need advice for new purchase please?

[ridenrace6]

a little background to start with,
i bought my first diesel in 06, that being a 2500 mega cab, and after 225,000 i still love the cummins. however it is in need of a paint job and i have decided to get a newer model with hopefully less gremlins in the a/c and trans and more comfortable interior than my 06.

i’ve been looking for a 2012 3500 mega cab so that i wouldn’t have to fool with def but haven’t found one in my area that i liked.

this past weekend i decided to bite the bullet and go look for a 2018 3500 mega cab in hopes of a good end of the year deal but still nothing.

they say i can order one up till friday.

here’s the dilemma i’m in, because i haven’t had time to research like i wanted, and have to decide to order or just settle for what i can find.

do i get the aisin with more hp/ tq or will the 68rfe hold up?

what will be different in 2019, i recently heard 2018 was last year for “mega cab” option, but that 2019 “crew cab” would be bigger although not as big as the “mega cab”.

also i prefer srw over drw so it seems i’m stuck with 3:42 gears and i’m not sure a srw will be rated to haul the fifth wheel toyhauler that is next on the purchase list?

what options are good/bad, must haves/delete?

 

[DHayden]

a little background to start with,
i bought my first diesel in 06, that being a 2500 mega cab, and after 225,000 i still love the cummins. however it is in need of a paint job and i have decided to get a newer model with hopefully less gremlins in the a/c and trans and more comfortable interior than my 06.

i’ve been looking for a 2012 3500 mega cab so that i wouldn’t have to fool with def but haven’t found one in my area that i liked.

this past weekend i decided to bite the bullet and go look for a 2018 3500 mega cab in hopes of a good end of the year deal but still nothing.

they say i can order one up till friday.

here’s the dilemma i’m in, because i haven’t had time to research like i wanted, and have to decide to order or just settle for what i can find.

do i get the aisin with more hp/ tq or will the 68rfe hold up?

what will be different in 2019, i recently heard 2018 was last year for “mega cab” option, but that 2019 “crew cab” would be bigger although not as big as the “mega cab”.

also i prefer srw over drw so it seems i’m stuck with 3:42 gears and i’m not sure a srw will be rated to haul the fifth wheel toyhauler that is next on the purchase list?

what options are good/bad, must haves/delete?

I have a 2015 MegaCab, 4.10 gears, Aisin Trans Limited, 2013 Dutchmen Voltage Toyhauler 3950 that I can count uses on one hand (and never been pooped in ) Can make a package deal. This truck hasnt even pulled that trailer yet. (OEM slider available also!)

 

[jgillott]

This subject comes up from time to time here on TDR. The simple answer is that only you can decide what is best for you. Lots of us have opinions based upon our use. But, those opinions may or may not be applicable to your situation.

If you are towing very heavy all the time, then spec one with the most towing options. But, that doesn't have to be the case if you are commuting to work and pulling your 6000# travel trailer 3 times a year. All of these modern Rams are pretty darn good out of the box. Don't over think it and enjoy whatever you decide on.

With that said, keep in mind that there are other options out there besides the Cummins Ram. I still think it is the best diesel option out there. But it isn't necessarily the only player in town once you start looking at gas options. I went a different route with my last truck purchase and couldn't be happier.

Best of luck in your choice.

 

[Jeff Knight]

Solomon's in Carmichael's PA has a nice Laramie Megacab with almost 10k off sticker.

 

[jacknife]

Go with the DEF . Better fuel mileage , much less EGR , you can at least double your EGR cleaning interval. cleaner oil

 

[Cummins12V98]

At this point wait til the 19's are then decide. AISIN/3500 for sure!!!

 

[ridenrace6]

At this point wait til the 19's are then decide. AISIN/3500 for sure!!!

i’ve been told they won’t be offering a mega cab in 2019

 

[SnoKing]

If you are getting a SRW 3500 to tow heavier, get the Aisin for sure, as it has a lower 1st and 2nd gear to get a load moving. We towed at a combined 24,500 with our 2015 3500 SRW SB 4x4 Aisin and it worked great in 5th gear towing at 60-62MPH, with the bonus of having a freeway cruise when not towing. No stability issues with a 16K 39'4" 5th wheel. SnoKing

 

[ridenrace6]

If you are getting a SRW 3500 to tow heavier, get the Aisin for sure, as it has a lower 1st and 2nd gear to get a load moving. We towed at a combined 24,500 with our 2015 3500 SRW SB 4x4 Aisin and it worked great in 5th gear towing at 60-62MPH, with the bonus of having a freeway cruise when not towing. No stability issues with a 16K 39'4" 5th wheel. SnoKing

ok thanks, was hoping for some info like this,
since you have srw i assume you have 3:42 gearing and i’ve been told by someone else who has this combo that it changes gears a lot, kinda like it don’t know what gear to be in?

 

[SnoKing]

ok thanks, was hoping for some info like this,
since you have srw i assume you have 3:42 gearing and i’ve been told by someone else who has this combo that it changes gears a lot, kinda like it don’t know what gear to be in?

They did a reflash a couple years ago that cutout most of the hunting on small grades towing at 24,500 combined. I would not trade these gears for lower ones. If there had been an option for 3.73's I would gone that route, however I now know that would have been a mistake for my use. Pin weight is the limiting factor. We had the truck loaded heavy along with a Demco 6099 picture frame and B&W manual slider.

Both DW and I did not want a dually. SnoKing

 

[ridenrace6]

what’s everybody’s thoughts/ experiences with the air leveling suspension and the built in trailer brake controls and exhaust brake?

 

[AEdelheit]

No idea where you are located but just saw this on Craigslist and pretty good price https://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/d/2016-dodge-ram-3500-megacab/6694554630.html

 

[mpaulson]

The factory trailer brake is great. It it based off the actual brake line psi so therefore it applies the trailer brakes in prefer proportion to you foot pressure.
As for the air suspension, on the 3500 DRW trucks, my buddy just got a 2018 with it and I just got a 2018 without and in my opinion mine rides better empty. Can’t speak for the loaded comparison though.
The exhaust brake is awesome. I’ve got my 2014 for sale with 156,600 kms on it with the original pads in it at 8 and 9 mm of pad left.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"what’s everybody’s thoughts/ experiences with the air leveling suspension"

I would not be without it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!