Diesel or Gas 1-ton?

[ppine]

Diesel.

 

[kollie01]

I had a similar dilemma. The cost of going diesel was at least $10,000 more for the truck, plus the price of diesel and DEF. I decided on the laramie model crew cab 2500 gas 8 ft bed because the only advantage would be power pulling hills with my 10,000 lb 5th wheel. The fuel mileage difference would be insignificant. I too use my truck daily for a 20 round trip to work. The 2500 would handle the 14,000 pounds, but you would be near the top limit of the truck, you might consider the air suspension option.

 

[dieselscout80]

the diesel might require more attention to maintenance because they dont do well on only short runs but it will pull your trailer better and get much better fuel mileage during the short runs than the gasser. the new diesels have gotten really pricey tho and you can buy a lot gas for the difference, just dont pay attention to the mileage if you go gas. we have a 2500 laramie dsl. and an Infiniti suv but we always seem to take the Ram when we travel because it is roomy and comfortable and always gets 20 or more mpg on the highway.

My 6.4 2500 gets 18 mpg on an interstate trip at 70 mph and under.

With 4.10 gears It’s rated to pull just over 16k (will run out of payload before getting to that #).

 

[RichieW13]

I had a similar dilemma. The cost of going diesel was at least $10,000 more for the truck, plus the price of diesel and DEF. I decided on the laramie model crew cab 2500 gas 8 ft bed because the only advantage would be power pulling hills with my 10,000 lb 5th wheel. The fuel mileage difference would be insignificant. I too use my truck daily for a 20 round trip to work. The 2500 would handle the 14,000 pounds, but you would be near the top limit of the truck, you might consider the air suspension option.

Yeah, I currently have a 2500 gasser and I like it. But the payload is the limiting factor. It's rated for 3,200 pounds. The pin weight on a 14,000 pound 5er could be around 2,700. So that only leaves about 500 pounds for people and misc. in the truck.

Definitely do-able, but pushing the limits. And since a 3500 doesn't really cost much different than a 2500, I think the 1-ton is the way to go.

 

[RichieW13]

My 6.4 2500 gets 18 mpg on an interstate trip at 70 mph and under.

With 4.10 gears It’s rated to pull just over 16k (will run out of payload before getting to that #).

That's crazy. The best tank I've ever had is 16.4MPG on my 6.4 2500 (crew cab, 4x4, 3.73 gears). My highway drives are more typically in the 13-14 MPG range.

 

[Dean2]

That's crazy. The best tank I've ever had is 16.4MPG on my 6.4 2500 (crew cab, 4x4, 3.73 gears). My highway drives are more typically in the 13-14 MPG range.

Miy 2500 has 3.73s . Hand calculated over hthe 30,000 miles I have driven it over the past 5 years. My buddies diesel gets better mileage towing weight over 8,000 lbs but emply or off road, the gas gets roughly the same mileage.

 

[dieselscout80]

That's crazy. The best tank I've ever had is 16.4MPG on my 6.4 2500 (crew cab, 4x4, 3.73 gears). My highway drives are more typically in the 13-14 MPG range.

More application of the fun pedal less mpgs.

A lesser application of the same pedal produces more mpgs up to a point after they are 7,000 lb trucks.

 

[rgibsonvt]

I'm currently pulling a 14,000 lb. 5th wheel with my 2026 RAM 3500. So far, I've pulled about 3,500 miles and think the performance has been pretty good. I'm consistently getting about 8 mpg. One thing I didn't think about before I started pulling was the height restriction on the canopy at many gas pumps. Many gas stations do not know the clearance height at their pumps, so I carry a 3-section extension pole with markings at 14' so I can check if necessary!

 

[RichieW13]

I'm currently pulling a 14,000 lb. 5th wheel with my 2026 RAM 3500. So far, I've pulled about 3,500 miles and think the performance has been pretty good. I'm consistently getting about 8 mpg. One thing I didn't think about before I started pulling was the height restriction on the canopy at many gas pumps. Many gas stations do not know the clearance height at their pumps, so I carry a 3-section extension pole with markings at 14' so I can check if necessary!

Diesel or gas?

 

[Dean2]

I haven't read many diesel threads here because I have never owned a diesel.

Actually, it's the other way around. I would probably prefer to get the gasser. I was more looking for reasons that would be a bad idea. Gas 3500's seem to be pretty rare. None of the dealers seem to stock them.

They are easy to order gas 3500s, and then you get exactly what you want with 5th wheel done, pucks in bed, tow cameras, trailer brake etc. I never buy new off the lot because they never have exactly what I want. If I am going to compromise, might as well buy used and save a pot load of money, though in 2021 when I ordered my 2500, new was cheaper than used.

However that seems to have changed now, at least with luxury cars. I bought a used car in Jan 2024; with 50,000 miles on it, in pristine shape, it was 23% of what that car cost new. This Lexus LS460 AWD with every option made, was $165,000 Canadian new. I paid $33,000 all in used. Luxury vehicles like high end Lexus, Mercedes, Cadillac and the like, take a hell of a beating in the first 5 years. Completely loaded pick ups suffer the same huge depreciation. A Ram Limited sells for not much more than the Tradesman of the same year, mileage etc., despite the fact it was double the price new.

 

[Bramic71]

I typically get a little over 20mpg in our 2022 Ram 2500 4x4 6.7, on mostly flat interstate highways.

 

[rgibsonvt]

Diesel or gas?

Gas. 2026 RAM 3500 Laramie 6.4L HEMI V8 SRW 4.1 Axle Ratio

 

[RichieW13]

Gas. 2026 RAM 3500 Laramie 6.4L HEMI V8 SRW 4.1 Axle Ratio

Nice, that's probably the setup I should get. Looks like you have a Brinkley Z2670, which has similar weights to what I'm considering, such as the Avenue 32RLS.

 

[Bearcatrp]

You won’t go wrong on a 3500 with the 6.4 gasser and a 8 speed transmission. Mine is a 2021 crew cab long box to pull my 12,000 lb 5th wheel. I chose the long bed so I could get a 50 gal gas tank. Pulls great on flat lands. Pulls fine up hills. The 8 speed transmission was a game changer. Had a 2017 2500 with the 6.4 and six speed transmission. That sucked donkey ***** bad. Get the gasser with your favorite trim and enjoy the ride. I wanted to go back to a diesel but after finding out it was over $600 for oil change and both fuel filters, plus dealing with DEF, I went gas route. No regrets.

 

[rgibsonvt]

Nice, that's probably the setup I should get. Looks like you have a Brinkley Z2670, which has similar weights to what I'm considering, such as the Avenue 32RLS.

Yes, we looked at the Avenue as well. I thought my entire setup showed in my signature line, but it is a 2026 Brinkley Z2670 and we have the Pull Rite SupeGlide 2300 hitch because of the short bed.

 

[RichieW13]

Yes, we looked at the Avenue as well. I thought my entire setup showed in my signature line, but it is a 2026 Brinkley Z2670 and we have the Pull Rite SupeGlide 2300 hitch because of the short bed.

Yeah, it's in your signature. I just didn't notice it at first.

 

[2003F350]

They are easy to order gas 3500s, and then you get exactly what you want with 5th wheel done, pucks in bed, tow cameras, trailer brake etc. I never buy new off the lot because they never have exactly what I want. If I am going to compromise, might as well buy used and save a pot load of money, though in 2021 when I ordered my 2500, new was cheaper than used.

However that seems to have changed now, at least with luxury cars. I bought a used car in Jan 2024; with 50,000 miles on it, in pristine shape, it was 23% of what that car cost new. This Lexus LS460 AWD with every option made, was $165,000 Canadian new. I paid $33,000 all in used. Luxury vehicles like high end Lexus, Mercedes, Cadillac and the like, take a hell of a beating in the first 5 years. Completely loaded pick ups suffer the same huge depreciation. A Ram Limited sells for not much more than the Tradesman of the same year, mileage etc., despite the fact it was double the price new.

Yeah when it comes to HD trucks, it is nearly impossible to find what you want on the lot unless you 1. don't really care, 2. want a bare-bones truck, or 3. want something loaded to the gills.

I did LIKE my '22, but it was only a 2500 and was kneecapped for payload with the 6.7. I travel a lot for work and routinely have to bring larger stuff with me (or pull a trailer), so the diesel fit the bill because of the mileage. But for personal use, I would run into that payload far too often. I would likely still have that truck if it had been a 3500 instead...but I needed a truck right away and didn't have time to wait for one to come in the way I wanted.

With my current truck, though, I did have time to wait, so I was able to order and get exactly what I wanted. I'll likely keep this truck for 10+ years at this point.

 

[Bramic71]

You won’t go wrong on a 3500 with the 6.4 gasser and a 8 speed transmission. Mine is a 2021 crew cab long box to pull my 12,000 lb 5th wheel. I chose the long bed so I could get a 50 gal gas tank. Pulls great on flat lands. Pulls fine up hills. The 8 speed transmission was a game changer. Had a 2017 2500 with the 6.4 and six speed transmission. That sucked donkey ***** bad. Get the gasser with your favorite trim and enjoy the ride. I wanted to go back to a diesel but after finding out it was over $600 for oil change and both fuel filters, plus dealing with DEF, I went gas route. No regrets.

I do that same oil and fuel filter change for $200.

 

[Bearcatrp]

I do that same oil and fuel filter change for $200.

My oil changes at the dealer is $165. Still cheaper. From what I have read, there is one fuel filter thats a ***** to get to. The other one is easy.

 

[2016 2500]

Someone said it if you still want the diesel it needs to be deleted, if that is not going to happen you don't want the diesel. personally I love my diesel for lots of reasons even though it isn't practical for me any longer.