Hey EB! How about a towing/driving report?

[HBarlow]

EB,



As far as I know you are the only TDR member who has a new '07 cab and chassis and is using it as intended, pulling heavy loads. How about giving us a report when you're off the road for a few days. I'd bet most who visit this forum would like to hear your opinions of how it pulls, how the new Aisin 6 speed transmission works, etc. Maybe I'm mistaken. Now that I think about it I don't remember whether you told us your new c and c is a manual 6 speed or automatic.



Harvey

 

[MCummings]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171098



Just a little farther down in the forum...



Merrick

 

[HBarlow]

Thanks for the link Merrick. I missed it.



Sorry, EB. You have already written of your experience with your new C&C and I overlooked it. I'm finding it hard to keep up with the interesting posts that I want to read. Spending too much time on the road.



Harvey

 

[EB]

Well, I guess I can add a little bit more. I put the truck in service on Tuesday Nov. 21, which was 4 weeks ago today. I have a little over 8600 miles on it now and all but maybe 200 to 300 of them are towing. Mileage is still hanging around 10 mpg although my last tank made 10. 6.



As far as the transmission goes, I like it. It has plenty of pull from a stop and those 2 extra gears really make a difference. I usually drive at 67-68 mph and it is running 1925-1950 rpm. It will down shift on hills if you are loaded, if you run in tow/haul it would take a pretty good hill to make it downshift to 4th. Most of the country I drive in is pretty flat so I run in drive most of the time. The exhaust brake is really powerful in the tow/haul mode. Even without the exhaust brake on you get a lot of engine braking in tow/haul. If you need to pass and get down on it, it will down shift even to 4th if you are below 60 and will pick up speed pretty good. This engine has no problem turning 3000 rpm if you hold you foot in it. There are times when I feel it should be in a different gear, but I'm learning to live with it. It works fine.



The only thing I don't like about it so far is changing the oil filter as I said in an earlier post. I plan on getting a dual remote setup from Amsoil to solve that problem. I haven't really looked at it, but I have a feeling the fuel filter is going to be the same way.



To this point, I have no problem with the truck at all. I believe the fuel mileage is going to get up to where it was on my 03 and if it does that with an automatic transmission I'll be more than satisfied. I believe if someone gets the 6 speed stick and the 3. 73 gears it will be better than the 5. 9 made.



If the 68rfe that they are going to put in the pickup models works as good as the Aisin does, Dodge is going to have a hot selling truck. IMO

 

[HBarlow]

EB,





Thanks for the test report. Please continue to give us reports from time to time as you learn more about it and have experiences we might want to hear. I believe you have previously stated that you pull a tandem axle dual wheel flatbed trailer. What is your typical gross combined weight?



Harvey

 

[MCummings]

Yes EB. I'm very interested in hearing from you again... On anything you may have to say about your new truck.





Merrick

 

[Mel Swanson]

Question. EB said, "If the 68rfe that they are going to put in the pickup models works as good as the Aisin does, Dodge is going to have a hot selling truck. IMO" The dealer gave me the impression that the 68rfe was the same Aisin trans that dodge installed in their C&C.

And the answere is... ... ..... ?

 

[HBarlow]

Mel,



I don't remember where I read it but some literature I've seen indicated the new cab and chassis models have the Aisin (Japanese manufacturer) 6 speed automatic and the 3500/2500 pickup versions will have a MOPAR 6 speed. Maybe someone who is more knowledgeable will provide additional explanation or links to the Dodge literature.



Harvey

 

[Mel Swanson]

Thanks for the answere, Harvey.

Wonder if the MOPAR 6 speed is a relabled Japanese Aisin?

 

[cerberusiam]

Mel,



I don't remember where I read it but some literature I've seen indicated the new cab and chassis models have the Aisin (Japanese manufacturer) 6 speed automatic and the 3500/2500 pickup versions will have a MOPAR 6 speed. Maybe someone who is more knowledgeable will provide additional explanation or links to the Dodge literature.



Harvey

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165926

 

[EB]

Question. EB said, "If the 68rfe that they are going to put in the pickup models works as good as the Aisin does, Dodge is going to have a hot selling truck. IMO" The dealer gave me the impression that the 68rfe was the same Aisin trans that dodge installed in their C&C.

And the answere is... ... ..... ?

It is my understanding that the Aisin transmission is entirely different than what the 68rfe is going to be. You can Google Aisin transmission and see that they has been making transmissions for quite a while. The gear ratios are completely different in the two transmissions and I'm sure when the new Mopar 6-speed finally does come out, a quick look under the truck will tell you that they are different transmissions entirely.