Information from The Ram Guys about buying a 3500

[ricatic]

There is a wealth of knowledge among the experienced Ram owners on this site. I am looking at replacing my DuraMax soon. I have a new Cyclone 4005 (20000 GVW) to tow around the country and to Alaska in 2019.

I have a need for advice on the Ram 3500 Duallys from 2014 and up.I would like to have a truck that is rated for the 20000 GVW Cyclone. What packages will get to 28000 GCVWR or above? What about the debate on Aisin vs the standard automatic transmissions? Would a non Aisin equipped truck with only 24000 miles be worth considering?

Any comments about the factory fifth wheel prep package would be appreciated. I will be buying a new B&W Companion for the truck.

Your help is much appreciated

Regards

[Cummins12V98]

ricatic wrote:
The B&W is not moving from the destroyed Chevy...I am willing to try the Curt for a bit...if I don't like it enough I will get a new B&W with pucks and sell the Curt...

I can say from personal experience I don't think you will like it. Not easy to unhitch at an angle for one. Also they are known for causing chucking as the pivot point on the head is several inches below the kingpin attachment level.

Will be interested to hear your opinion after giving it a workout.

[ricatic]

The B&W is not moving from the destroyed Chevy...I am willing to try the Curt for a bit...if I don't like it enough I will get a new B&W with pucks and sell the Curt...

[Cummins12V98]

I could have done that. I found it's best to sell the B&W on Craig's List and buy a new B&W.

[jaycocamprs]

ricatic wrote:
Being an avowed B&W fan, I will try the Curt but will likely go to B&W after the mad money fund replenishes...the sooner than expected replacement of the Chevy dented the budget a bit

Thanks again to all for the help

Regards

If you have a standard companion all you should have to replace is the base. The head should be the same, and able to to move to a new puck style base. Call B&W and ask.

[Me_Again]

spoon059 wrote:

tinner12002 wrote:

Oh I see your running a 3/4 ton...thought the thread was about a 1 ton dually...With that being said yes I can see getting better mileage from a SRW 3/4 ton vs a 1 ton dually which was what I thought everyone, including the OP, was talking about, maybe I missed something.

My bad, I wasn't aware that you could get a dually with the 3.42's and assumed people were making reference to a 1 ton SRW with 3.42's. My truck would be essentially the same in that case. Sorry for the confusion and mis-information!!!

No 2500's are not available with the Aisin tranny with lower 1st an 2nd gear ratios, and the the HO engine, so it is not essentially the same, which includes the rear suspension.

[NC_Hauler]

Original post explicitly stated, “3500 Dually”. As stated, a Dually can be had with any of the aforementioned gearing. I might add, that my truck is also a 4 wheel drive, so all weights and mpg’s given were for a 1 Ton Dually, longbed, CC, 4X4, with Aisin tranny and the 4.10. Even with a tonnau cover, mpg wouldn’t be an additional 5mpg.. if it sounds too good to be true.. it is, no probably about it with my truck.

Jim

[Cummins12V98]

" I wasn't aware that you could get a dually with the 3.42's "

Yes all three gear sets available. 3.42, 3.73 and 4.10.

[spoon059]

tinner12002 wrote:

Oh I see your running a 3/4 ton...thought the thread was about a 1 ton dually...With that being said yes I can see getting better mileage from a SRW 3/4 ton vs a 1 ton dually which was what I thought everyone, including the OP, was talking about, maybe I missed something.

My bad, I wasn't aware that you could get a dually with the 3.42's and assumed people were making reference to a 1 ton SRW with 3.42's. My truck would be essentially the same in that case. Sorry for the confusion and mis-information!!!

[tinner12002]

spoon059 wrote:

tinner12002 wrote:
As for mileage, not to get in any argument here but I'd really be surprised if anyone even with 3.42 gears would get 20 mpg at 70 mph being the non aerodynamics of the front of the Rams, let alone getting that mpg with 4.10s.

So we dropped out camper in Brunswick GA this morning and drove an additional 300 miles into Florida. Set the cruise on 75 mph and were mostly able to maintain that speed. Hit some traffic on I4 in Florida and slowed for a while, but eventually back up to speed until we hit 301. Went through some towns and into the city, finally getting to Anna Maria Island. Truck was loaded down with stuff, probably close to 9200 or so lbs total rolling down the road. Averaged 19.1 mpg hand calculated, over that 300 mile trip at 75 mph.

At lesser weights and shorter distances I have been able to get 21 at 75 mph on I-70 through Maryland.

Ram 2500, CTD with 3.42's.

Oh I see your running a 3/4 ton...thought the thread was about a 1 ton dually...With that being said yes I can see getting better mileage from a SRW 3/4 ton vs a 1 ton dually which was what I thought everyone, including the OP, was talking about, maybe I missed something.

[NC_Hauler]

Me Again wrote:
Jim, are you coming out West this year? Chris

Was hoping this Spring Chris. Not real sure at this point. It may end up being late fall. I’m in Cleveland TX right now. Hope all is well with you and your family buddy!

Jim

[Cummins12V98]

ricatic you can see Jim's truck is virtually the same as mine but one year newer. Not sure how he keeps the truck under 14K on the 6 tires!

Once you have tried hitching and un hitching the Curt I am betting you will sell it and get the B&W puck. I tried hitching and unhitching an in laws RAM/Curt and did NOT like it. Also several have reported chucking with the Curt as the pivot point for the head is several inches below where the kingpin attaches allowing for fore and aft movement as mentioned by many on here. The B&W head's pivot point is basically at the same height as the kingpin connection.

[ricatic]

NC Hauler wrote:
Ricatic, good seeing you in here buddy. You can see my truck in my sig. My 5er is weighing in at 18,250# total GVWR is 28,400# now. Love the rear air assist. I’ve never gotten 20 mpg, but running empty, driving at 55-60 my have by 18 mpg.. but it’s rare. I e towed my 5er in the mountains of WV, VA, TN, NC and SC, ( several 7% grades on I77 and I64. Also from WVa to Cleveland TX... towing at speeds as high as 70 mph. Could tow faster, don’t feel the need to. Depending on terrain and speed, I’ve averaged as low as 7.5 and at times hit a little “right at” 10mpg. (Hand calc). Best I’ve ever gotten solo has been a little over 17 mpg, hand calc. For the first time, I will say, while towing on flatland, I don’t even know it’s back there, ( never really towed in flat land until heading to TX.
I hope you and your family are well and hope you’ll be happy with the Ram3500 dually. Love mine, dry comfortable and a towing machine

Jim

Jim

I have always “been around”...just been so busy with work that posting was the victim of not enough time...glad you could jump in....I was hoping your expertise added to Cummins...and the others would ease the learning curve on switching to the Ram...

The mileage numbers that you and Cummins are posting are similar to what I was getting with the Chevy Duramax 2wd so I can certainly live with those figures...and enjoy the added power, comfort and weight capacity...our Cyclone was right at 19000 pounds when I weighed it loaded for our Oshkosh trip...

For those who want pics...I will start a new thread when I get the truck...right now it is 1100 miles away basking in the warm weather...stay tuned...Cumminis V was right about his “inside info” on the 4.10 gears...actually...my new truck is a virtual twin to his...2015 Ram Laramie with Aisin trans, air ride and automatic everything...heated and cooled everything...and it comes with a 24k Curt puck mount hitch...Being an avowed B&W fan, I will try the Curt but will likely go to B&W after the mad money fund replenishes...the sooner than expected replacement of the Chevy dented the budget a bit

Thanks again to all for the help

Regards

[spoon059]

tinner12002 wrote:
As for mileage, not to get in any argument here but I'd really be surprised if anyone even with 3.42 gears would get 20 mpg at 70 mph being the non aerodynamics of the front of the Rams, let alone getting that mpg with 4.10s.

So we dropped out camper in Brunswick GA this morning and drove an additional 300 miles into Florida. Set the cruise on 75 mph and were mostly able to maintain that speed. Hit some traffic on I4 in Florida and slowed for a while, but eventually back up to speed until we hit 301. Went through some towns and into the city, finally getting to Anna Maria Island. Truck was loaded down with stuff, probably close to 9200 or so lbs total rolling down the road. Averaged 19.1 mpg hand calculated, over that 300 mile trip at 75 mph.

At lesser weights and shorter distances I have been able to get 21 at 75 mph on I-70 through Maryland.

Ram 2500, CTD with 3.42's.

[Me_Again]

Jim, are you coming out West this year? Chris