2014 Ram 3500 without Aisin Tranny

[DarrellQ2001]

I can get an incredible deal on a new Ram 3500 SRW, 6.7 Cummins, but it does not have the Aisin tranny. My eventual intentions would be to tow a 16,000 lb. fiver. Would it be worth me ordering a 2015, with the Aisin? Probably at a cost of about $6K more ($2200 upgrade to Aisin; $4000 worse deal)

Or, would the regular Ram tranny hold-up towing 16,000 lbs on a semi-regular basis?

[AH64ID]

SRW vs DRW is always a debate. Yes there is more stability when comparing apples to apples. 4 LRE tires are more stable than 2, and it's not just the width (really little with the width IMHO) it's the stifness. If the outers where the same width as the SRW and you could keep the springs in the same spot the DRW would still be more stable.

Both the SRW and DRW pivot the suspension at the same point, so any sway reduction or stability improvement on a DRW is from a lack of tire deflection.

Super single, for a pickup they are the 19.5" conversions. While it's probably not quite as stable as a DRW I am willing to bet that for most loads it is. LRG sidewalls are much stiffer than LRE, and designed differently.. but somehow they really don't ride any worse on a 1 ton.

So 2 tires at 110psi to carry 9,000lbs or 4 tires at 65 psi to carry 9,350 lbs (limits on SRW (245/70R19.5) and DRW applications for same truck, i.e. 03-12 Dodge). Probably about the same.

Stock for stock a DRW will walk all over a SRW, but if a DRW isn't an option it's not difficult to make a SRW compete in all aspects with a DRW.. and it still is easy to drive on tight back roads.

mileshuff wrote:
I was under the impression that the Aisin is not a better transmission (nor worse) but rather for two different applications. The Aisin has a PTO port for use on a dump bed etc. The 68RFE does not. This is why the Aisin is typically used on the cab/chassis trucks and the 68RFE on the 2500/3500's. I see the Aisin is now an option on the 3500's but if no need for the PTO port I would think the 68RFE is every bit as good. My 2007 Ram has the 68RFE and zero problems and truck is used 80% of the time for towing.

The pickup Aisin is a different Aisin than the 07-12 C&C Aisin.

As 12V said, they don't break.. where the 68RFE will work for most people.

The Aisin design, gears/clutches/etc, is designed more towards heavy duty use. Not that the 68RFE is weak, just different.

[4x4ord]

fly-boy wrote:

4x4ord wrote:

fly-boy wrote:
4000# payload is more than sufficient to haul 16k trailer! Your pin weight should run between 2400 and 3000#'s. You are right in the sweet spot!

A 4000 lb payload may be sufficient but certainly not excessive. Many use 20% as a rule of thumb for determining pin weight.... so a 16k fiver could have a pin weight of 3200 lbs. My 5th wheel hitch and passengers weigh at least 750 lbs combined when we go camping so if I was towing a 16k fiver I might expect a total payload of 3950 lbs ... enough to put me well over my GVWR and I'd say it's pretty much maxed out on my tire ratings.

Ratings are for continuos duty and warranty costs are certainly factored into the how/what a manufacture rates a given truck. The same goes for tires.

750 pounds worth of hitch and people is a lot of weight. You might think about putting your hitch on a diet. 🙂

It depends how many are in the family. I often travel with 5 in the truck and sometimes 6. Take 100 lbs off for the Turnoverball and another 100 lbs for the 5ver hitch, 200 lbs off for me and it only leaves 350 lbs for the other 3 or 4 passengers so I guess the 750 lbs for hitch and passengers was an understatement. Buying a truck that you plan to overload your tires on is stupid.

[rtate]

I am my way back from Colorado to central Texas. My 2014 Ram srw 3500 towing mr 14000 lb. Big Horn performed great. I pulled out of Palo Duro Canyon in Texas with a long10% grade, Slumgullan pass in Colorado with an 11% grade and Red Mountain pass just south of Ouray Colorado. Never had any concern about weither the truck could handle it. My previous tow vehicle was a 2005 Ram 2500. The biggest difference between the two vehicles was the stopping power. The new Ram 3500 has greatly improved the stopping power and handling with the programed down shifting and the exhaust brake. Huge improvment over my 2005.

With the 2005 I would arrive with brake dust covering yhe front wheels. I hardly had touched the brakes in the 2014. I always felt in total control of my rig in long steep declines down mountain passes. I love this new truck. Buy one.

[jus2shy]

My 2013 Bighorn has a door jam sticker of 3825. Yep, the newer 1-tons from RAM are much more capable than the past trucks.

[Lessmore]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
From my experience the 68 RFE is a great transmission. I would have no qualms taking that truck. As long as it is a dually!

X2. The tranny is a non issue.

It's funny. Most of the people around here demand a dually but a lot of the big rigs are going super singles. :h

Around here...super singles on big rigs are not so common. Concerns seem to be...if super single goes...there's no tire....unlike a DRW...that still has one tire left.

I've seen one or two big rigs with the super single....but that's it. Up here....currently.... the super single doesn't seem to be getting any traction. :B

Not saying that won't change, though.

Les

[rb71]

If the truck is in
specs go for it.
But if it's not want you want then don't.

[ib516]

The Aisin trans has different ratios than the 68RFE as well. Better or worse I don't know.

[gmcsmoke]

and this is all assuming you're maxing out a 16k trailer.

[fly-boy]

4x4ord wrote:

fly-boy wrote:
4000# payload is more than sufficient to haul 16k trailer! Your pin weight should run between 2400 and 3000#'s. You are right in the sweet spot!

A 4000 lb payload may be sufficient but certainly not excessive. Many use 20% as a rule of thumb for determining pin weight.... so a 16k fiver could have a pin weight of 3200 lbs. My 5th wheel hitch and passengers weigh at least 750 lbs combined when we go camping so if I was towing a 16k fiver I might expect a total payload of 3950 lbs ... enough to put me well over my GVWR and I'd say it's pretty much maxed out on my tire ratings.

Ratings are for continuos duty and warranty costs are certainly factored into the how/what a manufacture rates a given truck. The same goes for tires.

750 pounds worth of hitch and people is a lot of weight. You might think about putting your hitch on a diet. 🙂

[4x4ord]

fly-boy wrote:
4000# payload is more than sufficient to haul 16k trailer! Your pin weight should run between 2400 and 3000#'s. You are right in the sweet spot!

A 4000 lb payload may be sufficient but certainly not excessive. Many use 20% as a rule of thumb for determining pin weight.... so a 16k fiver could have a pin weight of 3200 lbs. My 5th wheel hitch and passengers weigh at least 750 lbs combined when we go camping so if I was towing a 16k fiver I might expect a total payload of 3950 lbs ... enough to put me well over my GVWR and I'd say it's pretty much maxed out on my tire ratings.

[jmtandem]

I was under the impression that the Aisin is not a better transmission (nor worse) but rather for two different applications. The Aisin has a PTO port for use on a dump bed etc. The 68RFE does not. This is why the Aisin is typically used on the cab/chassis trucks and the 68RFE on the 2500/3500's. I see the Aisin is now an option on the 3500's but if no need for the PTO port I would think the 68RFE is every bit as good. My 2007 Ram has the 68RFE and zero problems and truck is used 80% of the time for towing.

With the Aisin the Cummins will put out 850 ft/lbs of torque. With the 68RE the torque is slightly less. There mst be other differences other than PTO.

[Cummins12V98]

I have 50K on my Dually with 68RFE and not one hiccup. I tow a combined load of 28K+.

The Aisin is a true Medium duty trans. Per West Coast Warranty Rep "they don't break".

[mileshuff]

I was under the impression that the Aisin is not a better transmission (nor worse) but rather for two different applications. The Aisin has a PTO port for use on a dump bed etc. The 68RFE does not. This is why the Aisin is typically used on the cab/chassis trucks and the 68RFE on the 2500/3500's. I see the Aisin is now an option on the 3500's but if no need for the PTO port I would think the 68RFE is every bit as good. My 2007 Ram has the 68RFE and zero problems and truck is used 80% of the time for towing.

[campingken]

The new Dodges really have improved. Our 2003 3500 has a 9900 GVW.

[fly-boy]

4000# payload is more than sufficient to haul 16k trailer! Your pin weight should run between 2400 and 3000#'s. You are right in the sweet spot!