It looks like I am going to order a Ram 3500 dual wheel pickup here in the next two weeks and I wanted some input on a couple of items. First off it will be a Ram so no debate about how a Ford or Chevy would be better please. It will be the Cummins and Aisin drive train but I am stuck on 3:73 or 4:10 axles. The new camper will weigh about 18k lbs Also they have the rear air suspension as an option. Its not the same air ride the 2500 has since its a spring and air bag combo. My concern is it is a closed system using nitrogen and not easy to service short of a dealer doing it. I am sure it would work fine now but 8 years from now would good old leaf springs be a better choice? Does anyone have this system now. This adds over a grand to an already very expensive truck. I also know it is not adjustable other than a couple of settings inside the cab. Other than that I have it pretty well figured out. Long bed Laramie, leather, cherry red, most everything except moon roof. It will be overkill for our 10k lb 5th wheel we have now but a Mobil Suites 36' is in our future I hope. I am selling my 08 Ram and my trusty 03 Ford so this would be a daily driver most of the time. Hope driving a dual wheel with no trailer does not get old.

Either gear set will serve you well now. When you upgrade to the Mobile Suites you may find the 4.10 better suited for the weight. Modern diesel trucks are so powerful and fuel efficient that the difference is probably minimal. Can't help you with the air ride.

3.73 for sure no matter where you tow- Especially since this is a daily driver and your current trailer is less than half what the truck is rated to tow. My trailer is well over 20k, I have 35" tires, and my truck has a 3.73 rear end. Can't speak to the air ride but I would drive one with and one without and then let the lady friend decide what she likes. :)

Man am I envious! My current (07 6.7L) dually has the 4.10 rear end. Fuel economy may suffer a bit, but I sure love how well it handles, especially in the mountains. Even going over the mountains I can run all day with cruise control on. It might drop one gear, but still keeps plugging along. BTW solo at 70+ I generally see 17 and towing I always see 10.5-11.5. Not the lie O meter mind you hut honest hand calculated.Personally I would opt out of the air ride unless it was air bags and a compressor. Ride might suffer a bit, but tried and true is the way to go in the long haul. Heck for what they want for that you could get the moon roof!

Tough choice. If your going to be towing through a lot of hills then I say go for the 4.10. Otherwise the higher gearing will suit you fine.

Arcamper wrote:... Also they have the rear air suspension... I am sure it would work fine now but 8 years from now would good old leaf springs be a better choice? This adds over a grand to an already very expensive truck. I would definitely get the air. For another lousy grand you'll wish you had.If you can afford a truck like this, I don't think a grand is going to be a big deal!

Questions on new 15 Ram 3500 dual wheel | Good Sam Community

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 05, 2015
dapperdan wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Arcamper

That is awesome. You will love the new ride!

I wish I could say I have a new ride! Was told yesterday my delivery date of 2/6 has been moved to 2/26! That's 12 weeks and two days since it was ordered.:M

What a bite Cummins!!! I feel your pain.... I have at least a week and a half,"if" everything stays on track. I'm almost afraid to call the dealer and ask. LOL

Dan

Thanks!

I ordered my truck on 12/2/14 so did my son his date is now 2/16 and mine is 2/26. At one time my delivery date was sooner than his. At this point I will believe it when I see it.
dapperdan
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Arcamper

That is awesome. You will love the new ride!

I wish I could say I have a new ride! Was told yesterday my delivery date of 2/6 has been moved to 2/26! That's 12 weeks and two days since it was ordered.:M

What a bite Cummins!!! I feel your pain.... I have at least a week and a half,"if" everything stays on track. I'm almost afraid to call the dealer and ask. LOL

Dan
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 04, 2015
Arcamper

That is awesome. You will love the new ride!

I wish I could say I have a new ride! Was told yesterday my delivery date of 2/6 has been moved to 2/26! That's 12 weeks and two days since it was ordered.:M
Arcamper
Explorer
Feb 04, 2015
Hey folks, original poster here. Thanks for all the info and advice. I may have a change of plans since I have found a new 2014 just the way I want it for about $17k off sticker. The only thing I would not be getting would be the rear air suspension. It has a 3:73 rear end and after reading your comments I think that would be fine. I drove a 14 and a 15 with the Cummins/Aisan setup and could not tell the 15 extra pounds of torque. Other than that they are the same truck. May be posting pictures this weekend if all works out!
The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
Thank you all for the additional info on manuals for my truck.

Very much appreciated !
bigcitypopo
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
NC Hauler wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
NC, question.

Can you have cruise control on when the EB is in the more aggressive mode?

Yes...When towing and in cruise control I keep it on the 1st Setting, (yellow/orange icon) which is the most aggressive when in the mountains...IF on flatland, the auto setting might be the one you like to be in, ie the 2nd. setting, (green icon that displays "AUTO), this works better to keep from decelerating when getting ready to go up a hill or something to that effect...It's RARE if ever I use "AUTO", I keep it on the aggressive setting cause it sounds SOOOOOOO cool when you let off on the throttle or when in cruise control going down a mountain...EB kicks in and truck will gear down to keep you at whatever speed you set cruise to.:B

I love towing in cruise control withe the EB on... I saw almost 75miles more on my tank using CC then managing it manually.. The truck rocks... Period
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Jan 31, 2015
.Sorry, didn't see the post...You get a booklet for UConnect Access Users manual.
The Ram TRuck Diesel Supplement booklet, Warranty Information for the Diesel Ram truck
AND the Owners Manual for the Ram truck...

I also got the DVD, which has most of this information on it, but if I don't have a computer handy to put the DVD in...doesn't do me much good..

As stated, you can call with your VIN and get the booklets...If buying new tell your salesperson and they should order the booklets for you right there...Nice to have.
mpierce
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
The Mad Norsky wrote:
NC Hauler wrote:
FYI, to anyone purchasing new Ram trucks, (at least 3500's), you'll get a lone owners manual. Tell your Salesperson you want ALL the owners manuals for your truck and if they do it right, they'll make a call to Chrysler while you're "doing the deal" and tell Chrysler to send you all the booklets...and they will...Last 3 I've owned, my Salesperson called Chrysler while I was there and told them customer wanted ALL the owners manual's, (3 extra booklets), and they'll mail them to you free of charge.....I had mine in about 3 day's....just some extra information that might come in handy on the day one purchases one of the new Ram's.:)

Mine came with just the one (lone) manual plus a CD.

What info is included in these extra manuals????? Mind you, no great detail is needed, but a synopsis would be wonderful.

thanks!

You can call Customer Service at RAM yourself, and get the manuals. Have VIN ready. Only one set can ever be ordered, at least free. I got mine about a week after calling.
talonhead
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
Something else I like is cold start features. Using EB to help the engine warm up faster, the idle up feature. I ordered the cold weather group- grill cover & block heater. The DEF system is supposed to have electric heat, but it only works off the battery when ign is on. Doesn't help much when the truck is off and sits in 12* or lower for long periods of time where it can freeze. I think that the DEF tank should have a heater like the RVs have that heats the tank on 12VDC or 115VAC-when you plug in you you get block and DEF heat. The RV heaters are thermostatically controlled. I think that would be a good deal for the folks in the cold areas. I have my block heater on a timer 2.5hrs every 12 hours, cycling around my work schedule.
talonhead
Explorer
Jan 30, 2015
I ordered my '14 CTD/Aisin MegaDually Limited 4WD w/3.73's last March. I love this truck!
With the Aisin, Tow/Haul, and EB this thing is awesome. I have been playing in the snow after this last storm. I may not be able to get up my drive in 2WD, but damn, 4WD High or Low this thing will go up forward or reverse. (I have about 1K# in the bed) I have way more respect for this truck and it's capabilities than I ever had for my F250.
Like NC said, the EB/TH/Aisin combo is great. I drive around town with EB in Auto, and Tow Haul all the time. The throttle response is better, braking with EB saves on wheel brakes.
On the owners manual books, you can download them. I downloaded the Ram Owners, Diesel Supplement, and U-Connect manual to my iPad in iBooks. I think I downloaded them at work and combined I think 3 narrow pages to one page then front to back and printed them out and put them in a binder.