New tow vehicle...6.4 hemi or Diesel?

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The Dana era trucks were 3.54 option 4.10. The AAM axles are 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 and 4.88 in the cab/chassis 4500/5500.

My 01 was born with 4.10, but I swapped to the 3.54 shortly after I purchased it. Now I wish I had the 4.10 back :)

was browsing through 14-16 3500 diesels. For the money they’re bringing for units with over 100k miles I’m thinking a diesel pusher coach is looking pretty good.
 
The Dana era trucks were 3.54 option 4.10. The AAM axles are 3.42, 3.73, 4.10 and 4.88 in the cab/chassis 4500/5500.

My 01 was born with 4.10, but I swapped to the 3.54 shortly after I purchased it. Now I wish I had the 4.10 back :)

was browsing through 14-16 3500 diesels. For the money they’re bringing for units with over 100k miles I’m thinking a diesel pusher coach is looking pretty good.
I am not so sure about the 4:10. I had a 2001 that was a strong truck, but the engine was so noisy when My clients spoke i had to coast! And outside OD, I went 65 MPH max.(2400 RPM max) Great mileage, but dowdy.(slow in hillbilly terms)
 
I am sitting in some nameless hotel reading this thread after driving 1000 miles in one day loaded down and pulling loaded trailer. 08 Ram 6.7 Cummins. Keep them under 2000 rpm and the gas mileage is more than palatable. Over two grand and I swear you can watch the fuel gauge drop. Hands down my vote is diesel. I have pulled load after load on this run here lately. From Fargo to Ark. truck just purrs. Get in the hills of Missouri and she don’t even twitch. Real world, real life. That kind of load go diesel.
 
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Best decision I ver made.
 
We tow in OD everywhere and it’s “sweet spot” with the 3.54 gear is 70mph.... which is dicey with California and their 55mph policy. There’s a couple grades I’ll back off and take it out of OD. We’ve been looking at some bigger trailers and I feel our current load is probably close to max for the ole 01. Funny thing I brought an 11 home from work a few years back. I figured the 6 speed and 3.7 gear would pull circles around my 01.... boy did I miscalculate that! Our 01 has had mild mods (edge ez, rv275 injectors, I built the trans with Goerend parts) since 34k miles. I have 194k on it now. I’ll also add that I knew if I purchased the 11 it would get deletes immediately so that may have stepped it up in the power dept. either way I was a bit disappointed. Our next race trip is a nice 1300 mile one way trek and I’m not in the least bit worried about the pickup not making it. She’s a good ole tug!
 
We tow in OD everywhere and it’s “sweet spot” with the 3.54 gear is 70mph.... which is dicey with California and their 55mph policy. There’s a couple grades I’ll back off and take it out of OD. We’ve been looking at some bigger trailers and I feel our current load is probably close to max for the ole 01. Funny thing I brought an 11 home from work a few years back. I figured the 6 speed and 3.7 gear would pull circles around my 01.... boy did I miscalculate that! Our 01 has had mild mods (edge ez, rv275 injectors, I built the trans with Goerend parts) since 34k miles. I have 194k on it now. I’ll also add that I knew if I purchased the 11 it would get deletes immediately so that may have stepped it up in the power dept. either way I was a bit disappointed. Our next race trip is a nice 1300 mile one way trek and I’m not in the least bit worried about the pickup not making it. She’s a good ole tug!
I guess Sammy Hagar really didn't make a damn bit of difference even after the bad *** tune, what gives?
 
We tow in OD everywhere and it’s “sweet spot” with the 3.54 gear is 70mph.... which is dicey with California and their 55mph policy. There’s a couple grades I’ll back off and take it out of OD. We’ve been looking at some bigger trailers and I feel our current load is probably close to max for the ole 01. Funny thing I brought an 11 home from work a few years back. I figured the 6 speed and 3.7 gear would pull circles around my 01.... boy did I miscalculate that! Our 01 has had mild mods (edge ez, rv275 injectors, I built the trans with Goerend parts) since 34k miles. I have 194k on it now. I’ll also add that I knew if I purchased the 11 it would get deletes immediately so that may have stepped it up in the power dept. either way I was a bit disappointed. Our next race trip is a nice 1300 mile one way trek and I’m not in the least bit worried about the pickup not making it. She’s a good ole tug!
I wish mine was a 3.54 my 3.73's make the 5.9 really hum around our speed limit of 70mph but most of what I have towed is like nothing's back there.
 
Let tell you this hemi can put in some work ,
Joking
I also have an 03 dodge 2500 with a Cummins. And hemi could not hang with the 03 in any way shape or form. But to choose between a compliant diesel and a hemi would be tough , the government has really messed up the new diesels from a customers standpoint
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I feel safety and comfort is primary, so if a truck is rated to pull 12k, do not exceed 80% of capability. Otherwise there is nothing left in a pinch. and Gas engines are pushing the limit every time they pull a heavy load.

2012 Ram 3500.jpg
 
I get about 11.5 mpg towing with my 2011 2500 diesel automatic. My friend with a 2019 6.4 gets 7 mpg towing his camper....
 
A friend of mine just sold a 02 Cummins 2wd 2500 with 3.55 gears and bought a new 6.4 Hemi 4wd crew with 3.73 gears to tow his 24' enclosed race car trailer. He said it handles it well and averages 9mpg, he's satisfied.
 
My old 95 3500 Cummins I bought new. Now 225,000 mi , old 12 valve AT 4:10 gears gets 18, and 13 pulling. If it had the usual 3:54 it would get 5 mph more. I pulling nothing but good size goosenecks down to my 18 ft car trailer, yes in OD! But it also has none of the modern smog BS either.
I was pulling with 454 1 T Chevies decades ago and getting 9 back then!!!! lol
 
While my 2015 3500 DRW 6.7 HO 6 speed Aisin 4.11 gear is not for all, It is a absolute towing "Beast"!

To me it was worth the extra$ to get a truck you can grow with! Yes it is Big and hard to park sometimes.

In my case I was replacing a 2k 3500 quad cab 5.9 24v 6spd stick and towing a 15k, 5th wheel or as well the enclosed 10k car trailer.

The 2015 3500 full 8' bed is just flat out awesome! It will pull anything, and if I have I have a notion to buy larger no issue!

And "oh" so comfortable! These trucks are expensive but will haul the mail , the house and more!

5th wheel is gone to a Motor Home with 8.9 Cummins, but the truck still hauls the fish when needed and at light speed with little effort!
 
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