As the title implies.
Have one? What do you think?
For hauling horses? I am a broken record about size matters. NO!
It’s actually a really, really nice truck. I’m tempted but my current 1/2-ton Ram has a lifetime warranty so I can’t get rid of it :). If I remember correctly it can tow about 9000 lbs (properly equipped). Are you looking at it for a tow vehicle? For a simple 2-horse BP you’d be fine (assuming you aren’t planning on hauling over mountains and stuff like that though VT does have some interesting roads based on all the time I’ve spent there :yes:). Guess it depends on what you are looking to do with it. An old friend of mine has a new 1/2-ton Ram that they tow a gooseneck with…in Vermont - it’s not the diesel version though but she said it tows extremely well (though I would never never never pull a gooseneck with a 1/2-ton!). 
[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;7994170]
As the title implies.
Have one? What do you think?[/QUOTE]
Firstly, I know it’s semantics, but it’s not a Dodge. It’s a RAM…which is a separate brand now. 
The 3.0L EcoDiesel is an excellent engine. Had it been available when I bought my Grand Cherokee Summit, I’d be enjoying it myself. It’s a nice engine in the RAM 1500. A good friend of mine purchased one just before they moved from AZ to FL and it hauled their horse and trailer plus a bunch of other stuff very well. It has more gumption for hauling than the Hemi V8 (which is the engine I have) and is well suited to the towing capacities of that particular truck.
It’s not a good choice if you want to pull more than a 2h BP, however. You’ll want more truck for that. It’s still a 1/2 ton pickup…
^ Yes it’s not a “Dodge” product anymore - totally a separate line of vehicles now - good catch! :yes:
[QUOTE=Jim_in_PA;7994992]
Firstly, I know it’s semantics, but it’s not a Dodge. It’s a RAM…which is a separate brand now. ;)…[/QUOTE]
Eh, potato, patato.
Yes, I realize it’s still a half ton. That’s what I have now and it hauls my two horse with a dressing room just fine. I’m more interested in the potential increased fuel economy since my truck is also my daily driver, and the engine power compared to gas. I’ve hauled with 3/4 ton diesels (F-250) and loved the power that the diesel engine had for towing. Moving down to a gas truck was a disappointment, but since I kicked the owner of the diesel to the curb, I had to get my own rig. At the time, I didn’t need the size of a 3/4 ton. Now that they are offering a half ton diesel, it really caught my interest.
Are you looking at it for a tow vehicle? For a simple 2-horse BP you’d be fine (assuming you aren’t planning on hauling over mountains and stuff like that though VT does have some interesting roads based on all the time I’ve spent there
I think if my current half ton, gas, can do it, the Ram diesel can’t be worse.
I have a 2005 Dodge 2500 Turbo Diesel with an in-line 6. Love, love, love this truck. I’ve got 150K miles on it, a good many of them hauling miles in the mountains. It can definitely handle my 3H GN and I get great mileage. Not sure if I would go the GN route with a 1500 though.
[QUOTE=SuckerForHorses;7995318]
I’m more interested in the potential increased fuel economy since my truck is also my daily driver, and the engine power compared to gas. [/QUOTE]
You will be very pleased with the fuel economy…approaching 30mpg highway, for example. There is a bit more expense in maintenance due to the DEF and “special oil” for changes, but overall, it’s a great engine that is very economical to run. Of course, in North America, we pay a steep premium on diesel fuel over gas, so that has to be considered when you are figuring your actual costs over the expected life of the truck in your hands. And yes, it should handle your 2h DR with no issues at all…it’s not a “lightweight” 1/2 ton of the past. And that Italian engine is really proven, too.
I’m getting 14 mpg right now with my 2013 GMC Sierra 1500, with my winter (studded) tires. In the summer with highway tires, I get only 17 mpg.
I do love my 2009 Dodge 3/4 ton with the manual transmission. It’s the bigger diesel 6.7. Can’t say it’s economical but it’s a towing machine. I tow a gooseneck 3h and we tow a 30ft 5th wheel travel trailer.
It would be interesting to see how the new Ram with this new Diesel engine does. Not enough truck for what I do, but for some one with a 2 h it’s appealing.
A friend of mine bought one and LOVES it. I have hauled her 2 horse GN trailer with it, and it hauls like a dream. Sorry, I don’t know miles/gallon, but she gets about 8litres/100Km when not hauling and close to 13L/100km while hauling.
If you are looking for good mileage buy a diesel. If you want to haul safely a 1/2 ton V8 is the minimum. I would never use a V6 to haul a trailer with horses or any other livestock. I know it is done but it makes me cringe when I see it.
[QUOTE=candyappy;7996071]
If you are looking for good mileage buy a diesel. If you want to haul safely a 1/2 ton V8 is the minimum. I would never use a V6 to haul a trailer with horses or any other livestock. I know it is done but it makes me cringe when I see it.[/QUOTE]
It is a 6 cyl diesel in this new model. My big Dodge is still a diesel 6 cyclinder, but with really big pistons. LOL.
There is a HUGE difference between a diesel 6 cylinder and a gas 6 cylinder. Actually, the Cummins engine that set the standards for diesel towing was an inline 6.
[QUOTE=craz4crtrs;7996086]
It is a 6 cyl diesel in this new model. My big Dodge is still a diesel 6 cyclinder, but with really big pistons. LOL.[/QUOTE]
I see now that it is a diesel( i missed that). I still think a V6 is just not enough when pulling loaded trailers. That is just my preference as we have done a lot of trailer pulling over the years .
I too know a few people who have the new 1500 diesel and they love it! It gets amazing fuel milage (8km/100L - my 8 cylinder 5.4L F150 gets 15km/100L just to give you an idea). I’m super interested in this truck for myself in the next year or so. I also tow a 2 horse trailer and its my daily driver.
We also have the dodge 3500 dually. Amazing truck. Hauls our 40ft live in quarters trailer (15,000lb) all around the States (mountains included!) and it didnt need to be chipped or anything. Tons of power…
And that truck is a 6 cylinder. Gas and diesel are totally different things The 6 cylinder 3500 is equipped to haul 30,000lb. My 8 cylinder 150 is able to haul 7,500lb.
[QUOTE=candyappy;7996226]
I see now that it is a diesel( i missed that). I still think a V6 is just not enough when pulling loaded trailers. That is just my preference as we have done a lot of trailer pulling over the years .[/QUOTE]
No comparison between V6 gas engine and V6 diesel. Even a small V6 diesel is as powerful or more so than many V8 gas engines.
OP, let us know what you decide- love all Dodge/Ram diesels, even though I’ve never owned one
The way I see it, your choices for good horse towing trucks are: 3/4-ton or 1-ton diesel for hauling bigger trailers, or this Ram diesel 1/2ton if you won’t tow more than a medium two horse.
And I would go gooseneck if the weight is reasonable and you can confirm the rear axle has the rating to handle it. Gooseneck tows much more stably - which is important on any size of rig.
[QUOTE=candyappy;7996071]
If you are looking for good mileage buy a diesel. If you want to haul safely a 1/2 ton V8 is the minimum. I would never use a V6 to haul a trailer with horses or any other livestock. I know it is done but it makes me cringe when I see it.[/QUOTE]
The 3.0L EcoDiesel has more torque than the Hemi and is a very different animal from a V6 gas engine. It’s designed for hauling. As I mentioned before, had it been available when I was buying my vehicle, I would have bought it instead of the Hemi, especially with all the miles I put on due to business travel.
