One Month With Gracie - The Wonderful RAM EcoDiesel

[sportsguy]

Well, it's been exactly 28 days since we picked up our 2014 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel at Dave Smith Motors in Idaho.

Before we bought it, I waxed poetic about it. Excited about the potential, fueled by the assumed knowledge the Internet can infuse a person with. Stats, information, and impressive promises await every buyer. Well, did Gracie meet our expectations?

Nope.

She flat blew them away!

Is 30+ mpg possible in a full size truck? A 4wd, crew cab, 6560 pound truck? Yup. ::015::

Now, rather than retype the numerous posts I've made about this truck, I'm going to invite folks to read for themselves. I'm a moderator at www.ram1500diesel.com, so naturally I post there about the truck. Here are a few of the stories from her first month with us.

Bringing Gracie Home from PotatoLand

A Moment of Zen

Looking Up Gracie's Skirt

Exactly one week from today, we head to Northern BC to visit friends, and will hit Hyder Alaska, as it's only a few hours form their place. Our new truck will have been in all the states and one province on the West Coast of the US & Canada in less than it's first two months with us.

I love this truck. It's supremely comfortable. It's easy on fuel on the highway when driven sanely, and can do some serious work with 420 ft/lbs of torque on tap. It's quiet and the ride with the air suspension is very supple. It's way more than we expected. I'm still inventing reasons to go drive the darn thing. We're planning a New Mexico drive in 2015.

duane

 

[arjayes]

Thanks for the report, Duane. I never in a million years would have considered a Dodge/Ram truck but your enthusiastic endorsement will force me to take a look. Still have doubts long-term but the engine sounds like a winner. Party on, dude!!

 

[sportsguy]

Yeah, I was in that boat. I was ambivalent, really. Figured they were all pretty much the same. Then I learned RAM won the Truck of the Year award, in 13 & 14. First time a back to back winner was chosen. I was still skeptical, but went to look. Its the real deal.

For 2015 thing get tougher. Ford is launching their smaller EcoBoost engine in an aluminum intensive truck that weighs over 730 pounds less that the 2014 model. That'll increase economy, but no numbers have been released yet. I think if Ford opted to slip a diesel into that new truck, we'd see something capable of close to 40mpg in a full size truck. But they're all in on their EvoBoost line of gas engines, without so much as a whiff that they're considering a small diesel.

Still, the upcoming changes, with an interior update should make for an excellent rig.

GM hasn't seen the light yet with their full size rigs, but the new Colorado in 2015 is hitting the market with a diesel, and almost all the styling and options of the full size truck, so for those seeking a slightly smaller footprint, that might be an option.

Then we have the much balihooed Nissan with the Cummins 5 liter diesel. Small by Cummins standards its shaping up to be another failed attempt by Nissan, sadly. Delayed, apparently only available in 2wd models, not as economical as the other offerings, and in a truck that trails in sales by a wide margin. I remain hopeful a bunch of issues can be solved as it appears they're shooting for a late 2015 intro, so they still have a small bit of runway. Fingers crossed their interiors get an update from 1999 too.

We're thrilled with our truck, but she represents more than just a new truck. The EcoDiesel is a turning point, where manufacturer's actions to meet CAFE standards finally began bearing fruit for consumers. If GM and Toyota would put small diesels in their full size trucks, we'd have an amazing range of choice. As it is, even without them, 2015 is shaping up to be an interesting year for truck buyers with economy on their minds.

 

[AVGeek]

Thanks for the info Duane. I loved my 2001 Ram 1500, and was looking at a gorgeous 02 2500 when I was shopping (that the stealership wouldn't budge off of their more than book rate price for...even when I offered cash). Being that its a 1500, what are the cargo and towing capacities?

 

[coastie]

Nice write up! I almost went out and got one. No big purchases for at least another two years.

 

[sportsguy]

Thanks for the info Duane. I loved my 2001 Ram 1500, and was looking at a gorgeous 02 2500 when I was shopping (that the stealership wouldn't budge off of their more than book rate price for...even when I offered cash). Being that its a 1500, what are the cargo and towing capacities?

Our Laramie has a ton of options, and with them and the air suspension, we start losing capacities - such is the trade off.

My truck rates right at around a thousand pounds for cargo and can tow about 8200 pounds. Modest numbers compared to any 2500, but they'd never get 30+ mpg unloaded, AND my EcoDiesel will still return 18 - 19 MPG while towing.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Yeah, I was in that boat. I was ambivalent, really. Figured they were all pretty much the same. Then I learned RAM won the Truck of the Year award, in 13 & 14. First time a back to back winner was chosen. I was still skeptical, but went to look. Its the real deal.

For 2015 thing get tougher. Ford is launching their smaller EcoBoost engine in an aluminum intensive truck that weighs over 730 pounds less that the 2014 model. That'll increase economy, but no numbers have been released yet. I think if Ford opted to slip a diesel into that new truck, we'd see something capable of close to 40mpg in a full size truck. But they're all in on their EvoBoost line of gas engines, without so much as a whiff that they're considering a small diesel.

Still, the upcoming changes, with an interior update should make for an excellent rig.

GM hasn't seen the light yet with their full size rigs, but the new Colorado in 2015 is hitting the market with a diesel, and almost all the styling and options of the full size truck, so for those seeking a slightly smaller footprint, that might be an option.

Then we have the much balihooed Nissan with the Cummins 5 liter diesel. Small by Cummins standards its shaping up to be another failed attempt by Nissan, sadly. Delayed, apparently only available in 2wd models, not as economical as the other offerings, and in a truck that trails in sales by a wide margin. I remain hopeful a bunch of issues can be solved as it appears they're shooting for a late 2015 intro, so they still have a small bit of runway. Fingers crossed their interiors get an update from 1999 too.

We're thrilled with our truck, but she represents more than just a new truck. The EcoDiesel is a turning point, where manufacturer's actions to meet CAFE standards finally began bearing fruit for consumers. If GM and Toyota would put small diesels in their full size trucks, we'd have an amazing range of choice. As it is, even without them, 2015 is shaping up to be an interesting year for truck buyers with economy on their minds.

Good write-up. Thanks.


I'm eagerly waiting for the Fall delivery of the new Ford, Chevy/GMC, and Nissan. Even if they are too rich for me, they ought to bring the prices of the remaining 2014 models WAY down. It'll be interesting cost benefit math to see if the lower prices offset the better gas mileage.


And we can add that Toyota is expected to replace the aging Tacoma, probably at the end of next summer.

 

[sportsguy]

Good write-up. Thanks.


I'm eagerly waiting for the Fall delivery of the new Ford, Chevy/GMC, and Nissan. Even if they are too rich for me, they ought to bring the prices of the remaining 2014 models WAY down. It'll be interesting cost benefit math to see if the lower prices offset the better gas mileage.


And we can add that Toyota is expected to replace the aging Tacoma, probably at the end of next summer.

The Tacoma. Awesome truck, but if ever there was a platform in need of an update, its this one. My Toyota dealer started calling weekly when they saw my Tacoma for sale. Offered everything under the sun if id consider test driving a Tundra and trading my Taco in on one. I politely declined. He called after we brought the RAM home, and despite me telling him I was buying the RAM, he was surprised. Then he said "...we never had a chance, did we?" I said, "Not against fuel economy and comfort like this."

 

[bumbutter]

sportsguy - What are the cost differences from diesel to regular gas in Washington state. In Canada diesel fuel can be as much as 10-15% more come winter time. I'm told because of the additives needed for colder weather.
Summer diesel is still a 5-10% more than regular gas. This cost difference has me second guessing if I need to go the diesel route.
I will be purchasing new truck this fall, and the Ram diesel is definitely my favorite. Have had all the domestic brands over the years. They are all great trucks, but previous Ram gave me the least amount of trouble and worst gas mileage.

 

[Bappo]

I have buddies averaging 22 mpg (not towing) and mid teens towing with their ginormous F350 7.3L diesels. The monster Dodges do almost as well. My little 2002 Pathfinder has never seen 20 mpg on the highway and averages 9 mpg towing my camper. I am envious. The higher diesel prices just don't counter all the benefits as I see it.

I'm starting to ponder selling the Pathfinder and joining the hordes of diesel folk. Oh, and about every other vehicle on the road in the oil boom areas is a white diesel pickup.

Folks are hypermiling that Dodge ecodiesel and getting mid 30's. NUTS!!!

 

[Tippo]

There is talk that Jeep will put the 3L eco diesel in the Wrangler. That would make a great off-road set up. i guess the decision hinges on how well the Grand Cherokee diesel does. I drove a Grand Cherokee diesel and have to say that it did not feel a "refined" as the diesel Audi Q5 that I drove the same day. Both about $50,000.

Jeff

 

[Checkswrecks]

There is talk that Jeep will put the 3L eco diesel in the Wrangler. That would make a great off-road set up. i guess the decision hinges on how well the Grand Cherokee diesel does. I drove a Grand Cherokee diesel and have to say that it did not feel a "refined" as the diesel Audi Q5 that I drove the same day. Both about $50,000.

Jeff

Too bad that it looks like the Jeep Wrangler pickup idea seems to have died.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/05/07/marchionne-ram-midsize-truck-jeep-wrangler-aluminum/

My brother's big Dodge diesel crew cab is nice for the desert where he lives. It would be untenable to work with in a city here on the east coast. With what the yours or the new high tech trucks are going to cost, and my not putting lots of miles on per year, the cost benefit of a high mpg new truck is going to be interesting math. I think that it's going to work out better for me to just buy a basic short 6.5 ft bed F150 at the end of the season. Even now they currently around $18k after incentives and before TTL.

 

[sportsguy]

sportsguy - What are the cost differences from diesel to regular gas in Washington state. In Canada diesel fuel can be as much as 10-15% more come winter time. I'm told because of the additives needed for colder weather.
Summer diesel is still a 5-10% more than regular gas. This cost difference has me second guessing if I need to go the diesel route.
I will be purchasing new truck this fall, and the Ram diesel is definitely my favorite. Have had all the domestic brands over the years. They are all great trucks, but previous Ram gave me the least amount of trouble and worst gas mileage.

Honestly, I don't really pay attention. I'd guess it's about 40 cents a US gallon difference today. I filled up today, but never noted the actuals. Diesel was cheaper for us today.

The math side of things don't really matter to me - not as much as to some. I've had diesels for decades now and just love them. Initial purchase price is more expensive, but I value being able to drive over 600 miles on one tank when road tripping, etc.

One big thing in my favor is that the resale of my diesel will be much higher than the same truck with a gas engine in say, 5 years. So that $4,000 initial purchase price difference comes back to me on the other end. And along the way I enjoyed the savings and economy.