Quote:
Originally Posted by underscore
The Ram diesel gets 4-5.5l/100km better in the city and 3-4l/100km better on the highway. It doesn't sound like much but if you drive 20k a year that's a grand a year in fuel. Diesel is also cheaper than gas so there's another ~$300/yr difference. The towing capacity is only 1000lbs lower (up to 9k for a 4x4 depending on which you get).
Considering that most people never tow anything it's a big savings, and for those that only tow big loads on occasion I doubt they'll chew through an extra $1300/yr in fuel doing so.
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The issue with the Ecodiesel Ram is the payload. It's severely hampered vs. the gas trucks... which were already low to begin with compared to the competitors. Blame the coil spring rear, but a 1300lbs payload for a mid-trim gas truck (my Sport had a 1330lbs rating or thereabouts) turns into 980lbs for a Laramie Ecodiesel. A Big Horn or Outdoorsman trim was about 1100lbs payload. A Tacoma has more legal payload than that Ram.
What Ecodiesel owners have complained about is lack of top end power on the highway stock, before adding a tune. Doubly so if they're hauling more than just people and luggage in the truck - anything involving a quad in the back, or a trailer more than 5000 lbs at highway speeds often drew complaints about power going up grades and the ability to keep up with traffic. I drove an Ecodiesel Ram for a bit up north (friend's), and where people were often going 120-130+ on the highway you had to set up passing maneuvers for when the lanes were longer and you had time. My gas truck would accelerate until you hit the 170(?) km/h limiter happily and stay there as long as you had fuel.
Of course, if you're running mostly empty, then it's a great choice as it had enough power then. The ED fuel economy is unbeatable in the full-size class, and the ride comfort of the Ram with the air suspension is unbeatable. Just beware of low payload issues with Ram if you want to be within legal limits while towing or hauling.