Questions for Hemi owners...

[Camo]

I'm thinking about updating my pickup but also considering a 23'-25' travel trailer to tow behind it about 1/3 of the time. Currently running an '04 Dodge 3500 with the Cummins and all it has ever hauled is an 18' sled or utility trailer. This is strictly a hunting and fishing weekend warrior truck that gets about 10k miles/yr, so it sits alot. But every time it gets fired up its a 500+ mile round trip. With the typical spread in fuel prices and maintenance costs of the diesel, I'm considering the Hemi. My question is am I really going to miss the diesel pulling a trailer over the passes, and how much does your fuel efficiency drop when your loaded? I currently drop from about 19.5 to 14.5 just hooking up 1000# boat, but I think this is more aerodynamics as opposed to weight. Thanks for any thoughts.

[coachcw]

once you pull with a smoker your hooked . I went back to a gas rig and it feeld like i need a sun dial to get over the pass.

[benhuntin]

Plenty of power but your gonna get 8mpg

[7mag.]

Don't do it. I loved my Hemi truck, but it was no Cummins. Fuel economy alone makes the Cummins worth it.

[gasman]

Plenty of power but your gonna get 8mpg

Don't do it. I loved my Hemi truck, but it was no Cummins. Fuel economy alone makes the Cummins worth it.

What they said 


I love my Hemi, but dream of a Cummins.

[jackelope]

Fuel economy alone makes the Cummins worth it. Nuff said. For what you're using it for, I'm honesty not even sure why you'd think about this. Hemi plugs are due out every 30k miles. Diesels don't have spark plugs. What maintenance costs are you running up on the diesel? A fuel filter every 15k?

[Romulus1297]

I still havent hooked up a 5 th wheel to mine but I bet you would see 2 mpg climbing some hills. I'snt that what some boats can do? I dont think the hemi even has a fuel filter but then our 6.7 ford has 2 fuel filters and if you take a ford to the stealership for regular service it could easily cost alot of $$$ but I cant remember how much it was the last time.

[Kittman]

I have the hemi but in a car.  Hemi engines are not completely bulletproof, as some have had issues with dropped valves and dropped valve seats ruining the engine.  It might be said slight top end oiling starvation combined with excessive engine temps/heat may trigger this condition.  Due to the HD duty nature of towing, I would favor the diesel over the gas engine in your application. 

[Camo]

Thanks for the opinions everyone. Sounds like I should probably drop $12k into the one I have and run the wheels off it?

Jack - just exploring options. Typically the fuel price spread is fairly wide and since I don't haul any significant load I thought the fuel economy for the most part might be similar between the two. Haven't had a gas truck since '95, and when I made the move back then, maintenance costs were higher, however, there is some tradeoff in longevity between maintenance periods. When injectors, turbos, starters, alternators go down, they are not a cheap fix. With 270k miles on this, these things are right around the corner for me I'm thinking?

[yajsab]

Got rid of my Hemi Mega because I wasn't driving it much.  Too much moisture build up inside the oil cap.  When I drained the oil, there was milky stuff on the bottom.  Coolant level is fine.