2013 Ram 3500 transmission

[Montanapaul]

Just bought a nice used 2013 Ram 3500 SRW 4x4 LB with the Aisin AS69RC tranny with the 3.42. Can anyone tell me what transmission was used (Aisen or the 68 RFE) to determine the towing maximums? I'm a newbie and thanks in advance for your replies.

[Me_Again]

Max tow for a 5th wheel is something like 17,000 - 17,400. Rear axle rating is 7K so you have around 4K for stuff in the bed, hitch and pin weight. Tires are rated to 3638 or 3640, so there is a bit of extra capacity.

Chris

[NC_Hauler]

retispcsi wrote:
In 2013 Ram introduced the upgraded frame and suspension over the 2012 and earlier years. I actually owned a 2012 dually with a 68re and 4:10. The Aisin is their commercial grade trans. With the Aisin you get higher tow numbers. In 2015 Ram increased the torque and HP slightly. To find your trucks numbers go to the Ram page then to the link for tow ratings enter your year and find the specs. You can also signup on the owners link and find the info for particular truck.

I too had a 2012 Ram Dually, HO with 4:10..the 12 with the 68RFE, the 13 with the Aisin...huge difference with the 13 versus the 12.

brand new frame on the 13', new front and rear suspension, dual cooling system, with the Aisin, rated at 385HP and 850lbft of TQ.....GVWR raised to 14,000# on the 13', same as the 15'....They did increase the TQ by 15, from 850 to 865TQ, but HP is still the same, with the Aisin...385 in 13'...still 385 HP in the 15.....

OP's 13' truck, concerning towing a 5er, per the 13' brochures with the 3:42 and the Aisin shows 17,000#, which would probably carry a 3400# pin weight number....The rear axle weight rating on the 3500 SRW truck is 7200 or 7500#, but I'm not sure on that one. GCWR is 25,000#, which is odd, it's the same for the 2500, but GVWR, as well as RAWR on the 2500 are both less than the 3500 SRW...go figure.

[retispcsi]

In 2013 Ram introduced the upgraded frame and suspension over the 2012 and earlier years. I actually owned a 2012 dually with a 68re and 4:10. The Aisin is their commercial grade trans. With the Aisin you get higher tow numbers. In 2015 Ram increased the torque and HP slightly. To find your trucks numbers go to the Ram page then to the link for tow ratings enter your year and find the specs. You can also signup on the owners link and find the info for particular truck.

[Montanapaul]

Thanks Rusty. I'll proceed in that direction.

[RustyJC]

There was a major change in the frame and suspension between the 2013 and 2014-2015 3500 Rams. I'd go by the Ram towing guide at Rambodybuilder.com as gospel for your truck. Please note the footnotes though that state that GVWR and GAWRs should not be exceeded - chances are that GVWR may be the limiting factor for your truck as far as Ram is concerned as it often is with SRW trucks towing 5th wheels.

Rusty

[Montanapaul]

Thanks for the replies. Trailer Life's towing 2013 towing guide shows my truck can tow a max of 9,650 lbs. which seems much lighter than the numbers I can generate using the Ram data. I'm wondering if trailer life tables use data assuming the 68RFE tranny instead of the Aisin 69. Also, the 2014 Towing guide shows a significantly higher towing max (approx 16,000 lbs) for the same AISIN transmission and 3.42 axle. I think I'm missing something? As before, thanks for your help.

[ramgunner]

You can find the towing specifications for your particular truck in the following document...

http://www.ramtrucks.com/assets/towing_guide/pdf/2013_RAM.3500.Towing.Specs.pdf

[RustyJC]

The first Aisin used in the C&C trucks beginning in 2007 with the release of the 6.7L Cummins was the AS68RC, and yes, it did have a PTO capability. The Aisin AS69RC used in the current Ram pickups is an upgrade of the AS68RC.

Rusty

[donn0128]

The biggest difference as I understand things is.... the Aisis came with a PTO. The 68RFE does not. The Aisin was primarialy speced for 4500/5500 series C&C trucks for commercial use. But has since found favor with RV folks too.

[RustyJC]

If you're asking if the Aisin AS69RC is a higher-rated transmission than the 68RFE, the answer is yes. The BHP and torque ratings of the 6.7L Cummins are higher when used with the Aisin than the 68RFE.

Rusty