My new-to-me 2018 Ram.

[fj12ryder]

Things are kind of slow anyway, so I'll throw in a thread about my new-to-me truck: a 2018 Ram Tradesman diesel dually. It's another white truck like my 2001 Dodge, but it is quite a bit different, to put it mildly. 🙂

The first thing is the noise level, or rather, the lack of noise. Coming from the old 24 valve VP44 to the common rail is amazing. It's very hard to tell from inside the truck that it is running. And out on the highway it's no different.

We bought it with 128,000 miles on it and it seems to run very well. It is the HD with the Aisin 6-speed auto, and the 4.10 rear end. Lots of room inside compared to the old quad cab. Seats are more comfortable IMO. It came with the 5th wheel towing package.

First things were to bring everything up to top drawer condition as much as I can. New Bilstien shocks front and rear, new oil changes: motor oil/filter, transmission oil/filter, and differential oil, air filter change, new shiny wheel covers since it came with steel wheels all 'round.

Sold my old B&W Companion turn-over ball, and bought a used B&W puck model for the Ram. Cost me about $50 difference. One thing about the B&W hitch, the do hold their value pretty well. Ain't that right Cummins? 🙂 Now where's my hat? 🙂

As far as towing goes, this thing is a beast, and that's no joke. The ride is excellent with my 17,400 lb. Momentum 351M behind us. It has 14,000 GVWR, and cargo capacity of 5,900 lbs. In reality, the truck unloaded, but full of gas and the toolbos, it weighs 8740. So the payload actually is around 5270 lbs. Still not too bad.

My main concern after reading about the issues with towing heavy and auto transmissions, was the heat buildup in the transmission. We towed down through very hilly Arkansas, this summer hot, hot, hot, and it simply wasn't a concern with the Aisin. On flat ground with just the truck, the temp was 165°, on flat ground with the trailer in tow the temp was 165°, through the very hilly Ozarks the temp started to climb and peaked out at 167°. 🙂 Needless to say, I was thrilled.

I'll try to get some photos posted later, although it's not an "OH WOW" machine by any means.

There ya go Jerry, now you're sorry you asked aren't you. LOL

[fj12ryder]

Thanks for the info Cummins. Always better to have more information than less. 🙂

[Cummins12V98]

TH and EB all the time! Cruise control unless in heavy traffic towing. You can get really good at controlling descending speed with locking into the proper gear and controlling the selected speed to keep the speed you want to descend.

Select the same gear going down the grade as you would be going up the same. Descending you may need to set cruise to lets say 50 to not exceed 55 for example. Heavier RV and steep grade the "AUTO" eB is useless!!!

[Cummins12V98]

spoon059 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:


Tow Haul and EB ALL the time for me!

Try using cruise control descending grades.

Oh, without a doubt! I wish that there was someway to make it automatically come on every time I start the truck, but I turn both on every time.

If there is light traffic I use CC and it works great!

I also downshift coming to a grade when I know it's going to anyway, it makes it seamless and doesn't have to play catch up.

[fj12ryder]

spoon059 wrote:
Nice, I really like my used 2015 Tradesman... but I find the seat uncomfortable. If my next truck is a Ram, I'm going to at least the Big Horn so I have some more seat adjustment other than front/back and recline!

Enjoy the "new" truck, it is incredible what these trucks are capable of doing. Wait until you descend a steep grade with the exhaust brake only, that's awesome. I am still amazed that I can come down a steep grade without braking, and often have to give it a little fuel to maintain speed because the EB scrubs speed so effectively. I remember going cross country as a kid with my family and my dad worrying about the brakes on the Chevy van as we went down some of those hills! No worries with a modern diesel and EB!

Our last truck also had an exhaust brake, but it was not as aggressive as this one can be. I do like the ability to set the amount of braking. I'm still in the learning process of remembering to turn on T?H mode, and the exhaust brake. But getting better at it, and it is a noticeable difference.

I have read some people don't use T?H, but they're reasoning seemed a bit specious. And I've read about people locking out some of the gears. I've not noticed the truck "searching" And from what I read about T?H mode, it locks up the torque converter earlier, among other things, and helps prevent heat buildup. That can only be a good thing. So far I'm letting the truck do the thinking for me when it comes to shifting.

It's not deleted, and TBH I'm really on the fence with that issue. The cost to delete is pretty steep, and there are different opinions. So, for now, it stays stock.

[fj12ryder]

Freeway Flyer 05 wrote:
Jumping back in after a long dry spell, and I have to ask, how does your co-conspirator like the seats?

I'll have to admit Peggy liked the other truck seats better. But to me they were too flat, and no support. But she loves the truck overall anyway.

[agesilaus]

spoon059 wrote:
Nice, I really like my used 2015 Tradesman... but I find the seat uncomfortable. If my next truck is a Ram, I'm going to at least the Big Horn so I have some more seat adjustment other than front/back and recline!

Yeah that's one thing I really miss from my F350 Laredo

[spoon059]

Cummins12V98 wrote:


Tow Haul and EB ALL the time for me!

Try using cruise control descending grades.

Oh, without a doubt! I wish that there was someway to make it automatically come on every time I start the truck, but I turn both on every time.

If there is light traffic I use CC and it works great!

[Freeway_Flyer_0]

Jumping back in after a long dry spell, and I have to ask, how does your co-conspirator like the seats?

[Cummins12V98]

spoon059 wrote:
Nice, I really like my used 2015 Tradesman... but I find the seat uncomfortable. If my next truck is a Ram, I'm going to at least the Big Horn so I have some more seat adjustment other than front/back and recline!

Enjoy the "new" truck, it is incredible what these trucks are capable of doing. Wait until you descend a steep grade with the exhaust brake only, that's awesome. I am still amazed that I can come down a steep grade without braking, and often have to give it a little fuel to maintain speed because the EB scrubs speed so effectively. I remember going cross country as a kid with my family and my dad worrying about the brakes on the Chevy van as we went down some of those hills! No worries with a modern diesel and EB!

Tow Haul and EB ALL the time for me!

Try using cruise control descending grades.

[Cummins12V98]

FishOnOne wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Congrats!!!

You will NEVER see trans temps over the lower 170's even in HOT weather towing long 6% grades. AISIN is a True Medium Duty trans.

B&W again!!! Right on as you know there is nothing that compares with in the non slider non air hitch market.

HAT??? Yea I tried, must have been talking to the wrong person.

We went from yelling at each other in the 98 12V to a normal conversation in the 11 RAM DRW then even quieter in the 15. It does let you know when it's working but the in cab sound is nice.

Yes I did the same selling my 20k Companion from my 98/11 and went with the same beast puck B&W. Love it!!!

Forget the 14k "BS" GVWR as it's only there to keep you in Class 3 for licensing and Insurance purposes. Your SAE RAWR is 9,750#, you can load it to that plus your front axle weight of I would guess 4,750 and still be JUST FINE even at 14.500# or so. To be legal all you need is tonnage to cover your trucks weight.

I am Well over 15k but my SD Tonnage covers that.

Be sure to stick with FleetGuard, MOPAR, RACOR fuel filters!!!!!!! Air filters FleetGuard and MOPAR. Oil filters the FleetGuard StrataPore is good but better are the AMZ/OIL-Donaldson oil filters. DON'T use the MOPAR oil filter as it's only a cellulose filter.

Seen the marketing arm coming a mile away.



You confused the hell out of me on what fuel filters to use or not to use, Oil filters to use or not to use, Air filters to use or not to use.

EASILY CONFUSED

[spoon059]

Nice, I really like my used 2015 Tradesman... but I find the seat uncomfortable. If my next truck is a Ram, I'm going to at least the Big Horn so I have some more seat adjustment other than front/back and recline!

Enjoy the "new" truck, it is incredible what these trucks are capable of doing. Wait until you descend a steep grade with the exhaust brake only, that's awesome. I am still amazed that I can come down a steep grade without braking, and often have to give it a little fuel to maintain speed because the EB scrubs speed so effectively. I remember going cross country as a kid with my family and my dad worrying about the brakes on the Chevy van as we went down some of those hills! No worries with a modern diesel and EB!

[FishOnOne]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Congrats!!!

You will NEVER see trans temps over the lower 170's even in HOT weather towing long 6% grades. AISIN is a True Medium Duty trans.

B&W again!!! Right on as you know there is nothing that compares with in the non slider non air hitch market.

HAT??? Yea I tried, must have been talking to the wrong person.

We went from yelling at each other in the 98 12V to a normal conversation in the 11 RAM DRW then even quieter in the 15. It does let you know when it's working but the in cab sound is nice.

Yes I did the same selling my 20k Companion from my 98/11 and went with the same beast puck B&W. Love it!!!

Forget the 14k "BS" GVWR as it's only there to keep you in Class 3 for licensing and Insurance purposes. Your SAE RAWR is 9,750#, you can load it to that plus your front axle weight of I would guess 4,750 and still be JUST FINE even at 14.500# or so. To be legal all you need is tonnage to cover your trucks weight.

I am Well over 15k but my SD Tonnage covers that.

Be sure to stick with FleetGuard, MOPAR, RACOR fuel filters!!!!!!! Air filters FleetGuard and MOPAR. Oil filters the FleetGuard StrataPore is good but better are the AMZ/OIL-Donaldson oil filters. DON'T use the MOPAR oil filter as it's only a cellulose filter.

Seen the marketing arm coming a mile away.



You confused the hell out of me on what fuel filters to use or not to use, Oil filters to use or not to use, Air filters to use or not to use.

[Lwiddis]

I believe you will greatly enjoy your “new to you” truck!

[blt2ski]

Hope you truly do not fill your truck with gaz.......it will not run very good at all! Deezal on the other hand, it will run really good.

ALL the tricks no matter the fuel, from about 2014 on got some good jumps in power, better transmissions. We've all gained no matter your brand preference.

Marty

[Cummins12V98]

Congrats!!!

You will NEVER see trans temps over the lower 170's even in HOT weather towing long 6% grades. AISIN is a True Medium Duty trans.

B&W again!!! Right on as you know there is nothing that compares with in the non slider non air hitch market.

HAT??? Yea I tried, must have been talking to the wrong person.

We went from yelling at each other in the 98 12V to a normal conversation in the 11 RAM DRW then even quieter in the 15. It does let you know when it's working but the in cab sound is nice.

Yes I did the same selling my 20k Companion from my 98/11 and went with the same beast puck B&W. Love it!!!

Forget the 14k "BS" GVWR as it's only there to keep you in Class 3 for licensing and Insurance purposes. Your SAE RAWR is 9,750#, you can load it to that plus your front axle weight of I would guess 4,750 and still be JUST FINE even at 14.500# or so. To be legal all you need is tonnage to cover your trucks weight.

I am Well over 15k but my SD Tonnage covers that.

Be sure to stick with FleetGuard, MOPAR, RACOR fuel filters!!!!!!! Air filters FleetGuard and MOPAR. Oil filters the FleetGuard StrataPore is good but better are the AMZ/OIL-Donaldson oil filters. DON'T use the MOPAR oil filter as it's only a cellulose filter.