Thoughts on a new truck

[TNBrett]

Hey guys,
I'm currently shopping for a truck for myself. I work in construction, and part of my responsibilities involve managing a fleet of work trucks. Most of our trucks are currently Chevy 2500 and 3500 trucks some 6.0 gas trucks and some Duramax. I really like the Ram Trucks, and from what I've seen they seem to offer more for less money than the Chevys. The problem is that I don't really know much about them in comparison to the Chevy trucks. I currently drive a 2013 Chevy 2500 4x4 with the 6.0 gas. I typically tow 6k-10k a couple times a week, and 10k-12k at least once a month. We no longer have any gooseneck trailers, so its all bumper pull. I also haul pallets of material in the truck that weigh as much as 3k lbs. My current truck has handled all of this with out a problem, and
currently has about 165k miles on it.

My concerns are with the coil spring rear suspension on the 2500 as well as the differences in transmissions between the 2500 and 3500 SRW. I'm also considering a ram 2500 with the 6.4 hemi. The main reason I'm looking at Rams in the first place is that in relatively new low mileage trucks ('16 &'17 less than 20k miles) is price. I see Rams with the bighorn package for basically the same price of a Chevy in stripped down work truck trim. This seems to be true for both gas and diesel variants.

What are your thoughts

Thanks in advance
Brett

 

[nukegm]

i traded in a 16 2500 tradesman 6.4 last week for the 6.7 2500 with manual trans tradesman ram. i liked the hemi, but it was costing me 400mo in gasoline. i have hauled several 2000 lb pallets of materials and a couple close to 3000. no issues with the coil springs that i am aware of. the hemi at sea level was a great truck all around. however, i live at 9000 feet and the turbo diesel is WAY MORE comfortable at this elevation than the gasser. here in colorado, its - rams by far - by the numbers. then powerjokes, and an occasional chevy....cheers comrade!

 

[OakViewJeff]

Considering you are asking for advice from TDR members, you will not find too many Hemi fans. I recommend the 3500 with the Aisin transmission, it will handle your towing needs, add a Trac Rac and you will have a long lasting work truck.
I just bought a 2017 3500 4wd with Aisin and still have my ‘99 2500 with over 300k.

 

[TNBrett]

Considering you are asking for advice from TDR members, you will not find too many Hemi fans. I recommend the 3500 with the Aisin transmission, it will handle your towing needs,

Yeah, I assumed most of the guys here would be recommending The Cummins. My issue with the 3500 is that there just aren't very many around on the used market. From doing some looking, it also sounds like the Aisin may not be the most well mannered for unloaded daily driving. In all honesty though, I haven't driven one yet. Am I going to tear up a 68RFE towing what I've got? I would be keeping everything stock. If you guys tell me the 2500 can't handle it, I'll probably end up going with another Duramax.

 

[SnoKing]

The advantage of the 3500 and Aisin is the lower first and second gears to get a load moving vs the 68RFE(which does have a better reverse ratio). With 3.42 and Aisin one get the best of two world. Towing capability and freeway cruise in one package. SnoKing

 

[Jim W]

Yeah, I assumed most of the guys here would be recommending The Cummins. My issue with the 3500 is that there just aren't very many around on the used market. From doing some looking, it also sounds like the Aisin may not be the most well mannered for unloaded daily driving. In all honesty though, I haven't driven one yet. Am I going to tear up a 68RFE towing what I've got? I would be keeping everything stock. If you guys tell me the 2500 can't handle it, I'll probably end up going with another Duramax.

Hi,
I am towing a lot heavier trailer than you are. What I am towing is a 2016, 34RL Cedar Creek 5th wheel. The GVW is 16,000 LBS but my trailer normally weighs in at 12,000 to 12,500 LBS, when I scale the trailer at a Cat scale. I am towing with a 2008 Ram Meg Cab 2500 with the 6.7L Cummins, 68RFE, 3:73 differentials, 4X4. I am towing with my Smarty S67 set on Catcher Level 3, which adds 60HP/120 lb-ft to the engine stock HP/TQ. I have towed three 5th wheel trailers ranging in weights from 9,500 LBS to 12,500 LBS and I have not destroyed my 68RFE as of yet. The truck has close to 113,000 miles on the OD and I am the original owner.

I do have gages and the Mag-Hytec deep dish transmission oil pan which is AL and adds about 2 QT's of transmission fluid over stock. My trans temps when towing are between 180 to 200F never going above 200F.

The 2500 Ram if set up correctly should have no issues in my very humble opinion.

 

[moparnut72]

I have the Aisin and I don't find it to be rough when running empty. I think the computer has a learning mode in it and since I generally drive it gently when not hauling it shifts accordingly. When towing I am not afraid to put my foot in it. I have also heard first hand experiences that the 68RFE is a stout and long lasting transmission.
kk

 

[SnoKing]

I have the Aisin and I don't find it to be rough when running empty. I think the computer has a learning mode in it and since I generally drive it gently when not hauling it shifts accordingly. When towing I am not afraid to put my foot in it. I have also heard first hand experiences that the 68RFE is a stout and long lasting transmission.
kk

The 68RFE is an adaptive learning transmission, the Aisin is not. SnoKing

 

[AnonEd]

The 6.4 Hemi should compare favorably to the 6.0 for grunt, maybe even mileage. And if the coils on the 2500 concern you, look for one with the air suspension option.

 

[Wayne M.]

There are a few established members here on the TDR, that either have both a Cummins and a 6.4, or have switched to a 6.4, and continue to hang around. I hope they chime in.
I'm the original owner of a 04, and it's my daily personal ride. It ain't going anywhere.
Regarding GM, I never was crazy about the IFS, and in turn, regarding the new Rams, I'm not crazy about the coils in back.
I like my trucks simple and sturdy.
While the Dmax has come a long way, I still think the Cummins is king.

Good luck in your search!

 

[Newsa]

My 2500 is rated to pull 16,350 lbs.

It can handle it.

You will find more used 2500's than 3500's.

And 3500 SRW will be nearly impossoble to find used.

Edit: I have a crew cab, short bed, manual transmission

If you get the crew cab with long bed and an automatic, your tow rating will be less because your truck weighs more. Doubt you'll find a used Megacab.

 

[JR]

If your not in a hurry and are patient the deals are out there. I bought the truck in my sig with 60k miles almost exactly one year ago for $28k. Bought it from a private owner who was going through some major life changes and had to unload it. I looked for close to a year before buying this one, wasn't the color I wanted (black) but price and condition was too good to pass up.
The draw backs to buying used diesel is depending on mileage you could be on your own when (not if) the emissions goes haywire. If I lived in an area that required annual inspections I'd have never bought a new(er) diesel. The cost of the necessary software to effectively diagnose and repair these trucks makes it very impractical for the average consumer to own. This is true regardless of the name plate on the grill.

 

[Wayne M.]

Hey JR, a friend just bought out his 14 Durango lease, and at my urging, I made him look into the Mopar MVP top shelf warranty. They covered him. It was more than I paid on my Durango (it was in the 12/12 window) but now he’s covered going forward at 40k miles. So, if you’re remaining stock, and want a perpetual warranty with no mileage or age cap, I would look into it. I think you can do it right online.

 

[jgillott]

The cost of the necessary software to effectively diagnose and repair these trucks makes it very impractical for the average consumer to own. This is true regardless of the name plate on the grill.

JR, I think this is probably the most true statement that anyone could make about the current diesel market. Regardless of the brand, the modern diesels now have all but eliminated anything beyond standard maintenance for 90% of the buying public. The days of diagnosing, sourcing parts, and fixing anything on your own is gone for anyone but the most capable of owners.

 

[Newsa]

Hey JR, a friend just bought out his 14 Durango lease, and at my urging, I made him look into the Mopar MVP top shelf warranty. They covered him. It was more than I paid on my Durango (it was in the 12/12 window) but now he’s covered going forward at 40k miles. So, if you’re remaining stock, and want a perpetual warranty with no mileage or age cap, I would look into it. I think you can do it right online.

They no longer offer a "lifetime" warranty on diesels. I think that 8 years is the longest?

But that 8 years is on a brand new truck or at least within the first year?

 

[EDankievitch]

I've got No issues with my 68 RFE or the G56 I had in my other trucks. I'd personally go back to a manual truck in a heartbeat if I was in the market for a truck. It's a I have to be in control thing.... Lol. The Cummins engine will do anything you ask of it. Just make sure what you buy has had all the recalls and updates done to it. Oh and I've found today's 2500 series trucks are way over kill for most tasks I would go as far to say that they equal the ability's of a early 1990's 3500 truck except for the dual rear wheels.

 

[JR]

JR, I think this is probably the most true statement that anyone could make about the current diesel market. Regardless of the brand, the modern diesels now have all but eliminated anything beyond standard maintenance for 90% of the buying public. The days of diagnosing, sourcing parts, and fixing anything on your own is gone for anyone but the most capable of owners.

I was called out in another thread for incorrectly stating there is no aftermarket support on the emissions end of these trucks. I had based my statements on personal inquiries to the major players about a year and a half ago, so I conceded I may have mis spoke. I've sent out several emails with the same question and so far I am getting the same answer in return - it appears as though witech really is the only game in town. I haven't talked to snap on but I can tell you I have access to a Solus Ultra and it would not clear the p2048 AFTER replacing a known bad def injector. For those that don't know, a p2048 will derate to 5mph after 200 miles. If a $4k model can not clear a hard code I have no real interest in pursuing snap on any further. But they may have something capable.

OP, Definitely not trying to scare you out of a purchase. Just one of those buyer beware type things. If your managing a fleet this is something you need to be concerned about on the long term. Member Sag2 recently corrected me RE witech IS indeed available to the public albeit at a pretty penny. If I owned or managed a fleet I would be exploring this option to wane myself off the dealership teat beyond warranty.

 

[Wayne M.]

They no longer offer a "lifetime" warranty on diesels. I think that 8 years is the longest?

But that 8 years is on a brand new truck or at least within the first year?

Well that’s a real admission on FCA’s part.

Regarding scan tools and wiitech, I own autoenginuity, and while I haven’t used it on anything new, they say they’re the be all, end all in diagnostics and functionality.
I’m surprised Smarty hasn’t stepped up- not to defeat, but to diagnose and help us who want to help ourselves.

 

[SnoKing]

Well that’s a real admission on FCA’s part.

Regarding scan tools and wiitech, I own autoenginuity, and while I haven’t used it on anything new, they say they’re the be all, end all in diagnostics and functionality.
I’m surprised Smarty hasn’t stepped up- not to defeat, but to diagnose and help us who want to help ourselves.

You mean that they will last way to long and therefore become a warranty liability for to many years? Having to provide warranty to a 500K, 750K or 1M mile truck is something they do not want be responsible for.

 

[jgillott]

I was called out in another thread for incorrectly stating there is no aftermarket support on the emissions end of these trucks. I had based my statements on personal inquiries to the major players about a year and a half ago, so I conceded I may have mis spoke. I've sent out several emails with the same question and so far I am getting the same answer in return - it appears as though witech really is the only game in town. I haven't talked to snap on but I can tell you I have access to a Solus Ultra and it would not clear the p2048 AFTER replacing a known bad def injector. For those that don't know, a p2048 will derate to 5mph after 200 miles. If a $4k model can not clear a hard code I have no real interest in pursuing snap on any further. But they may have something capable.

OP, Definitely not trying to scare you out of a purchase. Just one of those buyer beware type things. If your managing a fleet this is something you need to be concerned about on the long term. Member Sag2 recently corrected me RE witech IS indeed available to the public albeit at a pretty penny. If I owned or managed a fleet I would be exploring this option to wane myself off the dealership teat beyond warranty.

Well that’s a real admission on FCA’s part.

Regarding scan tools and wiitech, I own autoenginuity, and while I haven’t used it on anything new, they say they’re the be all, end all in diagnostics and functionality.
I’m surprised Smarty hasn’t stepped up- not to defeat, but to diagnose and help us who want to help ourselves.

These posts exactly illustrate my point. 90% or more of the public is not going to spend the money on the correct scan tool or software, witech or similar, to be able to properly diagnose and fix these vehicles. There is nothing wrong with reliance on the dealership for their service department. However, one must be aware of the potential future costs associated with ownership if one intends to keep it beyond the warranty period.

I can look you guys strait in the eye and tell you that my MB will be sold when the warranty is up. The vehicle is awesome, but there is zero chance that anyone is going to be able to work on it, including me, other than the dealer. I have a great local Sprinter dealer. But when they want $700+ for simple annual maintenance, imagine what true part failures will cost out of warranty.