Is a 2012 CTD for me ?

[AH64ID]

Spending my daily commute in my little car lets me enjoy the truck that much more! The fuel money I save mid week allows us to do more on the weekends and it's great!

Yeah it's not Chrysler its the darn tree-huggers and the EPA. I am all for preserving the natural resources but not at the expense of natural resources. Thou of the big 3 I think DC has done a good job.

 

[jryan11518]

check this one out! Ram : 3500 | eBay
I do not like what was done to the suspension.

 

[HBarlow]

Forget the higher mpg alternatives, I'm not spending nearly 2 hrs a day in anything other than a HD pickup. As for the reliability, that's what I've begun to question. The CTD has not been without faults over the years, for my generation its the KDP and 53 block. I feel the newest CTD's are reliable, but not the post exhaust treatment system which I believe is an all Chrysler event ?

Would Cummins or Chrysler hang that junk on their new trucks if not forced to by the anti-business department of the federal government known as EPA?

The post exhaust treatment system is reliable and durable if the truck is used as intended. Unfortunately they are less reliable if used as grocery getters or for short commutes.

 

[crispyboy]

To me, though I have limited experience, sounds like you will be ok with the new truck based on your usage.
I have a 2009 model. The ECU has been flashed when it had 11,000 miles on the odometer. I now have 27,500 miles on the truck and have owned it for 10 months. My truck is used primarily for commuting to work (17 miles each way), some grocery getting and occasionally pulling a travel trailer on the weekends.
So far the emissions equipment has worked fine. I can tell when I am in regeneration mode by either the ticking sound of the exhaust cooling off or when it rains and I am at a stop light I get some stink from the exhaust.
I may get flamed for this but I actually enjoy the quiet, mostly stink free exhaust from the truck. The lack of noise by this truck has impressed a lot of folks.

Sometimes I am sorry I read the posts on this forum about emissions trouble with these trucks - It makes me wonder in the back of my mind that maybe I shouldn't have bought this truck - you folks can really scare a guy - I'll keep my fingers crossed for now. I really don't want to fiddle with all the delete stuff.

 

[rrl989]

Would Cummins or Chrysler hang that junk on their new trucks if not forced to by the anti-business department of the federal government known as EPA?



The post exhaust treatment system is reliable and durable if the truck is used as intended. Unfortunately they are less reliable if used as grocery getters or for short commutes.

If not for the EPA, I'd hope the 6BTA5. 9 CTD would still be in use for the 2011 3500's. If it was, I would not be asking any reliability questions. I know it has been 100% and is/was basically an end of an era type motor. I realize the need to clean up the air, but I don't want to be on the hook for big post warranty issues resulting from the EPA mandates, I just a recreational user, my truck does not earn me $$.



I had hoped that after numerous years using the current "system" (2008?), it would be problem free. You shouldn't have to say "use as intended" as I don't believe the 3500's are sold with that for a disclaimer, but I understand what you mean. I want to use the 3500 just as I have without any thought of reliability. One would expect great leaps forward in reliability in the 14 years since the last time I was asking these questions.

 

[rrl989]

Crispyboy, you sound like you use the truck as I would. Good to hear positive feedback. In general, how many miles between these regens ?

 

[RonD]

My conclusion is that you already had your mind made up, but just want to see if someone can convince you otherwise, so are you buying a Chevy or a GMC with gas engine?, just curious.

 

[rrl989]

Mine not made up, always planned on a new Ram, waited long enough. Thought it would be simple. But reading the TDR, etc, has caused me to 2nd guess my decision because there does seem to be many open issues with the HD Rams. I just recently returned from the NH mountains, I need a truck that haul a 5000 lb load under all conditions. I don't think a low mpg / low power gasser would work for me, it sounded good at first as I could get a loaded gasser 3500 HD for about $35K. Threads gone on long enough, thanks for all input. I'll have to post what I end up with.

 

[RonD]

For whatever it's worth, all the forums will only reflect the bad sides of what the forum is about, go on a Dodge site you hear this is a problem, go on a Ford site same thing, now just ask someone at a gas pump how they like the Cummins Diesel Ram, they will say its a great truck, that is the problem with internet forums in general, there very negative regarding the main subject matter. Just ask yourself, how many postings on late model Rams are about DPF problems, maybe two a week ?, now how many trucks are out there, thousands and thousands, this Forum represents just a very small sample of the trucks that are represented, maybe less than a half of one percent, and most of the complaints are from people looking for a place to vent. I have a Friend that has 4 Rams, all 2010 one tons in his business, they all are driven in bumper to bumper traffic, idle a lot and not one has had any problems at all with emission related items.

 

[Mark Daniels]

Go with the Ram, great trucks, i have a 2008 and go to rodeos with my horse trailer. i was thinking for sure i would need a freightliner for weight i haul but this truck handles it PERFECT. I know i'm overloading it the trailer itself loaded is 24,000 plus truck weigth, we run about 5,000 miles a month. i never thought i would like an automatic but its great. i did not like the allison in the GM as well. They say do not over idle them but mine gets ran pretty hard.

 

[HBarlow]

Go with the Ram, great trucks, i have a 2008 and go to rodeos with my horse trailer. i was thinking for sure i would need a freightliner for weight i haul but this truck handles it PERFECT. I know i'm overloading it the trailer itself loaded is 24,000 plus truck weigth, we run about 5,000 miles a month. i never thought i would like an automatic but its great. i did not like the allison in the GM as well. They say do not over idle them but mine gets ran pretty hard.

Welcome to TDR. You're in the right place. We like to read reports of trucks being worked hard and doing the job required very well.

 

[Turboman]

Where do you live Harvey, you profile says south plains of texas??

 

[MisterBean]

Well...

Just my $. 02, but if you're going to be driving that many highway & loaded miles, regularly, I would buy the new CTD, IMHO. This is my 2nd CTD (1st was an 01 QC) and so far, I absolutely LOVE IT!!! Experienced my first regen today. Wasn't that bad...



Mark

 

[HBarlow]

Where do you live Harvey, you profile says south plains of texas??

Crosby County, east of Crosbyton.