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 appreciatedRegards

To get up there you will need the Aisin and 4.10 rear end. Been towing with a 6.7L dually with 4.10 since 2007 and love it. 17 empty is the norm. Towing 10.5 is real common.

The Aisin is geared lower than the Ram transmission allowing for easier starts on grades better slow speed maneuvers. 4.10 gearing should provide plenty of torque to the rear, but I suspect much of your towing will be in fifth gear and dropping down to fourth or third on hard climbs.My chassis cab is not run empty, so I went with the 4.44 ratio that allows most of my towing in sixth and dropping to fourth on the steepest grades. I needed the payload of this class truck and don't feel this would be a good fit your needs unless you get over sized auxiliary fuel tanks and tool boxes that would push your rear axle weight over 10K lbs.

The Ram trans is fine but its shift algorithms aren't nearly as nice as the Aisin. It's a shame because the Aisin is more expensive to service but it is a fine trans and will be my choice when I upgrade.

If you are going to tow mostly with it get the 4.10 gears. If you will be running empty on the freeways more get the 3.42 gears. Both will handle that load. The 3.42 will just have you in 5th gear when the 4.10 will be in 6th.Aisin is worth the extra amount. Aisin equals dip stick on drivers side, 68RFE equals dip stick on Passengers side.Chris

"What packages will get to 28000 GCVWR or above?" Trans and axle ratio."Would a non Aisin equipped truck with only 24000 miles be worth considering?" With the 68RFE, only a 4.10 axle gets to > 28000 GCWR, and just barely."Any comments about the factory fifth wheel prep package would be appreciated. I will be buying a new B&W Companion for the truck."My B&W Companion works great. The 5th Prep Pkg made it easy to install and works great."What about the debate on Aisin vs the standard automatic transmissions?" Mine occasionally gets loud, when towing up a steep hill, if the rpms get between 1800-2000 and the throttle is mid to deep. So far I just try to avoid those rpms when hill climbing. With the Aisin and 4.10 axle, at 62 the rpms are 1700 in 6th gear. If the truck will be mostly used for towing, I say get the Aisin and 4.10 axle. Mine tows great and still gets about 20 mpg solo at 70 mph.Here is a link to a 2015 Ram 3500 Trailer Towing Chart.You can also search: 2015 ram 3500 towing chart

Information from The Ram Guys about buying a 3500

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 15, 2018
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
Explorer
Feb 14, 2018
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
Explorer III
Feb 14, 2018
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
Explorer
Feb 13, 2018
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
Explorer III
Feb 12, 2018
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
Explorer
Feb 12, 2018
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
Explorer III
Feb 12, 2018
" 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
Explorer II
Feb 12, 2018
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
Explorer
Feb 12, 2018
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
Explorer
Feb 12, 2018
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