Ram 1500 EcoDiesel gets reviewed in 72 hour tow test

11121 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by zoomie, Dec 1, 2014

Diesel Washington

Discussion Starter · Mar 13, 2014

The review from Four Wheeler Network starts out by saying,

Sometimes you get what you expected, and sometimes you get more than you expected, and sometimes you get something other than what you expected. What we got from the new Ram 1500 diesel truck is confusing.

After a full day of driving over dirt and asphalt mountain roads, the EcoDiesel gave 19 mpg. This was a bit of a disappointment as the reviewer was expecting a better fuel economy rating. Having the lighter engine up front helped to cushion landings though.

The final verdict?

We admit that we had a pretty short visit with the Ram, but we tested it on the highway, towing at max load, in the dirt, and through some twisty mountain roads. The economy ranged from the low teens to the mid 20s, and yet we left the truck with a strange desire to have one as a project truck. Why? Because it really is fun to drive.

2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 72 Hour Tow Test - 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine

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1 - 16 of 16 Posts

tugboat

· #2 · Mar 14, 2014

Verdict
If you’re looking for a one-size-fits-most truck, then the EcoDiesel 1500 could be your size. It will tow a small Jeep, a side-by-side, or a little camper trailer with ease and economy. It could make for a fun prerunner or camping/hunting truck and still get good mileage back to the suburbs. It rides awesome as a daily driver with the five-link rear suspension. It’s quiet but still sounds like a diesel so you know what’s under the hood. It’s not inexpensive to buy (tested at $55,375 window sticker), and diesel fuel isn’t the cheapest at the pump, but it can be economical in the long run. And it finally scratches that small diesel itch that so many have. We can honestly say that this small diesel is worth the wait.

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L.O.A.

· #3 · Mar 14, 2014

72 hour tow test, now thats what i like to hear and see.
The verdict was just what I thought it would be, knowing Ram trucks and all, this was just expected.

tugboat

· #4 · Mar 17, 2014

id like to see more torture test.

bckarpman

· #5 · Nov 25, 2014

I took both the Hemi and Eco Diesel for a test ride and I actually like the Diesel better ,Im on the fence as to weather it can handle towing my 25ft boat ,I know i
i'm pushing the limits but I don't tow it that often otherwise I would go for the 2500.Anyone have any thoughts on weather It can handle it on short trips?

zoomie

· #6 · Nov 25, 2014

bckarpman said:
I took both the Hemi and Eco Diesel for a test ride and I actually like the Diesel better ,Im on the fence as to weather it can handle towing my 25ft boat ,I know i
i'm pushing the limits but I don't tow it that often otherwise I would go for the 2500.Anyone have any thoughts on weather It can handle it on short trips?

What is the weight of your boat/trailer/gear? That will tell.

Haulin

· #7 · Nov 26, 2014

bckarpman said:
I took both the Hemi and Eco Diesel for a test ride and I actually like the Diesel better ,Im on the fence as to weather it can handle towing my 25ft boat ,I know i
i'm pushing the limits but I don't tow it that often otherwise I would go for the 2500.Anyone have any thoughts on weather It can handle it on short trips?

Awesome, good to hear that you drove both to compare for yourself, that's the best way to go about it.
Do you know how much your boat weighs?

bckarpman

· #8 · Nov 26, 2014

boat towing

Im thinking around 8,000 with fuel my 2002 1500 with the 360 motor did alright but I knew it was back there.The torque on the diesel seems like it will be ok for pulling it up the boat ramp more than the hemi

bckarpman

· #9 · Nov 26, 2014

Maybe they will let me hook up the boat ant give it a test run lol

Katoom250SX

· #10 · Nov 26, 2014

8000 sounds heavy for a 25 footer. Father in laws 21' with the tandem axle trailer and a 250 hanging off the back is under 4500 loaded. Not saying you are wrong as I don't know what you have but 8000 just sounds high for 25'.

zoomie

· #11 · Nov 27, 2014

Depending on what cab you get you may be over the limit. I think my CC rating is 7900. The standard cab is 9000.

You can check out all the configurations here.

Ram Trucks - Towing Capacity Chart

Incidentally, I asked my dealer if I could hook up my boat for a test drive before I bought but they declined. Something about insurance, or liability, or bla, bla, bla....

bckarpman

· #12 · Nov 29, 2014 (Edited by Moderator)

Yes you're right ,just did the math boat 5200 lbs. trailer 1750 lbs. fuel 140 gal max =840 lbs. for an approx total of 7,790lbs. so anywhere between 7,000 -7790 lbs. depending on fuel. Should handle it right ?

Katoom250SX

· #13 · Nov 29, 2014

bckarpman said:
Yes you're right ,just did the math boat 5200 lbs. trailer 1750 lbs. fuel 140 gal max =840 lbs. for an approx total of 7,790lbs. so anywhere between 7,000 -7790 lbs. depending on fuel. Should handle it right ?

It may be close. Is your boat figure include everything that is packed inside like gear and anchor etc? If it is and you aren't pulling it every weekend I personally think you will be fine. I'd probably go with the 3.92 s if you are going to be doing a bunch of pulling and in uneven terrain.

Bunker Oil

· #14 · Nov 30, 2014

bckarpman said:
Yes you're right ,just did the math boat 5200 lbs. trailer 1750 lbs. fuel 140 gal max =840 lbs. for an approx total of 7,790lbs. so anywhere between 7,000 -7790 lbs. depending on fuel. Should handle it right ?

I know a 24" Zeta fully loaded and fuel weighed 7788lbs on the scales last year.

jimmyn

· #15 · Dec 1, 2014

please let us know what you wind up with, I'm in the "same boat" I have a 25' Farallon that I'm repowering with a Cummins 6BT it should be in the 8,000lb range when finished. if I can get away with the ED I'll pull the trigger in the spring. what is the launch ramp like where you put in? do you use four wheel drive? that's another concern of mine.

zoomie

· #16 · Dec 1, 2014

bckarpman said:
Yes you're right ,just did the math boat 5200 lbs. trailer 1750 lbs. fuel 140 gal max =840 lbs. for an approx total of 7,790lbs. so anywhere between 7,000 -7790 lbs. depending on fuel. Should handle it right ?

I pressed edit instead of quote - no changes to the quoted post.

Great you have the first part, now go find a truck that has this capacity. You're real close, so the difference between crew cab and club cab or 4x4 or 2x4 may make the difference. Make sure you look up the capability of the truck yourself, don't simply listen to the salesman.

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