Need advice about used 2015 3500 DRW

[DM55]

New here and hoping to soon to be new to diesel truck ownership. Plans are to tow a yet-to-be-purchased 5'er extensively. Tomorrow I'm looking at a 2015 3500 Longhorn DRW with Aisin, 4.10, and 30k miles. Has just about everything I figured we'd need except for the rear factory air bags. Are there things in particular that I should pay particular attention to as I view and drive this truck? Do you recommend seeing if I can get engine and/or transmission oil analysis done, or is that not needed for a truck like this with such low miles? Any and all words of wisdom from you experts would be greatly appreciated.

Also, what are your thoughts on adding aftermarket air bags on a truck like this?

 

[spoon059]

I would take it for a longer test drive and see how it rides. If you have the time to do an oil and trans fluid analysis, it couldn't hurt... but the ones I am aware of require the samples to be mailed out and can take a while. 30K miles is nothing on these trucks... but I imagine that one could destroy a truck in 30K if they did something stupid with it.

Sounds like a great truck though, it should be the highest rated tow/payload you can buy. Aftermarket bags would be fine if you so desire. You may find that you don't need them though. It should be fairly easy and cheap to install your own.

 

[TMyers]

While they are not 100%, I like to see the Carfax report. A Carfax report is what sold me on my Pre-owned 2500.

 

[Newsa]

Isn't fluid change interval on an Aisin 30k?

And fluid change interval on an 68RFE 60k?

If they already did the fluid change, the Oil analysis will be a waste of money and time

 

[DM55]

While they are not 100%, I like to see the Carfax report. A Carfax report is what sold me on my Pre-owned 2500.

Thanks, good point. I did check Carfax on this truck and it's very clean, showing no problems at all other than the recent recalls.

 

[DM55]

Isn't fluid change interval on an Aisin 30k?

And fluid change interval on an 68RFE 60k?

If they already did the fluid change, the Oil analysis will be a waste of money and time

Yeah, I'm sure you're right -- excellent point, thanks.

 

[Newsa]

Try accelerating to see if it hesitates (dead pedal)

 

[spoon059]

Try accelerating to see if it hesitates (dead pedal)

The dead pedal is when you push the pedal, take your foot off and then quickly push the pedal again.

 

[DM55]

Thanks, guys, for the tips. Will definitely test the dead pedal. Also, @spoon059, I didn't realize adding air bags could be a DIY project, if that's what you meant--I'll have to look into that some more.

 

[mpaulson]

Confirm that the warrantee is still in tack and hasn't been flagged for any owner issues that could or have voided the warrantee. If it's still got any warrantee left then your safe if it isn't voided. Air bags are very easy to install, but wait until you buy your fifth wheel. If the pin weight isn't that bad, you may not need them anyway. If you live anywhere that gets real winters, throw away the quick connect fittings that come with the bag kits and replace them with the proper furl and insert types or you will likely be dealing with leaks when the mercury drops.
Otherwise if all is good with the truck, that's the best set up transmission and gear ratio wise to pull anything that you could possibly buy for a fifth wheel. The Aisin is bulletproof and would take some real idiot to damage it doing something really dumb.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Tell them to air the front tires to 80psi and the rears to 35psi, that is where you should run the pressures running solo.

That is exactly the truck I have, but I do have the rear air bag system. Adding bags WITH in cab controls and running them at 30psi LOADED will make for a ride similar to the factory system.

But wait til you tow to decide if you want a ride improvement.

I have NO issue with dead pedal.

 

[spoon059]

@spoon059, I didn't realize adding air bags could be a DIY project, if that's what you meant--I'll have to look into that some more.

2010-2017 3500's have the same Firestone Ride-Rite part number and a no drill installation. Reviews indicate that this works for Duallies as well as SRW 3500's. I've installed air bags on a couple trucks before and its very easy. Full disclosure, I am too cheap to buy a compressor kit as well, so I install bags and use a hand pump.

http://www.autoanything.com/suspens...Knu2Jlgo_F8mvRMRRSvLI1y66FXn06_xoCC7YQAvD_BwE

 

[DM55]

Drove the truck

Drove the truck today. First thing that surprised me was it turned out it does have rear airbags, but I and dealer (used truck dealer, not a Ram specialist) assumed they must be aftermarket because there were two air valves installed through the rear bumper and no control in the cabin. A few things concerned me. First, the ride was pretty harsh, with most of the jouncing seeming to come out of the back. I didn't have them reduce the rear air pressure and I'm sure that was a mistake. They were running about 65 lbs all around; I think I need to go back and get them to bring the rears down to 35 for another drive. Second, they'd freshly undercoated the entire undercarriage, which made me wonder what they were trying to cover up. Perhaps I'm just being paranoid there, but it did seem a bit off for the dealer to proactively do that. Third, they had Bridgestone tires on the front and newer Nexen's on the rear; is that typical?

Also, I tested for dead pedal and didn't really experience a problem. There was maybe a very, very slight hesitation when I got back on the accelerator, but nothing alarming. I subsequently went and drove a 2018 3500 Laramie dually with a 3.73 and it definitely had the dead pedal issue. Didn't like that at all. Also, my wife and I both thought the 2018 was noisier on the road than the 2015 -- more engine and wind noise. Not sure why that would be.

Thanks for all of your input so far, let me know if you have any more advice or comments.

 

[houghtonic]

Depending on the air bags the minimum MFG recommended pressure is 3 to 5 psi. I have the internal jounce bumpers in mine so I actually ride 0psi with my air bags until I hook up to the utility trailer. I have both air lines through the license plate. Rear bumper is a common place. If you want to test the ride again. Just have them drop the pressure down to 3 to 5 psi so you can know how it will feel unloaded. I have a 2500 and other tire setup so I don’t have a recommendation on tire pressure but it makes a big difference in ride quality as well. I run quite a bit different air pressure loaded vs unloaded.

 

[Cummins12V98]

YES drop the rears to 35 but raise the fronts to 80 as YES that is where they should be ran. Also lower the bags to 5psi at the most.

The front tires most likely needed to be replaced at 30K because the factory sets the toe to 1/4" and the proper spec is 1/32". So if you do buy the truck I highly advise getting the toe set or you will be wearing out the outer edge of the tires.

Some places just do the undercoat no matter what to make it look new.

 

[Minnow101]

Did your test drive include getting the truck up to 70+ mph? Some of the dually’s have a vibration issue that heretofore has not been addressed successfully by FCA. Theres been a pretty significant discussion on this on another Ram forum.

 

[DM55]

Did your test drive include getting the truck up to 70+ mph? Some of the dually’s have a vibration issue that heretofore has not been addressed successfully by FCA. Theres been a pretty significant discussion on this on another Ram forum.

I think my top speed was very briefly at 68. I'll make sure to get it over 70 on my next test.

And, I'm going to make sure they air the tires and bags to what Cummins12V98 recommended.

 

[TJJEEPER]

While they are not 100%, I like to see the Carfax report. A Carfax report is what sold me on my Pre-owned 2500.

When I sold my 06 2500 the carfax said I had been in a wreck. Not true, someone tried to break into the truck by breaking both side windows. Didn't work because of the Safety Glass. The insurance adjuster who looked at the truck didn't even see that both windows were broke so when his estimate came back it was 1/2 of what it cost. That same adjuster also filed the erroneous CarFax. What a PITA to get that squared away.

 

[bob53magnum]

It is STILL springs. Get a Kelderman and get rid of rear springs.

 

[mt1949]

I had a 2014 Dually it was a piece of crap. Particulate Filter, always something going wrong with the all the emission stuff on the truck. Got rid of it was in the shop at least once a month.