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Going from 2018 Ram 2500 Cummins to a 2020 Tundra 4x4 TRD Sport

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by kwhadden, Feb 8, 2020.

  1. Feb 8, 2020 at 10:23 PM
    #1
    kwhadden

    kwhadden [OP] New Member

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    I'm looking for some input and/or advice on going from a 2018 Ram 2500 Cummings to a 2020 Tundra 4x4 TRD Sport.

    As a preface, I bought a new 2001 Toyota Tundra in 01 and drove that truck relentlessly until 2018 when a deer decided to run into me. Needless to say, insurance totaled my paid for truck and forced me to purchase something else. I had put 349,000 on the truck and many of those miles were pulling a 7x12 sound equipment trailer around the southeast. At 225,000 miles I had to have the top end rebuilt because my lifters were burnt pretty bad. The mechanic said that pulling was probably the culprit. Other than that, it was rarely in the shop. It was a trouper and I wouldn't think twice about driving it cross country. I still miss that truck.

    In 2018, when I was in the market for a new truck, I looked at New Tundras but ended up buying a new 2018 Ram 2500 with the Cummings. Based on all the research I did, my thinking was the amount of pulling I was doing would make the Ram more economical and reliable. Let me just go ahead and say that apparently those MPG numbers posted by many are either inflated or my truck is a dud. What is registered on the dash is not the actual MPG based on actual calculations of miles and gallons. Running unloaded I get on average 17mpg and pulling a 7x12 enclosed trailer I get on average 12mpg. Not only that, since November of 2018 when I bought the truck it has been in for warranty work 5 times. The warranty work has not been anything major like motor or transmission but it has still been warranty work and 160 mile round trip twice for each warranty issue. The issues have always been rattles and pieces that have vibrated loose. The rattles drive me insane. Now that the bumper to bumper warranty has run out (38k miles) I'm scared of what will happen next based on everything else that has happened. I understand that the motor is bullet proof, but what about everything else. It rides rather rough, as most HD trucks, but I can handle that. I just don't want to be nickel and dimed to death on this truck. You would think a $70K truck would be better put together.

    I'm now at a point of considering a 2020 TRD Sport 4x4 and getting rid of the Ram. Has any of you forum members made this type of move or a similar move? What are your thoughts? I understand it's not an apples to apples comparison.
     
    Cpl_Punishment, RangerBP and Doxiedad like this.
  2. Feb 9, 2020 at 12:05 AM
    #2
    Joe333x

    Joe333x Member

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    When I was looking at trucks I also considered a Dodge 2500 with a Cummins and researched the forums and realized if I did buy one I would end up having to drop a decent amount of money into it in order to make it run properly by do all the emissions delete and DEF delete. Once that stuffs done it seems the efficiency and power goes way up. Not trying to talk you out of a Tundra but the Cummins is a great engine it just got nerfed by the EPA with all the emissions crap on the new ones.
     
    kwhadden[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  3. Feb 9, 2020 at 12:25 AM
    #3
    Double Aught

    Double Aught New Member

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    I was into diesels way back in the early 2000's and I owned three Ford Excursions, all with the 7.3 Powerstroke. The few issues I had with the engine, I was able to fix. I never towed anything but a car trailer with a 67 Impala from San Diego to Tucson. I understand those old 7.3's and the tech that went with them is in no way comparable to what is available today, but do you need a diesel to pull your trailer? You already noted that the first gen Tundra gave you almost 350k miles, with practically no down time. Does the 2020 Tundra TRD meet your towing needs? Is the available 100k warranty worth the cost to you? Based on your own experience with Tundras, I would go with the 2020 TRD and get the extended warranty. And when you hit 100k, have the truck completely checked out bumper to bumper and then make a decision on whether to hold on to it (I would get another extended warranty) or do you trade it for a new vehicle. You had excellent service with your first Tundra and less than that with your current ride. jmho
     
    Durania and MS22 like this.
  4. Feb 9, 2020 at 3:30 AM
    #4
    Rider0120

    Rider0120 New Member

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    I don’t how long you have been lurking around the site but they’re are a couple things to consider with a new 2020 tundra compared to your 01.
    Cam tower leak is still a crap shoot if the new truck will have it or not.
    The 2020’s do not have a external trans cooler. Look up past post and some are seeing higher then normal trans temps compared to the 2018 and older trucks.
    These trucks don’t have high GVRW, so when towing you can come close or be overweight.

    When I’m unloaded and I can keep the rev’s down I can achieve 20mpg but when towing I’m right there with you ram with 12mpg. The 4:30’s that comes with the tow package makes it feel like the trailer is not even there, but that comes at a cost for MPG.
     
  5. Feb 9, 2020 at 3:51 AM
    #5
    Creatures 1982

    Creatures 1982 New Member

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    Unless I was pulling over 7000 pound I wouldn’t own a newer diesel. The government has them so plugged up with erg scr dpf etc that mileage is not great and reliability is spotty at best.
    With that said nothing’s perfect but overall Toyota’s have less issues than the big 3
    question is do you need the towing capability of a 3/4 ton?
    One more thing I used to be a mechanic for a dodge dealership you couldn’t give me a fiat product. Sorry

    yes I know tundra capacity is over
    10,000 ....I pull 7000 pound a lot
    Safely
     
    Last edited: Feb 9, 2020
  6. Feb 9, 2020 at 5:51 AM
    #6
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    The Cummins is a 500,000 mile engine in a 50,000 mile truck. As you've already started to experience with the rattles and the recall work.
     
    Shamrock92, Walkem, Durania and 8 others like this.
  7. Feb 9, 2020 at 6:40 AM
    #7
    kwhadden

    kwhadden [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the input. I’m definitely a researcher and I’ve been lurking this forum and any other Tundra forum I could find (like this one best) constantly to find out anything I could find about the new ones. Is the cam tower leak covered in the power train warranty? What mileage do owners typically experience this problem?

    Here in Ga, diesel is around 60 cents per gallon higher than regular. If I could get the same mpg in the Tundra I would be better off per tank.

    Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
     
  8. Feb 9, 2020 at 6:42 AM
    #8
    kwhadden

    kwhadden [OP] New Member

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    I’m not even sure you can delete them anymore legally. I could be wrong.
     
    plumber802 likes this.
  9. Feb 9, 2020 at 6:45 AM
    #9
    kwhadden

    kwhadden [OP] New Member

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    Exactly what I’m finding out. It truly is a great motor even with all the EPA trash that’s on it.
     
  10. Feb 9, 2020 at 6:56 AM
    #10
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    Unfortunately, there are several folks who experienced the leak at quite low mileage on their 2018s and 2019s. The upside is that would give you a lot of time to get assess the leak and decide if you want to live with it or have the engine torn apart to fix it while the truck is still under warranty. It also gives you time to see if both sides will leak so you can potentially just get them to do the repair once.
     
    TheBeast likes this.
  11. Feb 9, 2020 at 7:14 AM
    #11
    Jim LE 1301

    Jim LE 1301 Camaro Lover, SSEM # 11,TTC#179

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    Welcome from NY.
     
    kwhadden[OP] likes this.
  12. Feb 9, 2020 at 7:24 AM
    #12
    Atomic City Tundra

    Atomic City Tundra Cam Tower Leak Addict

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    Definitely take a look at your needs. The Tundra is weak in the payload department, especially compared to a heavy duty. And, as you know - it won't tow anything like the Cummins. If you thought you needed a diesel for your trailer - my guess is that you will be overloaded trying to pull it with the Tundra.
     
    Rider0120 and kwhadden[OP] like this.
  13. Feb 9, 2020 at 7:26 AM
    #13
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    Before I purchased my used Tundra last month I seriously looked at Rams. With the incentives, I could have had a brand new truck for about the same as I paid for a 2016 Tundra with 33k miles. I did a lot of research, and found that what you experienced, or worse, was pretty much the norm. I would be sick if I purchased an expensive new truck and it was in the shop for repair often.

    Fast forward, coming from a 4runner (which has been the best and most reliable vehicle I have ever had) I decided to purchase a Tundra. It had all the packages/options I wanted, good mileage, one owner and I would rather have a solid dependable truck, even if I have to spend a little more at the gas pump.

    I do not pull heavy, just a camper and utility trailer, so it meets my needs. If you do not absolutely need a 2500 series for towing, I do not think there is a better pickup than the Tundra. A Tundra does not ride as well as some of the others out there. Tundras do not have all the new tech or bells but that also means those new tech systems wont be failing. I read a ton of post about people having issues with the big screen infotainment system in the Ram. Then there were the rattles, mechanical issues, etc. I felt that buying a Ram, Ford or Chevy was too much of a risk.
     
  14. Feb 9, 2020 at 7:29 AM
    #14
    TundraTowne

    TundraTowne New Member

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    I had a 2006 5.9 24V 2500 Cummins prior to dabbling into Toyota.
    The Cummins was great! 150K miles without (1) issue. Sold it to a retired Firefighter at 150K. Last month I received a text from the gentleman with a Odometer pic. at 200K letting me know he loved the truck.
    My dad has a 2016 2500 Cummins with your motor. 135K on his ride and the truck, motor, and tranny have served him well with zero issues. We’ve had great luck with Ram and Cummins over multiple Gens of the truck.
    The only reason I got rid of mine was because I wasn’t towing heavy enough to constitute keeping it. So I went to the best 1500 Gas pushing truck that had the same type of reliability track record. Tundra!
     
    kwhadden[OP] likes this.
  15. Feb 9, 2020 at 7:31 AM
    #15
    kwhadden

    kwhadden [OP] New Member

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    My initial reasoning for the diesel was not for the weight of pull but the regularity that I pull. I generally pull my equipment trailer a minimum of 4 shows a month and can go as much as 12. I have slacked off some so the max per month would probably be around 6 now. I think I just thought I always wanted a diesel until I got one and realized the downfalls of owning anything other than a Toyota
     
    Cpl_Punishment likes this.
  16. Feb 9, 2020 at 7:39 AM
    #16
    Atomic City Tundra

    Atomic City Tundra Cam Tower Leak Addict

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    How much does your trailer weigh?
     
    kwhadden[OP] likes this.
  17. Feb 9, 2020 at 9:34 AM
    #17
    Tundra14Platinum

    Tundra14Platinum I love reading the CoC in my spare time

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  18. Feb 9, 2020 at 3:52 PM
    #18
    kwhadden

    kwhadden [OP] New Member

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    ~5k pounds
     
  19. Feb 9, 2020 at 5:46 PM
    #19
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    That should be no issue for your Tundra. If I recall correctly, there are a few guys on here who tow trailers that heavy with their Tundras daily.
     
    kwhadden[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  20. Feb 9, 2020 at 5:56 PM
    #20
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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    The Cummins USED to be a 500k motor, as did lots of diesels. DEF and EGR have ruined that. Not just in pickups either. The Cummins ISX in the Pete I drove in a previous job never had a problem except with the damn emissions bulls**t.
     
  21. Feb 9, 2020 at 6:54 PM
    #21
    kwhadden

    kwhadden [OP] New Member

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    That's what i'm hoping! Thanks for the reply and input.
     
  22. Feb 17, 2020 at 7:52 PM
    #22
    kwhadden

    kwhadden [OP] New Member

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    Got it! Very happy!

     
  23. Feb 17, 2020 at 8:08 PM
    #23
    Redwinger

    Redwinger New Member

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    Welcome from Alberta!! Almost the same truck I have... I love the super white. I had 2017 Ram 1500 and am now loving my new Tundra.
     
  24. Feb 17, 2020 at 8:22 PM
    #24
    GODZILLA

    GODZILLA Hail to the King, Baby.

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  25. Feb 17, 2020 at 8:28 PM
    #25
    realtorblake

    realtorblake Tundra Thunda

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    Congrats! I gave up on a 6.2L Silverado before I bought the Tundra. That 6.2L was a beast, but the 8 speed tranny was junk. Sold it immediately after the dealer service guy told me that their protocal called for some "magic" tranny fluid prior to pulling it apart. That was all I needed to hear...LOL
     
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  26. Feb 17, 2020 at 9:31 PM
    #26
    Trdwillie14

    Trdwillie14 New Member

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    My buddy had a ram 2500 2019. My 14 tundra picked him up every time it was in the shop and we both got a good laugh. He no longer owns it lol. Nuff said.
     
  27. Feb 18, 2020 at 9:09 AM
    #27
    smiles89

    smiles89 New Member

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    Great choice! Beautiful truck
     
  28. Feb 18, 2020 at 9:30 AM
    #28
    kwhadden

    kwhadden [OP] New Member

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    Already started!!!!! First - pulled the TRD Sport 4x4 stickers off. Then got my front windows tinted. My husky liners will be in this week. Black Tailgate "Tundra" letters will be in this week as well. I'm trying to decide what i'm going to add badge-wise after I pull the chrome badges off.

     
  29. Feb 19, 2020 at 9:04 AM
    #29
    Overisland

    Overisland New Member

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    Congrats on the new truck! Consider a Meso Customs minimalist key fob, they are really cool looking and available in a lot of color combinations. I think a white fob with black bolts would look nice for your truck. Are you going to lift it? I have a 2020 Sport as well.
    https://mesocustoms.com/collections...s/products/minimalist-key-fob-3rd-gen-keyless
     
    kwhadden[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  30. Feb 19, 2020 at 10:40 AM
    #30
    Stumpjumper

    Stumpjumper New Member

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    Every I do the break even analysis on a diesel it is a loser. You have to consider not only the extra fuel cost but upfront cost and maintenance. My though has always been that unless you need the extra towing capacity then the diesel is not worth it. I am sure there are plenty of bubba's that buy them for the macho image and put one of those annoying coffee can tailpipe tips on it.
     

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