Best available information

[BSnyder]

I need to hear the best available information for my situation. After my 99 2500 5.9 was prematurely retired by a carload of illegal immigrants I replaced it with an 09 2500 6.7. My wife and I are semi retired and just purchased a new just under 17000# loaded fifth wheel camper to travel with. I have an issue with the truck which is an ongoing problem with the O2 sensors in the exhaust. I have replaced them, occasionally cleaned and replaced them etc to no avail the codes keep coming back later. With the addition of the new camper I am considering a programmer upgrade for additional power, electronic gauges and to possibly delete the problem causing sensors. I remember researching the H & S products and Smarty. I realize this is subjective and don't want to start a war between the masses but I simply want to hear what can be done to make pulling our camper better. I am not looking to have the most Hp or the fastest truck on the highway just a strong pulling fuel efficient daily driver without sensor issues. We like our truck and would like to make it better. Thanks for your information and help.

 

[lpennock]

EFI live. H&S is out of business, latest Smarty programs don't delete.

 

[Jim W]

OK! I havean earlier 2008, 2500 Ram Mega Cab with the 6.7L and 68RFEtransmission that I bought new in Nov 2007, 17 miles on the OD. I have added a Smarty S67 and deletes with gages over a one (1) yearperiod. I added the gages first so I could form a baseline for EGT's, Boost and transmission temps. I ran this way for several months both towing and non-towing with a Cougar 318SAB fifth wheel. Aug 2009, I added the Smarty S67 and a 5" TBE using MBRP components leaving the EGR cooler on, but blocked going in to the air induction horn. I have followed the MAD'S instructions for the Smarty S67 installation.

I have since up graded to a 2016 Cedar Creek 34RL, which I have towed since May2015. We went out west in 2015 and went up and over the continental divide on I70, I was able to maintain highway speed in 5th​ gear with EGT’s below 1100F and Boost pressure around 20PSI +/- 5 PSI. The truck has performed flawlessly with 103,000 miles on the OD.

Now Smarty’s may not be available so you may want to look into the EFI LIVE for the 6.7LCummins Ram Trucks. This is the best unit on the market today and you can run whatever program you want on your truck from mild to extreme. I would also recommend the Edge Insight for gage monitoring now instead of the individual gages that I have.

Just my very humble opinion on programmers and monitoring options.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"My wife and I are semi retired and just purchased a new 17000# fifth wheel camper to travel with."

First thing you should do is buy a more capable truck!!! That is WAY too much pin weight and weight in general for ANY 2500.

 

[RustyJC]

"My wife and I are semi retired and just purchased a new 17000# fifth wheel camper to travel with."

First thing you should do is buy a more capable truck!!! That is WAY too much pin weight and weight in general for ANY 2500.

I really don't want to play weight police, but run the truck and 5th wheel over a set of CAT scales and check out the truck's rear axle GAWR against the scale reading for the drive axle. The numbers will tell the tale.

That's a LOT of 5th wheel (and pin weight) for a 2500. Our Mobile Suites has a 19,000 lb GVWR, and our 9,750 lb rear axle GAWR on our 3500 dually is the limiting factor for us insofar as 5th wheel weight is concerned.

Rusty

 

[BSnyder]

I won't know until spring the camper is a 38' Cedar Creek FL the loaded weight is aprox. 16,600# I was worried about the weight myself and am keenly aware of the weight laws since I am a retired truck driver with 3m + safe driving miles. I was at AAA asking questions about the gross weight limits of the truck and was told I can pull 29,000+#'s legally with this truck and I will be well below that weight so I need to check things out in the spring. I also intend to touch base with the state police to make sure all is well. I did tell my wife we may be upgrading the truck also so spring will tell the tale and then we still have plenty of time until we go on the road after we fully retire in the next few years. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[BSnyder]

Does EFI live do deletes I ask because I don't know?

 

[Jim W]

Does EFI live do deletes I ask because I don't know?

Yes! Go to their web site for further information.

 

[BSnyder]

Who's EFIlive program would you recommend for the setup I described and are they upgradable if I purchase a new truck in the future as in go from my 09 to a 16, or 17

 

[lpennock]

Who's EFIlive program would you recommend for the setup I described and are they upgradable if I purchase a new truck in the future as in go from my 09 to a 16, or 17

Autocal can handle two VIN so you just need to pay for an additional tune. There is no concept of unlocking the tune like other tuners.

 

[KenHwy61]

Try contacting one of diesel performance companies like AnarchyDiesel.com. They will be able to help you with EFI live tuning. Another option that costs nothing is to unplug the EGR valve and ignore the CEL light. Your truck will run much better. The O2 sensor faulting is common on the EGR trucks '07-'12. EGR is bad for your engine and results in poor fuel mileage and frequent oil changes. The downside to doing is because the cel is always lit you will have to scan for codes on occasion to see if any other codes come up. I have been running my '12 this way for over year and have had no other issues.