I hit the 200k Milestone with my 2014 RAM 3500 Tradesman Crew Cab 4x4 and AS69RC

[gsbrockman]

On December 22nd, I hit the 200k mile mark with The Radio Flyer while delivering this stack of trailers to Hopf Equipment in Huntingburg, IN (all trailers weighed in at 14,470 lbs per MSO's...I'm guessing GCW was 23,570 lbs)
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Truck is still great....the 6.7L bone stock Cummins is great, and the AS69RC is superb.
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Conversely............on the morning of December 23, 2016, ....................I get to join the "My OEM Batteries Crapppppped Out" Club. #ad


I burned out 3,044 miles this week, but The Radio Flyer decided it was time for new batteries when I attempted to leave for a hauling job to Rome, GA at about 7:15 Friday morning.

I was already dressed and just took a swig of dental rinse when I remembered I needed to start up my truck, as it had been warmer the last night or two and I didn't use the block heater. I go outside, wait for the diesel pre-heat to cycle, then only get a "click" #ad
Luckily....Radio Flyer was parked in front of the garage, so I rounded up jumper cables, pulled the wife's Grand Cherokee out, and got it jumped without incident. I had tossed around the idea of replacing them back in October based on several people on another forum experiencing battery failures, but everything was fine at the time. :-laf

In any event....I was close to my selling dealership, since I was picking up a new GatorMade 14' 14k tag dump trailer for delivery to Rome, GA. Surprisingly....I was able to get MOPAR replacement batteries for $156.40 each; they retail for $184.00 each. $331.57 later......including 6% sales tax.....I was good to go (carry out price).

They have a two year unlimited mileage warranty. The part number is BB94R750AA. I have a small project ahead of me for Saturday. For those interested......my OEM's croaked at 200,193 miles, 318 idle hours, and 3,709 drive hours.

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[Kry226]

Congrats, sir. But I think you spill too much diesel... :-laf I'm a little OCD.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

WOW that is a bunch of miles quick..Good to hear that the truck has treated you well so far... When do you have time to be at home.?

 

[jhenderson]

The more miles you rack up the better I feel about my truck. A side note; I carry a 600 amp jump box in my tool box. I put it in for -0 starting of my woods equipment if needed. I don't like the idea of jumping directly off the truck with all the seemingly delicate electronics. Now I'm thinking it may come in handy when the truck battery goes south without warning.

 

[Newsa]

Tow truck driver friend who has a Ram 4500 with a hook says not to jump or be jumped if you can avoid it. Too essy to blow modules.He says in an emergency and no other options, it is safer to use (hook cables to) the driver side battey rather than (not to) the passenger side.

 

[Jared Herzog]

What made you decide to go with factory batteries? Was it because the stockers lasted so long? Just wondering as every year a different battery seems to get better reviews than others and i have yet to find a consensus on what the best battery is.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Thanks for the great report!

 

[gsbrockman]

Congrats, sir. But I think you spill too much diesel... :-laf I'm a little OCD.

Yeah....yeah....I know. That one particular fillup did, however, do a good job of washing off some spilled DEF though!!!

WOW that is a bunch of miles quick..Good to hear that the truck has treated you well so far... When do you have time to be at home.?

In reality.....I'm home quite a lot. I've owned the truck 34 months.

The more miles you rack up the better I feel about my truck.

Good deal...........as opposed to various other forums where ONLY complaints run rampant, I try to spread a little cheer and positivity regarding my actual ownership experience.

What made you decide to go with factory batteries? Was it because the stockers lasted so long? Just wondering as every year a different battery seems to get better reviews than others and i have yet to find a consensus on what the best battery is.

The fact that I received what I considered good service (only 34 months but a lot of engine hours and miles) and that my selling dealer had TWO in stock (and at what I considered was a very fair price with two year warranty) and that I was in a "time crunch" delivering the dump trailer....were all contributory reasons. From what I've read about batteries over the last few years....I believe any battery purchase could turn into a crapshoot....IMO.

Thanks for the great report!

No problem. I've been very pleased with this rig. It's my Money Wagon.

 

[Wayne M.]

Good report! Glad to hear the legend is still alive. Can you give us a more detailed rundown on the maintenance folder? My main concern are the electronics and infotainment/Uconnect etc.

 

[gsbrockman]

Good report! Glad to hear the legend is still alive. Can you give us a more detailed rundown on the maintenance folder? My main concern are the electronics and infotainment/Uconnect etc.

The truck has been maintained on 15k service intervals (generally between 13.5k and 15.0k) for oil & oil filter changes and fuel filter changes. The air filter gets inspected every oil change and generally is replaced every 2nd oil change. Transmission drain & fills at 30k mile intervals; sump filter & fluid change every 60k miles. Rear differential services about every 30k to 40k miles. The truck has never had an emissions related CEL. No issues with DEF system or EGR system. The front end is still OEM and everything is nice & tight. Tire rotations every oil change.

 

[Wayne M.]

Excellent! Proper maintenance pays off!

 

[Cummins12V98]

"No problem. I've been very pleased with this rig. It's my Money Wagon."

A money maker I am sure it is!

All the F guys on the other forums gat all butt hurt when I state my honest observance of independently owned RV/Hotshot haulers be MOSTLY RAM's. This is a great example of why!

 

[gsbrockman]

Since I live about 55 miles southeast of Lexington, KY I'm basically close to I-75, I-64, and I-65. Given the proximity to IN, I see lots of RV's going to the dealerships in transit from the northern IN area. I see more RAM pickups than I do FoMoCo or GM---earning their keep. I also see more RAM pickups running straight deck gooseneck trailers running regular freight (not autos or farm equipment) and I also see more RAM pickups pulling two and three car wedge trailers......and a few mini-4 car haulers. I'm also seeing more 4500 / 5500 trucks on the road as of lately.

 

[Dodger2014]

Since I live about 55 miles southeast of Lexington, KY I'm basically close to I-75, I-64, and I-65. Given the proximity to IN, I see lots of RV's going to the dealerships in transit from the northern IN area. I see more RAM pickups than I do FoMoCo or GM---earning their keep. I also see more RAM pickups running straight deck gooseneck trailers running regular freight (not autos or farm equipment) and I also see more RAM pickups pulling two and three car wedge trailers......and a few mini-4 car haulers. I'm also seeing more 4500 / 5500 trucks on the road as of lately.

just drove from Georgia to east Texas for xmas. About 15 hour drive. To keep busy I tried to notice any ram trucks on the road. Saw a lot of 3500 dwr hauling 3 car wedges, rv, etc. Like seeing that they are used for work! Even seeing them used for ambulances more and more where I live and wreckers too. Got a compliment from a wrecker operator at a gas station while idling. He said "I really like the those cummins sound! Nothing else like it". Had a smile on my face!

 

[Cummins12V98]

"Rear differential services about every 30k to 40k miles."

Curious what rear diff fluid are you using? 30-40K is way more than the OE lube can take. My rig was binding at 20K and changed late at 24K and the oil report was BAD!

 

[Ram4Sam]

Greg.....I too am reading all your tips, with earnest..... for info on caring for a high mileage Ram.......I hit 8,000 miles just yesterday:-laf

Sam

 

[TCDiesel]

Awesome to read Greg, Puts all those you need to delete at CF in place. OK there additional maintenance ,EGR, DEF, ECT , If the system is properly service they can Last.... I'm with ya on My 2013 30K miles and 40 months of ownership only repair The in tank Pump failed at 238 miles ,No CEL Nada single issue. O I all most forgot the 69 according to X is POS, look yours at 200K pulling X%,I'm waiting on the verdict on the Ecodiesel, My Eco been OK , But THE EPA may demand FCA to take Actions on the mandatory standards, Otherwise I was going to sell My 2014 3500 its got 9K miles in 24 months of ownership Not 1 Issue.

 

[gsbrockman]

"Rear differential services about every 30k to 40k miles."

Curious what rear diff fluid are you using? 30-40K is way more than the OE lube can take. My rig was binding at 20K and changed late at 24K and the oil report was BAD!

Valvoline 75W90 GL5 Full Synthetic

 

[gsbrockman]

Greg.....I too am reading all your tips, with earnest..... for info on caring for a high mileage Ram.......I hit 8,000 miles just yesterday:-laf

Sam

I'll be happy to swap with ya for a few weeks and blow those cobwebs out of your DPF & SCR :-laf

Awesome to read Greg, Puts all those you need to delete at CF in place. OK there additional maintenance ,EGR, DEF, ECT , If the system is properly service they can Last.... I'm with ya on My 2013 30K miles and 40 months of ownership only repair The in tank Pump failed at 238 miles ,No CEL Nada single issue. O I all most forgot the 69 according to X is POS, look yours at 200K pulling X%,I'm waiting on the verdict on the Ecodiesel, My Eco been OK , But THE EPA may demand FCA to take Actions on the mandatory standards, Otherwise I was going to sell My 2014 3500 its got 9K miles in 24 months of ownership Not 1 Issue.

Thanks, TC. It appears as if RevMax has a "fix" for all of those "junk" AS69RC's that's out there rumor has it's only $7,995 plus maybe $3,000 core. Maybe we need to talk about your '14....if it's DRW. :-laf

 

[Newsa]

Ok. I'll finally admit that the Aisin is worth the extra $. But I'll never own one, and I'll never do a partial fluid change.