Factory Order RAM 3/4 Ton 2500

[dshizzel]

I'm looking forward to ordering a 2015 Ram 2500 from the factory. I've decided against having the 5th wheel/Gooseneck prep done since it seems to really only accommodate the Mopar frame/rail assy and seems to be a waste of money based on what I want to do (see below).

I want to get the short bed (6.4'). My last TV was a '99 QC LB.

I plan to get the RamBox storage management, and will offset the narrower space and shorter bed with a Sidewinder setup and standard 5'er hitch. I've read some posts in other forums that, on balance, indicate that 5'er towing with RamBox is not a problem this way. (eg, hitting the sides of the boxes when sharp cornering.

I'll likely end up with a Heartland 5'er with the angled front cap. Between that and the Sidewinder, I should be ok for maneuverability.

My question to the forum is what options would absolutely preclude the addition of the hitch. For example, the auto-rear leveling, or full size spare tire.

Any other advice you could offer would be great, as well.

Thanks!

[dshizzel]

It's starting to look like I may not be able to have my beloved Ramboxes after all. The Companion system without 5th wheel prep will not support a sidewinder due to the torque stresses involved, according to Etrailer.com. The only way the Companion would work is with the 5th wheel/gooseneck prep which you can't seem to order with the Rambox cargo management system.

It's looking like life without Rambox is going to be much simpler as I can use the factory prep, picture frame, standard hitch, and Sidewinder.

Since we are planning on one of the newer angled front caps, can anyone offer their experience towing one without slider in a short bed? Maybe we can forgo the Sidewinder and use a more economical hitch.

[thomasmnile]

dshizzel wrote:

Actually, we're zeroing in on a Heartland Big Country 3520TS w/about 1900lbs hitch wt and about 12k dry. So, the 3500 looks to be a more comfortable margin. I just hadn't previously considered a Srw 3500 until now.

No expert here at all, but I previously owned a fifth wheel with similar weight specs to what you're considering. Don't know if the hitch weight you quote is 'dry' or not, but ours loaded for travel ballooned to over 2200 lbs. We towed with an '05 Ram 3500, which I know is a bowling balls to hand grenades comparison with respect to the truck you're considering. But, I agree with the post that suggests the 3500 SRW might be worth a look.

[AH64ID]

From what I gather the 68RFE is a very strong transmission, and the Aisin is near unbreakable.. you also gain 15/65 in terms of power.

That being said I would be less concerned with GVWR and really only care about RAWR and FAWR, don't exceed those and you will be fine. Same frame design, different suspension, as the 14K GVWR 3500 trucks. The suspension is designed for RAWR.. so run it up to that. This isn't a 1/2 ton at the top end of it's design spec, it's a 3/4 that is always well below design spec even at RAWR. This will give you more than enough carrying capacity for the 5er you mentioned, as there is about 3,400lbs to spare in RAWR from empty.

I also would get the prep package.

[dshizzel]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Go with the ramBox then add the B&W TurnOver Ball kit. Easy to install and then add the RVK 3500 Companion with 2K towing and 5K pin.

Thanks for the advice -- more fodder for my Google Gullet. 😄

[dshizzel]

Question: Is the Aisin tranny really $3,000 "better"?

I did a little more Google work, and think I answered my own question. The main thing people say about the Aisin is "It has PTO capability". From what I can see, "power take off" isn't really useful for hauling a 5'er since it seems to be some way to bleed off auxiliary power for other equipment, if I understand it correctly.

The other points about it seem to be more incremental, though it sounds like it does less "hunting" in hilly areas. In my mind, it's not $3,000 worth of better. One point a poster made was "you don't need a sledgehammer to drive in a nail". The 68F 6-speed automatic looks like a pretty solid tranny from the descriptions I've seen, and I see that it's predecessors had some serious problems from a reliability perspective.

Of course, looking at dealer inventories, they all seem to be loaded up with the Aisin, which is another good reason to factory order; don't want what I don't need.

Then, again, there's nothing like personal experiences, so I don't consider the subject closed if y'all don't. 🙂

[Cummins12V98]

rhagfo wrote:

dshizzel wrote:
Looking harder at the 3500 now. Seems like the 2015 configs at TrueCar, Edmunds, DodgeRam.com, etc are coming online.

Question: Is the Aisin tranny really $3,000 "better"?

Also, I note that I cannot select both Rambox cargo mgt and 5th wheel/gooseneck prep at the same time. I really want that Rambox, so shouldn't the RV dealer be able to fit me up with a hitch and power/brake port?

All: Thank you for your comments and advice. I can't say how much I appreciate it. 🙂

It is more of a MDT auto, so if it were my choice, I would say yes!

With the bullet proof trans you also get more hp/tq.

[Cummins12V98]

dshizzel wrote:
Looking harder at the 3500 now. Seems like the 2015 configs at TrueCar, Edmunds, DodgeRam.com, etc are coming online.

Question: Is the Aisin tranny really $3,000 "better"?

Also, I note that I cannot select both Rambox cargo mgt and 5th wheel/gooseneck prep at the same time. I really want that Rambox, so shouldn't the RV dealer be able to fit me up with a hitch and power/brake port?

All: Thank you for your comments and advice. I can't say how much I appreciate it. 🙂

Go with the ramBox then add the B&W TurnOver Ball kit. Easy to install and then add the RVK 3500 Companion with 2K towing and 5K pin.

[rhagfo]

dshizzel wrote:
Looking harder at the 3500 now. Seems like the 2015 configs at TrueCar, Edmunds, DodgeRam.com, etc are coming online.

Question: Is the Aisin tranny really $3,000 "better"?

Also, I note that I cannot select both Rambox cargo mgt and 5th wheel/gooseneck prep at the same time. I really want that Rambox, so shouldn't the RV dealer be able to fit me up with a hitch and power/brake port?

All: Thank you for your comments and advice. I can't say how much I appreciate it. 🙂

It is more of a MDT auto, so if it were my choice, I would say yes!

[randygk]

Got a Ram 2500 Big Horn CTD 4X4 CC short bed in June. The payload sticker is 2098 lbs. I pull a Hideout 23RBWE, may go bigger and will never own a 5th wheel. Hope this helps.

[dshizzel]

Looking harder at the 3500 now. Seems like the 2015 configs at TrueCar, Edmunds, DodgeRam.com, etc are coming online.

Question: Is the Aisin tranny really $3,000 "better"?

Also, I note that I cannot select both Rambox cargo mgt and 5th wheel/gooseneck prep at the same time. I really want that Rambox, so shouldn't the RV dealer be able to fit me up with a hitch and power/brake port?

All: Thank you for your comments and advice. I can't say how much I appreciate it. 🙂

[mrkoje]

ib516 wrote:
Get the 5th wheel prep group. My truck is a 6.4L Hemi, but it has over 3000# payload. The diesel version of my truck would have around 2400 - 2500# payload.

The 3500 SRW has an 11,700# GVWR vs the 2500s 10,000#, so payload will be right around 4000#. A buddy of mine has a twin to my truck except it is a 3500 SRW diesel.

APT's info is a bit out dated on the Ram 2500s. They used to have lower GVWR and payload than they do now. The frame went from 35,000 psi steel to 50,000 psi steel in the 2014 2500s (3500s got that frame in 2013). The specs on the 2015s will be almost identical to the 2014s.

APT isn't that far off on the payload ratings of 2014 Ram 2500 Mega Cab 4x4 with 6.7L Cummins. That particular setup maxes around 1800lb payload. I've seen a Laramie trimed Mega Cab 2500 with as little as 1600lbs payload. That sounds goofy to me as well but I've seen the payload sticker. With that being said - the 2500 with coils has the nicest ride among the big 3 it just so happens to have the least payload.

[Cummins12V98]

qbert10 wrote:
I just bought a 14 with the prep package. I picked up a B&W RVK3600. Works great, much sturdier than the regular companion hitch.

Just my$.02.

Yup it's 5K sturdier! Same exact hitch head, just a stronger attachment. Good choices!

[qbert10]

I just bought a 14 with the prep package. I picked up a B&W RVK3600. Works great, much sturdier than the regular companion hitch.

Just my$.02.

[ib516]

The GCWR of my 2007, 3500 SRW 5.9L Cummins Megacab 3.73 (whew!) was 21,000#.

The 6.4L Hemi with 4.10 axles is 22,500#.

I always felt the 07 3500 should have been rated higher, and I can't help but think the 48RE was the limiting factor, but who knows.

[FishOnOne]

45Ricochet wrote:
What exactly is your GCWR now IB? Hard to believe you have more than your tuned 2007 5.9L Cummins 😄 Think a 2006 had like 21K with the 3.73's and like 23K with the 4.10's.
I understand the rest of your reasons. I will add that a resale value in 5-10 years will be also be lower in price for the gasser. Heck not sure of the life span of the gasser but I would assume in ten years it would have 120-150K miles, prime time for a Cummins :B Hopefully

Today's gassers that are properly maintained should get an easy 250k miles.

And the resale value in 10 years could be dependent on gas vs diesel prices and throw in the possibility CNG powered gas trucks could play a role in that factor.