Family of 6 future tow vehicle.
I'm just looking for some opinions here. Current situation is: 2005 GMC yukon XL 2500 8.1 big block with 180,xxx miles. 2017 coachman Freedom express 320bhds probably around 9.5k -10k loaded up r...
Forum Discussion
LIKE2BUILD wrote:anw7405 wrote:
Just from real world experience I would stay away from DEF. Here is why.
Truck #1 2014 Ram cummins kept stranding my parents in limp mode. Had to delete entire exhaust system
Truck #2 2014 Ram cummins same thing. Had to delete.
Truck #3 2015 durmax same thing. Had to delete.
Truck #4 2014 powerstroke. Complete disaster had to sell the truck.
Truck #5 2006 cummins no issues.
Truck #6 2009 cummins no issues.
Truck #7 2005 cummins no issues.
Truck #8 2009 cummins no issues.
This has my curiosity. My 2014 Ram-Cummins has 133,000 miles and I've only had one DEF related issue in 3 years of ownership. That issue was simply a check engine light for 'Insufficient Catalyst' and excessive DEF usage. The situation was caused by using cheap DEF that wasn't high purity. I drained the tank, refilled with PEAK Blue DEF and I've never had another problem since. RAM did replace my catalyst system around 110,000 miles on the recall, but even then it was working perfectly fine.
Maybe I'm an outlier here, but really don't see an issue DEF systems. The pre-DEF trucks were definitely more problematic with DPF's clogging and poor fuel economy. Personally I like the DEF systems; I have the power of diesel without all the stink.
If you're kids are bigger you might be able to find a Mega Cab with a bench seat.
I don't know a lot about the diesel stuff. I do know the newer trucks were well maintained and still had issues. I also know they are allowing RAM dealerships to delete now.
I have a few years to get out of the car seat era. My kids are 2,4,6 and 10. A mega cab might work in a few years. I have looked at them already (for the future) and noticed that a bench seat up front is kinda rare.
