First Impressions

[GBBrown]

After having driven a 2001 5.9 HO for 14 years I decided to upgrade. I purchased a 2015 Ram 6.7 3500 4x4 from Dennis Dillon in Idaho. The wife and I then went on a long road trip covering 8 States, Alberta, Canada and Yukon Territories. The truck ran great plenty of power. MPG was as high as 22 and averaged 19.5 running empty with a lot of highway speeds. The navigation system was spot on and I bought two months of WIFI which worked really well. Added the first DEF at 4,150 miles. Also changed oil. We picked up a smaller 5 th wheel in Washington and I bought the B&W companion 5th wheel hitch since the truck had the factory pucks. Nice hitch and simple installation. Pulled trailer a little over 2100 miles back home.
One thing I didn't like was the DEF usage while pulling a 7000# trailer. I used over 5 gallons in the 2100 miles. Is this normal?
Other than DEF usage I'm very satisfied with the truck.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I just got back from a 5000 mile trip pulling a 15.000 pound fiver. Last year when the truck was new and driven on the same trip, I used over 10 gallons of DEF. This year I used less than 8 gallons. My mileage averaged about 1.5 MPG better than last year. Since DEF usage is based on fuel used, that probably explains the lower amount of DEF needed.

Your usage should go down as the truck breaks in. A friend of mine with a new Chevy Diesel Dually only uses about half of the DEF I do and he tows a heavier trailer. I don't know the DEF system on the Chevy, this may be normal for them. He teases me about the higher usage, I tease back saying I have a DEF gauge.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"One thing I didn't like was the DEF usage while pulling a 7000# trailer. I used over 5 gallons in the 2100 miles"

I don't think $15 in DEF for 2,100 miles of towing is anything to complain about!

 

[GBBrown]

"One thing I didn't like was the DEF usage while pulling a 7000# trailer. I used over 5 gallons in the 2100 miles"

I don't think $15 in DEF for 2,100 miles of towing is anything to complain about!

Ain't the cost...it's making sure you pack extra if you're going on a trip. I carried two cartons inside the cab through Canada so it wouldn't freeze, used them both. Unlike the lower 48 DEF isn't available at every station.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Got it!!!!

 

[jacknife]

Go to the truck stops when you can and buy DEF at the pump price is almost half