Questions on new 15 Ram 3500 dual wheel

[Arcamper]

It looks like I am going to order a Ram 3500 dual wheel pickup here in the next two weeks and I wanted some input on a couple of items. First off it will be a Ram so no debate about how a Ford or Chevy would be better please. It will be the Cummins and Aisin drive train but I am stuck on 3:73 or 4:10 axles. The new camper will weigh about 18k lbs Also they have the rear air suspension as an option. Its not the same air ride the 2500 has since its a spring and air bag combo. My concern is it is a closed system using nitrogen and not easy to service short of a dealer doing it. I am sure it would work fine now but 8 years from now would good old leaf springs be a better choice? Does anyone have this system now. This adds over a grand to an already very expensive truck. I also know it is not adjustable other than a couple of settings inside the cab. Other than that I have it pretty well figured out. Long bed Laramie, leather, cherry red, most everything except moon roof. It will be overkill for our 10k lb 5th wheel we have now but a Mobil Suites 36' is in our future I hope. I am selling my 08 Ram and my trusty 03 Ford so this would be a daily driver most of the time. Hope driving a dual wheel with no trailer does not get old.

[Bedlam]

dapperdan wrote:
Knowing what kind of torque and power I'm enjoying now just makes me anxious to get behind the wheel of the '15 and hit the road. It's not so much being able to pull the mountains as it is taking an 18k plus trailer DOWN the mountains safely that really has me excited!!

The Ram is much more refined than your current Dodge. When I was shopping for a truck in late 2004, Dodge had the crudest build and ride for my tastes and I chose a different make. This time around, I'm driving a Ram instead of their competition.

Commins12V98 - Cruise control works in all exhaust brake and tow/haul combinations.

[NC_Hauler]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
NC, question.

Can you have cruise control on when the EB is in the more aggressive mode?

Yes...When towing and in cruise control I keep it on the 1st Setting, (yellow/orange icon) which is the most aggressive when in the mountains...IF on flatland, the auto setting might be the one you like to be in, ie the 2nd. setting, (green icon that displays "AUTO), this works better to keep from decelerating when getting ready to go up a hill or something to that effect...It's RARE if ever I use "AUTO", I keep it on the aggressive setting cause it sounds SOOOOOOO cool when you let off on the throttle or when in cruise control going down a mountain...EB kicks in and truck will gear down to keep you at whatever speed you set cruise to.:B

[Cummins12V98]

NC, question.

Can you have cruise control on when the EB is in the more aggressive mode?

[NC_Hauler]

dapperdan wrote:
Transamz9:

I'm REALLY excited about getting this (new) truck! My '06 is indeed stock as a rock if you will. It's never been chipped, the only thing not stock is the Diamond Eye SS exhaust system and I have Firestone Ride Rite air bags on the rear that's it.

Knowing what kind of torque and power I'm enjoying now just makes me anxious to get behind the wheel of the '15 and hit the road. It's not so much being able to pull the mountains as it is taking an 18k plus trailer DOWN the mountains safely that really has me excited!!

Dan

What will "blow your mind" is with the Truck in T/H mode and EB set to first setting, (more aggressive), going down a mountain, let off on the throttle and the truck and what you're towing will literally almost come to a complete stop with EB and tranny gearing down and you're not touching the brake pedal or throttle....it is SOOOOO cool:B

[Cummins12V98]

dapperdan wrote:
Transamz9:

I'm REALLY excited about getting this (new) truck! My '06 is indeed stock as a rock if you will. It's never been chipped, the only thing not stock is the Diamond Eye SS exhaust system and I have Firestone Ride Rite air bags on the rear that's it.

Knowing what kind of torque and power I'm enjoying now just makes me anxious to get behind the wheel of the '15 and hit the road. It's not so much being able to pull the mountains as it is taking an 18k plus trailer DOWN the mountains safely that really has me excited!!

Dan

You will be thrilled!

Put it in the gear you climbed the mountain in and set the cruise control. Works great.

[dapperdan]

Transamz9:

I'm REALLY excited about getting this (new) truck! My '06 is indeed stock as a rock if you will. It's never been chipped, the only thing not stock is the Diamond Eye SS exhaust system and I have Firestone Ride Rite air bags on the rear that's it.

Knowing what kind of torque and power I'm enjoying now just makes me anxious to get behind the wheel of the '15 and hit the road. It's not so much being able to pull the mountains as it is taking an 18k plus trailer DOWN the mountains safely that really has me excited!!

Dan

[retispcsi]

First see truck and fiver in my sig. No problem climbing or anything else and I know I am heavy. My 2012 Ram had a 4:10 also and pulled an lighter fiver. That one went up the Rockies. No problem. Fuel difference won't even be noticeable it is that small. Also with DEF fuel mileage should improve with age. Don't know about the suspension system I run Air Lift bags just like in my other two Rams makes the ride when towing nicer and with the 5000 Ultimate you can run without air. Good luck

[NC_Hauler]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
With my too tall 3:42 gears I am about the same RPM in 5th as if I had 4:10's in 6th.

I am comfortable towing at 62 in 5th or even 75 in 5th so the 4:10's will be great in the 15 I have on order.

In pic I was bucking a head wind Westbound on I-40 across the Texas Panhandle towing a 29K combined load. When I have 4:10's the picture will be about the same only 6th gear will be selected.

You'll get better mpg also with the DEF...I've got a little over 26,300 miles on my truck with only issue being to replace a windshield washer fluid pump.....Running flat land, you'll see a difference that will leave a really stupid grin on your face Ron:) Towing in the mountains, you may have a maniacal smile on your face that may scare others around you:B

[NC_Hauler]

Speaking from personal experience of owning and towing with practically the same truck; Truck in my sig is bone stock and has the 4:10. Truck is my daily driver as well as my tow vehicle...I've towed my 5er, (loaded to 16,300#) through the mountains of WV, TN, NC, SC and Va and it has never "lugged" down in 6th....This has been the first truck I've ever owned that I could actually put in cruise control and tow on some of the Interstates in the mountains that I run on, (I77, I26, I81, I40, I64)...Have towed this 5er up the part of I64 called the New River Gorge section from Sandstone Falls to intersect with I77 just outside Beckley...6% grade for about 4+ miles than 3 miles of 7% grade and truck dropped to 5th, then to 4th, but never "lugged", and never screamed to get out of gear, all while in T/H the Aisin knows when to change gears and holds it, with dual cooling system, this is the strongest TV I've ever owned.

I think the 3:73 would work fine, just depends on how heavy one might tow. The 3:73 gives one a GCWR of 32,000# and the 4:10 gives one a GCWR of 37,500#, (3500 DRW/CC/LB/4X4 with Aisin )...

The idea that the 4:10 will lug, or even scream to get out of a gear running at a set speed isn't happening. This is my 3rd. 4:10 in a Dodge/Ram 3500 dually, but first with the Aisin, none of them ever gave me pause or acted so strangely that I felt I should have went with different gearing. Best mpg also with DEF...

[Farmerjon]

I don't think you would regret either gear choice.I just chose the 3.73 again and am very happy with it.The power of the new diesels is awesome and the 6 speed transmissions make it very easy to keep the engine happy.
We have pulled 21,000lbs and it had no trouble at all going up and down the hills,it always had more power than I needed.
I would be hesitate about the air bags because I'm old fashioned and think it's another thing to break, hah what a joke when you look at all the things a new truck has that could go wrong. I have my 1st automatic truck in 45 years because I didn't have a choice,,the last one was a 1956 chevy with a 4sp hydramatic .
I actully really, really like our new automatic.
I know I don't have the same brand as you are looking at but for the gear choices I don't think Ford or Ram makes any difference.
Enjoy your new truck!

[Bedlam]

Although in my youth I drove a Ford C4 automatic for a short time, most of my driving was with manuals until I bought the Ford 5R110 and then went to the Aisin AS69RC. I guess I missed most of the poorer automatic designs while I was developing my shifting and clutching skills. I have little seat time driving an Allison, but feel (even with first impressions) that there are some really good automatics to choose from today instead of just one that is much better than the others.

[transamz9]

dapperdan wrote:

transamz9 wrote:
I'm going to agree with the 3:73 crowd. I pull 18,000# with my Cummins Aisin with 3:42 and have zero problems at all with power. I can run sixth 99% of the time with no problem cruising along at speed limit, drop to fifth on pretty decent hills and roll on. The 3:73's would be more than enough. FWIW I am getting 17-17.5 mixed driving unloaded.

We just ordered a 2015 Laramie 4X4 with the Aisin trans. I'm going with the 3:73s, that's what we have now and the '06 does fine pulling our Suites. I wanted something "newer" and something with an exhaust brake. I'm excited to see how the new truck compares to the old 4 speed non EB Cummins! Oh and I too am getting the rear air suspension, can't wait! I hope we experience great mileage too.

According to Dodge's website with the 3:73s and the Aisin transmission I'm good to pull just about 24k which would give me ample "wiggle" room.

Dan

You are going to love the new truck. If your '06 was/is stock it will be daylight and dark difference. My 2005 is no where near stock, engine tuning or rear suspension, and I personally still like towing with it better than my 2013 but I am just talking pulling and handling the weight.

With that said, my '13 is leaps and bounds all around better than my '05 was factory but the '05 is a 2500 and the '13 is a 3500 SRW. The Aisin is what I call "the cats meow" when it comes to transmissions in these trucks. It seems like it knows what I'm thinking and does it when needed. I drive Fords and Chevys quite often and they have great transmissions also but for my driving style the Aisin is my cake and I also get to eat it too. I was never really fond of the programming in the Allison and still not (2013 is the newest I drive) but when Ford came out with their 5 speed auto behind the 6.0 I fell in love with it and think it is a great trans I just don't like that it's quick to down shift. The 6.0 is a high revving motor so it has to programmed to do that. It works really great and the downshifting in TH is about as good as any exhaust brake.

The two stage exhaust brake is great in the Ram (although I wish they had a way you could do a custom setting on it). For someone that has never had an engine/exhaust brake it is the best thing since sliced bread.

Congrats on the new truck and you will enjoy it.;)

[dapperdan]

transamz9 wrote:
I'm going to agree with the 3:73 crowd. I pull 18,000# with my Cummins Aisin with 3:42 and have zero problems at all with power. I can run sixth 99% of the time with no problem cruising along at speed limit, drop to fifth on pretty decent hills and roll on. The 3:73's would be more than enough. FWIW I am getting 17-17.5 mixed driving unloaded.

We just ordered a 2015 Laramie 4X4 with the Aisin trans. I'm going with the 3:73s, that's what we have now and the '06 does fine pulling our Suites. I wanted something "newer" and something with an exhaust brake. I'm excited to see how the new truck compares to the old 4 speed non EB Cummins! Oh and I too am getting the rear air suspension, can't wait! I hope we experience great mileage too.

According to Dodge's website with the 3:73s and the Aisin transmission I'm good to pull just about 24k which would give me ample "wiggle" room.

Dan

[eHoefler]

My 2010 liked to be around 2050-2200 RPMs, it had 4.10s, and did it quite well. My 2014 with the 3.73s, likes to run around 1750-1900 RPMs. The newer enhanced engine does an amazing job at this RPM, and will lug down to 1600 before down-shifting. Running at the same speed as I did in the 2010, the downshifts are a lot fewer, and the fuel economy is about the same or a little higher.

[Cummins12V98]

With my too tall 3:42 gears I am about the same RPM in 5th as if I had 4:10's in 6th.

I am comfortable towing at 62 in 5th or even 75 in 5th so the 4:10's will be great in the 15 I have on order.

In pic I was bucking a head wind Westbound on I-40 across the Texas Panhandle towing a 29K combined load. When I have 4:10's the picture will be about the same only 6th gear will be selected.