Thread: New TV
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Old 08-02-2014, 12:34 AM   #1
K.Regester
MSgt USAF (Retired)
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Lawrenceville, GA
Posts: 3
Default New TV

After our last trip to Western NY we needed a change. Our 2011 Ram 1500 Hemi 2WD was a good truck but the 26 gallon tank was killing me on gas stops. We were getting about 8-10 mpg or 180-230 miles between gas stops.
The Hemi had plenty of power and in some cases too much. More than once I have lit up the rear tires on the on ramps LOL.

We finally found a 2014 Ram 1500 Crewcab 4WD, EcoDiesel, 8 Spd trans and air Suspension and took it for a test drive. I have to say this is a very nice combo. We looked at 2500 6.7 Cummins rigs and it was way too much truck for our TT. Besides the XYL couldn't get in and out without a step stool.
The EcoDiesel is a nice balance. It is a lot less HP than the Hemi (240 vs 397 HP) but has more torque at half the RPM. (420 vs 410 FtLbs) and I have always heard,"In towing, torque is king" The 8 Spd ZF Trans is nice match, it keeps the diesel in it's power band and not buzzing it brains out.

We haven't towed with it yet but for commuting unloaded it is great.
I can drop the air suspension for easy entry and exit and the 3 liter diesel is smooth, quiet (fro a diesel) without the drama of the Hemi. I miss the Hemi sound until I look at the fuel gauge. So far my best is 28 mpg and worst is 25 mpg commuting. The Hemi was 15- 19 mpg.
We didn't buy it to save money, it will take years to break even.. We got it to stretch the distance between fill ups . I expect to about double the distance between fuel stops while towing.
It is a compromise but I think it makes a lot of sense for us..
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2014 Ram 1500 Crewcab 4x4 EcoDiesel
2014 Coachmen 246RKS
Icom IC-7200 + 31' Jackite + W5GI & G5RV antennas
Kenwood TS-130S
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