New Truck's First Outing

Looks like a keeper. Have been a GM person for the past 30 years. With the new Aisin and 4.10 gears, I may look into Ram next if I go heavier on my next 5er.

Hi Rusty, Looks good , can you tell us about the drive train and the bells :)

The key elements of the drivetrain are listed in the signature. This is the "MaxTow" drivetrain for the Ram 3500 - the optional Cummins rated at 385 BHP and 900 ft-lb of torque available only with the optional Aisin AS69RC 6-speed automatic. This truck also has the 11.8" (300 mm) AAM rear axle with additional ring gear bolting, etc. and the optional 4.10 axle ratio whereas the standard Cummins uses the 11.5" AAM rear axle. It's rated at 39,100 lb GCWR, 14,000 GVWR and 30,050 lb trailer tow rating.

This is a "torque" rather than a "horsepower" trailer tower - my previous early 2011 Ram 3500 had the 350/650 Cummins, 68RFE 6-speed automatic transmission and 4.10 rear axle. Both get the job done, but the 2011 would "horsepower" up the grade when towing, downshifting and revving as high as 3000 RPM to hold speed (it was only down 35 BHP on the new truck). The new truck, however, uses its 250 ft-lb torque advantage on the same grade - it never revved past 2300 RPM to hold speed, and it wants to upshift and "lug" the load up the grade at 1700-1800 RPM riding the meat of its torque curve. Both scenarios are with the transmissions in tow/haul mode and the cruise control set at 65 MPH.

As far as the bells and whistles, this truck has everything except the rear air suspension assist and the rear seat DVD entertainment. Pretty much all of the options come on the Longhorn trim level.

Rusty

All I can say is WOW, I want one when I grow up! Good luck I think you will enjoy many miles of happy towing with that TV!

Nice !!!!!!!!!!

Congrats on the new truck Rusty!! That should tow that MS for many trouble free miles. I hope you enjoy your entire rig, for many years!

Many members towing heavy rigs, seem to be choosing the big Ram! I am thinking there is a good reason.

Jerry

RustyJC wrote:


This is a "torque" rather than a "horsepower" trailer tower -

Rusty

Pretty much every single semi truck manufacturer out there learned that a few years ago.. Better fuel mileage, easier on equipment, etc. Now, if we could just teach the drivers to stop rev'ing the c r p out of those new engines (mostly due to habit).

Nice ride!

Nice looking rig!

x2 with greened.

Rusty, what's not to love? Looks great, as does your 5er...I was a Chevy guy for 35 years when it came to trucks..Only had Ram trucks for "right at" 6 years....love 'em!

Enjoy and keep us posted on some of your towing trips


Jim