Ram 3500 2011 to a 2016 Ram 3500

[2BLAZERS]

So excited to try the new truck out for truck camper hauling duty.

New truck has a lot more power than my 2011. Also seems a lot beefier in the frame, transmission, axles etc... 14K GVW.

Both my 2011 and 2016 are Laramie Black on black 4*4 with 4.10 gears, but lots of little new cool stuff, Navigation and instrument panels are a lot better.

[StrumminBass]

Finished my SuperHitch install yesterday on the 2016 3500 and everything was a very tight fit. The photo below shows my solution for the top bolt of the "7 strap" which protrudes through the heat shield, just a 1" hole saw... The spare tire is very snug! The 48" SuperTruss Extension was a piece of cake, just heavy.

Randy

[StrumminBass]

Finsruskw - Sent you a PM with my email. Thanks for your help! No direction from Torklift yet, but I just sent them the 15 photos I took and their head engineer is on vacation this week.

I'm also seeing some excellent highway miles with the 6.4L Hemi, but haven't loaded up the TC yet until I get the Torklift SuperHitch/Tie-downs installed.

Randy

[finsruskw]

Strummin Bass: had the same issue on my 2015 install 2 weeks ago.
Simply drop the heat shield, 2 bolts on top and 2 into the frame. Install the SH per instructions then drill a 2 inch or so hole with a hole saw in the side of the heat shield for clearance of the SH frame bolt.

I can send you a picture to your e-mail address.
BTW: averaged 14+ mpg hauling my 1181 to Rollog, MN and back, 1000+ round trip, just gt back last night.

Dave S.

[Surf_Ram]

Vinsil wrote:

2BLAZERS wrote:

Nautique200 wrote:
The HD update is not slated until the 2018 model year. 2017 will be the 1500.

I had a 2005
I had a 2011
I have now a 2016

Went from the 2005 to the 2011 for the real CrewCab.
Went from 2011 to the 2016 for more power, 14K GVW and the little refinements.

In 2021 or so I'm sure i'll get the urge for new leather smell and have some reason to do it.

Buy exactly what I want brand new, take it up to about 100K miles and than boom, new one 🙂

That is one way to do it! 🙂

First was a 1982 Chevy diesel
Current is a 2002 Dodge diesel
Still have to wait to 2022...

[Bedlam]

kohldad wrote:
There is a way to relocate the antenna to the hood of the truck. Don't remember the details but it didn't sound that hard, just time consuming. I didn't plan on keeping my service after the first year so didn't worry about it to much.

And even with my short e/w bed overhang on a crew cab combined with the antenna at the front of the cab, it is useless with the camper on.

Some guys are buying an additional OEM antenna and mounting it on the cowl in front of the windshield. You can disconnect the antenna on the roof at the radio but leave it in place while connecting the second antenna to the now available connector.

[hotrodfords]

Thank god it has a shift "lever" vice those stupid shift rotary knobs. If you're gonna take it off the column, then give me push buttons all the way.

[StrumminBass]

Grit dog wrote:
I can't imagine what would be different with the '16 models. Same truck from the '13 model chassis redesign.

I ran into an issue with my 2016 3500 yesterday which was different than my 2013 2500 (I don't know what the 2013 3500 was like). Maybe someone who has a 2013-2015 3500 can tell me if my 2016 is different. The photo below shows a heat shield and a new-to-me piece of 2"O.D. tube frame that supports the heat shield and connects the box frame pieces on both sides. The heat shield protects the spare tire from the exhaust pipe and muffler and it appears that the tube frame is a support for it. The tube frame piece juts into the box frame piece right at the hole I'm supposed to use for one of the bolts for the "7" piece for the SuperHitch, fishing the bolt through the box frame, but there's now no room to fish the bolt.

Sent the photo to Torklift and I'm sure they'll find a solution. Just wondering if anyone else has seen this and if so, how you solved it.



Randy

[kohldad]

There is a way to relocate the antenna to the hood of the truck. Don't remember the details but it didn't sound that hard, just time consuming. I didn't plan on keeping my service after the first year so didn't worry about it to much.

And even with my short e/w bed overhang on a crew cab combined with the antenna at the front of the cab, it is useless with the camper on.

[finsruskw]

Y,ou are probably not gonna be too happy w/the XM at all with the antenna location. I know I am not! That is now, after a run to MN on Tuesday. It is all but worthless running west or north, constantly cutting in and out while going due west and no signal at all to speak of heading North. Will more than likely be the same going east, I'd bet.

Same problem I had with my last class 8 tractor, a 2005 KW with studio sleeper and high headache rack/chain cabinet behind that.
Pretty frustrating when there is something on you are really listening to.

Will probably be OK heading south but that's about all.
Wonder if there is a way to relocate or add an additional ant to the camper roof?

The Big Ram performed flawlessly on the way up giving me 14.7 MPG with a gross weight of 13,250.

Good luck with the new Ram, Yer gonna love it, course I already new that cuz Ya got another one!!

Dave S

[Grit_dog]

I can't imagine what would be different with the '16 models. Same truck from the '13 model chassis redesign.

[2BLAZERS]

StrumminBass wrote:
Nice truck! Two weeks ago I got my own 2016 3500, but a SRW, 6.4L Hemi, short bed. Like yours, the first ordered and off the lot from the dealer. I'm working with Torklift on the "fit" as someone mentioned earlier. Should receive the packages today. They suspect the same units will fit as the '15 truck, and I'm putting the Talons and SuperHitch on. I should know on the fit soon...

I've exchanged emails with Torklift, basically they are expecting to test fit from a local dealer within a month. I'm in Oregon and Torklift would be a little ways to go and work is busy for me until mid October.

I went to a really great old school local hitch place that has all the Torklift stuff in stock and we looked under the truck and he believes its the same as 2014 and 2015, he's willing to try it third week of September. Just a scheduling thing now. I have a lot of days I'm traveling to clients and need my daily driver truck.

[2BLAZERS]

finsruskw wrote:
Why didn't Ya go with the Laramie Longhorn Pkg??
I'm on my 2nd one now, 2015 3500 CC DRW, the 1st was a 2011 1500 that is going to a new home this weekend.
Don't get much better than that!!
Makes my BIL's Ranch King look like poverty row!!

Dave S

I just don't care for the browns/tan of the longhorn pkg. My last 4 trucks have been black on black. Laramie gets me all the leather, butt warmers, butt coolers, and power everything i could want.

[StrumminBass]

Forgot to update my signature, bad habit! I don't know about the OP, but I did go with the Laramie (not the Laramie Longhorn) and it's a ton better than the SLT, I love it! Also got the factory running boards and spray-in liner.


Randy

[finsruskw]

Why didn't Ya go with the Laramie Longhorn Pkg??
I'm on my 2nd one now, 2015 3500 CC DRW, the 1st was a 2011 1500 that is going to a new home this weekend.
Don't get much better than that!!
Makes my BIL's Ranch King look like poverty row!!

Dave S

[StrumminBass]

Nice truck! Two weeks ago I got my own 2016 3500, but a SRW, 6.4L Hemi, short bed. Like yours, the first ordered and off the lot from the dealer. I'm working with Torklift on the "fit" as someone mentioned earlier. Should receive the packages today. They suspect the same units will fit as the '15 truck, and I'm putting the Talons and SuperHitch on. I should know on the fit soon...