fj12ryder
Platte City, MO
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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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. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.motorhome.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
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
Howard and Peggy
"Don't Panic"
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FishOnOne
The Great State of Texas
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Joined: 02/12/2011
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Congrats on the new ride.
'12 Ford Super Duty FX4 ELD CC 6.7 PSD 400HP 800ft/lbs
"250k Miles"
'16 Sprinter 319MKS "Wide Body"
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MFL
Midwest
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Joined: 11/28/2012
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Hey Howard, not sorry at all!
That was a great review, and from your own experience, a testament to the strength of the Aisin 6-speed. Also, a quiet comfortable cab, should make for a great all day tow, when you really want to get there asap.
I'm sure you'll enjoy your entire rig for years to come!
Will watch for future pics.
Thanks for posting,
Jerry
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agesilaus
North Florida
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Joined: 05/06/2008
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Interesting, my 2012 F350 6.7L spontaneously combusted. After several long months the insurance finally came thru and we bought a Bloodred 2018 RAM diesel only Tradesmen level. Actually I think it is an upgraded Tradesman. And it is distinctly louder. We've towed from FL to SD so far with no problems so far.
Arctic Fox 25Y Travel Trailer
2018 RAM 2500 6.7L 4WD shortbed
Straightline dual cam hitch
400W Solar with Victron controller
Superbumper
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garyp4951
TN
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Joined: 12/06/2010
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Dang, glad your insurance came through. Were you towing or did it happen when parked?
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fj12ryder
Platte City, MO
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Thank you all. We are really liking it so far, especially the great-grand kids. We travel with a small bunny too, so the girls were a bit cramped in the old quad cab. Now they have room to spread out, and the bunny has a lot of room on the floor.
We saw some of the other colors and liked the red, but this one was a good enough deal, and close enough, that we decided to go for it.
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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Joined: 06/03/2012
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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.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"
"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600
2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable
2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD
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blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
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Joined: 03/15/2001
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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
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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Joined: 08/12/2016
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I believe you will greatly enjoy your “new to you” truck!
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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FishOnOne
The Great State of Texas
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Joined: 02/12/2011
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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.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/myGdcxSl.jpg)
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.
![[image]](https://i.imgur.com/ggAbtmil.jpg)
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