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anyone using RAM 2500 6.4L Hemi?


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#1 BlueRidge

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Posted 26 May 2015 - 10:46 PM

If you are using a RAM 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi could you share your experiences with the truck?

 

Reliable?

 

Miles per gallon while carrying your pop-up camper?

 

Options you recommend getting at purchase?

 

Anyone just decide to get the 3500 instead?

 

Thanks.


Edited by BlueRidge, 26 May 2015 - 10:46 PM.

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#2 Vic

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Posted 27 May 2015 - 03:17 AM

Its a great platform and with the Hemi has a really impressive payload.  I ended going a different route personally but Truck Camper Magazine had some good thoughts on the Hemi for a truck camper (in a 3500 though) that might be helpful.  

 

http://www.truckcamp...perience-update

http://www.truckcamp...s-2014-ram-3500

 


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#3 Jollyrogers

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Posted 27 May 2015 - 10:55 AM

I have a Laramie 2500 CTD. It's a beast. I have managed 26mpg interstate without the camper, but average -22. With camper on interstate in VA getting about 20. Engine pulls hard and truck is a dream to drive loaded. I only wish I had gotten the single rear wheel 3500 long bed so I could be running a Grandby, but again parking and forest roads would be even tighter. The loaded Hawk with water, gear, and dogs starts loading the truck suspension, but not the diesel. When just the Hawk and no water/gear, no loading and actually rides better. Make sure to get limited slip axles. Watch gearing if you intend on hauling all the time or bigger tires.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1432724094.564181.jpg

Edited by Jollyrogers, 27 May 2015 - 10:58 AM.

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#4 Bigfoot

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Posted 27 May 2015 - 02:09 PM

I have a Laramie 2500 CTD. It's a beast. I have managed 26mpg interstate without the camper, but average -22. With camper on interstate in VA getting about 20. Engine pulls hard and truck is a dream to drive loaded. I only wish I had gotten the single rear wheel 3500 long bed so I could be running a Grandby, but again parking and forest roads would be even tighter. The loaded Hawk with water, gear, and dogs starts loading the truck suspension, but not the diesel. When just the Hawk and no water/gear, no loading and actually rides better. Make sure to get limited slip axles. Watch gearing if you intend on hauling all the time or bigger tires.

attachicon.gifImageUploadedByTapatalk1432724094.564181.jpg

 

Wow, 22 mpg is excellent (hand calculated I hope, as the computer often reads high). Our 2500 CTD gets less than 20 unloaded and 13-15 with a ton of load. The good news is that the load levels the truck perfectly and the weight distribution is evenly split. Without a load the truck is a bucking bronco. Love the CTD's exhaust braking on mountain roads. Not so fond of the rough shifting 6-speed auto tranny. I have tried using the tow/haul mode but do not notice any difference. 


Edited by Bigfoot, 27 May 2015 - 02:13 PM.

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#5 Jollyrogers

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Posted 27 May 2015 - 04:23 PM

I tend to manually shift to +4 in mountains and I too love the exhaust breaking. Manually calculated to 25.7 no load interstate travel. It does ride better with the load of the Hawk. Mines a late '14.
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#6 ski3pin

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Posted 27 May 2015 - 05:09 PM

I believe CTD is Cummins Turbo Diesel? I appreciate the enthusiasm of diesel owners, but let's see if we can get some asked for responses from 6.4L Hemi gasoline V8 owners. :)


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#7 Jollyrogers

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Posted 27 May 2015 - 10:08 PM

My mistake. The 6.4 will perform well, get worse mpg, but have better payload capacity.
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#8 BlueRidge

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Posted 28 May 2015 - 06:54 PM

 

 Make sure to get limited slip axles. 

 

I'm only looking at 4x4s.   I thought all of those have limited slip axles.  Am I wrong?  

 

The Tradesman trim levels have the 4WD shifter on the floor and the SLTs have an electronic 4WD shifter on the dash.

 

Is this an indicator of limited slip axles because I don't see them by name on any of the option sheets?


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#9 Jollyrogers

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Posted 28 May 2015 - 08:28 PM

I'm only looking at 4x4s. I thought all of those have limited slip axles. Am I wrong?

The Tradesman trim levels have the 4WD shifter on the floor and the SLTs have an electronic 4WD shifter on the dash.

Is this an indicator of limited slip axles because I don't see them by name on any of the option sheets?

No, just because it is a 4x4, doesn't mean it has limited slip, positraction, or axle lockers. That is just the engagement of the front hubs and transfer case to engage the forward drive train.
It was an option on my truck, that was listed on the window sticker. It's listed in their website as anti-spin rear differential under the power train options. I would talk to a dealer about availability for the front differential. The limit slip diff(s) makes a significant difference off road and snow, and wouldn't get a "4x4" without it, otherwise I'd be adding air lockers or such later. I had lockers in my old '70s FJ40, though great off road, kind of a pain to use.

Edited by Jollyrogers, 28 May 2015 - 08:35 PM.

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#10 JJ1

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Posted 28 May 2015 - 10:44 PM

FWIW, my 2014 Ram 2500 5.7 SLT has the shifter knob on the dash.  Three options: 2WD-4Lock-4Low.  I bought it used so I'm not sure what the other options might be.


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