New 2012 3500

[TTimmons]

Hi All,



Just traded in my 2007 ram 2500 for a 2012 3500 Laramie crew cab dually. I'm really liking it, except for all of the DPF crap on it. Is there anything particular i need to worry about with this truck? It is used for commuting to work, and pulling a 11,000 lb fifth wheel camper.



Also, does anyone recommend using airbogs on the duallies? I know they were popular for the 2500's, just not sure if there was a benefit of using them on the 1-tons. I actually have a brand new set of Firestone Ride Rite airbags i never put on my old 2500.



Thanks for any info you can provide!!

 

[HBarlow]

I hope when you say your new truck will be used for commuting to work that you work a long distance from your home on the other side of some good grades to climb. Light duty driving as a short trip grocery getter will probably not make you a happy owner.

You probably won't need them for an 11k fifthwheel but dually pickups do need additional rear suspension support for frequent towing of large, heavy fivers. It won't be a bad idea to install the airbags on your new truck since you have the set sitting on a shelf.

 

[TTimmons]

LOL Figures... My work is maybe 2 miles from my house. I do go up some grades though. Guess i'll have to take the long way around!

 

[AClayton]

Lol... ..... just tow your camper to work everyday! Stupid Govt. imposed DPF BS!!

 

[BILLUA]

I put the Ride Rights on my 2005 Dually with an in cab adjustable compressor. The convenience of adjusting for empty/boat/fiver and certain road conditions is awesome!

 

[jgillott]

Congrats on your new truck. As mentioned, the only thing that you may not care for are some of the issues associated with short trips and light duty cycle. But otherwise, the 4th gens are beautiful trucks.

 

[DAN V]

pics

Tom, how about some pics of the new truck?

 

[TTimmons]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Maybe once a week take a long trip around town i guess to help with the DPF stuff? Sure will miss my 07 in that respect.

Another question: How can i determine what size rear diff i have? I believe it is 3. 73, but not sure. Can't seem to find it in any documentation.

My truck is currently at Trick Trucks, getting a line-x liner installed, and a new fifth wheel hitch. AFter i get it back, will post some pics.

Thx!

 

[jgillott]

Don't quote me for sure, but I think the window sticker on the 4th gens will say 3. 73 or 4. 10 on them if either of those axles were selected in the order. You may have 3. 42's if nothing is listed. Someone with more information will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[TTimmons]

Yeah that's what i thought, 'cept i can't find the dang window sticker now. I think they took it off and threw it away.

 

[jgillott]

Your dealer will be able to tell you that info by your vin #.

 

[RustyJC]

Another question: How can i determine what size rear diff i have? I believe it is 3. 73, but not sure. Can't seem to find it in any documentation.

If it's running 1612 RPM @ 60 MPH in 6th, it's a 4. 10. If it's running 1466 RPM @ 60 MPH in 6th, it's a 3. 73.



Rusty

 

[rhoogkamp]

I bought a 2012 Laramie Longhorn 3500 4x4 crew cab dually- 800 HO with 4. 10 axels approximately 9 months ago and I do agree that the truck body is beautiful, BUT I can only get 12 mpg empty and about 8. 5 pulling my fifth wheel. I am very disappointed and have been back to the dealer several times no resolution.



I had a 2003 4x4 crew cab dually with a six speed standard previously and that was fantastic with the 5. 9 diesel (running edge EZ, magnaflow dual exhaust and homemade air intake system). I could get 22 mpg unloaded and 14 pulling the same fifth wheel. I only traded up because the 2003 did not have the legal CCGWR to be pulling my 17000 lb fifth wheel and I was making a couple trips up through Canada and did not want to take a chance.



The other issue that I have been dealing with Ram, Garmin and Low Clearance is regarding the 430N media and GPS unit. It is supposed to be capable of downloading custom POI's and I have purchased a bridge height program from Low Clearance that is compatible with garmin but it will not download into the Dodge System. I did download it into a cheap 275WT garmin portable unit so that proved the program to be good. In 7 months and multiple calls to RAM there is no resolutio - most times they think you are talking a foreign language and dont have a clue what you are talking about.



Taking off on another 7000 mile trip and not looking forward to the 8. 5 MPG at $4. 20 +/- a gallon for fuel

- went to dealership to see if the same truck was available with the Hemi.

 

[RustyJC]

I bought a 2012 Laramie Longhorn 3500 4x4 crew cab dually- 800 HO with 4. 10 axels approximately 9 months ago and I do agree that the truck body is beautiful, BUT I can only get 12 mpg empty and about 8. 5 pulling my fifth wheel.

The truck in my signature is a 350/650, not an HO, and it's a 4x2, not a 4x4. When new, it got about 9. 2 MPG towing our 16,000 lb 5th wheel and 15 MPG running empty on the Interstate. Now, at about 11,000 miles, it gets 10 to 10. 5 MPG towing and 16 to 17 MPG running empty. That's about the same as my 2002 ETH/DEE 4x2 dually with 4. 10s towing the same 5th wheel and running unloaded. I guess I'm one of the few that really has no complaints about the mileage - or the truck, for that matter since the only time it's been back to the dealer is for routine service.



Rusty

 

[JLeake]

TTimmons - I have a 2011 2500. It gets 17mpg now with 20K miles on it back and forth to work (19 miles through the hills both ways). Shorter trips put the mileage in the dumps, and it is worse the shorter the trip. Oil changes will be influenced by the length of your trips as well, and the 13 quarts of oil, filter etc are not cheap. I love my truck, just do not use it around town unless required and then I have a 100mile loop that is over a 2000 foot pass that I use to "burn it out". The longer trips you drive it on the better it is. I was initially not happy, now I have learned how to deal with it. The wifes mini van gets more miles short now than before. And the CTD gets the long trips. It is the most comfortable vehicle we have ever owned, and the wife loves it (riding in it), she has refused to drive it so far.

 

[TTimmons]

Thanks for the good info guys. Hoping this will work out for me. The oil changes have got me concerned that's for sure. I'm an Amsoil dealer, so i get oil at wholesale, but that still adds up to a lot of money, if i have to do oil changes every couple of thousand of miles. If that is the case, makes more sense to take advantage of the free dealer oil changes now. No sense in putting high quality synthetic oil into it, just to change it out ~3000 miles later.

 

[HBarlow]

I bought a 2012 Laramie Longhorn 3500 4x4 crew cab dually- 800 HO with 4. 10 axels approximately 9 months ago and I do agree that the truck body is beautiful, BUT I can only get 12 mpg empty and about 8. 5 pulling my fifth wheel. I am very disappointed and have been back to the dealer several times no resolution.

I had a 2003 4x4 crew cab dually with a six speed standard previously and that was fantastic with the 5. 9 diesel (running edge EZ, magnaflow dual exhaust and homemade air intake system). I could get 22 mpg unloaded and 14 pulling the same fifth wheel. I only traded up because the 2003 did not have the legal CCGWR to be pulling my 17000 lb fifth wheel and I was making a couple trips up through Canada and did not want to take a chance.

The other issue that I have been dealing with Ram, Garmin and Low Clearance is regarding the 430N media and GPS unit. It is supposed to be capable of downloading custom POI's and I have purchased a bridge height program from Low Clearance that is compatible with garmin but it will not download into the Dodge System. I did download it into a cheap 275WT garmin portable unit so that proved the program to be good. In 7 months and multiple calls to RAM there is no resolutio - most times they think you are talking a foreign language and dont have a clue what you are talking about.

Taking off on another 7000 mile trip and not looking forward to the 8. 5 MPG at $4. 20 +/- a gallon for fuel
- went to dealership to see if the same truck was available with the Hemi.

rhoogkamp,

You may be fooling yourself with that silly claim about getting 14mpg towing a 17,000 lb. fifthwheel trailer but you're not fooling anyone here who knows the first thing about our trucks, our engines, and towing large and heavy fivers.

It should be easy to get 14 mpg or even 15 mpg towing your heavy fifthwheel with your new 2012. Just lie about it like you're doing about the '03.

 

[S.Morris]

With my early 04 NV5600 DRW 4x4 I can get 22 mpg empty highway at 68mph and normally 12-13ish with a high profile 5th but my combined weight is 21-22K. BUT this is on imp gal which is 20% larger than US gal. I have hit 26-28 empty but at 55 mph (imperial). I only wish I could get these numbers on USG but alas it is only a dream



Edit for spelling correction.

 

[ringneck]

rhoogkamp,

You may be fooling yourself with that silly claim about getting 14mpg towing a 17,000 lb. fifthwheel trailer but you're not fooling anyone here who knows the first thing about our trucks, our engines, and towing large and heavy fivers.

It should be easy to get 14 mpg or even 15 mpg towing your heavy fifthwheel with your new 2012. Just lie about it like you're doing about the '03.

amen barlow,lol

 

[Cummings]

Perhaps you are having a problem because are talking about the wrong media/gps unit. The longhorn, and I have one, comes standard with the 730N unit, not the 430. Try checking that out, and see if it helps.