mpg on 2500hd,1500hd, and.... ram quad cab

[Show&Go]

Been having a ton of problems with my truck lately. Little nicknack things. One of the e-fans isnt working, Got a shock going bad, So on and so on. Well the old lady and I take alot of trips, which have all been in my truck stacking up over 20k on it in a year. The truck I got her a lil over a year ago is a town only type of truck. Horrible gas mileage (around 13 in town) and is a very underpowered 98 v6 Dodge ram Full size. SOOO
I've been thinking of getting a ride capable of taking the out of town trips and also being a hauler for my truck. Any track time my truck will see will be on a trailer when it comes to me driving to Texas. So Im wanting to know everyones opinions.
Ive found a few 1500HDs, 2500HDs and a few Ram quad cabs with the ALL MIGHTY 5.7 *haha*
Just wondering what everyones experiences with this rides have been. Are there any extreme problem areas. What normal driving mpg was. How did they ride and so on... Are they good at hauling a car hauler and a truck?

[GasGuzzler]

The 1500HD and 2500 with a U engine LQ4 won't get any better than 13 MPG either unless you keep the revs under 2000 constant highway with no trailer.

[Show&Go]

Should I look closer into a D-max?
How many problems do a D-max have later in life? Either way I am looking a used rides. Around 60k to 100k depending on the truck. Should I stay away from any for sure?

[sierraman]

DON'T buy a ram(this coming from a guy that works at a dodge dealership). i just got back from SA, pulled the truck down there to sell it with an 07 hemi ram. i got 200-225 a tank pulling a loaded trailer. had to stop 3 times to fill up. on the way back i almost made it in 1 tank with an empty trailer. it rode great, just sucked the gas money right out of my wallet.

[farmtruc]

if you're looking to pull, the Dmax is the best choice.
the hd's will get low mileage as well.

[Show&Go]

What is the normal mpg of a d-max loaded and unloaded. Keep in mind the biggest thing I will probably be towing will be A full sized truck (mine) Everything else I see towing will probably be much smaller.
As far as comfort in-cab goes which one wins? This is also going to be the vacation ride/ out of town trip. I know none of them are going to just blow my mind with how great the mpg is. Mid 15 to 20 on the highway unloaded is what im hoping for. As with 12 to 15 loaded with a truck. Are these realistic goals?
Sierra thanks for the input. I will shy away from the Ram unless they "make me an offer I cant refuse"

[Sport91]

D-max is going to be the best towing machine as mentioned, however if you are only towing once every few months its hard to justify the added cost. I have the 01 in my sig, with the help of someone who has already posted in this thread cough cough allen cough my mpg went from seldom over 10 to an average of 12-13 with mixed driving and the best I have seen was just shy of 18 on a tank that was nothing but highway running. Granted I have a little bit larger tire and that probably effects the MPG also.

As for the ride, its a comfortable ride, but at the same time the 3/4 ton is stiff you are gonna know you are in truck built for purpose.

I haul a 18 foot trailer with about an 8000 turd on it fairly regularly, cant complain about its towing characteristics one bit. Depending on where Im going I still get around 10 MPG with it behind me.

[zeake]

05 and up Duramax is where its at. Hands down.

[Show&Go]

05 and up Duramax is where its at. Hands down.

Is there better mpg than the 01 stated above?

IF bought I plan on doing all the small things that can help mpg, Tune, exhaust etc. (no I dont plan on making it a racing D. Just want the best it can get)

[txarkitekt]

If you can afford everything that comes along with the truck (higher initial price, maintenance, etc), then get a DMax. If not, the 6.0L gas motor will be just fine. Just be prepared to get around 13 in the city and 17 on the hwy.