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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | I currently have 1997 Dodge with the 360. Recently got a new job, where I need to actually drive my truck to and from work instead of just for fishing and hauling. Thinking about getting a newer one in 2006-2008 range. Just looking for info from those that have had, or currently own the 1/2 ton trucks. Both 4.7 and 5.7 engines. What kind of mileage do you get both empty and towing. I hope to get out fishing more with my new job, but still won't be weekly or long trips most of the time. I know the 5.7 would be better for my Ranger 690VS, but does the smaller engine hold its own? Just afraid my current truck is going to start giving me problems now that it is a daily driver and getting more miles. I am getting 14 mpg with it though, which surprised me a little. Thanks for any info. |
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Location: Des Moines IA | I have a 2003 4.7 and would not recommend it for towing anything bigger than a small aluminum or Jon boat. The 5.7 is a must for anything over 2000 pounds. It doesn't do bad with the OD off, but it runs @ 3000 rpm @ 70 mph, and CHEWS fuel when towing my 2002 Tuffy 1700. Somewhere in the 8-9 mpg range. |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hi Shawn,
I just traded my 2003 Ram 1500 quad cab. It had the 1st generation 5.7 Hemi in it that was still going strong. I purchased it with only 34 miles on it, and when trade-time came, it had 229,000 on it without a rebuild. At that point in time, it was still able to get 14 - 15 on the highway at 60mph, but would drop dramatically at anything higher than that. Pulling the boat, I was able to get 10 - 12 depending on my foot. I also pulled a 1/2 ton towable 5th wheel and it would see 8mpg. No tranny issues, just oil, tires, and gas and brake pads/rotors. The only mechanical things that were replaced on that truck were one tie rod end, the front hubs twice, and a broken exhaust valve spring....oh, and a power steering hose.
Now...the engine designs that followed in the 5.7 have the ability to shut down a couple of cylinders to help improve fuel economy, but am not sure how that worked while pulling a load.
I would bet the 4.7 could pull the 690, but I would think it would be a bit slow on start-up, and would have lower fuel mileage because the engine has to work harder in order to get to the desired speed, pulling out of ramps, etc. When not towing, I am sure it would get better mileage, so much of that will depend on how much time you spend pulling vs how much you are using it as a daily driver.
I traded on another Ram...cannot complain at all about anything...
Steve |
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Posts: 556
| Had a 2002 with the 4.7-----worked fine with my 16 ft-- under 2000lb boat---but mileage was only 18 without towing and 14 towing the boat....Now have a 2008 with the 5.7 hemi----19-20 empty---and 14 towing a larger 3000 lb rig. Both trucks were awesome vehicles with the 4.7 racking up 130,000 in 6 yrs use and still going strong. 5.7 has been absolutely trouble free also but only 69,000 miles to date. |
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Posts: 389
Location: Corning, Iowa | We have a 010 Dodge 1500, with a 5.7 and 3.55 gears. Much better handling than our 06, 2000, 2002 2004, 2007 trucks. We can average 18-20 MPG at 55-60 empty Pulling the boat at 75, we drop to 13 to 14. Boat is a 2012 Lund 1775 Pro V. Love it. Good luck Doug |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | Great info guys! Real world mileage and performance reports from people that do the same things I do. You can search online and nobody comes close to having the same answers. Any others? |
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Posts: 229
Location: Plover, WI | I have an 08. Empty I get 20-21 hwy going 66mph. Towing dropped it down to 16-17 same speed. |
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Posts: 6
| I got a 2008 with the 4.7. Not towing, 68 MPH on the interstate and I get 16-17 MPG. Towing my Tracker Tunder with a 150 (I have no clue what it weighs) I drop to 8 or 9 MPG just like everyone else. All the mileage I just gave you is based on the engine compute not my own calculation.
That said, I think the 4.7 has plenty of power for what I need. Sure the Hemi would be nice, but I'm good with what I have.
I've had F-150s, 1500 Silverados, a Suburban and this is by far my favortie truck.
StormyK |
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Posts: 68
| Be sure whatever Dodge you get isn't losing coolant.The 4.7, the Magnums, and some of the GM 5.3/5.7 are prone to head cracking. The castings get a little thin in some spots. Pending where the crack is it might not be a big deal, other times you will be replacing them! I work at Michigan Engine Pro and we sell quite a few of them trust me. Im not saying any of them are bad engines,...I'm just sayin' be careful. |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | I know they all have problems. I've had to replace a head on my wife's vehicle. Cost the same as my buddy getting spark plugs changed on his wonderful Ford design. |
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Posts: 556
| Both of my DODGE's with the 4.7 and 5.7 have been fine in the coolant ISSUE---But my son's 03 CHEVY with the 5.3 did have the head crack..... I have to say---the DODGE's have been ROCK SOLID as far as reliability !!! Wouldn't even think of buying anything different after the 2 RAMS I have had. 2014 might get me a NEW ONE !!!!! |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | You all have helped me decide on the engine. Definately going to be the 5.7. Any other info for the 06-08 era trucks? |
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Posts: 1207
Location: Pigeon Forge TN. | I have a Dodge Durango with a 5.9 magnum. Has 176,950 on it right now and runs like a champ.
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Posts: 383
| Had an '07 with the 5.7. Awesome boat puller! |
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Posts: 383
| Had an '07 with the 5.7. Awesome boat puller! |
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Posts: 256
Location: plant earth | i have 2006 big horn w/ 5.7 hemi with the MDS system it just rolled 120,000 and is darn near as good as the day i bought it. other than normal main. it has been a very sound vehicle. its 4x4 as well |
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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | If you go to 09 or newer the 4th Gen has a much improved ride. I am amazed at how nice my 2012 rides. The Hemi even makes it fun to drive, lots of power. Average mileage not towing 16-17 - up to 19 on freeway trips. Towing 17' alum boat getting about 14. |
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Posts: 999
| 07 1500 Hemi. 16 hwy 12 pulling, rides like a lumberwagon. Sweet truck! |
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Posts: 791
Location: WI | Granted I am a Chevy guy but my fishing partner had an 07 ram with the hemi and it got 8-11 mpg pulling his 16 foot Lund and even worse pulling my 175 tourney pro. He now has a silverado. My other buddie has a '12 ram with the new motor and claims to get decent mileage. I drove it a few months ago and his average over the life of his truck was 12.8mpg. That's not decent Get a silverado or the new Eco boost ford. |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | I have an 07 hemi, got it brand new after i traded my 98 390 dodge. I have 85,000 on the 07 and love it. 21mpg at 60mph, 16mpg at 72mph. I pull my 08 z-7 nitro quite a bit and get 13mpg. 15mpg pulling my go-devil rig. Great truck with 345hp. The one thing i will forwarn you about though, when it comes time for a tune-up, get ready for a kick in the teeth. There are 16 spark plugs in that truck and they don't give them away. |
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Posts: 1040
| I have a 2012 1500 Sport Truck. 5.7 Hemi engine. Pulls my Ranger 188 like nothing is back there. Without the boat, on the highway, I get about 19-21 MPG. With the boat it gets about 15-16 MPG.
Dealer told me I was foolish to get the 5.7 to pull a boat. He said that the V6's do a fine job. Still I felt better about the big 8 for longevity and for pulling heavy glass boats out of poor launches. |
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Posts: 201
| I'm a Dodge dealer. Get the HEMI. The 4.7L are starting to develop some piston knock over time that could be a headache. |
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Posts: 299
| 2004 Ram with 5.7 Hemi. 90,000 miles and no engine or transmission issues. It pulls my 17' Tuffy like a toy. |
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Posts: 119
| I would skip the half ton trucks and move into a used 03-04 2500 or 3500. Get a cummins diesel and manual transmission from this period and they are rock solid up to 500,000 miles. The 03-04 do not use an egr system and are much better than the newer motors. With a basic tune 22mpg highway in 2wd is achievable. I would look for some from out west where they don't salt the roads. 100,000 Miles is just broken in for this kind of truck so don't shy away from mileage. The biggest problems I have encountered with dodge trucks is rust. Dodges seem to rot from the inside out and special attention is needed on any type of scratch or nick I'm the paint. The automatic transmissions can also be problematic which is why I suggest a manual. |
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Posts: 1753
Location: Mt. Zion, IL | Get an 09 or newer. Mileage will be much improved over the generation you are looking at. I have a 10 hemi 4x4 with 3.55 gears and I have gotten as high as 23.4 mpg empty to and from Chicago from Decatur with the cruise at 70. I get 18 when I pull my buddy's 20' charger boat in the spring and fall.
Be sure to run Amsoil signature series lubricants in the vehicle everywhere and you will see dramatic gains.
Winter mileage with the blend of gas in our area I get 18-20 on the highway depending on the wind. |
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Posts: 8
| I have 2008 2500 with the 5.7, normally get @ 14 mpg around town, @ 11-12 pulling boat, probably could do better on mileage but tend to run 75-80 on trips. Only problem I have had was with rear end seal leaking, covered under warranty. I have owned 1/2 ton trucks before, definite difference when pulling with the heavier truck. |
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Posts: 153
| get a chevy have a 2000 tahoe with the 5.7 vortc when driveing up north to deer hunt I get 20 to 21 hwy with the cruise set at 69mph with my 16 foot deep v lund I get 18 to 19 doing the same speed tahoes and suburbans are excelent tow vehicals due to the beefer suspenion plus the ride like a cadilac when I upgrade to my next vehical im geting another tahoe my boss has the newer f150 with eco boost and dosnt get the gas millage they say they do if you get a dodge go with a desiel lot better fuel economy |
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