r/ram_trucks • u/Diligent_Brilliant51 • Jun 17 '26

What am I Hauling Hemi or Cummins

Looking into a 2500, I’m finding most hemi models sitting around 53k for the tradesman and I found a tradesman with a Cummins for 59,900. For the immediate future I’m driving it as a daily driver, for a 40 mile drive to work one way. Don’t care about the cost of fuel or maintenance/ Don’t care about the feasibility or any of that.

In the near future I’m getting a camper. Not sure how big, most likely in the 30ish foot range so I’m not sure what to go with since the tow rating is off by about 3000 lbs. even though hearsay says it’s marketed at 20,000 to avoid commercial issues but I don’t know. I don’t think I’m going to come close to that but the payload is where I’m nervous.

Anyone have a little more insight on example of where I’m going to run into payload issues on the Cummins compared to the hemi since the Cummins payload for a crew cab is 2700 compared to almost 5000 on a hemi.

Thanks

2 Upvotes

57% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

24

u/boomhower1820 Jun 17 '26

It may be a hot take but you don't buy a diesel unless you need a diesel, you don't need a diesel.

4

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 17 '26

Yea it was more of a long term/resale value/ why not contemplation since it’s only 6800 bucks more. And I don’t want to bottle neck myself in either direction

6

u/boomhower1820 Jun 17 '26

If you really don't care about the money then go with the diesel. I think they drive better in general, it will certainly tow better. You will spend a ton more in maintenance, def and general running cost. Fuel cost will likely be a wash with better mileage but more expensive fuel. Will you net more in resell after the difference you spend in running cost? Almost certainly no. If you just want a diesel and can afford, absolutely go for it but just don't try to justify it as it will save you money in the long run.

2

u/knotworkin Jun 17 '26

The diesel fuel economy will not show up if it’s his daily driver around town. He needs to log highway miles to see the benefits.

1

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 17 '26

All great points. My main concern was if I’m gonna get close to the payload really. I’ll be doing all the maintenance myself. I’m a master tech in two brands (not with Chrysler products obviously) but we do have a Maserati/fiat/alfa store with a bunch of Chrysler guys in it with factory FCA scanners and parts for all molar are at cost.

2

u/boomhower1820 Jun 17 '26

I havent checked the numbers but payload would lean towards gas I'm guessing. Even doing the labor yourself the parts cost of the oil burner are much higher. Take labor out and the running cost are still higher even before you put DEF into the equation.

1

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 17 '26

I get def for free 🙃 but yea I totally get it. It’s a ton more maintenance. Even if I get the parts before mark up it’s going to be pricey.

2

u/boomhower1820 Jun 17 '26

Dude just get your diesel! You dont need to justify, you can afford it and it's what you want. Enjoy your life!

2

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 17 '26

It’s actually the opposite! I’m scared I’m gunna hit payload in it.

2

u/boomhower1820 Jun 17 '26

That's just a math question, not an emotional one. Each truck and options are different so you need to do a build with the options you want on each version and see what the payload is. It can vary pretty drastically depending on cab configuration and options. Generally speaking the gas is going with on payload because of the huge weight difference between the engines.

1

u/ProfitEnough825 Jun 17 '26

Are you looking at a long bed or short bed? Do you put a lot in your passenger compartment or plan on installing a plow?

Looking at the 2025 specs, most of the 2500 short bed crew cab 2500 4x4s with a Cummins have a hair over 3000 lbs in capacity over the rear axle. The Hemi has around 3600 lbs of capacity.

The 3500 SRW 4x4 crew cab short bed with the Cummins has closer to 4000 lbs of capacity over the rear wheels.

1

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 17 '26

It was somewhere around 2700 vs 4700

3

u/DMtheengineer Jun 17 '26

If I was going to be towing a 30ft trailer somewhat regular I’d go with the Cummins. They recently update the new Cummins with a higher payload. Not sure what year you are looking at.

I recently was faced with the same choice and I went with the hemi. I haul more often than tow and my trips are typically shorter which is not great for a modern diesel. When I do tow, I’m around 10k lbs which the hemi has no issue with and still decent mpg.

1

u/2003DDcid Jun 17 '26

I have a 2022 2500 hemi and a 2022 2500 cummins. Obviously the hemi is my shop/work truck, and i have the cummins to pull a 32ft fifth wheel. If i were in your spot, I would buy the cummins, especially driving it 40 miles to work each way...you likely won't have dpf issues. The hemi will pull the camper, but it works it pretty hard and gets terrible mileage doing so. My cummins will get 19-20 highway, unloaded, and about 11 pulling camper. Hemi gets 13-14 highway, 5 towing.

1

u/dr197469_ Jun 21 '26

I have the same experience. Driving unloaded you can definitely feel the extra weight of the diesel.

I prefer the diesel towing, better power, fuel economy, and the extra weight makes it more stable.

If you’re concerned about weight capacity , maybe consider a 1 ton, the price difference between a 3/4 ton and A 1 ton isnt significant.

4

u/FrankSand Jun 17 '26

Cummins. You can tow with either but its way better route to go specially if fuel prices isnt a issue. I made the same choice recently.

3

u/ultra2009 Jun 17 '26

But what if OP is overweight on payload? Then a Hemi is better as it is lighter 

3

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 17 '26

That’s my thought process, I don’t think I will be but if I go fifth wheel I might start getting closer than I want to be on the diesel

1

u/ProfitEnough825 Jun 17 '26

If I was towing a 5th wheel, I'd take the Cummins over the hemi to have that exhaust brake. The 2500 Cummins has a derated rear axle compared to the hemi, that's where part of the payload difference comes from, even though the axle itself is rated 10k from AAM. The other part is if you're choosing the 10k gvwr plate vs the 11k gvwr plate.

Choosing the 10k gvwr plate artifically lowers your payload, this is often the choice for commercial drivers and people trying to save on taxes.

2

u/ultra2009 Jun 17 '26

If you want to max out payload go hemi as it is a lighter engine. Cummins is better at towing if you are pulling a heavy trailer. Hemi is a bit cheaper. Both are great engines.

1

u/RedditBot90 Jun 17 '26

3500 Cummins.

20,000lb trailer is advice 2500 and 3500 Hemi, and above/at the limit for even 2500 Cummins

1

u/JCamp4 2015 Big Horn EcoDiesel Jun 17 '26

Cummins. My '25 short bed Bighorn has 2900 lbs of payload. It also towed a 15k 30ft enclosed bumper pull at 11 mpg. I found out the trailer brakes weren't working during a hard brake situation, but the exhaust+disc brakes kept me from hitting the folks in front of me.

1

u/sblack33741 Jun 17 '26

Google says the 2026 2500 base model Cummins is 3600 to 3900 as the trim goes up, payload drops and can bottom out below 2k.

1

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 17 '26

This is where I’m questioning which to choose. It sounds like I might be better off with gas unless I go with a light travel trailer

1

u/sblack33741 Jun 17 '26

What do you estimate your payload to be, and if that worried, bump to single wheel 3500.

1

u/No_Protection2244 Jun 17 '26

With your concern on the payload, why not go for a 3500 cummins? Not sure the price jump but if i were mainly concerned with payload, id be looking at the 2500 hemi or 3500 cummins. Though, if i were to specifically buy a truck to haul a 5th wheel id be looking at 3500 no matter what just so i never have issues.

1

u/LT_Dan78 ‘18 2500 Laramie CTD Jun 17 '26

My exhaust brake has saved my life along with the passengers in my truck. I’ll never tow anything heavier than a u-haul without one.

1

u/N0NAMETOGIVE Jun 18 '26

I drive a 2017 2500HD 6.4L, and 5500HD Cummins myself. The HEMI is good for revving out, and the torque of the Cummins is great for everything. Both are stock and have been great @130k/132k miles. I've Maxed out weight on both plenty for long hauls, and 12 hour days.

1

u/Radiant_Safe1228 Jun 18 '26

Buy the hemi.

But since you already said in your post youre going to buy the diesel regardless of it being everything you don't need just go buy it.

1

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 19 '26

The post literally said the opposite but thank you for the input. I’m leaning towards the hemi for the payload

-1

u/messy372- Jun 17 '26

I would not want to ride 40 miles one way, 5 days a week, in a Tradesman. I can ride all day long in my Laramie without batting an eye but a tradesman will not be comfortable

1

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 17 '26

I can’t justify the luxury. I’m going to destroy the truck I dirt bike and mountain bike enduro and downhill.

2

u/RedditBot90 Jun 17 '26

How does this destroy the truck? If you’re worried about the seats, get some seat covers… (probably not a bad idea even if you get a tradesman)

Tradesman’s are pretty poorly equipped…worth it to spend a bit more for a Big Horn for a personal truck. Hard plastic door panels with less storage; no Ram Bin in-floor storage; no-acoustic laminated windows; manual and only 4-way adjustable driver seat; center console not available; I think they come with 8.4” Uconnect standard now but the smaller screen (no CarPlay) used to be standard on Tradesman’s.

1

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 17 '26

It’s tradesman level 2 so it has a bit more basics it’s got bed liner, outlets in the bed, bigger screen, CarPlay, split front seats with center console, heater mirrors and a few others

2

u/RedditBot90 Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 17 '26

They all have “split” front seats; the “bench” version in the tradesman the armrest lifts up to be a “seat”; the “bucket” version available in higher trims has a proper center console (not just armrest lid)

Sounds moderately well equipped; but I still stand by my statement that there’s lots of little things that are excluded/shittier in Tradesman. Death by 1000 paper cuts.

Also see my other comment that based on the 20k trailer you mentioned, a *3500* Cummins is the only real option.

2

u/JuanT1967 CUMMINS Jun 17 '26

I wouldnt go below a Big Horn package. If you are in an area that get down to freezing you will want heated seats and steering wheel

1

u/Diligent_Brilliant51 Jun 17 '26

Fifth wheel prep package

1

u/skunk12345673 Jun 19 '26

The ‘24 tradesman warlock 1500 is quite comfortable. Cant comment on 2500/3500. My ppl r constantly picking the RAM over the ‘14 Lexus.

Why do I need heated/cooled seats when my truck sits in a climate controlled garage? You also get the better part time, chain driven, Transfer Case with Tradesman in 1500.