NOT loving my 6.7

[Elsbury]

That is an option but dont they have problems with the regen cycle?

 

[dieselshadow]

That is an option but dont they have problems with the regen cycle?

Nope. They are about as sorted out as it comes. Great towing capabilities and all the amenities you could want. If you have to have the latest and greatest, only the newest ‘19s and 20’s will have the fanciest new stuff like 12” screens.

 

[AH64ID]

That is an option but dont they have problems with the regen cycle?

No, the 15+ trucks are quite problem free and the 13-14's aren't too bad either. Anything with DEF is better than without, assuming it's all still installed.

 

[Elsbury]

Thanks folks...didnt mean to highjack the thread but very informative for me. I dont need a 12" screen...wouldn't mind the cameras as I'm getting older lol.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Thanks folks...didnt mean to highjack the thread but very informative for me. I dont need a 12" screen...wouldn't mind the cameras as I'm getting older lol.

Hey after 7 pages it's fair game as to where the topic leads!

 

[tgrfan2]

Hi folks...been awhile since I've posted on the forum. Still driving my 06 2500 with 140,000 on the clock. We bought a new fifth wheel and the wife said I should maybe start lookin for a new truck. Thinking I need a DRW 3500 but I'm hearing things about the new RAM's like this that scare me. My 06 has been a great truck...still on the original 48 RE knock on wood. My freind just bought a 2020 Jimmy with the 10 speed and is raving about it but then again that new 10 speed may be iffy. I love the Cummins inline 6. Kinda don't know what to do. Maybe keep my 06 for a couple more years and ram will get this stuff sorted?

I just returned to the TDR after a long break and saw your post. It pretty much describes my situation. My experience is with older 12Vs and a 2006 work truck CTD also. A friend had a 2003 3500 SRW CTD and now a 2007.5 3500 SRW which is a great truck but recently at 120K needed a computer and turbo.
A brother in law recently bought a new 2019 CTD 4X4 which is a nice truck but I read of so many problems in the 4th and 5th generation trucks. On top of that the truck is 6.5 inches higher at the bed than my 98. Besides being terrible to get in and out of his 2012 Montana fiver is jacked way up. My Everest 363K is level with about 65# of air in the bags.
We looked at a 2018 4X2 with 3k miles on it back in the summer thinking the 2wd would be lower to the ground. I was wrong!
What have you decided to do?

 

[AH64ID]

I just returned to the TDR after a long break and saw your post. It pretty much describes my situation. My experience is with older 12Vs and a 2006 work truck CTD also. A friend had a 2003 3500 SRW CTD and now a 2007.5 3500 SRW which is a great truck but recently at 120K needed a computer and turbo.
A brother in law recently bought a new 2019 CTD 4X4 which is a nice truck but I read of so many problems in the 4th and 5th generation trucks. On top of that the truck is 6.5 inches higher at the bed than my 98. Besides being terrible to get in and out of his 2012 Montana fiver is jacked way up. My Everest 363K is level with about 65# of air in the bags.
We looked at a 2018 4X2 with 3k miles on it back in the summer thinking the 2wd would be lower to the ground. I was wrong!
What have you decided to do?

Trucks with auto-level sit lower to the ground in NORM and ALT ride height modes and eliminate the need for supplemental airbags. A 3500 with auto-level in ALT is approx 3" lower than a empty 3500 with spring suspension at the tailgate.

 

[tgrfan2]

Trucks with auto-level sit lower to the ground in NORM and ALT ride height modes and eliminate the need for supplemental airbags. A 3500 with auto-level in ALT is approx 3" lower than a empty 3500 with spring suspension at the tailgate.

Thanks for that information. That would help greatly.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am 55" to top of back bed corned with or without the 6k pin weight in ALT ride mode. Full RAWR in pic.

 

[tgrfan2]

View attachment 125789 I am 55" to top of back bed corned with or without the 6k pin weight in ALT ride mode. Full RAWR in pic.

Nice rig! Those Mobile Suites are beautiful but heavy for sure.
My truck is 51" at the corners and 54" at the bed rails. We camp at some older state parks at times that try my backing skills. I have seen the bed rails touch a few times rocking in and out of some sites. My fiver was 2760# at the pin soon after we got it and 14700# with all our junk from the TT. I am afraid to weigh it now.
I have used air bags for over 20 years on a TT and now the fiver. I wouldn't tow without them on a conventional suspension. I would love to find a SRW similar to yours. I don't know what the odds of that are though. When I search for any 2500 or 3500 RWD I get only about 3 to 5% of trucks in my area. Adding auto-level will be a needle in a hay stack situation I am afraid.
Thanks for the help. This is what I remembered about TDR. So many members eager to help out their fellow CTD owners. If I go to a Gen 4 it will be like starting the learning process all over again.

 

[AH64ID]

Nice rig! Those Mobile Suites are beautiful but heavy for sure.
My truck is 51" at the corners and 54" at the bed rails. We camp at some older state parks at times that try my backing skills. I have seen the bed rails touch a few times rocking in and out of some sites. My fiver was 2760# at the pin soon after we got it and 14700# with all our junk from the TT. I am afraid to weigh it now.
I have used air bags for over 20 years on a TT and now the fiver. I wouldn't tow without them on a conventional suspension. I would love to find a SRW similar to yours. I don't know what the odds of that are though. When I search for any 2500 or 3500 RWD I get only about 3 to 5% of trucks in my area. Adding auto-level will be a needle in a hay stack situation I am afraid.
Thanks for the help. This is what I remembered about TDR. So many members eager to help out their fellow CTD owners. If I go to a Gen 4 it will be like starting the learning process all over again.

There are a lot more of the auto-level 3500’s out there that you think, unless you only want 2WD. There just aren’t many 2WD trucks period.

 

[tgrfan2]

There are a lot more of the auto-level 3500’s out there that you think, unless you only want 2WD. There just aren’t many 2WD trucks period.

No doubt. I may just have to go with a 2500 and add air bags or 3500 SRW and modify the springs and add air bags. I read the page on TDR about the air suspensions. Like everything else on these trucks it is great when it works and very frustrating & expensive when it doesn't.
We will be camping with my brother in law this weekend who has a 2019 3500 SRW. I am going to try to measure his truck before he sets up. He has a similar Montana to our fiver.
I helped him hook up one time and don't remember his truck squatting much with the load.

 

[Wiredawg]

No doubt. I may just have to go with a 2500 and add air bags or 3500 SRW and modify the springs and add air bags. I read the page on TDR about the air suspensions. Like everything else on these trucks it is great when it works and very frustrating & expensive when it doesn't.
We will be camping with my brother in law this weekend who has a 2019 3500 SRW. I am going to try to measure his truck before he sets up. He has a similar Montana to our fiver.
I helped him hook up one time and don't remember his truck squatting much with the load.

Lots of folks down here in TX with 2500s and 3500s replace thier PU beds with flatbeds. No worries about bed clearances and sometimes free up a little bit of GVW capabilities.

A lot of RVs have to be raised to achieve a level ride, very critical to towing performance and safety. I see way too many unlevel towing setups out there.

Just another thought.

Christmas Cheers, Ron

 

[Ltngdrvr]

I have the self leveling rear air suspension on my truck, best option I ordered, works great and has been basically flawless in almost 6 years and 570K miles, and I tow heavy a LOT.

And, people worry too much about getting their trailer perfectly level when towing. Trailer would have to be pretty far off level to be any real issue.

 

[Cummins12V98]

tgrfan2, thanks!

My Son has a 2015 3500 LB SRW Limited with the factory rear air and he loves it. There has to be many out there if you look.

 

[tgrfan2]

My dad was from Texas so I always pay attention to what you fellows are doing. In fact we got our first gooseneck cattle trailer after seeing them out there. We had our gooseneck triaxle equipment trailer built in Sulphur Springs. The weight police would get on me if I told you what we hauled on it with D & W150s pulling it. I don't know if the wife would go for the flat bed. It would sure work for me.
It is good to hear the rear air is working well. I am one who gets the vehicle where if it can go wrong it will. I can give you the run down on our Durango to prove that point!
Unfortunately from what I have found so far in a 200 mile radius including Atlanta, Charlotte and part of the Bermuda Triangle probably there are only a few 2014 to 2016 4x2 2500 and 3500 SRWs out there at all and most of those are work trucks.

 

[HVAC2]

There are a lot more of the auto-level 3500’s out there that you think, unless you only want 2WD. There just aren’t many 2WD trucks period.

I have a rare bird. 2018 2500 Laramie 2WD. Long story but it sat on a Michigan lot for almost 2 years.
Rear end is high but front is significantly lower than a 4WD. Ride is unique as well. Front end seems to really absorb jolts almost like a half ton. Especially when loaded.
I wonder about resale values. It's overall a tow beast. We enjoy it.

 

[AH64ID]

I have a rare bird. 2018 2500 Laramie 2WD. Long story but it sat on a Michigan lot for almost 2 years.
Rear end is high but front is significantly lower than a 4WD. Ride is unique as well. Front end seems to really absorb jolts almost like a half ton. Especially when loaded.
I wonder about resale values. It's overall a tow beast. We enjoy it.

I've been meaning to come back and put some more data in this thread.. thanks for the reminder.

Here goes... all 2018 data, I don't there is much, if any, difference 15-18.

All CC LB, 275/70R18 for SRW, and height to tailgate

2500 2WD Coil Springs: 55.9"
2500 2WD Air Suspension: 55.9"
2500 4WD Coil Springs: 59.6"
2500 4WD Air Suspension: 57.7"
3500 2WD Leaf Springs: 58.6"
3500 2WD Air Suspension: 58.2"
3500 4WD Leaf Springs: 59.3"
3500 4WD Air Suspension: 57.6"
3500 DRW 2WD Leaf Springs: 57.9"
3500 DRW 2WD Air Suspension: 56.3"
3500 DRW 4WD Leaf Springs: 58.5"
3500 DRW 4WD Air Suspension: 56.9"

Now from lowest to tallest

2500 2WD Coil Springs: 55.9"
2500 2WD Air Suspension: 55.9"
3500 DRW 2WD Air Suspension: 56.3"
3500 DRW 4WD Air Suspension: 56.9"
3500 4WD Air Suspension: 57.6"
2500 4WD Air Suspension: 57.7"
3500 DRW 2WD Leaf Springs: 57.9"
3500 2WD Air Suspension: 58.2"
3500 DRW 4WD Leaf Springs: 58.5"
3500 2WD Leaf Springs: 58.6"
3500 4WD Leaf Springs: 59.3"
2500 4WD Coil Springs: 59.6"

The 2wd 3500's are likely higher at the tailgate because of the rake from the front being lower.

So if a low SRW is what one is after then a 2500 2WD is the hot ticket, thou a 4WD 3500 SRW Auto-Level is only 1.7" taller and comes with 4x4 and possibly an Aisin.

The other benefit to the air suspension is the additional ~1.5" that the tailgate will lower with 500-750lb in the bed for the 3500 and less for the 2500.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

On the 2500 with self leveling, the alternate suspension height setting, will lower the rear by a touch over 1.5", nearly leveling the truck. And, up to its weight capacity, no amount of added weight will alter its preset ride height.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Mine stays at the lower stance near level loaded or not in ALT. Once set by adding weight it stays.