[KyleKai]

I currently have a 2011 Silverado HD 2500 diesel long bed truck I used to haul my truck camper. I recently sold the truck camper and bought an r-pod trailer which weighs about 3,300 pounds. Hauling the trailer with the Silverado is more truck than necessary as I often forget the trailer is behind me. Power is never a problem in passing or going uphill.

However, it is a big truck, and I'd rather get a 1/2 ton for hauling the trailer. I'm considering the EcoDiesel, but wondering how it would be towing this trailer, especially as compared to my Silverado. Will I have problems going up a long grade? Passing? Or for a relatively small trailer this won't be an issue? I realize the Silverado has a more powerful engine, but it's also a larger, heavier truck.

Anyone have any personal experience towing using a heavy duty diesel and comparing it to the EcoDiesel? Thanks!

 

[mattyj724]

There are alot of people that have taken the ED and towed 9k Pounds up grades with no issues. 3k is nothing for this truck and you will still likely forget it is back there.

 

[RacerX]

Hey Kyle,

I had a 2012 R-Pod 182g and towed it with a Ford Explorer Sport Trac V-8. I barely felt the trailer behind that. But felt it at the pumps. 8-10 mph. The ED will tow an R-pod like a bike rack on the hitch, and get probably 20-mpg or higher. I recently bought a 2015 Laramie. You won't have any issues with the R-pod.

X

 

[Haulin]

fortunately there's some good low end torque to help it out off the line! diesel for the win.

 

[DieselDawg]

Honestly, you could pull that with my Jeep Liberty CRD without any problems.


You got to ask yourself, is it really worth getting rid of a perfectly capable truck that you own presently for a new truck?

 

[Katoom250SX]

A good friend of mine has a 12 crew 6.5 bed duramax. I've driven his while pulling his 16' dump trailer loaded up....that motor has a boat load of power. And to add to it I've driven his truck back from a hunting trip and scored just over 21 mpg hwy. Not bad out of a 3/4 ton!

While I've never pulled his dump trailer with my ecodiesel, I can safely say you will have no problem at all dragging 3300 lbs with the eco diesel.....even in the hillls.

Assuming your current rig is a crew (i see its a 8' bed in your post), that is a huge truck! I personally wouldn't like driving that limousine. So I can understand why you are searching for something more practical.

Good luck!

 

[KyleKai]

You got to ask yourself, is it really worth getting rid of a perfectly capable truck that you own presently for a new truck?

Yes, that's what I'm asking myself. Actually it's my wife who's the more pragmatic of us. She fears the loss of money from depreciation on a relatively new truck is not worth it. But the truck, even though it's an extended cab and not a crew cab, is still a big truck. Plus our 14-year-old son rides in the back, and he keeps getting bigger, so a crew cab sounds nice. Regardless, it's good to know if I get an ED, towing won't be an issue.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Accused]

I currently have a 2011 Silverado HD 2500 diesel long bed truck I used to haul my truck camper. I recently sold the truck camper and bought an r-pod trailer which weighs about 3,300 pounds. Hauling the trailer with the Silverado is more truck than necessary as I often forget the trailer is behind me. Power is never a problem in passing or going uphill.

However, it is a big truck, and I'd rather get a 1/2 ton for hauling the trailer. I'm considering the EcoDiesel, but wondering how it would be towing this trailer, especially as compared to my Silverado. Will I have problems going up a long grade? Passing? Or for a relatively small trailer this won't be an issue? I realize the Silverado has a more powerful engine, but it's also a larger, heavier truck.

Anyone have any personal experience towing using a heavy duty diesel and comparing it to the EcoDiesel? Thanks!

A favorite...

We saddled up the EcoDiesel first and loaded it up to 105 percent of its gross combined vehicle weight (GCVW) rating of 12,800 pounds. The Ram 1500 had no issues accelerating from a stop, getting up to speed, or slowing back down. Helping to reign in the load in tow is a factory-integrated trailer brake controller. While not overpowered, the truck never felt underpowered, either. The only place where the trucks showed any sign of weakness was climbing the nearly 7 percent final grade on the push to 5,000 feet of elevation. With the accelerator stapled to the floor, the truck’s speed dropped off to 53 mph, and engine temperature climbed to an almost alarming 244 degrees. Thankfully, as we crested the summit, the engine temperature returned to normal and we never experienced any other engine temperature issues during the remainder of the test. Overall, we were extremely impressed with the truck’s towing abilities. After a 260-mile round trip, the EcoDiesel averaged an astonishing 19.46 mpg, fully loaded.

2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel vs. 2014 Ram 2500 - Sibling Rivalry - Diesel Power Magazine