Aisin VS 68RFE

[929erfan]

Thanks to everyone for their input, I have been wrestling with whether or not to buy a new truck( current one is an 06 2500 srw lb) the truck has been impeccably maintained and has many upgrades over the 190k I have on the clock. Truck has been absolutely the best ever I have owned. I too have a brand new 2017 grand design 350m toyhauler and am concerned about buying a new truck with such a low gear ratio. I have been looking at the 3500 with the aisin trans. My current truck tows the 16k trailer fine but I'm over my gcwr and am concerned about this. I was worried about purchasing, but think that after reading many happy customers with the aisin trans I think I will go that way! Still not clear about the dead pedal issue? What to look for when test driving? Any clarification would be great, thanks in advance!

 

[apgambino]

Thanks to everyone for their input, I have been wrestling with whether or not to buy a new truck( current one is an 06 2500 srw lb) the truck has been impeccably maintained and has many upgrades over the 190k I have on the clock. Truck has been absolutely the best ever I have owned. I too have a brand new 2017 grand design 350m toyhauler and am concerned about buying a new truck with such a low gear ratio. I have been looking at the 3500 with the aisin trans. My current truck tows the 16k trailer fine but I'm over my gcwr and am concerned about this. I was worried about purchasing, but think that after reading many happy customers with the aisin trans I think I will go that way! Still not clear about the dead pedal issue? What to look for when test driving? Any clarification would be great, thanks in advance!

Dead pedal is a thing, I just try to not to be jerky with the throttle and that seems to eliminate it for the most part.

2015 3500 SRW 4x4 MegaCab Laramie Aisin

 

[RVTRKN]

Thanks to everyone for their input, I have been wrestling with whether or not to buy a new truck( current one is an 06 2500 srw lb) the truck has been impeccably maintained and has many upgrades over the 190k I have on the clock. Truck has been absolutely the best ever I have owned. I too have a brand new 2017 grand design 350m toyhauler and am concerned about buying a new truck with such a low gear ratio. I have been looking at the 3500 with the aisin trans. My current truck tows the 16k trailer fine but I'm over my gcwr and am concerned about this. I was worried about purchasing, but think that after reading many happy customers with the aisin trans I think I will go that way! Still not clear about the dead pedal issue? What to look for when test driving? Any clarification would be great, thanks in advance!

Your truck is out of warranty, so its not a big deal to go above the GCWR. GCWR is a dodge number that is not recognized by DOT, its the axle ratings you go by. If you do the math, the axle ratings on your door jam, will add up above Dodge's GVWR. My 04.5 2500 could legally tow my Arctic Fox 5ver, but I just kept the fresh water tank with enough water for toilet use on the road. My buddy towed his TH with a 2001 2500 47re and, and would fill his fresh tank just before his destination. The pic of the scale ticket, was my 2500 with the Arctic Fox. However a new truck would be nice, but the 3:73 rear diff would be the lowest I'd go, and would prefer the 4:10. Regardless of all the testimony of how 3:42's are OK and tow just fine, No way would I go to 3:42.

 

[929erfan]

I'm way heavier than you, truck alone weighed in at 8540 lbs with everything I carry, custom bumper and all, trailer weight was 16,800 giving me a total of 25,300 GCWR is 20k. Not worried about truck, worried about being over weight if in the event an accident happened and a fatality occurred then weight is definently going to be a factor in any investigation. As a retired highway patrol you can still be charged with negligence if proved that you knew your load was over trucks capacity regardless if you have a CDL or not. My state does not require it as I'm under the 26k required but over the trucks legal reported capacity. (My 2cents) I'm buying a truck to fit my current towing requirement, that being said current truck is awesome was just concerned about the Aisin trans and 3.42 gears as I don't want a dually and that's the only configuration that gives you an opportunity to choose, it's 3.42 whether I like it or not just wanted some people with some real world towing with these trucks this kinda weight to know if it performs well. Thanks

 

[RVTRKN]

That's why the Axle ratings are what DOT goes by. The weight on the Axle's aren't the only data considered for the ratings, but also for the braking capability. Your axles on your 5ver are rated for the braking as well. As an example, you can tow quite a bit more than Dodge's GCWR, as long as you don't go over each axle rating. Commercial transporters routinely go through scales at 30K GCW, but you must be registered for 30K, and that weight would also require Class A lic. My C&C is rated for only 21K GCWR, but I registered and insured it for 26K with a Class A, and went through scales above the 21K GCWR

Its a personal thing to stay within the GCWR, its also a law suite if an accident occurs and you are knowingly unsafe. But you are not unsafe if staying within Axle ratings, and I would never admit to being unsafe, because it isn't unsafe. My insurance broker, who doesn't write many commercial insurance policy's, told me he couldn't insure me for 26K due to the GCWR from Dodge, yet he did after he asked his underwriters.



A good excuse to convince the better half you need a new truck for that reason though.

 

[929erfan]

Don't have a better half, ( me, myself and, I) just looking to get closer to legal IMHO. Again retired cop don't need problems in the event something happens, just looking for something new and more comfy! I love my 06, she has gotten the best of everything from the trans to the balljoints to the fuel system, but honestly want something newer for full time travel! I'm 45 yrs old and retired(medical, if you must know) served 20+ fighting crime and was injured. Just love my old 5.9 but want some newer creature comforts. I think the 3.42 will be fine and put me close to my weight limits but within so I feel comfortable

 

[RVTRKN]

Thanks for your service, and do enjoy your retirement. The newer trucks are very capable and you'll soon forget your beloved 06, the electronics and gadgets are real nice. I personally like the SLT with some creature comfort options. It's hard for me to get rid of my 07 C&C, which being a family heirloom, requires me to ask family members first. I almost pulled the trigger and trade in on a 2016 3500 DRW SLT with the Aisin trans and 4:10's, but my daughter said no, so I bought a Tacoma and kept the 07 C&C.

 

[Cummins12V98]

As long as your trucks tonnage is good for your trucks load and you are not over the tire capacity you are good to go!!!

 

[929erfan]

Thanks RVTRKN. I'm still looking and of course this is only one of many resources I'm doing my homework. Thanks to all who have added to this thread, I shall choose wisely!

 

[CUMMINZ]

I remember when posting about my new 11 HO Dually towing 28K with 3.42's you would have thought the sky was falling on this forum! It towed GREAT!!! Starting on a grade was not so good but the AISIN with it's lower starting gears has resolved that issue.

12V it is not the "getting it rolling" but sustaining the rolling on a +4% grade in 5th & 6th gear.

 

[gsbrockman]

Even the guys I spoke to at Suncoast say there are still issues with the new Aisins.

As with RevMax (they deemed the AS69RC *a nightmare of a transmission*) Suncoast (or any transmission builder) would not have much sales to gain IF they ever admitted a stock transmission was good. My junk AS69RC :-laf has somehow held together through 255,549 miles.....

RAM needs an 8 speed transmission and over 400HP for their 2019 trucks.

As much as some have moaned about excessive transmission shifting with the 6 speed automatics, I can only imagine the crying and belly-aching with an 8 speed automatic...........

 

[Kirwin]

As with RevMax (they deemed the AS69RC *a nightmare of a transmission*) Suncoast (or any transmission builder) would not have much sales to gain IF they ever admitted a stock transmission was good. My junk AS69RC :-laf has somehow held together through 255,549 miles.....

As much as some have moaned about excessive transmission shifting with the 6 speed automatics, I can only imagine the crying and belly-aching with an 8 speed automatic...........

My thoughts exactly! And think of the added complexity of cramming 8 speeds into the same gear box! The Aisin gets it done reliably, and in my opinion it doesn't shift too often, stays in the highest gear as long as possible for MPG. Best of both worlds!!!!

 

[SnoKing]

OK, I will again be the poster boy for the Aisin towing 39'4" high profile(13'4", click "picture" in sig line) 16K 5th wheel with a 3500 SRW with yes 3.42 gears.

On the way to Arizona last fall it would hunt between 5th and 4th on hills. While in Arizona I had a list of TSB installed.

TSB 08-82-16 ITBM
TSB 08-044-16 RFH RF Hub
TSB 21-004-16 TCM
TSB 05-013-15 ABS
TSB 08-017-17 BCM
TSB 18-037-16 PCM

On the way home from Arizona it held 5th longer on grades and when it shifted from 5th to 4th, it stayed in 4th until I crested the hill. I tow at 60 MPH weighing it at a little over 24K combined. 60 MPH in 5th is 1750 RPMs. When it shifts to 4th it is around 2100 RPMs

The only time it goes to 3rd is on a slow windy pull that limits speed. But if I can pull 6% grades in 4th at 2100 RPM, then in 3rd at 2500 or so, I could maintain even steeper grades at highway speed.

Having come from towing with a gear bond 4 speed 47RE(with 4:10 gears) for 14 years. When I came out of OD with the 47RE, I would drop speed or have the engine turning really high RPMs. I feel that 6 speed transmission is perfect behind the Cummins, it solves the gear bond issue of the 4 speed perfectly. If they went to a 8 speed it would be shifting more.

So again tell me what the problem is with towing with 3:42 within the manufactures weight ratings. I see none and really enjoy be be able to cruise bob tail(not towing) at 80 MPH at 1750 RPMs in 6th.

For those that have not yet figured it out, they moved the power curve of these DEF vintage truck way down the RPM scale.

Only remaining problem I have is that when towing at 60 MPH at around 6000' (93 in Nevada) and above the cruise control gets lazy on hills and slows to 57 MPH with boost stuck at 8-10 lbs before it wakes up and takes off again. Speeding up to 62 MPH makes the condition go away and dropping to lower elevations clears up the issue. Not sure they will be able to figure that one out.

So to all those that sit at their computer and stay 3:42 gears are wrong, I have to ask, do you have personal experienced in that regard?

SNOKING

 

[Cummins12V98]

"So to all those that sit at their computer and stay 3:42 gears are wrong, I have to ask, do you have personal experienced in that regard?"

EXACTLY!!!

I don't care what gear I am in on any particular grade all I care about is getting up the grade at or near the posted towing speed limit. 3.42 with AISIN is a GREAT combo up to 28K combined. I could pull 4% grades at 55 no problem with my 11 HO Dually combined 28-29K with 3.42's.

 

[RVTRKN]

"So to all those that sit at their computer and stay 3:42 gears are wrong, I have to ask, do you have personal experienced in that regard?"

EXACTLY!!!

I don't care what gear I am in on any particular grade all I care about is getting up the grade at or near the posted towing speed limit. 3.42 with AISIN is a GREAT combo up to 28K combined. I could pull 4% grades at 55 no problem with my 11 HO Dually combined 28-29K with 3.42's.

2014 2500 with 3:42 scrambled at 14K miles, and thats not on my computer, thats on Dodges computors. Also Dodge had to buy back the truck for other unrelated issues, So I can speak from experiance. My next CTD will have the 4:10's.

 

[SnoKing]

2014 2500 with 3:42 scrambled at 14K miles, and thats not on my computer, thats on Dodges computors. Also Dodge had to buy back the truck for other unrelated issues, So I can speak from experiance. My next CTD will have the 4:10's.

I do not think the 3:42 gears created a diff failure if that is what you are saying. A certain number will fail for some reason or another. One is failure to do proper break in of the diff.

 

[RVTRKN]

I never liked the 3:42 before and after the scramble. It's puts the CTD below its optimum RPM for power and torque. Everyone likes the 3:42, and that's OK, BUT I'LL NEVER BUY ONE WITH 3:42.

 

[apgambino]

I never liked the 3:42 before and after the scramble. It's puts the CTD below its optimum RPM for power and torque. Everyone likes the 3:42, and that's OK, BUT I'LL NEVER BUY ONE WITH 3:42.

To each his own. I'm with SNOKING, towing at or below FCA's GCWR with the Aisin and 3.42s is nothing to get hot and bothered over. Just understand it's limitations and you'll do fine. Would 3.73s or 4.10 perform better? Of course; that's why FCA says you can tow more with them. I tow my 16k toy hauler at 55-60 in 5th and the engine is right there at 1750 or so RPM.

2015 3500 SRW 4x4 MegaCab Laramie Aisin

 

[Flash1034]

I voted.....

 

[Lynx0849]

The 2500 doesn't have the Aisin, right?

From what I read, it is the 3500, Aisin, and the 3:42 gears that work well.