4th gen 68RFE or Aisin

[drsnook]

So, how happy are those of you who have gotten the 68RFE instead of the Aisin? I am thinking about replacing my 02 HO and I'm just not sure which 1 I need (want). I tow a 16k gvw 5th wheel, and have decided if I get a different truck, it might as well be rated for the weight I tow. I would like a dually, but Mama does not...so it will probably be a SRW.
Our service trucks all have Aisins, but I have not been able to drive a 68RFE equipped truck.

Cheers,
D

 

[DHayden]

If your towing heavy a lot then I would get the Aisin, if its not heavy or not often you could save the money and get the 68 but its whatever makes you happy. I dont tow a lot but I got a truck with the Aisin, I just like getting the strongest I can thats available at the time.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Just like dhayden says, towing heavy all the time, get the Aisin. I just got rid of one for a 2019 with the 68rfe and couldn’t be happier. The 68 rfe shifts much snappier and is happier around town and does fine with my loads of 12k pounds or less. I never could get used to the Aisin. It was fantastic On the highway but aggravated me to no end in town.

 

[Cummins12V98]

For your weight both are just fine!

 

[EDankievitch]

I have the 68 in my 2013. It’s ok. Have just over 134,000 rough abusive New York traffic and long distance towing , Ny to Fla miles on it and no issues.

 

[Wiredawg]

There is a thread titled "I might have to get a 68RFE" that goes into lots of detail on this subject. I like Aisin with GCW of 33KLbs.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Cummins12V98]

I like my AISIN at 35k combined but the OP’s weight either would be fine.

 

[JR]

Just like dhayden says, towing heavy all the time, get the Aisin. I just got rid of one for a 2019 with the 68rfe and couldn’t be happier. The 68 rfe shifts much snappier and is happier around town and does fine with my loads of 12k pounds or less. I never could get used to the Aisin. It was fantastic On the highway but aggravated me to no end in town.

Don, you change trucks more frequently than some fellas I know change their shorts!

 

[DonFitzwater]

Don, you change trucks more frequently than some fellas I know change their shorts!

Yeah but I still have the same wife I started out with! I had my 2018 in for a broken fuel filler neck replacement and they hit me with a great trade number and a smoking deal on a 2019. The 0% interest Chrysler is offering was too good to pass up.

 

[drsnook]

Thanks for the input. I have been looking at 08-18 trucks...all I have to do now is find 1 properly equipped, and of course get my book keepers endorsement.

D

 

[JR]

Thanks for the input. I have been looking at 08-18 trucks...all I have to do now is find 1 properly equipped, and of course get my book keepers endorsement.

D

Do you have a list of features you want?

 

[drsnook]

JR, I would like to find CC long box that is stock, has the manual xfer case. I would like the built in trailer brake controller and be 5th wheel ready. if it was an 08-13 it would need 4.10 gears. I do not like sunroofs at all...I have had terrible luck with them. Also, it should have less than 100k mi. But the key is my wife will have to like it. The last two dodges I've bought she seen when I got them home...I will not make that mistake again.

D

 

[drsnook]

JR, i will get a CC long box with the manual xfer case. It should have less than 100k mi and be unmodified. If it was an 08-13 it would need 4.10 gears to have the trailer tow capacity I need. I dislike sunroofs, so that's a no go. I would like the built in trailer controller and it should be 5th wheel ready. But most importantly, my wife must like it. The last two trucks I bought, she didn't see until I got home with them, and the last one she hates.

D

 

[Cummins2014]

JR, i will get a CC long box with the manual xfer case. It should have less than 100k mi and be unmodified. If it was an 08-13 it would need 4.10 gears to have the trailer tow capacity I need. I dislike sunroofs, so that's a no go. I would like the built in trailer controller and it should be 5th wheel ready. But most importantly, my wife must like it. The last two trucks I bought, she didn't see until I got home with them, and the last one she hates.

D

Keep her happy, the truck is secondary Six years now towing fairly heavy with the 68RFE , no issues at all. I certainly wouldn't pass up a good deal if the truck had the 68RFE.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Keep her happy, the truck is secondary Six years now towing fairly heavy with the 68RFE , no issues at all. I certainly wouldn't pass up a good deal if the truck had the 68RFE.

HMMM, something we agree on.

65k towing 29k combined with my 11 DRW with 2/3 of the miles towing.

 

[Cummins2014]

HMMM, something we agree on.

65k towing 29k combined with my 11 DRW with 2/3 of the miles towing.

The he!! You say . Miracles never cease to happen

 

[JPM]

I thought the cummins HP ratings were different with the different trans?

 

[AH64ID]

I thought the cummins HP ratings were different with the different trans?

They are. The Aisin gets more hp and torque.


Personally I wouldn’t buy a 68RFE truck, but that’s my preference. I don’t want the lower power or the LD trans. I tow about 1/3 of the time, mostly right around 20K GCW, rarely under 16K or over 24K. The combo just works well. Some of that towing is mile after mile at 7-18 mph up steep and winding gravel roads. The Aisin has the clear advantage in 1st and 2nd gears where it counts when slow. The 68 does have a better 5th gear ratio, but it also lacks a bit of torque so it’s probably a wash.

My Aisin shifts exactly like I’d expect for a MD trans with a motor making 930 lb/ft, and how I’d want it to. If I can’t feel the shift then it’s sloppy or robbing power. Not to say my trans is even “firm”, but you know when it shifts...like you should in a truck.

 

[Timd32]

There is a thread titled "I might have to get a 68RFE" that goes into lots of detail on this subject. I like Aisin with GCW of 33KLbs.

Cheers, Ron

Amongst all sorts of other things.... that thread is the ultimate rabbit hole, there is no coming out the same on the other side of that one.

 

[dieselshadow]

Amongst all sorts of other things.... that thread is the ultimate rabbit hole, there is no coming out the same on the other side of that one.

Agreed. Don’t waste your brain cells on that thread. It goes all over the map and and will having you hit your head on the desk by the second page.