Proof the 5th Gen RAM with High Output Cummins is a WASTE OF MONEY!!!

The 5th Gen Ram with the High Output Cummins engine is a waste of money IF you do NOT consistently need greater than 20k# worth of towing capacity. Honestly, it isn’t worth it if all you’ll haul is 15k#! The internet is FULL of opinionated self-proclaimed "Professionals" who will tell you "Buy it because you can," or they justify it with statements like: "I can afford it, so I do not care what the MPGs are." These are mindless excuses and no owner of a company ever ignores the bottom line of expenditures for very long... and stays in business.
SO... I view my purchase of my 2021 Ram 3500 Mega Cab Limited HO as one that was made before knowing all the facts. I admit it... I too was caught up in the HYPE of the High Output before doing the true homework I should have. My Marine business limits me to 15,000 pound payloads... In seven years of hauling on one boat has weighed more, and at 16K the Standard Output of my 2500 Laramie pulled it with no issues. The argument about the 68RFE longevity is always the next example stated by those who will justify the High Output purchase... "I wanted the Aisin transmission," and yes, it is a stronger transmission. BUT... do you really need it? Are the majority of failures due to Owner driving style? I have to answer, YES!! In SEVEN YEARS of hauling boats all across the USA, I have logged more than 600,000 miles towing with 68RFE equipped trucks and not once, ever had a failure... not even a slip or glitch. How is that so with such a "weak" transmission? Truth is... I believe the failure come from driving style and overloading the transmission.
Opinions... this one is mine. Do I love my truck? YES!! It kicks ass!! Do I hate the MPGs... Oh YES I do!! Did I "Ruin" my truck by doing the #JennyCraigMod...? I do not think so because it has run flawlessly ever since and not one more trip to a Dealer that is unable to help me! Has FCA come up with any parts for their multiple Recalls on the 5th gen Rams such as CP3 replacements or the wheel studs? Not yet... Google this mess and see for yourself! Buyer Beware when spending more than $65K on a new truck these days. Do your homework, I didn't.
See the truth in this video!
Let me know your comment, and I will certainly answer. THANKS AND GOD BLESS US ALL!!
-David Wilks

[@TheMarkMillerGroup]

That’s odd as I get 10-12 MPG while towing my 38’ fifth wheel Toyhauler that weighs 16,000lbs. That’s open Highway, steep 15 mile grades, and many times with a headwind. Those are real at the pump numbers with NO mods on a 2021 SRW HO-AiSin. You ruined your truck by your mods…

[@DavidWilks]

After four trips to multiple dealers trying to figure out how to stop the limp mode for six different codes that could never be duplicated or repaired… I decided to fix it for myself. Even if today’s dealership “push-button” technicians could fix my truck, there are no parts. So, I’m happy you’re pleased with your truck… I will suggest you replace your SRW studs that have been under recall for months but once again, FCA has no parts.

[@Kyren.C]

Towing an E88 bobcat which is about 18K in my 22’ HO dually 4.10 gears I averaged around 10-12 MPG as well no mods. I never went above 65 MPH, if I did it would drop to 7-8 MPG. Empty I average 15-16MPG

[@easttexasengineering3489]

Sorry your going through that, maybe you should un-delete it. Something maybe wrong with your truck brother . . You can see my channel, I tow 14,500 and I can get 13mpg in east Texas, I get 16 without a load. Have the dealer check your truck out man.

[@bartman8876]

I have ran 25500 lbs total. run from San Diego CA to San Antonio. Standard truck 3.73 gears and run 13 mpg. I steady run 62 and get great mileage. It's all how you drive. O and truck is stock short of cold air intake is all.

[@jetgui3626]

When I was pulling 20k with my HO AIS with 4.10 gears I was doing 11.2mpg and with no load 18.5mpg. That was with zero mods

[@korn111685]

It’s hilarious, you’re hauling a huge boat in a big truck and complaining about gas mileage. Amazing. You asked for it, the 4.10s alone proves you asked for it.

[@DavidWilks]

Interesting as I used to haul many boats with my 2500 in 5th gear restricted, running MORE RPMs at 65mph and still got better MPGs than the 4.10s in 6th gear running fewer RPMs. So what is your thoughts on that? If it was just a factor of RPMs, I should be getting better fuel economy... yet 2-3mpg less is due to a lot more than just RPMs... its a huge loss of torque due to the lower compression until the turbo spools higher to add more air density. Yes... I opted for the 4.10s because I actually thought that having such would keep me from having to run 5th gear on occasion.

[@duane3932]

Seems pretty standard fuel efficiency for a dually. A little worse but not by much at all

[@DavidWilks]

Your comment just proves you are clueless when it comes to these trucks. Many times with my 2500 I would step down from 6th gear to 5th while towing for the entire trip... thousands of miles never using 6th at all with the 68RFE transmission and that gear multiplication is nearly identical to my Aisin running 6th gear with the 4.10 ratios. Shocker... the Ram2500 would get 11-13 MPGs pulling the exact same boat using 5th because it had more cylinder pressure needing less boost, providing more torque down low.

[@duane3932]

A ram 2500 is also not a dually

[@duane3932]

Also peak torque for the ho is made at 1300 rpm and the standard engine is at 1700. So it would has more low end torque?

[@baykay9559]

Very helpful! Almost bought the HO/Aisin! Thank you!

[@DavidWilks]

Great to hear! If I had known, I would not have bought this truck with the 4.10 gears or the HO. I ran my business for 7 years with a 2500 without any issues and could have faired just fine with the same in a DRW setup

[@dirkpitt3244]

David , you are 100% correct. I pull a 28ft enclosed car hauler. 9 mph average under load. This 2024 is my 4th Ram 3500 single rear wheel. They all get the same driving 70 to 80. I have never had any mechanical problems. The H/O with Aison is no better than the non-H/O. Not worth the extra money. Ram is by far, the best all-round tow vehicle made.❤

[@DavidBrown-jt7yi]

I have a 2021 Ram 3500 HO Mega Cab and towing my 10k travel trailer from Easton Oregon to Colorado up and down a lot of grades I got 10.1 mpg averaging about 70mph most of the way. I do have a SRW with 3.73. I was hoping for a little better fuel economy but the truck has tons of power like you said.

[@RamblinRoadies]

I have a '21 3500 dually HO with 4:10, towing 20k lb fifth wheel. I get 10 mpg going up and down the grades in California, Oregon, Washington at 64 mph.

[@genecoppedge5972]

You don’t need 4:10 ratio with the HO. I have a 2020 3500 4X4 3:73 w/the HO I get 14 mpg all day while towing 20K. That 4:10 ratio is killing you. You must have taller tires as well to get such poor mileage.

[@DavidWilks]

The 4.10 was the only option I had when buying this truck. I also would have never bought an HO had I known the compression ratio was dropped from 19:1 to 16:1 just so the boost could pass EPA tuning. I never had issues in any of my 68RFE trucks over 7 years of hauling with them, so yeah… a non-HO truck with 3.73s would have suited me perfectly fine.

[@justin-davis]

With insane used prices you could always trade it in and get your money back probably lol

[@ballacii]

I’m just under 26k pounds with my 2016 ram 3500 HO 3.73 rear and and I average 10-11 mpg depending how much I throttle it up hills. I’ve been coast to coast and lately I’ve been doing FL-TX round trips and it’s a little less there given the 75-80 mph speed limits. Headwind screws things up a lot also you have a parachute behind you and I don’t want to tell you about your job because you said 15 years of hauling boats but I hauled 7 boat trailers one time stacked and it was not level, the brakes were being applied nonstop due to the hydraulic hitch being at a downward angle. I said never again I averaged 7 mpg from Miami FL to Mobile AL. Airbags is a must hauling boats, a definite must. Idk if you have them but ya that’s my experience.

[@Ryskyguy]

You’re towing with a +150 tune? Yes you’re going to get bad MPG. Tow it on a stock tune. Also, looks like you got pretty high rear gear ratio. 65 and almost 2G it’s gonna eat up fuel.

[@DavidWilks]

I have towed on the 50hp & 100hp tunes... Stock is Stock, no gains at all since the Aisin is not controlled nor the shifting changed. The 150hp gives the best fuel economy as the power comes in sharp with little to no smoke at all, offering the best tip-in throttle to keep the torque where it needs to be. Having a lower power setting means you have to keep dipping into the throttle to maintain the same speeds or even more to pull up grades. It seems counter-intuitive but as long as the tune is clean and not blowing smoke, you are running as efficient as possible. Hope this helps.

[@DellCvz]

Compression ratio is everything

[@curtisbull1583]

Bad advice. Properly tuned diesels get their best mpgs on the higher tune levels. Weather towing or running empty.

[@toddjones7595]

I have a 2019 HO SRW 3500 Megacab and if i am on the back roads with no load i get over 21 MPG. I haul a 23 foot pontoon on a bunk trailer with a cover that acts like a parachute behind it and i still get 12 - 13 MPG. Fully stock, no mods not even a cold air intake. The dealer asked me what i was going to tow with it, my response "Whatever I want." I dont like the turbo lag, but I'm not so sure i want to put more money into it. 😂

[@oldmanonthehill8858]

The new trucks are designed to reduce emissions not fuel economy. They don’t care what the customer gets MPG they care about pleasing the EPA

[@rolandsalazar5911]

You are exactly right! That's why I completely agree with going all the way with the JennyCraigMod ;-)

[@jerryfoster3191]

The upgrade in the transmission in the HO is worth it by itself. The mopar transmission is a POS.

[@onlinereviews4013]

for whatever reason boats tend to get the worst mpg in general on just about any truck towing them. It is likely due to the odd shaped nature of a boat and how tall it is compared to a gooseneck and has a lot more drag.

[@redbarron6574]

FYI I have a 2020 3500 long bed, stock size coopers, 3.73 rear end, new cp3 pump, 14500 lb cedar creek 38 ft long, truck weighs 9300 lbs loaded, I get 12-12.5 at 65 mph, at 68 mph, I get 10-sometimes 11. This truck has a 46 gallon aux tank and a loaded tool box. This is the standard output motor! Plenty of power with this sized trailer. Much better than my HO short bed 2018 w the 3.42’s. Also the cp4 replacement cp3 has added a lot power and the truck runs great. This is a 3500 crew cab long bed 3500 12,300 gvwr.

[@randywallace8446]

I run hotshot wind really kills the fuel mileage

[@phillB]

I just pulled a 32 foot fifth wheel from Richmond, Virginia to Atlanta, Georgia and then onto Cedar city Utah. For anybody counting that’s about 2700 miles. My average fuel economy was 12 MPG. I’m not sure what you’re doing wrong, but apparently you don’t know how to control your fuel economy.

[@jimmy4x4socal44]

That’s wild, my 2018 averages 19 mpg on 35 inch tires. I got 14 towing 80mph through Utah and I was towing a decent load. I had electrical problems with it so I sold it when prices were high. Just been driving my 2015 f250 gasser, gets 10mpg average but does everything I need it to do, I drive ~40k miles a year so I go through trucks relatively fast

[@hunterriddall8318]

I watch this and see what’s wrong right away the Cummins motor gets the best fuel economy at 1500-1700 ram. I got 13 mpg doing 68 miles per hour towing a 22 foot trailer that weight 11000 lbs up hill against the wind not deleted the trick is keeping the truck between 1500 and no more then 1750 or take 100 dollar bills and throw them out the window. Drop your speed to 50-60 mph and you’ll see 🤟🏻

[@DavidWilks]

I have dropped my speed numerous times. Makes only a difference when experiencing a headwind.

[@tonytran5945]

This guys have all the toy on his dash but dont understand 6 speed cummins happy with rpm around 1500rpm to 1700rpm for mpg. Drop your rpm you will get best mpg bro.

[@DavidWilks]

@@tonytran5945 Dropping the RPM does not reduce the fuel consumption as it does increase the load. Downshifting into say 5th gear allows the transmission to assume the work through torque multiplication but when you have a low compression engine, you have to raise the RPMs to make up for the lower cylinder pressure with MORE BOOST. This is the reason the HOs have worse fuel economy. See my latest video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnfQoaOnec2rjZI

[@cnetate]

Hmmm, I have a 21 ho and I tow a 20k toy hauler and I get anywhere fron 9.5 to 11mpg towing. Might be your tune. I also have 3:73s.

[@DavidWilks]

RVs have much better aerodynamics than most all boats. If you look at the crossection of most all 5th-wheel RVs, they are the same shape as a aircraft's wing. This gives them an inherent lift while at speed to offset drag and weight. Compare that to boats which have many irregular surfaces and you can see the differences in MPGs. I have been looking for a set of 3.73 axles to swap out my 4.10s. Total cost is somewhere around $5K for both.

[@plaraiii]

2020 HO SRW fully stock truck out in California. I may get 17-18 MPG hauling nothing but my own ass around. Even a meager tow load of a 5K lbs empty trailer will drop my MpG to around 10 MPG on flat land.

[@DavidWilks]

Exactly my point... my Ram 2500 used to get BETTER fuel economy hauling nothing or my light aluminum motorcycle trailer. Hook anything to my 3500 and the MPGs would plummet! I have to say the Banks MonsterRam and intake heater grid removal have been the best upgrade for MPGs over anything else.

[@richmorris9795]

I'm just a weekend warrior with rving. I'm looking at a new truck my dealership just brought in. I was so disappointed that it didn't have the HO...I'm thinking I need to rethink that now Hopefully that truck is still there!!!

[@DavidWilks]

For seven years I have been transporting boats nationwide. If you are not hauling very heavy loads for a living, I would NEVER consider buying the High Output truck. If you are just going to love the truck for what it is... an amazing truck, then the Ram 2500 is all you ever need. I recently had a friend let me use his 2020 Cadillac Escalade and I promise you, I loved my 2020 Ram Laramie Longhorn so much more! Not only was it more comfortable, but the stereo if you get the 17-speaker setup is unmatched by any OEM anywhere!! The Ram will get better fuel economy as well.

[@erikdobrovolny4484]

I got a 21 cab chassis crew cab no ho and it haulsmy 42ft 16k lb toy hauler without even flinching the power difference is minimal and im sure most people won't notice much of a difference and if you add a pedal monster it is really all you need

[@illestk24civic]

19 ho ram hotshot truck towing 46k gvw i get 12mpg on flat roads, about 10mpg up hills, i also run schaeffers diesel treat

[@DavidWilks]

Which gear ratios?

[@illestk24civic]

@@DavidWilks 410’s with standard aisin transmission

[@gravytrainoutdoors]

That’s messed up. I have a 2019 F-450 and I’m getting 18-19mpg all day when it’s empty. 7-9mpg when I’m pulling 35,000lbs which I do 90% of the time with it. Just bought a 2022 3500 srw HO ram and I really hope it does better than my 450 on fuel.

[@DavidWilks]

After deleting mine, the power is great but it already had great power but the MPGs are still much worse than my 2500 SRW Laramie.

[@gravytrainoutdoors]

@@DavidWilks I’ve had a chance to put a few miles on the ram since making the comment. So far empty the best I’ve seen is 19.4mpg on the highway doing between 65-70. I towed our travel trailer for about 500 miles with it and saw 9.16mpg towing that trailer which is just over 9000lbs. That’s probably nowhere near as good as it could be if I was towing in a flatter place. Lots of 8-9% grade hills around here so the truck was working a bit. What I was really surprised at was how much DEF fluid it burned. My 2019 F-450 seems to burn very little. I know other guys with Ford have all said that the 2020 and newer trucks burn a lot more def than the older trucks and I wonder if it’s the same with the ram trucks? I’ll be deleting it very soon i think!

[@nicksearles3996]

I feel your pain I have a 30 ft travel trailer and I just waste fuel every day

[@aaronkelley8909]

This video helped me decide to get the SO. I tow on the weekends when I go fishing. Thanks for posting.

[@blackpepe]

I have both HO and SO 3500 5th gen's. SO without a doubt is the better truck. Unloaded the so gets 19 all day, HO gets 15

[@yerkozavidich7227]

It’s I got a 2022 2500 long horn, at 80mph I do alo most 2000rpm mine 1900 2000rpm I do 80mph,, it’s your ratio. I go from Salt Lake City to vernal(ut) all day, doing 380mill aprox… totally stock, mine does between 8-12mpg. Loaded whit a 28 enclose trailer, aprox 9000-11000lbs… tho truck works better a low rpm…

[@DavidWilks]

The 3.73 is a bit better but it does not make the overall difference when compared to losing over 300lb/ft of torque below 1900 rpm due to the lower compression.

[@frankpratt6381]

Look at all the manufacture blogs. None of them are without some severe deficiencies. Unfortunately a lot of the problems can be traced directly to gov't regulation for all the hd producers.

[@GeminiJourney1111]

Yay Montana!

[@jeffs2809]

According to what I read, pre ‘19 Cr was only 17.3:1, only the ‘19+ SO trucks got the 19:1 cr. Looking at fuelly, ‘19+ gets lower mpg across the board vs earlier years. This leads me to believe it’s prob a combination of changes (tuning, cam profile, gearing, along with cr). If I were buying a new ram diesel, I wouldn’t hesitate to get the HO, even though I rarely tow more than 10k. However, because I rarely tow over 10k, my next truck (when I decide to trade off my ‘17 2500 g56) will be gas powered. Diesel just doesn’t make much sense for me any more, when the newer gas engines have stepped up their game.

[@DavidWilks]

Compare the resale value… diesel always wins.

[@jeffs2809]

@@DavidWilks I would hope a truck that costs $10k+ more in the 1st place would have better resale over a less expensive truck.

[@timvanvranken4023]

Got a question for you have you tried to replace and go with the 3.73 Axle ? IF so did that make any difference ? I am glad I seen this video I ordered a Ram 3500 Standard 6.7 Diesel with the 68RFE I ordered the 3500 instead of 2500 because of better payload . I was leaning on going with the 6.7 HO diesel but I don't tow anything over 12,000 lbs. Currently do you still feel the 6.7 Standard diesel gets better MPG than the HO and if you weren't going to tow anything over 15,000lbs would you still go with the standard diesel ?

[@DavidWilks]

I have looked into it. Problem in swapping the axles is the cost far outweighs what I could burn in fuel... but with the prices getting ready to surge again, I just might.

[@arbenowner]

If you get the c&c you get the aisin and the 19:1 cr. If I ever need more truck that’s the route I’ll go but I love my ‘20 2500’s mpg. Ho just got limped by that cr drop all due to nox emissions.

[@DavidWilks]

Yes, and a 4.89:1 axle... so there goes driving anything over 65 mph. I already looked at this option and if I could get the 5500 with a 4.10 gear, I would be all in!

[@truckinmike7526]

The engine sounds great. What exhaust do you have just the race pipe or 5 inch turbo back?

[@stevengilbert8861]

Your mileage does seem a tad low. I haven't experienced lower than 10-11, and that was hills in Sippi or Tennessee. Texas-Louisiana flat ground raises that a solid 2mpg, 12-13. Empty, add 5-6mpg when the factory limited wheels/tires were on it. For me, it wasn't as much about the HO or SO as it was about the trans. Aisin outguns the 68rfe all day long. Lastly, u wasn't even close to drafting that rig lol.

[@nicksearles3996]

For real dudes a cry baby, he should of bought a fuckin hybrid if he doesn’t like the mileage. You could drag a semi fully loaded with that truck. He doesn’t even deserve that beautiful truck

[@bullrider562]

I think something is wrong bud i have a 2020 3500 stock tune not deleted on a 6” with 37s on 24x14s and i pull a 30 foot toy hauler around 20k lb and i average 13 mpg from LA to glamis

[@jimerinrose6235]

My HO dually with 3:43’s gets over 20 empty 10mpg hauling 3 car wedge

[@DavidWilks]

How do you get a 3.43:1 ratio? Didn’t know that was available. Do you have the Manual transmission

[@jimerinrose6235]

@@DavidWilks I bought the truck off the lot like that. It’s an auto.

[@frankenrique1982]

I have the HO with Aisim and 3.73 doing 25 mpg pickup only

[@adamshaw8214]

Bologna

[@bigtex4790]

I didn’t but my HO for the MPGs. I was well aware of that when I bought it.

[@christopher6635]

The high output cummins is definitely worse on fuel economy. Standard output has always done me Good.

[@DavidWilks]

Had I known... I probably would have ordered a truck either with the 3.73 and HO or not gone with the High Output and just added the 4.10s to that truck. Now I found out that I can build the Commercial Chassis as a Standard Output engine with the Aisin transmission but it comes with an insane 4.89 rear axle ratio which is far too much for my needs.

[@joshchambers9103]

Look at the 4500. You can get it with 410 gear ratio

[@Avies48]

Sooo glad i saw this video as we have an h.o. srw 3500 on order but with the 3.73 gears, i dont need a doolie... But it still makes me shudder thinking my fuel mileage will be total crap when i had my 2018 2500 it was awesome anywhere between 11-15 towing a trailer, empty still blew tho, couldnt get over 450 miles per tank, and that only a turbo timer on it.... I think im getting a standard cummins with the srw 3500 now...

[@DavidWilks]

Thanks for your comment... This is no fluke, there are a LOT of HO owners who feel like I do, and are MAD about the horrible fuel economy. The power is insane, but so is the power the standard output Cummins. I hauled massive boats all over the USA with never a complaint about power or capability and some exceeded 15K# all with a 2500 truck and AirLift bags. I have been taking every possible step to increase fuel economy with my 2021 because I bought this truck, not leasing it like the previous six Ram 2500 trucks. So after I swap all the fluids to Amsoil and add the @BanksPower items... I will be spending the money (again) to install 3.73 gears as I will never need the gear multiplication the 4.10s give me.

[@Avies48]

@@DavidWilks so the h.o. with the 3.73 gears will be better tho? If so id love to see how urs does with the jenny craig and those gear ratios....

[@DavidWilks]

@@Avies48 YES!!! I do not need nor will I ever tow over 20K# My friend who has an HO Dually has 3.73 gears and she gets 1.-2mpg better economy across the board hauling huge horse trailers. I am thinking about changing the gears or going to larger wheels with a rise in tire diameter.

[@jeebraapskiii5848]

The high output has a 16.2 compression ratio which is much lower than the standard which has 19.1 ratio so if you tuned it with tunes meant for a high compression ratio no crap it’s terrible on fuel I’d get the right tunes if I were you

[@DavidWilks]

I have all the right tunes, there just isn't a replacement for compression and low end torque without adding more boost.

[@jeebraapskiii5848]

@@DavidWilks it must have to do with the rpm’s, those engines are designed to be most efficient at 1300 RPM when if it’s close to two grand its completely lost efficiency, they probably don’t like being over 1500 RPM just a guess but if I were to buy one I would not get 410 gears with the new High outputs

[@Ram-re5em]

LOVE MY HO ASIAN! NO PROBLEMS ITS NOT TUNED FOR MILAGE BUT MORE POWER.

[@curtisbull1583]

I do like my 21 HO, but not real happy with mpgs, compared to my 17 2500. And a feel my 17 had more power. This truck seems to get the load moving sooner and much easier. But once your in that 5th and 6th gear towing down the road, I feel my 17 had much more. It also had lower egts. This new HO definitely runs hotter egts, at 150hp tune vs my 17 running a 200 hp tune. Some days I wish I had my 17 back.

[@DavidWilks]

Many days I wish I had my 2017 Laramie 2500!!

[@larrymadden6174]

I currently have a 21 high output, more power and better mpg than my 17 3500.

[@curtisbull1583]

@@larrymadden6174 you talking stock trucks or tuned and deleted trucks?

[@larrymadden6174]

Stock

[@curtisbull1583]

Stock your 21 will do better. But properly tuned and deleted it will be the other way around, most likely. It was for me. Part of the difference, which I didn't know until later was the compression ratio difference between the standard output and high output. HO actually has less.

[@GaryBlankenship96b40]

Simple law of physics you are ignoring weight acts like anchor

[@MarkWilliam-pl6qs]

500000 miles on 6 trucks isn't really that much per truck so isnt really anythingto boast about.. Ram gives a 100,000 power train warranty and that is usually when they start acting up.

[@DavidWilks]

It is when those miles are on Enterprise Rental trucks... I put 420K on my 2016 Laramie in 18 months running from South Florida to the PacNW delivering boats 2-3 times per month.

[@T3merity]

Thanks for the great information! And, of course, I'm sorry that you had to be a guinea pig for us. I hope you can get into a truck with better fuel economy.

[@ottyoh3723]

Very informative thx .travel safe dave...

[@cecilflows]

Funny, I tow a 25k bobcat w/24' trailer using my 2021 3500 srw h.o. without a tuner and still get 11mpg

[@z50king29]

You are not drafting that truck. You don't know anything about drafting if you thinks that's a draft

[@DavidWilks]

IKR!! You gotta be careful getting too close to the trucks out here as they throw up rocks and gravel quite a bit. If you notice the timelapse, I just let them go by.

[@z50king29]

@@DavidWilks then don't say you're in the draft and that aero doesn't mean anything when you aren't in the draft

[@kylecrisman9230]

This guy is right unless your hauling daily heavy loads heavy loads like over 15k daily forget it. And yes Iv heard all about the ram 2500 payload being low. Listen a 3/4 ford ram or Chevy 3/4 truck is a 3/4 truck. You can haul the same amount on any of them You have to use your brain a little bit. Some 3/4 trucks are rated at nearly 4K lb while others are at 1800 lb payload Now tell me how that is. And yes I know because a gas motor is lighter. That’s stupid the motor is in the front. Once again bs numbers to please your government and the games they play I’m not putting 4K on the back of a 3/4 ton truck. Get my point here

[@DavidWilks]

Exactly right!!! Compare today's 3/4 ton truck to an early 2000s or even a 1996 One Ton truck... the new trucks have better frames, brakes and axles with 2-3x the power!! The 3/4 ton mark is a nothing but marketing BS and a liability rating for the Insurance companies. For six years, I hauled boats weighing up to 15K with a Ram 2500, loaded with a 90-gallon aux tank and a bed full of tools and spare parts for the trailers if needed. With the AirLift airbags, I kept a nice ride with plenty of control and ZERO issues ever with the 68RFE transmission, towing 95% of the time, for over 180K miles per year on each truck... and I rotated out of five different trucks in six years!

[@kylecrisman9230]

@@DavidWilks yea I bought a ram 2500 last year and I love it personally I just hate the way the new chevys look and I’m not a ford guy. Never have been but to each there own

[@RedskinzFan]

Ypu are TOTALLY WRONG. That fuel economy has ZERO to do with the truck and has everything to do with the Damn 11ft tall BOAT

[@nicksearles3996]

It’s a tow king for big big big stuff it’s definitely not for the mileage and your 68rfe lasted half a million but that aisin will last twice that

[@Screaming_GOAT_HD]

Bro, you're towing a big ass boat, up hill against the wind in a 1 ton dually. You really expect to get 15 MPG?

[@DavidWilks]

Not at all... but my 2500 Laramie gets 11-mpg hauling the exact same size boat on this trailer. When empty and not towing anything, the best MPGs I have ever seen with this truck is 15-16mpg compared to 21-24mpg in the 2500 SO Cummins.

[@Screaming_GOAT_HD]

@@DavidWilks tune it then

[@Aikynbreusov]

When putting gas in that truck costs more than the monthly payment then you know it's a terrible truck

[@Aikynbreusov]

Jeeze.... 7 mpg???? That's motorhome Class A mpg..... terrible....

[@kru8887]

What about taking off the tow mode and dropping the rpm’s? Shift the truck manually on grade increases?

[@DavidWilks]

If you turn off Tow Mode, the Aisin transmission begins to slip and flare between shifts. If you have the truck set for Hill Assist, it will also mess with the Aisin transmission. I am highly considering an Allison swap but for right now I am going to swap to 3.73 gears first.

[@briang7870]

@David Wilks interesting to hear about the hill assist. I will have to shut it off and see how it is. I have a 2020 ho deleted and have a hard time finding tunes that are all around good. Not being able to tune the trans can make it feel sluggish at times. Especially when the truck goes right to 6th gear when empty. I've managed to get decent mileage empty with some tunes. Power is great but it's slow off the line with the way it shifts, definitely need to roll into it. But I suppose it's not really made for that. It does do a great job at getting a heavy load moving though.

[@CarlosRodriguez-kh3df]

With my 2020 HO SRW I get 15 city 20hwy sub 75mph

[@floridaplumber7512]

I have a 2500 gas ram with 4.10, should I trade in for a regular cummins, need for small trash dumpsters roll off trailer weight 15k

[@williammorgan5987]

Just throwing out my own numbers out there, you’re getting worse than my utility truck that weighs 23,000 by itself. My average is 8.6 My personal truck is a 2022 Ram 3500 with the HO 3.73 gears front and back, and it’s not a dually. When towing 20,000 albeit rare occurance, I get about the same maybe a little better than you. It’s not deleted. Most of the time I’m getting mid 20s, I’ve never seen 25 yet. Interstate going 70, after a couple hundred miles my average will be about 21mpg. On 55mph highways I’ll see 23-24. All on good roads. Not a ton of hills or potholes or road snakes, smooth straight roads. I’m not saying your tuning is bad, but something doesn’t seem right. Even when towing way more with the 5500 I don’t see your numbers. It doesn’t really even change it that much. Not sure which rear end is in it but I’ll look it up in a minute and reply with that. Ok looked it up it’s a 4.44 rear end

[@dchucky86]

You have some Serious issues with that thing. Sittin at 18mpg empty. And still deleting it

[@hotshotstuff8080]

No disrespect, but first you totally messed your truck up with the tunes and delete! If you were after fuel economy, why have a tune that pushes the torque up over 1400? Second you got the wrong gears in your truck to begin with for fuel economy! The low gears are made for power, not fuel saving. Thirdly, that boat is huge! It is scooping so much air it’s ridiculous. And your pushing into 15mph headwinds? Not sure what your expectations are but no truck is going to get any fuel economy pulling that thing at 65mph and up. I haul RV’s for a living with a 20 model HO with Aisin and average 10.5-11 mpg combined hauling and empty. I typically run a load west bound into headwinds, and bobtail back to the east with tailwind. Many of my loads are massive fifth wheels that catch all the wind they can. I slow down between 60-62 and will see mpg in the 8.5-12 mpg again depending on headwinds and elevation gains. Bobtail I see 14-22 mpg, again greatly affected by headwinds vs tail winds. Also my truck has the 3.73 gears. My advice is to buy a truck suited for your demands, drive it accordingly. If that means high speeds pulling large wind catching cargo, then get ready to burn some fuel!

[@GaryBlankenship96b40]

Absolutely

[@unknownpersonally1612]

It’s the tune brother

[@DavidWilks]

Nope. I've got 30+ years of tuning experience and the data logs show the lack of compression compared to the SO engine is why the MPGs are so bad. Every HO owner says the same thing.

[@justin-davis]

Non HO for life lol

[@Ray_Crum]

I hear you ,great information, If you don't need it .. Don't buy it . I took a Sweet video of a Boat and truck , at the Chula Vista Marina the other day , you may like to see it ,, it's up on my page ,

[@GaryBlankenship96b40]

How much weight you towing ?

[@DavidWilks]

At the time of that video, I was towing a boat that weighed around 12k and with the trailer came in under 14,500#. The inefficiencies of an engine trying to make power without the benefit of Compression is the true issue. I have done everything since this video with the exception of changing the pistons to regain the power lost by Cummins conceding to the EPA to produce the power levels dictated by Ram's marketing teams.

[@GaryBlankenship96b40]

@@DavidWilks cool

[@GaryBlankenship96b40]

@@DavidWilks go to banks stuff see if it helps

[@nushi-ching852]

You’re in tow haul, look at your RPMs they’re high

[@larrymadden6174]

B.S. I pull 30,000 lbs and get 10 mpg. Aisin transmission.

[@DavidWilks]

With what gears? What trailer? Maybe with a tailwind... but statements like that are horseshit unless you have context.

[@larrymadden6174]

@DavidWilks 3.73 no tailwind. 50' 3 car wedge trailer. Been transporting cars for 15 years. This is the best setup I have found.

[@larrymadden6174]

And it's stock. No tune.

[@DavidWilks]

@@larrymadden6174 That's exactly it... 3.73s vs the 4.10s are a HUGE difference as I am running 2200 rpm at 70mph. When i bought my truck, it was when Covid restrictions to importing the RAMs to the USA were just trickling in and there simply was no inventory, so I took what they had and never thought about the HO or the 4.10 was going to be such a setback. I can drive faster to save money on hotels by getting somewhere sooner or drive slower to save fuel and have to get a hotel and ultimately be slower time on my delivery.

[@disarmyou84]

Come on bro

[@eeservco8773]

Crybaby

[@jesusiscoming6843]

Hey we’re you able to figure out the problem or is it just the ho paired with the 4.10? My 2017 f250 was getting 11 mpg towing a 5k pound dump trailer empty 8-9 when loaded turns out the eve valve was “stuck open” got that fixed under warranty and went back to 16 towing