2012 3500 Operating ???

[ramduk]

I am new to Ram. I drove a 2003 Duramax/Allison 13 years. Liked the truck but didn't like the injector and head gasket problems.



I will use the Ram primarily to tow and I will keep it stock. I tow a 12,000 # travel trailer and the truck will be loaded to its max gvw. I don't tow over 65 mph. The truck has an automatic. I tow 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year in the spring, summer and fall.



While towing I will definitely use tow/haul and the exhaust brake. Should I set the transmission for a lower gear like 5th for towing or just let it do its thing.



When not towing I will be just using the truck for trips 50 miles or more. Is it suggested that I use the exhaust brake all the time or just when towing.



I have an Edge Insight CTS to monitor functions. What is the normal boost for such towing and is there a corrallation between the DOC EGT and the manifold EGT. I plan on installing a probe at some time but won't be able to in the near future.



When I picked up the truck it had about 175 miles on it. I have driven it locally and it now has 450. It went into regen at about 400 miles while on the freeway and went out at about 430. This was indicated on my Edge guage.



Any other recommendations other than major mods will be appreciated. I will be leaving on a 3000 mile non towing trip in a couple of weeks.



What sold me on the truck was the Mega Cab... ... ... .....



Thanks in advance, Larry (Ram Duk)

San Marcos, TX

 

[RustyJC]

We tow a 16K GVWR 5th wheel. I just turn on the exhaust brake, tow/haul and let it do its own thing. The few times when I'm not towing, I'll turn on the exhaust brake and usually tow/haul just for the more aggressive downshifting and exhaust braking, thus saving the service brakes, but the delayed upshifts in tow/haul might cost me a 1/2 MPG or so. After 2+ years and over 11K miles, I've had no problems whatsoever with the truck.



Just my experience. Enjoy the new truck.



Rusty

 

[HBarlow]

Larry,

Welcome to TDR and congratulations on selecting the best truck engine combination available in the US truck market.

The more you use the truck as intended, longer highway trips and towing, the better your reliability is likely to be. Don't use it for short local "grocery getter" trips or you could create smog issues.

The variable geometry turbo uses a sliding ring to move from full boost to exhaust braking. Most of us believe it is far better to use the exhaust brake all the time and occasionally use full throttle acceleration along with exhaust braking to avoid soot build up in the VGT.

 

[GCP]

Larry,

Congratulations on your purchase. You won't regret it; both Ram and TDR. As mentioned by Harvey, the harder your truck works, the healthier it will be. Longer trips running at a sustained RPM - loaded or unloaded - will help to. Most owners who are happy with their 6. 7L engines seem to follow the above advice, including leaving the exhaust brake on.

Welcome and enjoy,

GCP

 

[Cummins12V98]

Use TH and EB ALL the time!

 

[ramduk]

Thanks for all the replies.

Another question that I have is what is this motors sweet spot rpm based upon your experience?

 

[RustyJC]

HP and torque curves for the HO (350/800) version of the 6. 7L Cummins are shown below.

Rusty

 

[Tryingit]

I have 48K with zero problems. I use the th/ while doing local driving with the EB on all of the time. (except with heavy rain/snow). I also use my truck a lot for around town driving (only once got a evic 80% full chime. That was easily fix with a ten minute ride on the highway. I just end up with a lot of 4K oil changes. But if you travel alot especialy towing then the oil change intervals are much longer. If you feel that the rear end is a bit mushy with your trailer attached many have install air bags. I have them along with the roadmaster active suspension. This combination is perfect for me. The truck handles like a sportscar with the 5th wheel attached. Good luck with your new truck. If you do your own sevicing like many of us do. Your gonna love your new truck.

 

[Bob4x4]

fyi 1900 rpm is about the cleanest running from my experience

 

[ramduk]

Thanks again for the info... ... ... ...