Public perception of Dodge Cummins

[Wertles]

To be fully accurate Harvey, all my modifications totaled 8K, not the transmission alone. I did hold off on buying a truck because at the time, there was pretty good speculation that Ram was going to up the power to compete with the other two. For what I was being offered for my truck on trade, I couldn't see giving up my truck and spending 30 thousand more. For the modifications I made, none were for fuel economy and only the transmission has to go with the truck. All the other stuff will eventually find its way to the classifieds here or on my next truck.
I will not wait for fuel mileage to increase before buying my next truck but it would be a nice bonus if it happens.

 

[AClayton]

Ok... ... I'm off the fence about the fuel economy issue. I think we all have concluded that fuel usage is only a minor combatant against the purchase of a new truck. Can we discuss the DPF and how it will be affected by low output cruises. Meaning... ... . no trailer or load placed on the truck. My truck is driven the majority of the time pulling a trailer of some sort but I do occasionally drive solo as a 'grocery getter' at times. How will the emissions stand up to that? Is this just a problem with the original years? Based on what I have read here, my RV and utility trailer will render me trouble-free service from the emission hardware... ..... but I need feedback from members that drive without loading the Cummins.

I really want a new truck... . just need to make an informed decision.

 

[crispyboy]

late model 3rd gen 6.7

Here's my story and maybe it will help you reach some conclusions on purchasing a new truck.

I have 32k on a 2009 2500 truck in stock form. I have had the truck since September of 2010 and have put a little over 20k on this truck. So far the truck has been trouble free. I drive with the exhaust brake on at least 50% of the time. The truck is used mostly for 90% commuting and occasional small utility and travel trailer pulling. The commute to work is 17 miles and a mixture rural 45 mph, interstate 65 mph and city stop/go. The weekends are made up of some work on the farm, church and running errands.

After reading these forums - you guys scare me in that I probably bought the wrong vehicle for what I do and should have stuck with a gas motor. I certainly don't fully utilize this truck.

The only modifications I have made are: steering box brace for preventative maintenance, truck cap, under coating and rear split seat.

Mileage is: 16-17 commuting, travel trailer towing (7k) - 11. 5 - 13, unloaded interstate - 17 - 18. 5. Mileage jumped up when the truck hit 25k. I should probably "delete" as there is no warranty but I don't want to deal with programmers and CEL lights.

My only complaint about this 3rd gen SLT package truck is the drab interior. My brothers 05 Ferd is much nicer in this area - though it has the Lariat package.

 

[Bater]

... I need feedback from members that drive without loading the Cummins.

I probably fit that category. Yes, sometimes I tow the gooseneck, carry loads of bales, and haul farm equipment, but generally the truck is just running me, diesel transfer tank, and tools back and forth. And a lot of that is highway mileage.



My 3500 is at four years of age and about 82,000 miles. In that time, only once did I ever get an overhead message telling me that I needed to go for a highway drive to do a regen. That occurred after about a week of very short drives, and happened before the last reflash.



However, I will say this truck is much like I imagine a mistress to be. It feels like I am constantly changing her oil, she needed considerable attention at the 67500 mark for the EGR cleaning etc, I spend time and money on fuel filter, differential and transfer case fluid replacements, and she chews up tires. Of course she also uses a lot of fuel, and was very expensive to begin with. In a few days, she goes in for a bunch of warranty and recall work too. Lastly, and I am not making this up, she doesn't like my spouse, as the passenger seatbelt tends to strangle my wife!



Frankly, in all practicality, a gasser would probably be a better choice for me. Unfortunately, since I have been driving diesels since I was 18 (this is the 13th diesel vehicle I have owned), spark plugs were just not an option.



Andy



PS I discovered this morning, that the squeaking noise that has just recently begun, is the tailpipe about ready to break off due to rust. So demanding she is...

 

[HBarlow]

Andy,

I assume you know that if your wife is short you can adjust the top seatbelt attachment point on the door post.

 

[Bater]

Andy,



I assume you know that if your wife is short you can adjust the top seatbelt attachment point on the door post.

Indeed Harvey we have, it's the inertia lock that acts up. When she tries to reach over to get something out of her handbag, the seatbelt always wrenches her back. There is a thread here on TDR where a member explains how to modify that assembly to fix this issue, but of course like a typical husband I haven't gotten around to that yet. (She is only a passenger once in awhile. )



Andy

 

[TFrench]

Adding to misconception is the 2012 Cars Consumers Report which gives the 2012 Diesel 2500 at 13Mpg placing it in the bottom of the fuel effeciency ratings chart. Didn't have time to scour the entire magazine but I didnt' see mention of the competition in the pages I did see.

 

[Grizzly]

Just for giggles and because I haven't looked in a while, I stopped in at the dealership to take a quick look at a new truck. They had a 3500 Crew Cab Laramie Max Tow dually 4X4, my current dream truck. I was very impressed with the fit and finish and quietness over my 06. Too bad my truck still looks like it came off the showroom floor and they want to give me junkyard prices on trade in.

Anyway, on with the story. On the way home, stopped in to a friends house who happened to mention that she was looking for a new (used) truck. I mentioned that I could make her an attractive offer on my Cummins Diesel 1 ton truck. Her first question was "Is it a V8?" I proudly told her no, it is a straight 6. She honestly came back with, "That would never work for me. I have to tow a horse trailer that weighs about 3,000 pounds. "I wasn't so sure how to answer her so I showed her this picture and told her my straight 6 pulls this just fine at 65 mph. It is no wonder that Ram has trouble competing against Chevy and Ford. Ignorant public perception drives people to their dealerships. I just found this suprising and sad at the same time.

Just tell her that almost 100% of all 18 wheel trucks on the road have a straight 6 diesel engine.

 

[KB0OU]

nice little 6

My ole 96 has a nice little 6 in it.

I picked up a trailer at NuWay (Hitchhiker) just out by the airport at Chanute, Ks. one day. That was the heaviest 5th wheel I ever hauled. I wieghed it but don't remember what it wieghed in at, but it had 3 slidouts, and everything they could throw at it as options.

I hauled it out to the South side of the Seattle, Washington area.

That poor little ole 6 averaged 12 mpg running a steady 65 or so mph pulling that barge out West. Of course I had lots of wind, it always blows the wrong way!! And as most of ya know there are some mountains in the way too. Anyway, it made it and ya know what, that ole 6 is still running fine and I would not be afraid of towing that trailer again. It has 417kmiles on it now with no overhaul... . I call that performance.

 

[gtoli]

It's kind of interesting to observe reactions I have been getting with my new Longhorn. A lot of the Ford guys say it is to bad the engine is in a Dodge with crappy body, horrible seats and on & on. I than tell them to take a look and when they do there are a lot of long faces because they can see how wrong they have been. As for my 2012 I am extremely pleased with it. The quietness, ride, comfort, convenience, handling and towing ability are all excellent. Mileage is a little less than my previous trucks but I have more power.

Do they openly weep when you tell them it cost $10,000 less than their Super Duty? :-laf

 

[MannyC]

11-13 mpg is the best i get fully unloaded

18-19 mpg was attained running home from idaho through texas at 90+mph and spring heat... .

2010 3500 mega laramie

 

[Yo Hoot]

Interesting reading. Makes me feel a little better about the new trucks.

 

[HBarlow]

My ole 96 has a nice little 6 in it.
I picked up a trailer at NuWay (Hitchhiker) just out by the airport at Chanute, Ks. one day. That was the heaviest 5th wheel I ever hauled. I wieghed it but don't remember what it wieghed in at, but it had 3 slidouts, and everything they could throw at it as options.
I hauled it out to the South side of the Seattle, Washington area.
That poor little ole 6 averaged 12 mpg running a steady 65 or so mph pulling that barge out West. Of course I had lots of wind, it always blows the wrong way!! And as most of ya know there are some mountains in the way too. Anyway, it made it and ya know what, that ole 6 is still running fine and I would not be afraid of towing that trailer again. It has 417kmiles on it now with no overhaul... . I call that performance.

I agree with the last sentence. To me, your highlighted paragraph is the point in selecting a truck.

The acceleration capabilities of Furd and nobama Motors V8 diesels mean very little to me. My purchase decisions have been based on ability to climb steep grades at low engine rpm with a heavy trailer behind, overall operating costs, reliability, and long service life. The three Cummins-powered Rams I've owned fit that order nicely.

Improvements in sound isolation and comfort are nice features but fancy leather trim is not on my gottahavit list.

 

[KB0OU]

Yea, my truck does not have carpet on the floors, and I never had leather seats, would probably get in with a screwdriver in my pocket and rip them if I did!!

I like the fact that I can go out to my shop and fire the thing up and go anywhere and haul anything I want to haul with it. Of course now I don't haul much but me to work and back (at the water plant here in Joplin) Not going to Alaska all the time or anything any more. I make a lot more money just stayin home.

 

[DonFitzwater]

As far as public perception goes, it's amazing how transmissions still plague Dodge to this day. I know the 68rfe's are doing well. Dodge is having problems competing with ford and GM in marketing. Gm has the "Allison" name and Ford has the "Torqueshift" to market to people. Dodge needs to find a way to shed the bad transmission rain cloud that has followed them for years.

 

[HBarlow]

Furd and obama Motors spend a lot of money on hype for the suckers on television. Dodge spends their money on quality engines from Cummins.

 

[KB0OU]

I run a automatic in my Dodge, during the winter in Alaska and up North when it was idleing, a lot of the time the park brake was set and idle in Drive to keep the heat up. Without the transmission in Drive no heat, hard on the if it runs cold engine and it is nice to have heat to melt stuff and keep the fuel from geling, we are talking temps down to -50* F. I had a few mods done to the transmission as soon as I purchased it and have not had a minutes trouble in all those mile and hours of idle time.