โJun-05-2016 02:01 PM
โJun-07-2016 11:07 AM
โJun-07-2016 10:56 AM
โJun-06-2016 02:07 PM
โJun-06-2016 10:23 AM
โJun-06-2016 08:44 AM
NY RVer wrote:Yes, I did. The manual shift option is a bit cumbersome on this truck. I think it's more firmware related than mechanical.
. . . Just curious if you did any manual downshifting, as I notice a difference with the Ram tranny compared to the Ford. I almost feel what seems to be a vibration, or hesitation, which I did not have in the Ford. I do not think it is a problem with my truck in particular, as the others I test drove felt the same. May just be that I am not used to it . . .
โJun-06-2016 08:29 AM
Greene728 wrote:
I have the same truck except a 2015. I too am pleased and excited every time I hook up and tow . . . You'll enjoy it more and more every time you tow!
mtofell1 wrote:
. . . Isn't the jump from a 1/2 ton to an HD amazing? I did the whole maxed out 1/2 ton thing for a few years and once I got into an HD I couldn't believe what I was missing.
jmtandem wrote:
Another diesel convert sees the light. Congrats . . .
ACZL wrote:
. . . Good luck w/ her and welcome to the smile club.
IdaD wrote:Thanks! So far, love this truck. Yup, we smilin' ๐
I've had much the same experience with my 2015 Ram. The current crop of diesels are pretty incredible towing machines, and they make it effortless. And surprisingly efficient.
โJun-06-2016 08:15 AM
spoon059 wrote:
Awesome pictures! I was out there last February for training for 5 days and we stopped by the Hoover Dam... that place is so impressive! I can't wait to take the family, but its a LOOOOOOONG drive from Maryland! One day...
ACZL wrote:Thanks!
Beautiful pics!!! . . .
โJun-06-2016 07:55 AM
Greene728 wrote:
. . . There really wasn't much air flow going through the coolers to make much difference in temps, plus the outside temps being what you stated, hence the fan activating to cool things down . . .
DownTheAvenue wrote:
I am wondering if you lowered a gear in the transmission, thus raising the engine RPM's, you would have gained more air flow, via the fan, through the radiators and possibly then lowering the transmission temperature.
jmtandem wrote:
. . . Trans temps are OK up to around 215-225 for a few minutes. The radiator fan is noisy and almost never comes on unless really towing in hot weather. That is normal.
eHoefler wrote:
Your tranny temps are no concern. I had my 08 with the 68rfe peg my transmission gauge at 250* with no ill affect. I have a 40' fifth wheel going over the Big Horn and Teton mountains. My normal temps were in the 190-195 range.
ACZL wrote:Thanks for all the comments. Good to know the tranny temps were acceptable--that it's nothing out of the ordinary considering the speed, load, and ambient temps.
. . . I'd tend to agree w/ other's that if you were able to drop a gear and keep in "locked" in, your tranny temps may have ran a bit cooler. I have a bug screen in front of grill on my truck and noticed that oil and trans temps run anywheres from 15-25 degrees warmer when towing. Fan doesn't come on but just keeps on a pullin'. . .
โJun-06-2016 06:16 AM
โJun-06-2016 05:17 AM
โJun-06-2016 12:11 AM
โJun-05-2016 03:42 PM
This trip really drove home the diesel experience: 1) The Cummins simply pulled like a beast. Steady. Confidently. 2) The automatic exhaust brake was the cat's meow! Its operation coming down 6-7 percent grades and during normal braking on the flats was simply phenomenal. Hearing it in operation was icing on the cake. And last, but not least 3) MPG's. We maintained 55-60 mph for most of the drive--doing what we could to reduce stress on the toy hauler's China bombs in 107-115 degree heat. Overall MPG at these speeds, hand calculated, was 11.1 MPG (EVIC displayed 12.0). Considering the tow weight (almost 13k) and the constant elevation changes---11.1 MPG was a pleasant surprise to say the least. The same drive got us 8.5 MPG with the Tundra.
The only concern we had on the entire trip was a short, 4-5 mile climb (on a secondary road) that resulted in a spike in tranny temps. Speed was limited to 25-30 mph (due to switchbacks) on grades that I would estimate to have been around 7-10 percent. Turbo boost hovered around 15-20 PSI for most of the climb. It didn't take long for the radiator fan to activate--hard not to notice---it's loud. In any case, tranny temps (while staying in the same gear for the entire climb) spiked to 195-198 degrees (flat towing it's typically 168-172).
โJun-05-2016 03:38 PM
โJun-05-2016 03:38 PM
โJun-05-2016 03:01 PM