2015 SRW Ram 3500 Cummins (First year review)
Ok, so not quite a year (will be October 27th). But I wanted to do this and give a true, honest opinion to anyone possibly looking at something similar to mine as there wasn't a great deal out there ...
Forum Discussion
We like our RAM 2500 CTD 68RFE as well, it's an excellent tow truck. But we do have a few complaints:
Unlike the OP, we find the CTD noisy. Not talking about the low-speed diesel clatter, although there is that. And towing in 6th is quiet, whenever that is possible. But when towing in the hills in 5th gear the overall engine noise at rpms over 1800 is rather high for all-day driving comfort. And when the boost goes over 50% on the gauge, it gets worse and you can feel it as well as hear it.
As well, when going up a hill in cruise the down-shifts are way too dramatic and noisy. That's the main reason we cruise in 5th gear in the hills. The constant drone in 5th is preferable to the downshift drama.
Our issue may be that we purchased an SLT (Tradesman? in the US). The more expensive models might have more sound deadening material.
We did get the SLT Lux option which adds the fancy bench seat, gages, leather steering wheel and other stuff, all of which we love.
But the seats are fairly high off the floor, even in their lowest position, and I have a hard time entering the truck without hitting my head on the door frame. On the other hand, I can stuff lots of stuff under the seats. And I find the driver's seat are very comfortable over the long-haul.
Another complaint is the ignition interlock. Sometimes we have to play with the gear shift to get the key out. Maybe the dealer can fix that.
Finally, the low rpm (~1100) cut-out on the Exhaust Brake has been a problem on steep, slow speed, 2nd gear descents. Actually the problem is not the cut-out, but getting the EB to re-engage without having to speed up too fast. I've got some ideas, like upshifting to 3rd then back down to 2nd that we intend to try next time.
Otherwise the truck has worked very well for us over the last 12K km (~5000 miles towing). About 11mpg towing, 19mpg not.
Unlike the OP, we find the CTD noisy. Not talking about the low-speed diesel clatter, although there is that. And towing in 6th is quiet, whenever that is possible. But when towing in the hills in 5th gear the overall engine noise at rpms over 1800 is rather high for all-day driving comfort. And when the boost goes over 50% on the gauge, it gets worse and you can feel it as well as hear it.
As well, when going up a hill in cruise the down-shifts are way too dramatic and noisy. That's the main reason we cruise in 5th gear in the hills. The constant drone in 5th is preferable to the downshift drama.
Our issue may be that we purchased an SLT (Tradesman? in the US). The more expensive models might have more sound deadening material.
We did get the SLT Lux option which adds the fancy bench seat, gages, leather steering wheel and other stuff, all of which we love.
But the seats are fairly high off the floor, even in their lowest position, and I have a hard time entering the truck without hitting my head on the door frame. On the other hand, I can stuff lots of stuff under the seats. And I find the driver's seat are very comfortable over the long-haul.
Another complaint is the ignition interlock. Sometimes we have to play with the gear shift to get the key out. Maybe the dealer can fix that.
Finally, the low rpm (~1100) cut-out on the Exhaust Brake has been a problem on steep, slow speed, 2nd gear descents. Actually the problem is not the cut-out, but getting the EB to re-engage without having to speed up too fast. I've got some ideas, like upshifting to 3rd then back down to 2nd that we intend to try next time.
Otherwise the truck has worked very well for us over the last 12K km (~5000 miles towing). About 11mpg towing, 19mpg not.
