My New 2019

[Wayne M.]

Cummins12V98
"Talked to friend that works at the local Dealer, no issues on the factory rear air bags."
Ram seems to be very tight lipped on this system. I have seached the internet for a couple of days and there is very little information. This system has been out for 5 years now, you would think there would be more than what I found. I will know more info on the 26th of October.

This has to be the standard play in their book. I see it here, see it on the Durango forum I lurk at and used to participate, and saw it a few times in person. The service writer will not admit to it raining outside as I shake my wet umbrella at him, even when said writer knows I myself am in the trade and have ASE certs.
They will outright deny any outside info on failure patterns, repair patterns, trends on forums, etc. only if there’s inside info (campaign, recall etc) on your particular VIN.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My contact is their head parts guy that has been with them for several years and before that at another local dealer. He knows what has had issues. I am talking "2019" MY, got it?????

Nope I typically don't stoop to name calling but a certain individual EARNED it.

Please don't quote me!

 

[Wayne M.]

About a week ago, we were discussing the Hemi’s engine braking ability.
Well just today, this is what my Durango had to do to maintain a 68 setting while descending a decent grade on I78 in Penna (I’m sure TFucili knows this hill). It downshifted 3 ranges and winging 3000 RPM but it held the speed. The strange thing looking at this now, is that it’s not fully braking with a closed throttle. If it were, the current economy reading (top between tach & speedo) would be 99.
Now imagine a trailer with some weight pushing it along

 

[RVTRKN]

I thought I'd post the results of the conversation I had with the tech today, regarding the Auto Level Rear Air System, as I mentioned in a earlier post, that I had an appointment with him today. The tech was kind enough to take the time to talk to me in person. After a brief conversation, he took it to his station and hooked up to wytech, he looked at all parameters and commanded it to NRH and ALternate ride height, and he measured the distance the truck traveled, about 3/8". At no time did the driverside airbag ever fully inflat. When I arrived, it was deflated, and when he was done there was a slight pressure present. Sag2 mentioned with the wytech, he could fill the airbags individualy, but he debunked that and showed me the different modes. He did mention that he could fill the driverside airbag, under the calibration mode, but warned me that will change the ride characteristics and warned against it. So in the end, my question remained the same, how would I know if it works correctly? his response was, "your going to have to put a heavy load on it and run in NRH". He gave me some literature on it, some strait from the owners manual, and other info from the description point of view. That is even more confusing, after reading it all. I'm now on a mission to get to my 5ver thats 200 miles away and if that damn drivers side air bag doesn't fill or I get an error message back to the drawing board. Unfortunatly I'm commited for a couple of weekends. I'm tinking of filling bed with some decorative 3/4 rock for the back yard, that should do it.

 

[TFucili]

Thanks for the info RVTRKN. I have not persued it any further, other than going to a local RV park that has a perfectly flat slab where the weighmaster weighs rigs. I measured both sides and confirmed my truck droops about an inch on the left side and I got photos. So the dealer is FOS, as I already knew.

 

[gsbrockman]

Thanks for the info RVTRKN. I have not persued it any further, other than going to a local RV park that has a perfectly flat slab where the weighmaster weighs rigs. I measured both sides and confirmed my truck droops about an inch on the left side and I got photos. So the dealer is FOS, as I already knew.

It would be nice if you could “borrow/purchase/return” a skid of retaining wall stones from Lowe’s for a few hours. A pallet of mortar mix in 80 lb bags would add up fast, too.....

 

[Ozymandias]

Put a plastic foil in the bed and fill it with water, should be enough weight then for test.

 

[SnoKing]

It would be nice if you could “borrow/purchase/return” a skid of retaining wall stones from Lowe’s for a few hours. A pallet of mortar mix in 80 lb bags would add up fast, too.....

Small amount over 3k behind the axle.

 

[JR]

Don't need no air ride for a load like that

3360 worth of 80# Quikrete....and this was the lighter load. Didn't think to get pic of the first load with an additional 12 bags in front of the full skid.

 

[TFucili]

It would be nice if you could “borrow/purchase/return” a skid of retaining wall stones from Lowe’s for a few hours. A pallet of mortar mix in 80 lb bags would add up fast, too.....

I know the system "operates", as far as load leveling. I have pulled my toy hauler which puts over 4800 lbs on the gooseneck. The first time I had the truck in for the 2-1 slam shift, the SM said,"Oh, there's an RRT for the rear air ride, we'll have to do that right away". After that I immediately noticed a difference in ride quality, and after a bit I noticed the height difference.

 

[RVTRKN]

TFucili, What is the acronym RRT? While the tech had the truck on Wytech, he serched for any updates and found none concerning the Auto Level Rear Air Suspension. There are a lot of updates if I were to complain or have some kind of trouble code, but none concerning the ALRAS. He claims he's not allowed and the software won't allow the update, unless customer complains or has a code, per FCA.

 

[RVTRKN]

On another note, he never even cared about the bags having pressure or not, except that his software was showing changes in it. He felt the bags after I checked the pressure through feel, then he actually checked the bags.

 

[TFucili]

TFucili, What is the acronym RRT? While the tech had the truck on Wytech, he serched for any updates and found none concerning the Auto Level Rear Air Suspension. There are a lot of updates if I were to complain or have some kind of trouble code, but none concerning the ALRAS. He claims he's not allowed and the software won't allow the update, unless customer complains or has a code, per FCA.

An RRT is a Rapid Response Transmittal. I guess it is like a higher priority Service Bulletin. I have asked for a copy twice, and they "forget" to do it. It was RRT #19-057.

 

[AH64ID]

The system is also a sealed system, that moves/pumps nitrogen from the storage tank to the bags and back to the tank. If the system has a leak it will give a message on the dash.

Sounds like a change for the 19's, as my 18 is not a sealed system. It purges every time you start/drive the truck and has an air intake between the bed/body on the passenger side. Then again, I was told it was sealed by the dealership on my 18 too... so they may not really know.

 

[Newsa]

Back when i had free oil changes, i took my truck in for a freebee. And they said i would have to return when they weren't so busy because they were no allowed to release a truck without RRT updates. Apparently the dealership who sold me the truck didn't follow this rule because the RRT's were many and some dated before the sale date

 

[RVTRKN]

Funny you mention this, because every one says sealed, but I’ll post the literature he gave me, because it mentions that very fact, but I believe it’s for the 1500. I’ll post it, and you can read what you want with it.

 

[RVTRKN]

Sounds like a change for the 19's, as my 18 is not a sealed system. It purges every time you start/drive the truck and has an air intake between the bed/body on the passenger side. Then again, I was told it was sealed by the dealership on my 18 too... so they may not really know.

Sorry, Brain fart.

 

[Newsa]

I read somewhere that the cost to upgrade from a 5.7 gas engine in the ram to the 6.7 diesel (HD) is now close to $8800. Maybe it is $8795?

I didn't remember it being that expensive to make the same upgrade in 2013, so I dug up my window sticker. It says the diesel option was only $7795.

I still think the diesel option is worth it, but I do not see a good reason to trade in an older truck for a newer one. On one of these threads, someone suggested trading every 3 years. Heelll naw, my truck still has a lot of life left in it.

I do think the max care was well worth the $1800 expense, tho


Edit:
After googling it, I discovered the 2019 is a whopping $9100-$11795 if you choose the diesel option.

Maybe mine was only $7795 because it is derated to 660-665 ft lbs?????

 

[AH64ID]

Funny you mention this, because every one says sealed, but I’ll post the literature he gave me, because it mentions that very fact, but I believe it’s for the 1500. I’ll post it, and you can read what you want with it.

I've seen some literature state sealed, and some state semi-sealed... whatever that means.

 

[nukegm]

I read somewhere that the cost to upgrade from a 5.7 gas engine in the ram to the 6.7 diesel (HD) is now close to $8800. Maybe it is $8795?

I didn't remember it being that expensive to make the same upgrade in 2013, so I dug up my window sticker. It says the diesel option was only $7795.

I still think the diesel option is worth it, but I do not see a good reason to trade in an older truck for a newer one. On one of these threads, someone suggested trading every 3 years. Heelll naw, my truck still has a lot of life left in it.

I do think the max care was well worth the $1800 expense, tho


Edit:
After googling it, I discovered the 2019 is a whopping $9100-$11795 if you choose the diesel option.

Maybe mine was only $7795 because it is derated to 660-665 ft lbs?????

comrade newsa - as i recall, on my 18 2500 the diesel was close to 9 k. where did you get your max care for 1800, if i may ask? thanks! cheers, chris