Bighorn/Aisin vs Tradesman/68RFE worth $8K?

[JAndrus]

I'm shopping for a 2015 3500 crew cab 4x4 dually. My 2002 3500 NV56 4x4 with 4:10's is too slow and the front end wanders even with a new track bar. My 1998.5 short bed 2wd is my great daily driver, but won't fit my Lance camper. Yes I have to keep it too. My wife wonders why I need 3 trucks?

So I'm stuck, a frugal tradesman without bells and whistles or spend $8K more and get an Aisin/Bighorn. $50K vs $42K. Is what I'm offered in Phoenix. I'm thinking 3.73 gears to pull a 16K toyhauler, but still cruise 80 on the freeway. After adding $6K for tax and fees it's a big number that has kept me herding the 2002 down the road at it's 63 mph sweetspot.
Of course, I have not had a truck payment for 10 years.
Let's hear some good advice from gentlemen that have spent the cash and if they have buyers remorse with the new rig.
Thanks, Jeff at Luke AFB, Surprise, AZ

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I'd spend the extra for the Big Horn and Aisin; that is basically what I did in 2013, and am glad I went that route.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

i remember when the 68RFE came out and was converting several of us die hard manual transmission guys. The 68RFE was making us think twice about the hand shaker; especially since New Venture went out of business and Chrysler swapped in the aluminum cased G56 in it's' place. Fast foward a years, the Aisin auto has become the thing to have.

Is the Aisin better or worth the extra money? Time will tell...... All I know is that most people that bought the 68RFE wished they bought the Aisin, much like people that bought the 4spd 48RE wished the bought NV5600 or the people who bought the G56 wished they had bought the 68RFE.

I personally thinks it's a complete toss up and varies greatly, depending on how much BS that we read on the World Wide Web.

 

[Ozymandias]

I think it depend on what the buyer will do with the Truck, for light duty the 68RFE is fine, for heavy duty the Aisin is the choice.
why buy an over kill?

 

[Cummins12V98]

IMHO well worth the 8K.

 

[Hoefler]

I have owned both and towed the same trailers with both, I would get the Aisin hands down!

 

[RustyJC]

Our 2011 with the 68RFE (and the "puny" 350/650 Cummins) does a good job towing our 19K GVWR 5th wheel, as it did the 16K GVWR 5th wheel that preceded it. We've towed in the Ozarks, the Appalachians and just returned from a trip to the Davis Mountains in West Texas with no problems, but I'm pretty easy on my equipment - I don't beat on it to hold speed up 6% or steeper grades. No complaints at all with the 68RFE.

Having said that, if I were purchasing a new dually, it would have the Aisin and current Cummins HO engine. Whenever I order a truck, I go for maximum available GVWR and GCWR, and the Aisin powertrain gets me there.

Rusty

 

[Newsa]

If you are asking Tradesman vs Bighorn. I will tell you my tradesman has the comfiest seats I've ever sat in. As for Aisin, time will tell. I haven't experienced the launch shudder described or the bucking that happens when shifting from 2nd to 3rd. But time will tell what that does to the U joints. The drivetrain will likely last through the power train warranty. But will the drivetrain last 300,000 of shudder?

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I believe the foam structure of the seats underneath the covering is the same for the two trim levels. Other than color contrasts, the Big Horn offers the split rear seat, power sliding rear window, power driver's seat, leather steering wheel (I wore out several of the urethane wheels, but the leather held up well for me, with occasional mink oil treatments), etc. BH also allows you to get the upgraded 7" instrument cluster, which is good. Also the 8.4 u connect with big backup camera screen, on and on. After having the "amenities" it is hard to give them up and go back to a basic truck like what we had 10-20 years ago!

 

[JAndrus]

Thanks guys, I took friday off to go drive some trucks. I have my USAA discount in hand!

 

[Terry Jay]

We have a 2012 dually 68rfe Bighorn. It has made 3-1/2 trips between WA and AK, and some grades are upwards of 11%. No problem with 89,000 miles, and 25,000 towing 16,000 lb 5th. The Bighorn is just a comfort and convenience thing and a wife pleaser. The truck will function just as well in any trim level.

The AISIN is industrial grade for max towing weight, max torque and max all else. The 68rfe is functional for all "normal" loads, after all it was on offer as THE auto for number of years.

Any choice will work fine, think about re-sale if that might be a consideration.

 

[RVTRKN]

Look at my signature, GET THE AISIN, I don't like the 68rfe. I missed the boat on the Aisin when I optioned for a G56 with my C&C. The Aisin has converted many manual fans over the years, but as much as I hate my G56, I would option for the G56, if it was only a choice between the 68rfe or G56 now that I know the difference. But I'd like to comment on the 68rfe with my current 3:42 and 18" wheels. Don't be sold on the 3:42 rear, it seems like my MPG suffers on minor inclines watching the lie-O-meter, and hand calculating, but I'm at the edge of my GVWR. It would have been better with 3:73 at the GVWR of my 2014.

 

[SnoKing]

Depending if the Big Horn has the Luxury Group the first item on the list is something that I what for garaging the truck, that is w/Power Fold-Away Mirrors along with all the other items on the list:

Luxury Group $ 940
Power Black Trailer Tow Mirrors w/Power
Fold-Away
Heated Front Seats
7-Inch Multi-View Cluster
Heated Steering Wheel
Overhead Console with Garage Door
Opener
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror w/
Microphone
Sun Visors with Illuminated Vanity Mirrors

Snoking

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Depending if the Big Horn has the Luxury Group the first item on the list is something that I what for garaging the truck, that is w/Power Fold-Away Mirrors along with all the other items on the list:

Luxury Group $ 940
Power Black Trailer Tow Mirrors w/Power
Fold-Away
Heated Front Seats
7-Inch Multi-View Cluster
Heated Steering Wheel
Overhead Console with Garage Door
Opener
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror w/
Microphone
Sun Visors with Illuminated Vanity Mirrors

Snoking

I hope I find it first

 

[SnoKing]

I hope I find it first

http://www.fremontchryslerdodgejeep...positeType=new&make=Ram&year=2015&model=3500&

 

[Bug Out]

Aisin all the way.....

 

[JAndrus]

New 2015 white Ram 3500 4x4 BIGHORN/AISIN 3:73, sitting in the drive way this morning!
Best price I could negotiate was $50K even, $56K out the door.

Only option it did not have was the 5th wheel prep kit, but I can add it.
Feeling lucky I had such good advice! Thanks TDR members!

 

[Deleted member 995608]

New 2015 white Ram 3500 4x4 BIGHORN/AISIN 3:73, sitting in the drive way this morning!
Best price I could negotiate was $50K even, $56K out the door.

That's the best price I've been able to haggle so far also for a truck in the $60k -/+ range. About $10k off ain't bad.

 

[SnoKing]

That's the best price I've been able to haggle so far also for a truck in the $60k -/+ range. About $10k off ain't bad.

That is what I have also found, in that a 60-61k truck can be had off 50-51k. Snoking

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Depending on the weight of the trailer, the B&W setup may be the best for your fifth wheel hitch and gooseneck hitch.