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Owning a Cummins Diesel?

BurbMan
Explorer II
Explorer II
Seriously considering pulling the trigger on a 2015 Ram 3500 SRW diesel, only because finding the 6.4 in a 3500 (that I can afford) is dang near impossible.

Any known issues with the 2015's? In my limited reading it seems like folks have fewest issues with the Cummins. Is DEF easy to find now or do y'all still carry extra? I've never owned a diesel and know very little about them... any comments or advice you want to offer would be appreciated.
41 REPLIES 41

cummins2014
Explorer
Explorer
LIKE2BUILD wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

They went back to a single radiator in 2015.


Why?

I thought that was the case, but I wanted Burbman to know that's a potential issue if the dual radiator had been used on the '15.

I'm not sure why they used the dual radiator on the '14. Obviously someone realized it wasn't more complex than needed and redesigned the cooling for the '15 model.



Its not much of an issue, just change the y-pipes out ,and be done with it.

LIKE2BUILD
Explorer
Explorer
FishOnOne wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

They went back to a single radiator in 2015.


Why?

I thought that was the case, but I wanted Burbman to know that's a potential issue if the dual radiator had been used on the '15.

I'm not sure why they used the dual radiator on the '14. Obviously someone realized it wasn't more complex than needed and redesigned the cooling for the '15 model.
'14 Ram 2500|Crew Cab Long Bed|4X4|Cummins
Curt Q20 with Ram 5th Wheel Prep
2000 Crownline 205BR
1997 Ranger Comanche 461VS
'01 Polaris Virage TX PWC
'94 Polaris SLT750 PWC
3 Wonderful Sons (21, 15, & 13)
1 forgiving wife!!!

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
hvac wrote:
2018. No recalls. No warranty claims. So far anyway.


2018's probably going to be known as the Golden Child of the 4th gen's as my 98 12V was of the 2nd gen's.
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

hvac
Explorer
Explorer
2018. No recalls. No warranty claims. So far anyway.

ACZL
Explorer
Explorer
blt2ski wrote:
First off Don, cumming from a GM, you need to learn to speel Cummings motor correctly! That way you can piss off them Cummings deezal fans.
Any way, I'm up way the heel too late here on the left coast, I'm going to bed!
No, I have not been drinking.....I should claim to have been eh?!?!?

Marty


'92 International? Isn't that a fancy name for a cornfield Cadillac? There is another one that's mentioned on the CB radio, but won't say it here!
2017 F350 DRW XLT, CC, 4x4, 6.7
2018 Big Country 3560 SS
"The best part of RVing and Snowmobiling is spending time with family and friends"
"Catin' in the Winter"

blt2ski
Moderator
Moderator
First off Don, cumming from a GM, you need to learn to speel Cummings motor correctly! That way you can piss off them Cummings deezal fans.
Any way, I'm up way the heel too late here on the left coast, I'm going to bed!
No, I have not been drinking.....I should claim to have been eh?!?!?

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

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
FishOnOne wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

They went back to a single radiator in 2015.


Why?


Don't know. My 15 really cools well at 35K combined at 100 degrees.

13/14's had issues with the two coolant "Y" pipes cracking.
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

Me_Again
Explorer II
Explorer II
FishOnOne wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:

They went back to a single radiator in 2015.


Why?


KISS
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

FishOnOne
Explorer III
Explorer III
Cummins12V98 wrote:

They went back to a single radiator in 2015.


Why?
'12 Ford Super Duty FX4 ELD CC 6.7 PSD 400HP 800ft/lbs "270k Miles"
'16 Sprinter 319MKS "Wide Body"

Ron3rd
Explorer
Explorer
2016 CTD here with about 52K miles. It's been a reliable truck so far. Mine is a 2500 2wd. Did not want or need 4x4.
2016 6.7 CTD 2500 BIG HORN MEGA CAB
2013 Forest River 3001W Windjammer
Equilizer Hitch
Honda EU2000

"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
" I'm not sure if the '15 has the same setup but if it does you'll want to proactively change that Y."


They went back to a single radiator in 2015.
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

cummins2014
Explorer
Explorer
LIKE2BUILD wrote:
BurbMan wrote:
Seriously considering pulling the trigger on a 2015 Ram 3500 SRW diesel...
Any known issues with the 2015's? In my limited reading it seems like folks have fewest issues with the Cummins.

I have a 2014 Ram 2500 long bed Cummins/68RFE, which is pretty much identical to the '15 you're considering. The crew cab is huge with a ton of leg room for the rear passengers.

At 149,000 miles mine is still going strong. I've had 17 recalls repaired, which does seem a bit excessive, but I pretty much just dropped it off and picked up after work. One of the recalls replaced the entire catalyst system in the exhaust!

DEF is easy to find. Also, you can always fill up in the truck lanes at truck stops. In my experience I would suggest sticking with Peak Blue and don't use cheap stuff. Maybe this was just a one-off situation, but I purchased some cheaper off-brand stuff at a local farm store and filled up right before a trip. 500 miles away from home I got a check engine light related to the DEF system. Everything ran fine, but it was still bothersome. When I got home I drained the DEF tank and refilled with PEAK and I've never had another problem since.

I did have to modify the radiator hose. On this model they used a dual radiator system and the plastic Y fitting on the upper hose cracked. I replaced my with a billet aluminum aftermarket unit. I'm not sure if the '15 has the same setup but if it does you'll want to proactively change that Y.

I towed our fifth wheel around the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone and the truck was amazing. When using the Tow/Haul and exhaust brake the truck would nearly slow itself down completely without using much brake pedal. I was able to climb a 10% grade nice and steady and the temps never moved. Without any power mods this truck had more than enough oomph to go wherever I wanted.

KJ



17 Recalls on a 2014 Ram 2500. To date my 2014 Ram 3500 has had 12 recalls. Apparently the 2500 has had more then the 3500. Just ran the Vin#, and here is a list of mine . V06 V44 T79 T51 T25 R76 R40 R23 R36 T05 P26 P15.

LIKE2BUILD
Explorer
Explorer
BurbMan wrote:
Seriously considering pulling the trigger on a 2015 Ram 3500 SRW diesel...
Any known issues with the 2015's? In my limited reading it seems like folks have fewest issues with the Cummins.

I have a 2014 Ram 2500 long bed Cummins/68RFE, which is pretty much identical to the '15 you're considering. The crew cab is huge with a ton of leg room for the rear passengers.

At 149,000 miles mine is still going strong. I've had 17 recalls repaired, which does seem a bit excessive, but I pretty much just dropped it off and picked up after work. One of the recalls replaced the entire catalyst system in the exhaust!

DEF is easy to find. Also, you can always fill up in the truck lanes at truck stops. In my experience I would suggest sticking with Peak Blue and don't use cheap stuff. Maybe this was just a one-off situation, but I purchased some cheaper off-brand stuff at a local farm store and filled up right before a trip. 500 miles away from home I got a check engine light related to the DEF system. Everything ran fine, but it was still bothersome. When I got home I drained the DEF tank and refilled with PEAK and I've never had another problem since.

I did have to modify the radiator hose. On this model they used a dual radiator system and the plastic Y fitting on the upper hose cracked. I replaced my with a billet aluminum aftermarket unit. I'm not sure if the '15 has the same setup but if it does you'll want to proactively change that Y.

I towed our fifth wheel around the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone and the truck was amazing. When using the Tow/Haul and exhaust brake the truck would nearly slow itself down completely without using much brake pedal. I was able to climb a 10% grade nice and steady and the temps never moved. Without any power mods this truck had more than enough oomph to go wherever I wanted.

KJ
'14 Ram 2500|Crew Cab Long Bed|4X4|Cummins
Curt Q20 with Ram 5th Wheel Prep
2000 Crownline 205BR
1997 Ranger Comanche 461VS
'01 Polaris Virage TX PWC
'94 Polaris SLT750 PWC
3 Wonderful Sons (21, 15, & 13)
1 forgiving wife!!!

Bionic_Man
Explorer
Explorer
SweetLou wrote:
mudfuel07 wrote:
Got a 2017 2500 with 91k on it towing a 10k lb travel trailer. Love it, tows like a beast and fun to drive. Had one problem with the 68rfe, but dealer fixed it under warranty, a valve body. I bought it used, but everything under the hood looked good. DEF is not a problem, haven’t used an ounce in over 8k miles.

I use a box every 1500 miles or so. Do the math again


The way I read his statement, somehow his emissions equipment fell off the truck. In which case, he would be right.
2012 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW CC 4x4 Max Tow, Cummins HO, 60 gallon RDS aux fuel tank, Reese 18k Elite hitch
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 Cummins HO NV5600 with Smarty JR, Jacobs EB (sold)
2002 Gulf Stream Sea Hawk 29FRB with Honda EV6010