Ordering a truck

[Vinsil]

So those that have ordered a truck....especially a Ram...a few questions.

Looking at a '16 Ram Mega 3500 DRW. I know I'd need swing out brackets for my camper but with the drw option only $1200 more....I'm considering one over another srw.

I'm set on an aisin transmission. Reports have been good. Question is....which gear ratio? I don't like the 3.42 option. Now my current truck has 3.73's and true 35" tires, I'm happy with the current gearing. I'm leaning towards the 3.73's again,. Will. I ever regret not going 4.10's? I won't discount a larger 5'er down the road but it is unlikely.I will add an enclosed trailer soon, but it be that heavy in the end...maybe 20-22k combined.


Those with the aisin and 4.10's....happy?

[2BLAZERS]

I believe 72mph is about 2,000 rpm or so. But will need to look again. Just to Salem, OR to Centralia, WA over the weekend (family wedding) but went 80 most of the time 🙂

[2BLAZERS]

My 2011 truck was a 650# of torque and did not have the Aisin. That said it was a great truck and I had no issues with the motor or tranny. I traded it in with just under 100,000 miles for my 2016. I like new trucks and also as a partner in a firm i take a truck allowance out of the practice to pay for it. So don't mind the low rate payments.

2016 was a custom order by the dealer fleet guy for me. He ordered as soon as he could on the 2016 years, picked it up on 08/28. I always get fully loaded black on black trucks for towing and hauling heavy toys so I pretty much only order trucks. Price was as good as it could be. A few hundred over invoice less a business rebate and free oil changes for the first couple years included as a ''business link'' member. 7,000 miles now and love the truck.

The power and handling of weight compared to my 2011 is huge change. 12,200 to a 14K GVW is worth it. Plus the 650# to 900# is unreal and fun 🙂

[Vinsil]

What is your cruising rpm at 70 mph? You tow a little more weight than I do and will...I'm sure the 4.10's are perfect for you. Did you have the 68rfe in your '11? Care to expand on how much better the aisin is? I know it has different ratio's and is a medium duty trans...but having never driven one I know nothing else. Thanks!


One last thing..did your order your truck? If so...deal just as good as one in inventory?

[2BLAZERS]

smooth1 wrote:
I have heard the 4.10 gears coupled with the Aisin tranny can give you a really short run in 1st gear before it shifts to 2nd. I am sure that is great for getting a very heavy load moving, but it would be nice to lock-out 1st for daily driving.

Plenty of SRW guys hauling/towing heavy with 3.42 gears & Aisin tranny's. Not sure gearing matters much with that engine tranny combo.

I have the 4.10 gears in my 2016. The 1st to 2nd shift comes fast. Compared to my 2011 truck it seemed ''jerky'' at first.
I changed my style of driving slow through the neighborhood. My wife's 1st time in the truck she thought something was wrong with it.

It for sure shifts different and hard. I pretty much goose it a little more than I use to in my old truck. Remember the truck is built to handle a 30K trailer 🙂

Now I'm nice and smooth with it. More power, differnt shift points. = learning curve for throttle tip in.

[smooth1]

I have heard the 4.10 gears coupled with the Aisin tranny can give you a really short run in 1st gear before it shifts to 2nd. I am sure that is great for getting a very heavy load moving, but it would be nice to lock-out 1st for daily driving.

Plenty of SRW guys hauling/towing heavy with 3.42 gears & Aisin tranny's. Not sure gearing matters much with that engine tranny combo.

[Reddog1]

Now that's what I'm thinking. If you can handle the cost, do it right.

In passing, I know times change as does our determination. When my kids, 1 girl & 1 boy a year apart, were growing up we also had two dogs. We had TCs and had a great time with single seat cab trucks.

Wayne

[2BLAZERS]

2016 Ram 3500 dually cummins, Aisin, 4.10 gears. love the truck, love the power. Mileage is better than my 2011, specially running empty. Mileage doesn't seem to change much going 70 or 80 when empty. Hauling the camper or trailer i just go the speed limit. Glad I upgraded to it.

[Vinsil]

Reddog1 wrote:

Vinsil wrote:

My mega is built on the long wheelbase frame. Same as a longbed crewcab.

I'm thinking the same as a Quad cab (not crew cab), educate me.

Vinsil wrote:
For my uses, the cab space trumps the short bed. Which is a full size shortbed (some seem to think it is not)

Again I am confused. I'm thinking a full size short bed is just that, a short bed. My knowledge base says a full size bed is 8-feet, plus a freckle. Exactly what is a "full size shortbed"?

Wayne

My generation truck, yes a quad as ram did not offer a full crew this year, my bad. With the current gen, they only offer a regular cab, crew and mega. the mega is built on the longest chassis ram offers...in both generations. My point was...people buy a mega for the increased cab space...not due to a "fear" of a longer truck as it is the same length as as ram's longest offerings.

Also...I've seen it posted here a few times that some also think the mega's come with a 5.5' bed, which is offered on some manufactures 1/2 ton offerings (sorry, maybe just Ford? I don't follow 1/2 tons) so it has a full size....short bed. Just clearing it up as some think megacabs are not for using as a truck....it is and it works fine.

[Reddog1]

Vinsil wrote:

My mega is built on the long wheelbase frame. Same as a longbed crewcab.

I'm thinking the same as a Quad cab (not crew cab), educate me.

Vinsil wrote:
For my uses, the cab space trumps the short bed. Which is a full size shortbed (some seem to think it is not)

Again I am confused. I'm thinking a full size short bed is just that, a short bed. My knowledge base says a full size bed is 8-feet, plus a freckle. Exactly what is a "full size shortbed"?

Wayne

[Vinsil]

Kayteg1 wrote:

805gregg wrote:
Why would you want a truck cab longer than the bed? Get a long bed and have many more camper options, and campers with more room.

I have feeling that Dodge makes the mega cab with short beds only to not scare buyers with trucks taking 6 lanes for U-turn.
Comparing the prices, MSRP for F350 dually crew cab is $42,000, so you can buy it for about $38k.
But seems most buyers go for diesels with Lariant options for $70k

My mega is built on the long wheelbase frame. Same as a longbed crewcab.


I bought and will buy another mega for five reasons. 3 growing boys and two dogs. For those who haven't been in one or owns one...the space is amazing for a large family. I store multiple rifles, tools, jumper cables, water and other supplies behind the rear seat....and still can recline the back seats. For my uses, the cab space trumps the short bed. Which is a full size shortbed (some seem to think it is not)

I have a new shortbed camper, I'm happy with it and don't plan to get a larger or new one for a very long time. Like when my youngest is in high school. He is currently five.

Yes, a diesel is important to me. Owned gas trucks before, diesel wins me over now for the power, nothing more.

[fpoole]

Longer beds, also, just be aware of the COG (Center Of Gravity) on the camper part...

I have a 10' without thinking about the COG too much and got lucky... a little off 2-4 inches from memory, but the truck can handle it...

It's a balancing act to be sure...

Just tossing that out there..

[Kayteg1]

805gregg wrote:
Why would you want a truck cab longer than the bed? Get a long bed and have many more camper options, and campers with more room.

I have feeling that Dodge makes the mega cab with short beds only to not scare buyers with trucks taking 6 lanes for U-turn.
Comparing the prices, MSRP for F350 dually crew cab is $42,000, so you can buy it for about $38k.
But seems most buyers go for diesels with Lariant options for $70k

[Vinsil]

Bedlam wrote:
I have 4.44 gearing with my Aisin and CTD. It does great at 65 mph or less, but I would not suggest this ratio for people that drive faster. 4.10 gearing will work well for those towing 65-75 mph. If you drive empty often, the 3.73 ratio would be my choice. Any higher gearing will limit you on take off (stressing the transmission) and most likely require 6th gear be locked out when towing. Ram offers a 4.88 ratio but this is better for local local delivery setups than cross country cruises.

If you choose gearing that is too low, you can go to taller tires later to make some adjustments. I currently run 225/70r19.5 tires and would not hesitate going to 265/70r19.5 if I need more clearance or a wider footprint.

Thanks, that is what I was wondering. I am empty more often than not, trips twice a month and I tow around 60 mph max, I'm not in a hurry.

[Vinsil]

Sorry, I configured the truck wrong, that was a 2wd.

47k is the 4x4. SLT, Megacab, Cummins, Aisin, DRW. Local dealers selling most for 10k off msrp..not sure if they honor that pricing model off ordered trucks or not, so assuming on my part. I lose my fully loaded larmine and get a SLT doing it this way.

Dave Smith has 8 left over '15 mega's.....so maybe they discount more than 10k? I have an email in to see if that is the case.

Still a bit undecided though, it is more than I thought previously though! 12k more makes it less appealing for sure, not to mention outfitting the new truck as well.

Thanks for the feedback though. Lots to consider.

[Grit_dog]

Ya if you can buy a new 16 Mega drw with Aisin for 43k, buy 2! Seriously.
You could sell the other one and recoup your 8k out of pocket.