The engine decision on a Ram Heavy Duty is one of the most consequential choices a Long Island buyer makes - and it is not as simple as “diesel costs more but tows more.” The real comparison involves purchase price difference, fuel cost over time, maintenance requirements, and how you actually use the truck on Nassau County roads and job sites.
Bottom Line: The 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel is the right choice for serious towing and payload work on Long Island. The 6.4L HEMI V8 makes sense if you primarily use the truck as a work vehicle with moderate towing (under 10,000 lbs) and want to avoid diesel’s higher upfront cost and maintenance complexity.
- Cummins 6.7L Diesel: 370 hp, up to 850 lb-ft torque - maximum towing capability
- HEMI 6.4L V8: 410 hp, 429 lb-ft torque - capable and less complex, lower initial cost
- Diesel premium: approximately $9,000-$11,000 over the HEMI at comparable trims
- Fuel cost difference: diesel typically saves money after 100,000+ miles of heavy use
The Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel: Built for Long Island’s Hardest Work
The Cummins 6.7L turbocharged inline-six is one of the most respected diesel engines in the truck industry, and the numbers explain why. At 850 lb-ft of torque (on the high-output version), it delivers the kind of sustained low-rpm pulling power that HEMI gas engines simply cannot match. For a Long Island contractor pulling a heavy equipment trailer across the bridges to Suffolk County or navigating the Sunrise Highway with a loaded flatbed, that torque advantage is tangible every time you accelerate.
Fuel economy improves meaningfully with diesel under load. A HEMI working at 80% of its towing capacity burns fuel at a rate that flattens its efficiency numbers. The Cummins maintains better economy precisely when the load is heaviest, because diesel’s thermodynamic efficiency advantage grows under sustained load rather than declining. For Nassau County contractors who regularly tow to job sites in Garden City, Uniondale, or Mineola, real-world diesel fuel savings add up over a working season.
The diesel does not win every category. Its higher purchase price ($9,000-$11,000 more than the HEMI), higher maintenance complexity (diesel exhaust fluid, more complex emissions systems, and higher-cost oil changes), and occasional regeneration cycles in stop-and-go Long Island traffic are real costs to consider. For the full context on Ram HD configurations, see our complete Ram Heavy Duty guide.
The HEMI 6.4L V8: Simpler, Capable, and Underrated
The HEMI 6.4L V8 produces 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque - numbers that look modest compared to the Cummins’s torque rating but feel plenty capable in everyday Long Island use. For moderate towing applications (5,000-10,000 lbs), the HEMI handles the work without complaint and without requiring diesel fuel, exhaust fluid, or the associated maintenance overhead.
| Spec | 6.4L HEMI V8 | 6.7L Cummins Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | ✓ 410 hp | 370 hp |
| Torque | 429 lb-ft | ✓ 850 lb-ft |
| Max Tow Capacity | ~16,300 lbs | ✓ ~20,000 lbs |
| Engine Upfront Cost | ✓ Standard (no premium) | +$9,000-$11,000 |
| DEF Required | ✓ No | Yes |
Maintenance simplicity matters for working trucks. The HEMI requires conventional oil changes, spark plug replacement on a reasonable schedule, and straightforward repairs that any qualified shop can perform. Diesel maintenance on Long Island is more specialized - fewer independent shops service modern diesel emissions systems competently, meaning you are more dependent on authorized Ram service centers like Garden City Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram.
"The break-even point on the diesel option usually falls around 100,000 miles of heavy towing work. If a Long Island contractor is going to tow 15,000 lbs three days a week for five years, the diesel pays for itself and then some. For someone who uses the truck occasionally for heavy loads, the HEMI is the smarter financial choice."
General Manager, Garden City Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram
Real-World Fuel Costs for Long Island Drivers
Diesel’s fuel economy advantage is most pronounced during heavy towing and highway driving. Unloaded around Garden City and Hempstead, a Ram HD HEMI gets approximately 12-14 mpg; the Cummins diesel gets 15-18 mpg. The gap widens under load - HEMI towing efficiency drops meaningfully while diesel’s efficiency holds better.
At current New York fuel prices, the diesel’s fuel economy advantage saves roughly $1,500-$3,000 per year for a contractor who regularly tows and logs 20,000+ miles annually. That math means the engine premium takes 4-7 years to recoup through fuel savings alone - without accounting for the higher diesel maintenance costs, which partially offset the fuel savings.
For occasional towers who put 12,000 miles per year on the truck with light towing most of the time, the HEMI’s upfront savings are never recovered through fuel economy. Choose the Cummins only when your use case genuinely demands its torque or towing capacity.
Browse Ram HD inventory at Garden City Jeep to compare HEMI and Cummins-equipped models. Check current Ram HD specials for available incentives on both engine options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cummins diesel worth it on a Ram 2500 for Long Island use?
For contractors who regularly tow over 12,000 lbs or log significant miles under load, the Cummins diesel earns its premium over a long ownership period. For drivers using the Ram 2500 primarily as a work truck with moderate towing, the HEMI V8 delivers capable performance with less upfront cost and simpler maintenance. The diesel premium is typically $9,000-$11,000 - worth calculating your specific use case against that cost.
How much torque does the Ram HD Cummins diesel produce?
The Cummins 6.7L high-output diesel produces 850 lb-ft of torque paired with a 68RFE or Aisin six-speed automatic transmission. The standard-output Cummins produces 660 lb-ft. Both far exceed the HEMI V8’s 429 lb-ft. For towing heavy equipment, boat trailers, or flatbed loads on Long Island roads, the Cummins torque advantage is most apparent at low speeds and during trailer starts on inclines.
Does the Ram HD diesel require DEF (diesel exhaust fluid)?
Yes. The Cummins 6.7L diesel uses diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) as part of its Selective Catalytic Reduction emissions system. DEF is widely available at fuel stations across Nassau County, and the Ram HD carries approximately 6-7 gallons of DEF with a range of roughly 5,000-6,000 miles between refills. The Ram’s instrument panel alerts you when DEF levels are low.
What is the difference between Ram 2500 and 3500 towing capacity?
With the Cummins diesel, the Ram 2500 tows approximately 20,000 lbs conventionally; the Ram 3500 single-rear-wheel tows around 26,000 lbs; the Ram 3500 dual-rear-wheel reaches up to 37,090 lbs. The HEMI V8 in the Ram 2500 tows approximately 16,300 lbs - capable for most Long Island contractor needs but not suitable for the heaviest equipment.
Are diesel trucks harder to start in cold Nassau County winters?
Modern diesel engines, including the Cummins 6.7L, are equipped with glow plugs and block heaters that make cold starts in New York winters routine. Unlike older diesel technology, the current Cummins starts reliably in below-freezing Nassau County temperatures. Parking in a garage or using the optional engine block heater on the coldest nights eliminates any cold-start concern entirely.
Garden City Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram serves Nassau County drivers in Garden City, Mineola, Hempstead, and Uniondale. Browse Ram Heavy Duty inventory in both HEMI and Cummins configurations.
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