Need advise from the Ram Owners

[4girls2dogsandm]

I’m going to buy a Ram 3500 SRW in November and my dilemma is gas or diesel. I have owned a 02 Cummins for 17 years and it was ole reliable. I only drove it 90,000 in those 17 years and really don’t drive crazy miles. We usually take the DW ‘s car on trips as we are seasonal campers at the moment. Anyway I’m retiring and will be traveling the winter months from November to April in the South. Maybe a trip West in summer time. I’m concerned that a new diesel with the all the new emissions and DEF regen won’t cut it as the other 7 months it will be a grocery getter. We are going to be purchasing a FW early next year with a pin weight of 2100 lbs and a GVW of 11,000. Any input would greatly be appreciated.

[SweetLou]

4girls2dogsandme wrote:
I’m going to buy a Ram 3500 SRW in November and my dilemma is gas or diesel. I have owned a 02 Cummins for 17 years and it was ole reliable. I only drove it 90,000 in those 17 years and really don’t drive crazy miles. We usually take the DW ‘s car on trips as we are seasonal campers at the moment. Anyway I’m retiring and will be traveling the winter months from November to April in the South. Maybe a trip West in summer time. I’m concerned that a new diesel with the all the new emissions and DEF regen won’t cut it as the other 7 months it will be a grocery getter. We are going to be purchasing a FW early next year with a pin weight of 2100 lbs and a GVW of 11,000. Any input would greatly be appreciated.

You know, this is the first time I will say this to anyone. With all the recalls my 2013 has had which are plentiful, and the current electronic problem, coupled with discontinued wiring harness and other Ram discontinued parts I would no longer buy a Ram truck. It's a shame that a great engine is coupled to such a crapping body. When you currently pay upward of 70K for a truck, you don't need to have issues even if you do have extended warranty. What to buy? I really don't know anymore but the other manufacturers maybe don't have these extensive issues and the discontinuation of parts to resolve their problems.

[ib516]

I had a 2014 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi and 4.10s. Had 2 Cummins trucks before the 2014 Hemi. I pulled a 12k 5er that was 37' long and had 3 slides. Never lacked for power with the Hemi. Got 7-9 mpg pulling and mid to high teens running empty hwy, depended a lot on wind.

With the 8 speed, the 6.4L Hemi would be that much better than my 6 speed auto was.

The diesel will pull better in every situation and get slightly better mpg while doing it.

I was very happy with the Hemi, and for towing 11k intermittently, it would be my choice.

[richclover]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Never tow my camper with gas … again, ever."

Pepsid complete does wonders with that.

No, I don’t need the Pepsid. Diesel fuel works just fine 😉

[bsbeedub]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Never tow my camper with gas … again, ever."

Pepsid complete does wonders with that.

I see what ya did there! Kudos to you!

[Cummins12V98]

"Never tow my camper with gas … again, ever."

Pepsid complete does wonders with that.

[richclover]

I’ve had zero problems with mine. About 800 miles on a 2.5 gl jug of def. Towing.

Never tow my camper with gas … again, ever.

[Grit_dog]

C Schomer wrote:
I'd be stuck between a rock and a hard spot if I had to get rid of 12 Dodge diesel. I tow 15K 5er, kinda heavy for a gasser I think, one week a month in the summer and a trip to Az. In the winter. The def issues scare me the worst. Do Chevy and Ford diesels have any better turbo actuator and less problematic emissions? A v10 gas MH might start to look good! Craig

For sure, the early Tier IV emissions systems were/are simpler than newer systems that use def. They were/are also less efficient and no less problem prone.
You are imo , in the sweet spot of the most refined early dodge system and not into the first def systems.
Personally I’d delete the 2012 and enjoy the power and efficiency. But I don’t think you can registered in CO.

[C_Schomer]

I'd be stuck between a rock and a hard spot if I had to get rid of 12 Dodge diesel. I tow 15K 5er, kinda heavy for a gasser I think, one week a month in the summer and a trip to Az. In the winter. The def issues scare me the worst. Do Chevy and Ford diesels have any better turbo actuator and less problematic emissions? A v10 gas MH might start to look good! Craig

[n0arp]

Lantley wrote:

bucky wrote:

Lantley wrote:

bucky wrote:
I'm with Dodge Guy on this. I also have extensive background with CDJR(F) dealerships.
The newer Cummins isn't the reliability issue, it's all the emission garbage he mentioned. The warranty will cover the cost of repairs but when you are stranded on I10 in the middle of nowhere TX in 100 degree heat with high humidity 2000 miles from where you need to be it doesn't much matter does it? And that's before you find out the part is on backorder with no ETA.
That's why I drive old Ram diesels. I didn't look for a 06 or early 07 because of the TIPM issues. My 05 will last until I'm not towing anymore. I should have kept my first year 24V with the Banks kit. The 75 decibels in the cab under load was the reason I sold it.

If that is your opinion tHat doesn't speak well for Ram in general.
You are giving validity to Devo's claim that Ram's are junk.
I have a 2019 Duramax with 70K on it. No issues so far, certainly never been stranded.
Is Ram building such a poor product that the mechanics don't recommend them?

Our comments were about the emission systems, not Ram. We never saw the diesels in the shop before the emission stuff started piling on. All the manufacturers face the same problem, the OP was discussing Ram, hence our replies.

I'm not sure you can seperate Ram from its emmisions system. While I get your point, the guy stranded in a strange town doesn't want Ram to point the finger at someone else while his truck is in the shop.
Ultimately Ram designed the emmisions system.
It not very reassuring if you are a Ram owner when 2 mechanics state they doon't believe Ram diesels pick ups are reliable....Which has been Devo's point all along.
Not only are they unreliable, but the dealers are unable to fix them once an issue occurs.
I'm not a Ram basher. I tend to take Devo's claims with a grain of salt. I'm really not that brand loyal. The 6.0 PSD disaster chased me away from Ford years ago and I found the Duramax Allison combo. Nevertheless hearing Ram mechanics support DEvo's claim and speak poorly of Ram diesels is somewhat eye opening.

My '15 LML had way more (constant) emissions problems from day one than my Ram (none). I ended up deleting the LML and running a CP3 conversion because I didn't want to be left stranded again.

In general, all the big three make small incremental improvements each year and some of those end up being for the emissions systems. Newer emissions seem to be less problematic than the systems produced a decade, or even five years ago - judging by anecdotal conversations I've seen on various forums and personal experience across three trucks.

[Grit_dog]

IdaD wrote:
then last week hobbled with transmission problems - I could drive it up to third gear but had to lock it there. The accumulator plate failed which damaged the pistons and valve body. $2300 later and I'm good again

Aaand this just moved up the "replace accumulator piston retainer" duty up on my list of reasons why I don't like the 68rfe.

Sorry to hear you didn't catch it early enough to not damage the valvebody. The OE pistons are nothing to write home about, so no less there really.

[IdaD]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
NEVER left on the side of the road by any of the 5 RAM’s I have owned. Well except for when I ran out of fuel on two of them.

Mine has left me on the side of the road once (water pump) and then last week hobbled with transmission problems - I could drive it up to third gear but had to lock it there. The accumulator plate failed which damaged the pistons and valve body. $2300 later and I'm good again but it was annoying and almost cost us a trip.

I'm generally happy with the Ram and I love the way it tows, but it has given me a little more trouble than I'd like. Nothing major like a ruined engine and honestly that was kind of my expectation that I'd have a few more minor issues but nothing catastrophic. Knock on wood.

[Cummins12V98]

My actuator started acting up with intermittent loss of the EB. It still ran fine for local driving. Told the Dealer about it and they had one in stock. Waited for a rental to be available and got it done. Lucky I didn’t need to tow.

[Grit_dog]

cummins2014 wrote:


No they are not a certainty, but as I said the emissions , and actuators are common. your buddy 12V had the actuator go on his. Don't fool yourself that you are exempt with yours . I thought I did everything I was supposed to with mine. Its not a grocery getter, it doesn't sit around and idle. I run it all the time with exhaust brake, and tow haul on. It gets worked pretty hard towing our 15,500 GVWR fifth wheel . Yet at 59K the actuator goes. Not a cheap fix, cheaper if I would have been home ,would have replaced it myself.

Not sure I even alluded to thinking my truck won't have any issues or not lunch a turbo actuator.
Just like no brand is exempt from the occasional total lemon and all brands seem to have some sort of Achilles heel.
Some of it's luck of the draw. A buddy has a LML Dmax. Couldn't use it in a worse way for emissions, almost. Never towed a thing with it. Daily commuter, 1/2hour drive, side streets, shuttling kids around, gets on the highway enough to clean out I suppose because the truck has the better part of 150k miles on it, bone stock and he has had nary an issue with it. It did get plugged up once and had to take it in to get a manual regen.
I would have predicted that he would have lots of issues, but???

[Devo_the_dog]

cummins2014 wrote:

Devo the dog wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

Devo the dog wrote:
Except that I never complained about the engine, the CP4 or having emissions problems. LOL.

Give yourself some time . :B

LOL. Won't happen. It's parked. Based on comments by others in this thread, it's likely that it'll be the next owner's problem.

And, I got my Ford X-Plan PIN number and got pricing on the 2022. Just debating on a couple options before I place my order.

It may be the next owners problem, and it may not. Lets hope that 2022 Ford is better. I was surprised at the Turbo problems these new 6.7 powerstrokes are having. . My brand loyal friend that's drank more blue koolaid then most, had his 6.7 Powerstroke break a crankshaft totally ruined the motor. Turned right around ,and bought another new Ford truck 🙂 Pay your money ,take your chances .

Bummer for your friend. I won't have the same problem though.

I'm ordering it with the 7.3 gas engine. Also, functioning AC and heater comes standard on the Ford.

[cummins2014]

Devo the dog wrote:

cummins2014 wrote:

Devo the dog wrote:
Except that I never complained about the engine, the CP4 or having emissions problems. LOL.

Give yourself some time . :B

LOL. Won't happen. It's parked. Based on comments by others in this thread, it's likely that it'll be the next owner's problem.

And, I got my Ford X-Plan PIN number and got pricing on the 2022. Just debating on a couple options before I place my order.

It may be the next owners problem, and it may not. Lets hope that 2022 Ford is better. I was surprised at the Turbo problems these new 6.7 powerstrokes are having. . My brand loyal friend that's drank more blue koolaid then most, had his 6.7 Powerstroke break a crankshaft totally ruined the motor. Turned right around ,and bought another new Ford truck 🙂 Pay your money ,take your chances .