[distraction]

I purchased my current truck over ten years ago, and I've accumulated over 170,000 miles. I had to replace one wheel bearing, two universal joints, and one battery throughout the years. My current truck is obviously paid for and hasn't let me down yet surprisingly. The first 2-3 years I treated it like an ATV, but never paid the consequences of treating it so badly offload. However, now it's my weekend tow vehicle that gets around 8-11MPG depending on the elevation while towing. I typically get around 14-16MPG while driving unloaded in mix conditions. I normally tow around 3000 pounds give or take 100 pounds which is compact SUV territory. I considered down grading to a small SUV to save on fuel & purchase price until I read about the ECOdiesel several months ago. I'm in no hurry to sell my truck, so time is on my side even if my transmission or motor blows I wouldn't cry about it.

I've read countless of threads on here regarding miles per gallon, and found a common range between 17-20mpg while towing which is roughly 9mpg better than my current truck. However, unloaded I've read anywhere from 22-31MPG on the forum which is an extra 8-15mpg. That's impressive even when figuring in the extra maintenance cost in my opinion!


I'm worried about inflated mpg numbers because the ECOboost that my friend owns gets 16-17.5MPG on a good day without towing, and according to him about 8-11 while towing depending on the weight of the load. I'm not trying to knock Ford down because my other friend with a brand new Silverado is roughly getting the same mileage with his 5.3l.

I like the looks of the Ram, comfort is there, function, capability, and possibly great fuel mileage. I just have concerns that I wouldn't come out ahead after spending 30-50k in hopes to double my fuel mileage. I'm sure insurance will be higher and the interest rate would eat up the additional savings. I'm still on the fence! haha

 

[Tim]

We traded in our 03-1500 for the ED. Yes the prices are higher but, like you we put on 160k miles on the 03 in 11 years, and the only things done was routine maintenance and replace radiator & ac condenser fan.

sounds like you are in the middle of the cost benifit analysis. As compared to my 08 6.7 at 150k miles with todays fuel prices with a ED I would save over $12000 in fuel alone. But would have to shell out additional $600/year of insurance. Net end result is that I would be in the red at first, but with over 150k miles I would save $5000.

 

[rossn2]

I'm worried about inflated mpg numbers because the ECOboost that my friend owns gets 16-17.5MPG on a good day without towing, and according to him about 8-11 while towing depending on the weight of the load. I'm not trying to knock Ford down because my other friend with a brand new Silverado is roughly getting the same mileage with his 5.3l.

I came out of a 13 Ford F150 Lariat 4x4 with the Ecoboost due to bad fuel mileage. I had the 3.73 rear end which I believe contributed to the poor numbers like your friend experienced. If you get the F150 with the 3.55 fuel mileage will be better. I towed a 8x10 open trailer, single axle with my dresser Harley to NH couple of weeks ago and avg'd 11-12 mpg. If I would have had bike inside the enclosed trailer I would have gotten 9mpg.

I have not towed with enclosed 7x14 trailer, tandem axle with the ED yet...as I only have under 500 miles on truck.

 

[TomG]

I have a long commute and could never afford to drive a pickup until the EcoDiesel came out. Like you, I was concerned that the mileage claims were inflated, but I have a friend who was on the EcoDiesel development team who assured me that the figures were real, and he was right. I'm currently averaging around 25mpg (check my Fuelly figures) and have reached 29mpg on several long highway trips. just last weekend, I trailered another 1/2 ton pickup 100 miles and averaged just under 19mpg.

I've also checked the trip computer to real work numbers and it is amazingly accurate under normal circumstances. It has proved very useful in teaching me the best driving techniques for economy.

Tom

 

[shaker223]

Check out fuelly.com for the Ecodiesel. There are close to 70 trucks out there tracking their MPG. I think that is a large enough sample for you to see real life MPG. Good luck on your search!

 

[10%More]

Distraction - Welcome.

Don't buy it. Your concerns are related to money issues. It's tough to spend money to save money.

Unlike many others, you don't seem to be bothered by driving an old pickup. If so, it's a whole lot cheaper to just keep doing that. Sure you will save a considerable amount with the great fuel mileage of the Ecodiesel. All the advice you got so far is great and reality. The Ecodiesel is what they say it is. That doesn't make it cheaper than your old truck to operate.

Remember you have to spend at least $30K for the Ram Ecodiesel after working out the deal. Now you will pay taxes, registration and insurance. Insurance may surprise you as mine did NOT go up from my 2004 2500 Cummins Ram.

Anyhow on top of that, you will want to "customize" your new pickup in some ways. That's not going to be free you know?

You will get a good three years of warranty and more on the power train. That's a bonus but is all that expense worth it compared to just keeping and doing the repairs on your old pickup? Of course by then the old one will be really old.

Vehicles are not an investment. They are an expense. They depreciate while providing needed transportation and work use. There are no free rides.

if you WANT a new truck, consider the Ecodiesel for what it is.

Another thing, don't confuse the Ford Ecoboost with the Ram Ecodiesel. Their names might be close but the smell of their breath is real different.

 

[EvanB.]

I've had mine two weeks and have already put 2k miles on it. About half of those miles towing either a small trailer with around 3-4k lbs. Several times I've towed a larger dump trailer at near the maximum capacity of the truck. With the trucks I've owned in the past it almost didn't matter how much or little weight was being towed- hook up a trailer and watch the needle drop. I can't even tell I'm towing my 5x8 trailer and even with a couple thousand pounds in it I'm getting over 20mpg. I just got on the highway to run to the next town to pick up a kayak and the fuel economy was showing 30.1mpg and this is with the AC blowing and cruising at 75mph. It has the best-designed interior of an vehicle I've ever owned. Couldn't be happier with this truck and when it's paid off it will be sooo cheap to run.

 

[distraction]

We appreciate those of you who shared their personal experiences with the ECO-Diesel. One minute we're ready to commit and the next we're happily content with our current truck. We made our last truck payment in 2004 & last car payment in 2006, and the money that was originally put aside for a two new vehicles went towards paying off our home. I bought a 1500 square foot shop a few years ago, and it's within a year of being paid off if I keep applying 1000.00 to the principle each month. I may hold out until the garage note is paid in full, and then grab a slightly used ECOdiesel Ram or a heavily rebated one off the lot.

 

[shaker223]

Another thing...about every 3500 miles, I save enough in fuel (over my 2008 Gas Hemi) to make a truck payment. I also have a time savings too. Before it was about 300 miles before fueling and now it's 600+ miles (same sized tanks).

 

[Accused]

id say hold out then, let them work the kinks out anyways

 

[distraction]

I plan to buy the ecodiesel considering majority of the consumer reviews have been decent and fuel mileage is class leading. I don't get into a hurry when purchasing a vehicle to decrease the chance of paying too much. (I don't want buyers remorse.) I'll revive this thread from the dead again once I purchase my first Ram. Thanks for all the feedback!!