Hi all, Don't want to get into the Ford, Dodge, Chevy debate here. I have a Chevy that I'm getting rid of and looking at a new Dodge Ram 3500 Dually 4WD crew cab long bed with a Cummins Turbo Diesel. It takes DEF fluid which I have no experience with. I know it's an extra expense and pia but is it really that bad to deal with? Also the dealer said it had an Isin (sp?) trans. How is the Isin for durability/reliability? If any of you own a similar vehicle what can I expect for mileage while towing? Thanks.

DEF is a fact of life and no big deal at all.The "Aisin" is a proven medium duty truck trans that you have no reason to worry about at all. All in all the Aisin is as stout as the the Cummins and the most HD trans offered in a PU truck.

DEF is not a big deal-most Flying J truck stops have it at the pump (big truck fuel lanes)last time I got it,2.69 gal took 8.30 worth- the Aisin trans is the heavy duty tranny in the lineup-also gives you 385 HP & 850 lb ft of trailer towing torque!-whsk

That's my truck - 2013 RAM 3500 long bed, 4WD, crew cab Laramie, Cummins Turbo Diesel with the Aisin transmission, cherry red in color. Had it about 3 months now.Like ScottG said - DEF is not a big deal. The truck holds 4 or 5 gallons of DEF. I got around 750 MPG while towing, and it's relatively cheap - less than $3 per gal. I think you can get >1000 MPG of DEF when not towing. They sell DEF at most gas stations in containers, and dispense it at most truck stops.Fuel mileage - towing = 10.5 to 11.5, typically. I actually got 12.8 once, but that was unusual. Not towing = 18 - 19 MPG interstate, but I haven't measured it but on one long trip.The Aisin transmission is a "heavier duty" transmission; from what I hear it was made to compete with the Allison transmission.I Love the exhaust brake on the RAM!

Hiking Hunter wrote:I got around 750 MPG while towing, and it's relatively cheap - less than $3 per gal. I think you can get >1000 MPG of DEF when not towing.Too bad they can't make the truck run off DEF completely :B

Make sure it has the Aisin tranny and the hitch prep if you are towing a 5th wheel. The hitch prep is a 400 dollar factory option and cost a lot more to add it later. Get the picture frame that goes in next from Reese. Chris

Dodge Ram Laramie 3500 Diesel | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

norfla71
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
I have an 08, and wish it had DEF, as it cuts down drastically on regen cycles; I miss full throttle runs without smoke.

Seems no harder to add than windshield washer fluid.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
Aisin also weighs almost 200# more than the 68RFE..(170-180# somewhere there abouts).
mpierce
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
The Aisin is a heavier tranny than the Allison. It is a med duty truck tranny, while the Allison is a pickup designed tranny.
transamz9
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
B.O. Plenty wrote:
ScottG wrote:
Glacier D wrote:
All new diesels in the pickup market use DEF so no big deal. I wish my 2011 Ram used DEF because I would get better fuel mileage and less regens.

The Aisin transmission was developed alongside the Allison, similar transmissions and durability.

The Ally was designed 20 or so years ago.
The Aisin was designed 10 years ago.
They share nothing and were not designed together.
They are not used in the same application. The Ally used in P/U trucks is akin to the 1000 series trans and that transmission is not rated for 37000 lbs combined weight the Ram/Cummins is rated for. When the Cummins is mated to an Allison trans it uses the 2000 series but you'll only find that in medium duty rigs.
The Aisin has much higher torque ratings and is a true medium duty unit.
Sorry but these two are not even close in technology, strength or longevity (and that's why it's almost a $2k upgrade).
Very well stated..

B.O.

I have a F650 single axle dump truck with a Cummins that is mated to an Ally 1000 but it's GVWR is only 26,000#.
whsk
Explorer
Dec 09, 2013
forgot to mention,on a cross country trip I got from 9.4mpg(heavy headwind) to 11.9mpg towing about 12000 lb. 5th wheel-no lack of power anywhere-2013 Ram CC LB 4x4 G56 stick-truck has been great so far!-whsk
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Dec 06, 2013
ScottG wrote:
Glacier D wrote:
All new diesels in the pickup market use DEF so no big deal. I wish my 2011 Ram used DEF because I would get better fuel mileage and less regens.

The Aisin transmission was developed alongside the Allison, similar transmissions and durability.

The Ally was designed 20 or so years ago.
The Aisin was designed 10 years ago.
They share nothing and were not designed together.
They are not used in the same application. The Ally used in P/U trucks is akin to the 1000 series trans and that transmission is not rated for 37000 lbs combined weight the Ram/Cummins is rated for. When the Cummins is mated to an Allison trans it uses the 2000 series but you'll only find that in medium duty rigs.
The Aisin has much higher torque ratings and is a true medium duty unit.
Sorry but these two are not even close in technology, strength or longevity (and that's why it's almost a $2k upgrade).
Very well stated..

B.O.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Dec 06, 2013
45Ricochet wrote:
Nice, a two year old link from a salesperson. What did you expect the employee to say, they got us beat?
We got it, DEF is the future. Of course these systems might very well have some problems down the road and out of warranty period. Again it's the future and without it your not going to meet EPA requirements.
Thank Gaud for Grandfathering.

LOL... That salesperson is RAMs Chief Engineer. But since he can't go on the record and discuss the benefits of DEF after that first doozy of a sales pitch in that first video, I agree he's just a salesperson. :B
45Ricochet
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
Nice, a two year old link from a salesperson. What did you expect the employee to say, they got us beat?
We got it, DEF is the future. Of course these systems might very well have some problems down the road and out of warranty period. Again it's the future and without it your not going to meet EPA requirements.
Thank Gaud for Grandfathering.
gmc6000
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
As other have said, DEF is a non issue. As for mileage, towing heavy (16,000 lbs) such as big toy haulers, realistically 7-8 MPG.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013
funny, I hope he can adapt to new ideas.
chevman