RAM 1500 Eco-Diesel Mileage

Roy in Texas · 03-20-2016, 02:22 PM

I bought a new 2015 RAM 1500 last year, but was really torn between the F150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and RAM 1500 with the 3.0L Eco-Diesel. I had been meaning to capture the towing mileage of the Eco-Diesel and finally remembered to do it on a trip back to San Antonio from Big Bend National Park last week.

I took a picture of the trip computer and it calculated 18.5 MPG. Manual calculation when I filled up turned out to be 19.4. I reset the trip computer when we pulled out in the morning and I took the picture at a filling station 2 miles from home. I had the cruise set at 67 MPH on the portion of the trip on I-10 (about 320 miles). For most of the way, the speed limit is 80. Passed two vehicles the whole way home.

I was wondering about how the MPG is for those towing a TM with the F150?

An interesting side note. I had two blow outs on the way to Big Bend. Both on I-10 about 100 miles apart. A state trooper stopped behind me the first time. He was very helpful. Put on a pair of gloves and jumped in to help. I was teaching my grandson how to change the tire and the trooper immediately caught on to what I was doing and offered additional safety tips. The trooper was a real public servant. This occurred on Saturday, March 12th. I pulled in Ft. Stockton looking to buy two new tires before heading south toward Big Bend. Of the dozen or so tire dealers there, only one was open on Saturday. Fortunately, we were able to get the tires needed. For awhile I thought we might have to stay in Ft. Stockton till Monday morning. I am considering adding a third spare so that a weekend tire problem doesn't cause a long stop over in the future.

LoveToCamp · 03-20-2016, 03:27 PM

I love the eco-diesel! I believe yours is the same as the one in my Grand Cherokee. I get about 18.5 mpg on the flat, and 21.5 mpg when towing in the mountains (advantage greater on downhill than loss on uphill, apparently).

scrubjaysnest · 03-20-2016, 04:16 PM

Not to bad, we averaged 13.05 MPG for 13759 miles last year with the 4.7L V8 gas on our 4X4 crew cab.

ArkyDoodle · 03-21-2016, 12:36 PM

In driving to Hartington last weekend in my F150 3.5 EcoBoost, I got about 16.5 MPG towing. On the return trip (no trailer) I got about 20 MPG but I was traveling 70-75 MPH on the way home......I'm waiting for Ford to announce a new turbo diesel in the F150......And with the lighter aluminum panels it oughta get some decent MPGs.......

Mr_funnypuns · 03-21-2016, 01:50 PM

Towing at 75 MPH? Do you need better tires, or are stock TM tires rated for this speed?

scrubjaysnest · 03-21-2016, 07:34 PM

Most be them new "L" rated tires

, actually he said no trailer at those speeds.

**Kidkraz** · 03-21-2016, 10:02 PM

Roy, I'm looking at buying a new Ram this year and was wondering about how the integrated brake controller worked. Did you use an after market controller before getting your new 4X4?

Roy in Texas · 03-22-2016, 09:56 PM

The RAM replaced my 2004 Ford Excursion. I did use an after market controller on the Excursion. When I first got the RAM, I couldn't get the integrated brake controller (IBC) to work. I took the truck back to the dealer and they tested it. Said it was ok. At first, I was frustrated since the brakes seemed to work with the old set up.

Turned out that I had an issue (a short) on the driver's side brake on the TM. The RAM IBC was "smart enough" to sense the fault and showed no brakes connected. Since getting the brakes repaired on the TM, the IBC has worked well. In the end, the "smart" IBC did its job. I found the fault before I had an issue on the highway.

LoveToCamp · 03-23-2016, 09:11 PM

This thread started with discussion of mileage. So...

When I got my Jeep diesel, it had highway tires. I got 35 mpg when driving 65, and 30+ when driving 75 (both sans trailer). When the highway tires wore out, I replaced with all-terrain tires, and mileage dropped about 10%.

So, when discussing mileage, keep in mind that tires play a role in mileage, also.

Redtail Cruiser · 03-24-2016, 07:49 AM

I was getting 15 to 16.5 MPG towing my TM w/ Ecobeast, depending on conditions and grade of octane I was using. Usually tried to keep my speed at 60-62 MPH. My mileage now averages 14 MPG towing the Lance 1985. A little less MPG's, but more comfort for DW. Happy wife; happy life.