Do I need the Aisin?

[dward]

Im considering a 4x4 DRW or a SRW SB to carry a slide in camper.

If I go DRW, I'll get the huge camper and obviously a smaller one with the SB. I also want to add a toyhauler trailer or 5th wheel in the future. Nothing too big, 14k lbs max. Would not tow the TH long distances.

I drove a 13 3500 QC 4x4 SB and what a great truck. Much nicer than my 93,94,01 and 03.

I know the extra 50 ft/lbs of torque and tow rating would be nice, but I really don't think I need it.

Are there any other advantages with the Aisin or should I save the $2600?

Also, for my intended application, what gearing would be best? If I get the SB, it will get much more use for commuting, travelling etc.

Thanks

 

[Cummins12V98]

In my book go big or stay home! HA

Buy something that will do anything you want and not regret it!

Get the full meal deal.

 

[Wertles]

The 68rfe in a quad cab 4X4 dually with 4:10 rear end is rated to tow 21,000 pounds. The Aisin equipped truck will tow 29,000. I drove both and liked the driving characteristics better with the Aisin but the 68rfe was just fine. Only you can decide if the extra 2600 is worth it to you. You don't need it for the above applications. For me, I will be going with the Aisin. I want the extra power and towing capacity.

 

[NIsaacs]

Also, for my intended application, what gearing would be best? If I get the SB, it will get much more use for commuting, travelling etc.

Thanks

Keep in mind, if you go SRW you will not have any gear choices, 3. 42 only.



Nick

 

[dward]

Even with the Aisin, you can only get the 3:42 in the SB??
Does it still have 850 torque?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The 68RFE has been described as "improved" and "adequate. " The same Chrysler warranty guru said "the Aisin doesn't break. "

 

[MelvinPierce]

The price is NOT just the heavier transmission of the Aisin. It is the ONLY way to get the highest output motor rating, it includes the finned rear diffy cover, and the larger/heavier rear end. I believe the 68 is more than up to the task. I also believe the Aisin is heavier.

I ordered the Aisin!

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The finned rear cover and double trans coolers only come with the dually max tow package. The 11. 8" ring gear diff for the 3500 with Aisin has the same cover bolt pattern as the older 11. 5" ring gear diff, so you should be able to use the Mag Hytec cover on it. I estimate the Aisin at 400 lb. vs. 225 for the 68RFE. The 68 might have more "refined" shift patterns since it is Mopar engineered and the controls are in th ECM. The Aisin is a medium truck trans with its own controller.

 

[RVTRKN]

With the GCVWR loads of the 5500 and 4500 routinely pull and no problems reported tells me the Aison is the right choice. But their is a big difference in capability, the Aison has PTO ability when the 68rfe does not.

 

[Road Dog]

Im considering a 4x4 DRW or a SRW SB to carry a slide in camper.
If I go DRW, I'll get the huge camper and obviously a smaller one with the SB.

"Huge campers" are pushing 4,000 pounds dry which makes them too heavy for a 3500. They are nice though.

 

[dward]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like Aisin is the way to go.
With the 14k lb GVW, the new DRW should have no problem with any camper. Its nearly 2k more than my 03 and that carried a 5k lb Lance no problem.
Is the 3:42 ratio the only one with the SRW, even with the Aisin?
Nice thing is the SRW only has 500 lb less GVW than my 03 DRW.
Does the SRW and DRW use the same axel? I'm wondering if the 7k axel rating on the SRW is due to tire capacity or if the axel is smaller?

 

[BILLUA]

Once you go DRW, you will not go back...

 

[Cummins12V98]

Once you go DRW, you will not go back...

I totally agree!

 

[MelvinPierce]

SRW equals 3. 42. Although, it seems with one of the base models, you can select 4. 10 with SRW. Nobody is sure if it is delivered that way though.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I have tried at a couple dealerships and despite the "build" feature on ramtrucks, a SRW 3500 cannot be ordered with anything but 3. 42 ratio. The stability of a dually is great, but today's 3500 SRW has a 7000 lb. rear axle with 3600 lb. rated tires which will give enough capacity for most owners.

 

[Wertles]

I too have tried to build trucks on line with great frustration in not getting what I want, specifically gear ratios. However, when the dealer actually goes to order, they are able to get what you want. For a while the website didn't even show 4. 10's as an option but I have now test drove 3 in different configurations, all with 4. 10. Just my experience in the last few weeks.

 

[HBarlow]

I think the best evidence we have of the superior durability of the Aisin is TDR member EB's '07 cab and chassis which has over 450,000 miles of heavy towing with only routine service.

 

[gsbrockman]

As of June 1st, I've switched over from a 6. 7L 3rd GEN to a 2013 RAM 3500 DRW 4x4 Crew Cab (see signature). I loved my 68RFE and it gave me 114k miles of trouble free service. I chose the AISIN this time, and am extremely pleased with it after 3200 miles.

 

[mpaulson]

Does the newest Aisin still lock out 6th gear when you put it in tow/haul mode like the first ones did? That to me seemed quite dumb and I wouldn't have liked that at all. I definitely would personally be going with the Aisin and higher capcities when my day comes for a new truck.