July Fuel Economy Yields Worst Tank Yet - 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Long-Term Road Test

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July Fuel Economy Yields Worst Tank Yet - 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Long-Term Road Test

With nearly 40,000 miles on the odometer, our long-term 2014 Ram 1500 hasn't had many changes in fuel economy lately. Then we decided to tow 5,000 pounds with it cross-country.

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allthingshonda

The EcoDiesel is not a work horse truck. It's engine is designed for fuel economy not towing. The powertrain is great if you want a lifestyle truck for light work but if towing and hauling heavy loads on a regular basis you should probably get the Hemi. The Ford's EcoBoost does not get close to it's claimed EPA numbers but it pulls like a train. This video shows how it struggles to tow up hill at max weight (which is the same as the Chevy Colorado) and if you look at the temperature gauge you can see it's beyond the half way point and it's not summer temperatures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpcJJxhvPWU

jstrauch81

If the ecoboost get's bad mileage then I would hate to see the hemi's. I agree though overall, the ecodiesel isn't a truck truly designed for loads. It can handle loads, just not very large ones.

bankerdanny

jstrauch81 said:

If the ecoboost get's bad mileage then I would hate to see the hemi's. I agree though overall, the ecodiesel isn't a truck truly designed for loads. It can handle loads, just not very large ones.

I don't see any basis in this post to support your contention. I also don't see anything in the video ATH posted. The Ram comfortably towed over 7,000 lbs up a mountain and got 50% better mileage than the EB 2.7 tested by the same guys. Few people need to tow up mountains. If you live in say Nebraska, or Kansas, or Illinois the Ram is a better option than the EB 2.7 F-150.

allthingshonda

The EcoDiesel was at full throttle the entire time and could only manage to make it to 55 mph. The 2.7 Ecoboost towing the exact same load on the same road according to the driver, would have probably hit 75 mph if he left his foot planted so he had to let up to stay under the speed limit. Most people equate diesel in a truck with power but this diesel is all about sipping fuel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQQGYJCG65E

socal_eric

Having towed often with a Cummins 2500 you'll notice the massive torque and lack of horsepower if you tow heavy load up steep grades, but I've never found it lacking. My Hemi V8 1500 will accelerate faster and can do higher terminal speeds but you're revving the heck out of it and absolutely sucking the fuel to go faster.

While the new EcoDiesel 1500 may not be super fast with heavy loads up a grade you're rewarded with much better fuel economy and it still has enough torque to get off the line quickly and pull at a relaxed and safe pace. It absolutely can tow and should be considered a tow rig, just if the payloads and weight you plan to pull are a match for it's capabilities. You're also rewarded with great economy when not towing. The same can't be said of the Hemi or the Ford EcoBoost. They're terrible when towing and only marginally better for daily driving type duties.

rhalpin002

We've made a trip from CT to Banff, AB and back, and now CT to Key West, FL and back - all with a 24' TT (~6,000lbs). We hit as low as 10 mpg towing in AB with a slight grade and a nasty headwind. Sure, it struggled a bit, but for the time that the TT is parked (85% of the year) and we're seeing 24-26 mpg combined - we don't doubt for a second that this is the best truck we have ever owned, perhaps up there with the best vehicle overall (except for the 'Vette). Show me a truck that *is capabale* of towing a TT *and* achieving better fuel economy than many mid-size sedans, and maybe I'll consider paying attention to any of the Ecodiesel nay-sayers.