never had to down shift. I've found the same thing. I always thought the 454 I had in a Chevy was the best for towing. Not! The 454 doesn't come close to the towing ability of the Cummins.

Smelling the diesel fumes in your truck isn't normal. I've owned several diesel pickups from all of the big three, and I've really never noticed diesel fumes at all except in a Chevy I had that I later found a leaking exhaust coupling on.

EquipmentJunkie · Mar 6, 2005

I just crack the passenger-side window to hear my turbo whistle!

Hmmm, the smell doesn't sound normal. I have a '98 24v and don't have any smell. Test drive another Dodge with a Cummins to see if it also has the same smell. Could be a problem associated with either the new, common-rail engines or the new body style.

Before I spoke any more and further exposed my ignorance, I searched the TDR page about your problem. Its sounds like you weren't alone. Many complained about the same problem, most with '03 trucks.

Perhaps the smell was caused by your choice of crankcase oil. Did you happen to use Mopar oil, Shell Rotella, or Amsoil? It sounds like the brands make a difference. A few guys said that switching to Mobil's Delvac or Chevron's Delo 400 cured the smell problem.

Others on the forum mentioned that they lengthened the crankcase vent tube which took care of the problem. Too bad your Dodge dealer was not resourceful.

But, back to your question on the Hemi. The only thing that I have heard is that the Hemi drinks a lot of fuel. The Hemi sounds nice, but I wouldn't want to feed one.

MF1455v · Mar 6, 2005

I've got an 03 Dodge 3500 Cummins HO with a 6 speed and love it. Have never smelled any fumes inside the truck. The wife now has a 04 2500 Cummins HO with an auto tran. We have not had any fumes from it eather.

As far as the Hemi, a guy I work with is pulling a 20 camper about once a month. It is a 1500 auto and he says it has plenty of power for the camper but does not like the gas bill.

jlbota · Mar 6, 2005

I am gonna go check out and drive a new 05 Cummins 6 spd in the morning and see if there is a difference. Thanks for the input.

jlbota · Mar 14, 2005

Well I drove and purchased a 2005 Dodge 2500 with the Cummins Diesel and a 6spd. I couldn't get on board with the Hemi engine. You can't beat the low RPM torque of this Cummins engine. So far no fumes in this cab....I hope it stays that way. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif