Equipment World

October 2014

Equipment World Digital Magazine

Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/389791

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 60 of 75

pro pickup | by Bruce W. Smith EquipmentWorld.com | October 2014 61 W hen you are tow- ing a trailer with a 1/2-ton pickup, getting around slower-moving traffi c quickly and safely, especially if one works anywhere other than the fl atlands, can be frustrating even with a V-8 under the hood. So ordering a V-6 in a work truck seems counterintuitive to most con- tractors who need to have an engine with hefty torque to provide good trailer-towing capability. However, the 3.0-liter diesel V-6 under the hood of Ram Trucks' 1500s is nothing like a typical gas V-6; the new engine is every bit as strong in pulling power as most small-block V-8s while giving them a good whipping in the fuel economy category. I found this out when I spent nearly two weeks behind the wheel of a black 2014 Crew Cab SLT 4x4 sporting the Fiat-sourced EcoDiesel. Ram's EcoDiesel doesn't perform like any other V-6 I've driven except maybe Ford's 3.7L EcoBoost. The throttle response is quick; the low- to mid-range torque pulls strong; the 8-speed automatic behind it shifts with near perfection; and the engine has a nice hint of throaty exhaust. Then you take a glance at the fuel mileage displayed on the dash and see a number that's at least a third better than the optional Hemi would be delivering and several mpg better than Ram's new Pentastar V-6. I regularly saw 28-plus mpg on the open road running 65 to 70 mph while observing low 20s around town. Even towing a 4,000-pound enclosed equipment trailer for more than 150 miles netted 14.2 mpg and the majority of those miles were travelling in Road Test: Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Fiat-sourced VM Motori V-6 EcoDiesel is a turbo'd, dual- overhead-cam, 24-valve that makes V-8-like torque at 420 foot- pounds while delivering highway mpg in the high 20s. Don't be fooled by this Ram Crew Cab 4x4's 3.0-liter V-6; it pulls like a V-8 while delivering 28 mpg on the open road

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Equipment World - October 2014