do I need the ho cummins

[Wiredawg]

No I don't think it will! I talking about a 2019/2020 truck, not the earlier models. Between myself and my two boys we have 4 Ram Cummins trucks. So, I do have a little experience with them and what it takes to modify them. My older son has two of them a 1996 and a built 2006 truck with 800+ HP. My younger son has a 4th gen truck that has seen some work done on it, the truck is a 2013.5 model. With mine being a 2008 truck with 60HP/120lb-ft TQ overstock.

There comes a time in every day drivability with excessive HP and TQ do not help, but causes issue. I seen it many a time in the 60's with gas engine vehicle.

Jim,

You hit the nail on the head what translates to usable power. My case and point was my 02 Ram 3500, I upgraded injectors, exhaust, turbo, engine oil cooler, and TST computer and I had to drive by the EGT gauge and coolant temp gauge when towing 18K Lb Travel Supreme. It worked, but required a lot of monitoring. I had 29KLbs GCW on a platform designed for 21KLbs GCW. I exceeded every recommended rating except tires and axles.

My 09 Ram 4500 was the first tow vehicle that had full usable power and my current 17 5500 is super refined for heavy duty cycle.

I think Ram has done an incredible job in delivering powertrains that have unbelievable tow ratings and get decent fuel mileage as well.

I guess there will always be a market for after market power upgrades, but I think it's a shrinking market with the high HP/TQ numbers being delivered and growing EPA and state emissions enforcement.

Cheers. Ron

 

[Tuesdak]

right now I am leaning to the 68 rfe thanks to this post looks like a little over kill with the aiain I pulled my 35 ft 15k from missippissi with a 2019 with13k very nice smooth shifting for 15k miles cant see spending an extra 3K for something I do not need

$3K is a ROUNDING ERROR on a $60,000 truck! So is the 4X4 option cost. So although I really didn't need 4X4 I got it anyway simply because it didn't add much to the cost and resale is wayyy better for a 4X4. No, I simply couldn't find a 2WD with the minimum options I wanted.

As mentioned the maintenance cost is higher with the Aisin due to required servicing more often. Again a rounding error.

 

[TFucili]

Yeah, but Aisin drivers are way cooler

 

[dieselshadow]

For me, it’s a no-brainer. Yeah, it’s a few grand more, but like was mentioned, it’s a very expensive truck. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand having to buy something over and over again, especially something really expensive, because I made a mistake in my choice. Sometimes it’s definitely ok and you need only what you need. In this case, I would prep for future purchases or just more longevity.

What’s a few dollars amongst friends anyway? Especially since it’s your dollars....

Ok, that last bit was just kidding. It’s totally your choice and I’m sure you’ll be happy either way.

 

[gsbrockman]

Yeah, but Aisin drivers are way cooler

And some have no choice but the AS69RC.

 

[dieselshadow]

And some have no choice but the AS69RC.
View attachment 121335

That might be a good towing rig. Have you tried a trailer behind it yet?

 

[TFucili]

And some have no choice but the AS69RC.
View attachment 121335

You C&C guys are all alike

 

[gsbrockman]

That might be a good towing rig. Have you tried a trailer behind it yet?

No.....I’m too skeeeeeeeert. I did, however, haul a bale of straw and a truck bed once.

 

[gsbrockman]

You C&C guys are all alike

Not really. Some are 60” CA, some are 84” CA, and others are 108” CA.

 

[AH64ID]

I’m in the same boat as many of you, I wouldn’t buy a 3500 without the Aisin. Sure it’s a few grand more but not getting it makes the rest of the truck overpriced

 

[JR]

$3K is a ROUNDING ERROR on a $60,000 truck!
.

I would love to be your salesman!

 

[JR]

Sure it’s a few grand more but not getting it makes the rest of the truck overpriced

Judging by the difference in price between a Tradesman and a Limited I'm pretty sure your looking in the wrong area

You could literally buy a 2nd vehicle with that difference. Crazy.

 

[AH64ID]

You could literally buy a 2nd vehicle with that difference. Crazy.

Sure could, and probably not a bad one for $10K.

I started shopping Big Horn's and got too good of a deal on the Laramie, used with 3200 miles and a fair bit cheaper than the Big Horn I was looking at... new with over 500 miles.

Now that I've had the Laramie it's worth the price, at least for me.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Yeah, but Aisin drivers are way cooler

DUH!!!

 

[Cummins12V98]

I sat in my Parents new LongHorn. Went with the Salesman to look at Laramies. BAD idea setting in a LongHorn first!!!

 

[AH64ID]

I sat in my Parents new LongHorn. Went with the Salesman to look at Laramies. BAD idea setting in a LongHorn first!!!

We had the opposite effect. 1st thing we drove was a Longhorn Southfork Edition, as it was the only think local with an Aisin and auto-level.

It was just too much, we actually felt funny sitting in it let alone putting the kids in the back to check leg room.

I couldn’t imagine having been comfortable taking it camping and hunting, even if the kids weren’t part of the equation.

 

[JR]

Sure could, and probably not a bad one for $10K.

I was actually referring to the Limited. If you could find one for 10k more than a Tradesman your doing well for yourself! I've never seriously shopped for one but the delta looks closer to $18-20k, but I'm sure there are deals to be had.

I actually like the Laramie package but two things kept me out of one. One, I just needed a truck to do truck stuff. I'd feel bad getting a pretty truck dirty day in and day out like I do with mine. And two, I didn't want another vehicle payment. I took a two year loan out through my credit union but paid it off well inside that window. With two teenagers in the house and one only a year away from college we've been intentionally keeping the budget lean for a couple of years now.

 

[AH64ID]

I was actually referring to the Limited. If you could find one for 10k more than a Tradesman your doing well for yourself! I've never seriously shopped for one but the delta looks closer to $18-20k, but I'm sure there are deals to be had.

I actually like the Laramie package but two things kept me out of one. One, I just needed a truck to do truck stuff. I'd feel bad getting a pretty truck dirty day in and day out like I do with mine. And two, I didn't want another vehicle payment. I took a two year loan out through my credit union but paid it off well inside that window. With two teenagers in the house and one only a year away from college we've been intentionally keeping the budget lean for a couple of years now.

I did misread that! Yeah, they have a $23K delta for base models in those 2 trims... 13K more than a Laramie, which is even crazier to me.

 

[Cummins12V98]

We had the opposite effect. 1st thing we drove was a Longhorn Southfork Edition, as it was the only think local with an Aisin and auto-level.

It was just too much, we actually felt funny sitting in it let alone putting the kids in the back to check leg room.

I couldn’t imagine having been comfortable taking it camping and hunting, even if the kids weren’t part of the equation.

Nice to have choices. I have another truck to do work with. What I really do like is the LongHorn seats are by far more comfortable.

 

[jacknife]

I had a 2014 3500 with a 68RFE with 342 pulling 14000 5th wheel . Now have a 2020 Long horn with the HD with the Aisin ,Factory air and more stuff than I care to mention . My opinion is that my new truck does a better job of towing than the old one did .Is it worth the difference in money ? My opinion is yes . it's your decision to make.