Need input , thinking of changing trucks

[Slaw32]

I presently have a 2011 ram 2500 short box . Have h&s tuner with full delete . Get 8 mpg towing , over 18 empty . 68 rfe trans . Have Firestone air bags . Tow a 44' toyhauler , over 16,000 empty , probably over 20,000 loaded . Seems to have plenty of power , trans rarely goes above
185 degrees when towing . Am I overworking truck , probably so . All paid for . I am considering a new 3500 long box dually with Aisin and 4.10 gears. Will come with a monthly payment . Question is will the new one I'm considering be much more stable when towing ? will engine in stock mode have the power I'm used to ? What real world mileage can I expect of new truck ? Any input will be appreciated .

 

[TJJEEPER]

A little different swap but I went from an 06 2500 Quad Cab short box to a 12 3500 crew dually. The difference in stability was dramatic. I'm towing a 38' toy hauler.
Both trucks have/had air bags 2500 was necessary, 3500 not so much but I can adjust the bags individually which helps in strong cross wings.
I spend time in the California deserts and the wind can be horrific. I'm no longer reluctant to tow in windy conditions.
HTH

 

[WHazelwood]

I have a 2016 3500 longhorn long bed Aisin, air bags, and tow a 38 ft. mobile suites weighing about 17,000 lbs. Just came back from a 5 week trip to AZ, UT, CO, etc...7500 miles.
We averaged 10.5 overall. and just a little better than 8 mpg towing. I kept it in tow haul and let the truck do it's thing. Very stable even in some of the cross winds. No problem pulling the 10K ft. passes in CO. and better yet no problems going down the mountains or stopping.

 

[Beast2B]

One issue to look out for is the dead pedal on new trucks (13+). Seems like it isn't every truck. Anyone have any advice on how to drive the truck to attempt to cause the dead pedal? Stomp it from a dead stop? Stomp it on a freeway onramp? IIRC, a common occurrence is when you're on the throttle, then get off the throttle to coast or slow a bit, then stomp it to merge into the flow of traffic. Sound close? I would test drive a few trucks and see if any of them exhibit the dead pedal.
As far as stability towing with a dually, I have much more confidence with a dually than a SRW. My experience has been with a heavy bumper pull Sno-Cat trailer, but the rear end wiggle is almost non-existent with a dually.

 

[Kirwin]

Dead pedal is not a problem in my experience with the truck moving at highway speed. It pulls like a freight train. Pulling out into traffic needs to be planned with an RV. Your not going to beat that guy coming down the road pulling 18K trailer behind you! LOL

 

[Slaw32]

Dead pedal??? WTH is that ?? My 2011 runs like a industrial sewing machine . Any time I push on the throttle pedal an immediate increase is felt , whether towing or running empty . Now I'm concerned , don't want to replace a finely tuned machine with a problem , no matter how stable or how high the towing capacity . Someone please explain - dead pedal - . Thanks in advance .

 

[jgillott]

Dead pedal??? WTH is that ?? My 2011 runs like a industrial sewing machine . Any time I push on the throttle pedal an immediate increase is felt , whether towing or running empty . Now I'm concerned , don't want to replace a finely tuned machine with a problem , no matter how stable or how high the towing capacity . Someone please explain - dead pedal - . Thanks in advance .

There has been lots of discussion here on TDR on the issue. Please search "Dead Pedal" in the 4th Gen forum for lots of reading.

Essentially owners are reporting that they are getting a delay from when they want the truck to accelerate to when it actually accelerates. Some owners have reported no delay and some have reported trucks that show severe symptoms.

 

[Cummins12V98]

2015 Dually, Aisin, Factory rear air ride and 4.10's. West coast towing a combined 33K I get 9 if conditions are good on AVERAGE. Rock solid in any conditions.

 

[mpaulson]

I went from an 07.5, Mega Cab dually 4x4 that was totally deleted and chipped, 4.56 gear ratios, 68 RFE modified to my current truck in my signature below and the 07.5 doesn't hold a candle to how well my 2014 tows like a freight train!!!! You will not regret the swap as long as you get the Aisin and 4.10 gears in my honest opinion. My 14 is at 850 ft/pounds, the one you would get would be 900, or 930 if it's a 2018!! That can only be better than my 2014. I'm at 29,500# totally loaded which includes a 34' bumper pull toyhauler with three quads in it and a 16' jet boat on the truck creating serious wind drag and on 6-8% grades I stay with traffic and pass small cars.
As for the dead peddle, like has been mentioned, in my case it only happens when you step on it, then back off quickly then go to hit it again, otherwise I never notice it. you just don't play chicken unless you are totally sure you are commited to the run, no second guessing once you commit.
For the size of trailer you are pulling, I'd want a dually for sure without a doubt.
Fuel mileage will be about the same as what you've said yours gets.
Just did an 8% grade at 102 degrees that was about 6 miles long at 60-65 mph and did not have any heating issues last week with this loaded combination.
Do it, you won't regret it. I feared that I'd have the urge to modify this truck because I've modified every one of the 6 diesel trucks I've had before this one, but I have no desires to do so 4 years in with this truck, it's that good and that much better than any of the modified trucks that I had previously, AND I have warrentee, no cash out of pocket every time something goes wrong with a modifed truck.

 

[zb39]

Go for it.You will not regret it after the first tow.

 

[schmeg]

I just got a 2017 CTD C/C long bed dually 4.10's 68RFE pulling a 19K 43' toyhauler. Absolutely no dead pedal. Pulls awesome. Exhaust brake works real nice. Stability is second to none. There is no comparison to an SRW. It's what duallys do....Pull heavy.

 

[tp0d]

Dead pedal??? WTH is that ?? My 2011 runs like a industrial sewing machine . Any time I push on the throttle pedal an immediate increase is felt , whether towing or running empty . Now I'm concerned , don't want to replace a finely tuned machine with a problem , no matter how stable or how high the towing capacity . Someone please explain - dead pedal - . Thanks in advance .

I have experienced 'dead pedal' quite a few times, it typically only happens at slower speeds in traffic. Jackrabbit driving makes it happen the worst. I dont believe some trucks have it, some dont.. Its the driver, and conditions. The truck is programmed to limit emissions, and black smoke happens the most at low speeds, low boost. Truck knows this, and limits engine until boost is made. This is what people define as dead pedal. I would define it as driving a diesel truck like a racecar, which it is not. I do 70/30 city/highway driving, and I can get dead pedal easy if I try in the city.

That said, I would not hesitate to upgrade my truck. I had a 2010 for 172k, ran well. (also had dead pedal with it as well, but different) The 16 3500 SRW I have now with the aisin (had a 48re before) is a friggin monster. The exhaust brake is 75% better than my old 2010. And I only got the tradesman quad cab.. Wanted to get somethin better, but the monthly$ was ruff..

 

[Slaw32]

Thanks for the great response , I asked for your input and you responded . Have looked closely at tow ratings . Of course the 4.10 has the most . Question about the 3.73 gear option . The rating for that ratio is just over
25,000 lbs . My toyhauler loaded is right at 20,000 . Does anyone have the Aisin trans and 3.73 gears ? On paper it should have a little better fuel mileage empty , with enough power to tow the expected load . I want the best setup for my needs as this truck will come with a monthly payment attached . Will the 3.73 be a good fit or do you think I should stay with the 4.10 . Thanks for your help

 

[NIsaacs]

Just did an 8% grade at 102 degrees that was about 6 miles long at 60-65 mph and did not have any heating issues last week with this loaded combination.

What gear and RPM was this. 8% is a serious hill at 29.5k

Nick

 

[JR]

I agree the dead pedal is likely a side effect of either emissions or torque management, or a combination of both. I can consistently make it happen on mine if I push the throttle down from a stop, immediately let off and immediately get back on it. Takes Probably 2-3 seconds to get full power back. Now that I know what causes it I simply avoid it. If your gonna hit the skinny pedal you just have to be certain your going for it. I don't pull out in front of traffic close enough for it to be a problem so it's a non issue to me.

As for the rest of the truck, I have a SRW but I gotta say it's been incredible so far. Tows like a dream.

 

[zb39]

Go for the 4.10 you know you will want a bigger TH in the future. I love my 4.10. It is a beast for towing or hauling. I do both.

 

[mpaulson]

What gear and RPM was this. 8% is a serious hill at 29.5k

Nick

It was between 4 and 5th, 2100/2600 ish on the rpm's

 

[mpaulson]

In my opinion go with the 4.10's. There is no substitute for torque multiplication. There's a reason the engineers rate it higher. It never hurts to have more capacity and buffer zone under the rated limits, things will only last longer and be under less stress. As for fuel economy differences, I don't think it makes a big enough difference. After all, the trucks ultimate purpose is to pull the trailer. People will say you can just run in 5th, but that causes bigger gear/rpm jumps since you are splitting the 0-60 speed by five gears instead of 6.
What rear end ratio do you have now? 4-5-6 ratios are the same between the 68 RFE and the Aisin if you didn't already know that. The Aisin has a lower first gear that is great for getting loads moving.

 

[schmeg]

I wouldn't waste my time with any other gearing than 4.10's on these trucks. 2K RPM at 70 MPH in 6th.

 

[Bug Out]

I have owned 3 2013 and up. Dead pedal is most likely to happen when "jack rabbiting" as the poster said. From what I have read, its emission related. (if you stab the throttle, let off, then re apply throttle it has a delay-)Do not settle for anything less then the 3500 dually with aisin. 68RFe is ok, but AISIN is beyond comparision.