Pickuptrucks.com found an unloaded RAM 1500 with gas V6, 8 speed automatic transmission, 3.21 gears and rear wheel drive returned about a 23 mpg average during highway driving.
A second truck, fitted with a lower 3.55 gear set in the differential, towed a 5500 lb trailer (about maximum for the 1500's combined weight rating). Fuel economy fell to about 11 mpg.
It will be interesting to learn to what degree the 3.0L diesel improves these figures. It may be that the diesel won't make economic sense if your truck is lightly loaded most of the time. Heavily loaded, the diesel will probably be the right choice.
source:
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/03/rampage-the-test-at-davis-dam.html
For comparison: Pickuptrucks.com tested a Ford F150 with EcoBoost turbo V6 over a similar route in 2011. With a 3.71 gearset, and towing a 9000 lb trailer (again, max combined weight rating), the F150 averaged about 8 mpg. Running without the trailer gave mpg in the 18 to 21 range.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/0...d-f-150-fx2-35-liter-ecoboost-v-6-part-1.html
Ford fuel economy chart
http://blogs.cars.com/files/mileage-chart.pdf
A second truck, fitted with a lower 3.55 gear set in the differential, towed a 5500 lb trailer (about maximum for the 1500's combined weight rating). Fuel economy fell to about 11 mpg.
It will be interesting to learn to what degree the 3.0L diesel improves these figures. It may be that the diesel won't make economic sense if your truck is lightly loaded most of the time. Heavily loaded, the diesel will probably be the right choice.
source:
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/03/rampage-the-test-at-davis-dam.html
For comparison: Pickuptrucks.com tested a Ford F150 with EcoBoost turbo V6 over a similar route in 2011. With a 3.71 gearset, and towing a 9000 lb trailer (again, max combined weight rating), the F150 averaged about 8 mpg. Running without the trailer gave mpg in the 18 to 21 range.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/0...d-f-150-fx2-35-liter-ecoboost-v-6-part-1.html
Ford fuel economy chart
http://blogs.cars.com/files/mileage-chart.pdf