272bajadriver

iTrader: (1)

I've been looking at a lot of these ram 2500 and 3500, basically what's the difference as far as gas mileage is concerned vs the 2500 and 3500 dually turbo diesel? Also how does the 3500 non dually compare to these two? I'm just trying to get a mpg comparison on them, I want them to pull over 10k pounds but also not break the bank on diesel gas and just wanted to see what the more knowledgeable people out there have to see that own these trucks?

baywatch

Are you asking hemi vs cummins or 2500 vs 3500? Mine is an 08 but the only difference on my 3500srw vs the 2500 is the helper springs and the resulting slightly stiffer ride. As far as SRW vs DRW your fuel economy difference is hardly noticeable. From a tow capacity technically a SRW is rated for more because of the GCWR and since the truck is slightly lighter it allows you to tow slightly more. I would go Diesel all the way. The fuel economy and resale will more than compensate for the additional cost, that and it will pull a house. With boat in tow I am @ 1900rpms at 69mph on the highway. I get about 13mpg hand calc when pulling the boat and I still have my dpf/egr stock so I go through regens. Not towing I get as high as 18mpg. I would think with a gasser you would be under 8 mpg towing and around 14 emtpy (total guess though).

My 36' Apache on a steel Eagle trailer is around 13,500 if virtually out of fuel and my SRW tows it fine. I upgraded to a titan Class V 2 1/2" hitch and the factory exhaust brake is awesome when towing heavy.

Cat man is your dodge guy, he knows a heck of a lot more than me and actually answered some questions for me when I bought mine.

offshorexcursion

iTrader: (5)

Yes the only difference is the overload springs in the rear. The frame, axles, brakes etc. are all the same between the 2003 and newer Dodge ram 2500 and 3500 SRW diesel. The dually is only different because it has 6 wheels and dually spacers. I personally do not think a dually is worth the hassle unless you have a gooseneck or fifth wheel trailer, or haul a lot of weight in the bed. A tag hitch (bumper pull) like most boat trailers does not need dually wheels. Also, living in the north, dually's SUCK in the snow. They do not track evenly and even in 4 wheel drive it feels like you are fish tailing all over.
I have owned a 2003 Dodge 2500 cummins 4x4 auto 17 city 23 hwy, a 2008 cummins 3500 4x4 dually auto 12 city 17 hwy, a 2008 Hemi 2500 4x4 6 speed manual 12 city 13 hwy! and a 2003 cummins 2wd manual 22 city 25 hwy. All these trucks pull awesome!

2003 and early 2004 will be your best fuel milage because they only have 2 injection pulses for each combustion event. Power is 305hp and 555tq, 2004.5-2007 have 3 injection pulses, bumping power 325hp 610tq but lowering fuel milage a little, 2007.5 never have 5 injection pulses (also to help with emissions) and have 350hp and 650tq. The egr and dpf filters are what kill your fuel milage on the newer ones, but thats the government not the truck.

Good luck shopping. You will love your new truck!

Catmando

Here are some specs from All-Par.com that might help you select the right truck for your projected needs;

http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/ram-heavy-duty.html

http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/2010-HD.html

As to fuel mileage, I have a 2006 quad cab dually with the G56 six speed manual transmission and routinely see 20-22mpg unloaded. I have seen 24-25 with the wind at my back. Towing a one car trailer of 5000-6000lbs I get 15-17mpg. You won't see anything close to that with the 6.7.

272bajadriver

iTrader: (1)

Thanks everyone, yes basically I was just trying to get the difference between cummins 2500 and 3500 dually or just normal four wheels i was undecided but I know it's definitely gonna be a diesel

272bajadriver

iTrader: (1)

I can get a 2500 or 3500 dually for the same price I just didn't know if I wanted the dually? I had heard that the tow is a lot better but just wanted to get some inputs

Catmando

A dually will give you more stability towing loads.

For a 2006 2500 qc lb the max tow weight is 13,500lbs. For the dually it's 15,850lbs. But think about this; when it comes time to replace your tires, would you want to pay for four or six? You don't need a dually to tow a 36' boat, but it can't hurt and a dually just might save your rig in an emergency. I like towing with a dually, I feel safer knowing I have four tires back there to keep the rig balanced.

baywatch

I tow everyday with my SRW 3500 but the only thing I ever tow over 10k is my boat and since it spends most of its time in my slip on a lift it really only gets pulled 5 or 6 times a season. If you are towing heavy all of the time I would go DRW but if not the SRW is much more friendly to drive around town with the smaller footprint.

The Get Away

iTrader: (1)

I have an 05 QC short bed srw with the g56. With 35's and a3.73 gear at 2000 rpm in only going 69 mph. The g56 trans is geared to low for my likeing. If i were going to buy another one it would either have a nv5600 or an auto. The best ive seen on the highway is 16 and the best ive seen pulling my 311 is 10.6. I think that i could increase my mpg if i turned my programmer down but then it would be absolutely no fun to drive. I used to use a crew cab dually to pull the boat and it felt more stabile compared to my srw.

Catmando

I have stock wheels and tires with the G56/3.73 and my 2000rpms is 63-64mph. I hope to trade this truck in the next several weeks or I would put 3.42 gears in it so I could run 70 at 2000.