Ordering new work truck

[Brian Bare]

Brand new subscriber to TDR... I've owned 3 2nd gen 24v trucks and 2 4th gen 6.7 trucks. I'm about to order a new truck for my business. They're telling me I've missed the deadline for a 2018, so it's looking like a 2019 model. 3500 tradesman, srw, crew cab, long bed, 4wd, 6.7l aisen... I've asked my dealer to price the truck with everything else as minimalistic as possible. I definitely want vinyl floors and seats as this is gonna be a dedicated work truck in the construction industry.
My question for you guys is this. Are there any options that I'll regret not getting if I were to pull the trigger on this bare bones truck. This will be my first time ever ordering a new truck. Thanks in advance!

 

[JR]

Can you even get vinyl floors in a pickup anymore? I know it's an option in the C&C. I looked hard for a truck with vinyl floors and never found one, but I didn't order one either.

The only thing I would have liked to get with my Tradesman is the upgraded radio (UConnect 5.0). With it you can get the back up camera and Bluetooth for hands free phone. I've since begun piecing together the parts. My wife found a radio out of a wrecked truck but the mirror with the microphone was smashed and the tailgate (where the camera is) had already been picked. So the bargain shopping continues!

Welcome to TDR!

 

[Slaw32]

Recommend 4.10 ratio if you are going to pull or haul .

 

[nukegm]

comrade - as another member said already - upgrade the radio to at least the " middle " option. i think its the 5.0 uconnect. my last work truck had the 3.0....i like the newer one much better. yes, you can get carpet delete. also, i think the backup camera is well worth the approx 300 bucks. cheers!

 

[SnoKing]

Recommend 4.10 ratio if you are going to pull or haul .

OP said SRW

 

[Cummins2014]

Why the Aisin, unless you will be towing heavy all the time. A heavy duty transmission is sure not needed for hauling a few tools around in a work truck. There are other options to spend my money on in a work truck, like said backup camera, even backup warning. Decent mirrors, lord knows the Ram needs all the help they can get in the mirror dept.

 

[Cummins2014]

Also , Welcome to the forum

 

[Cummins12V98]

Just a work truck I would stick with the 68RFE, the 3.42's are what you get in any SRW HD RAM.

 

[Cummins2014]

Just a work truck I would stick with the 68RFE, the 3.42's are what you get in any SRW HD RAM.

As I said, but if he is towing heavy everyday , then yes the Aisin.

 

[SnoKing]

Why the Aisin, unless you will be towing heavy all the time. A heavy duty transmission is sure not needed for hauling a few tools around in a work truck. There are other options to spend my money on in a work truck, like said backup camera, even backup warning. Decent mirrors, lord knows the Ram needs all the help they can get in the mirror dept.

AS69RC RATIOS
1st 3.75 : 1 < This is the reason

2nd 2.00 : 1 < This is the reason

3rd 1.34 : 1

4th 1.00 : 1

5th 0.77 : 1

6th 0.63 : 1

68RFE RATIOS
1st 3.23 : 1 <Compared to this

2nd 1.84 : 1 <Compared to this

3rd 1.41 : 1

4th 1.00 : 1

5th 0.82 : 1

6th 0.63 : 1

Along with the Aisin being stronger and higher engine HP/TQ ratings. Those that disparage the Aisin, most likely do not have one.

The 68RFE SRW trucks should be offered with 3.73 gears, to be more equal to the Aisin equiped trucks.

 

[Cummins2014]

AS69RC RATIOS
1st 3.75 : 1 < This is the reason

2nd 2.00 : 1 < This is the reason

3rd 1.34 : 1

4th 1.00 : 1

5th 0.77 : 1

6th 0.63 : 1

68RFE RATIOS
1st 3.23 : 1 <Compared to this

2nd 1.84 : 1 <Compared to this

3rd 1.41 : 1

4th 1.00 : 1

5th 0.82 : 1

6th 0.63 : 1

Along with the Aisin being stronger and higher engine HP/TQ ratings. Those that disparage the Aisin, most likely do not have one.

The 68RFE SRW trucks should be offered with 3.73 gears, to be more equal to the Aisin equiped trucks.

No disparage at all, just stated a fact, towing heavy, I do agree with the Aisin , we have seen ,and acknowledged the fact of the first two lower gears in the Aisin . No mystery there. Advantage yes, getting heavy loads moving, and power to do so. They both have their place, if not why offer both ??????. Does it make sense to spend two grand on a grocery getter, or occasional towing

My question to you, what is your point here, basically the comment " Those that disparage the Aisin, most likely do not have one, do you think there is just the remote possibility that "most" have the knowledge about the two transmissions, and their application . So most disparage the Aisin because the don't have it, I would say "some" have made the mistake of not having it for what they need .

I tow a 13,500 fifth wheel with a 68RFE ,2014 Ram 3500 Megacab Laramie, with now 40K. With maybe 30% towing. Have I missed not having the Aisin, NO. Would I LIKE the Aisin, probably, but I can't miss something I don't have, and IMO don't need . Don't NEED is the key word here, there is big difference in wanting ,and needing.

Does the OP NEED the Aisin, he's the only one that knows that. If YOU need to convince him he needs one have at it. I'll wait to see what that truck will be used for .

 

[RT395]

Auxillary power switches on dash. They are only 140 bucks and cannot be added later - makes it really easy to add an accessory later.

Opt for the mid level radio - it gets you hands free via bluetooth. I believe its called Uconnect 3.0 and it does NOT have a stupid touch screen like the 5.0...

 

[Brian Bare]

Thanks for all the advise guys! I've currently got a 2015 2500, gas tradesman with the vinyl floors and seats, and a 2012 2500 Laramie with 6.7 and 68rfe geared 3.73. I'm going with the 3500 srw because I hate the way my 2015 rides with the coils in the rear. I'm going with the aisen because the 68rfe got hot and slipped pulling a 15k back hoe up a steep dirt road to one of my projects, I'd order the new truck with lower gears if they'd let me, but stuck with 3.42 another reason for the aisen is it's lower 1st and 2nd... I really didn't mean to start another 68 vs. Aisen debate, I'm definitely going with it this time, need it or not.
I was already considering the back up cam so thanks for helping to make up my mind there. Also the aux switches sound like a good idea for $140. Might add some lights or a winch later.

 

[Cummins2014]

Thanks for all the advise guys! I've currently got a 2015 2500, gas tradesman with the vinyl floors and seats, and a 2012 2500 Laramie with 6.7 and 68rfe geared 3.73. I'm going with the 3500 srw because I hate the way my 2015 rides with the coils in the rear. I'm going with the aisen because the 68rfe got hot and slipped pulling a 15k back hoe up a steep dirt road to one of my projects, I'd order the new truck with lower gears if they'd let me, but stuck with 3.42 another reason for the aisen is it's lower 1st and 2nd... I really didn't mean to start another 68 vs. Aisen debate, I'm definitely going with it this time, need it or not.
I was already considering the back up cam so thanks for helping to make up my mind there. Also the aux switches sound like a good idea for $140. Might add some lights or a winch later.

Makes sense to me, thats towing pretty heavy in my book, good luck with the truck, glad we could help ,I guess

 

[kthaxton]

I'm going with the aisen because the 68rfe got hot and slipped pulling a 15k back hoe up a steep dirt road to one of my projects,

I'd use 4 low (or 2 low with the BD kit) for that scenario regardless of which transmission you have.

 

[Cummins2014]

I'd use 4 low (or 2 low with the BD kit) for that scenario regardless of which transmission you have.

Sounds like good advice, and while I am at it, whats your take on the two automatics for the Ram truck, and your advice on which one.

 

[kthaxton]

With the only example of the types of loads he will haul being a 15k back hoe, I would certainly shoot for an Aisin myself if that type of load is a normal thing.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Op if you would have mentioned heavy loads the AISIN would have been my recommendation. With the lower starting gears you can easily tow 29k combined. Would I recommend it with a SRW? He!! No !

 

[jhenderson]

Op if you would have mentioned heavy loads the AISIN would have been my recommendation. With the lower starting gears you can easily tow 29k combined. Would I recommend it with a SRW? He!! No !

He didn’t say toy. When someone says “ work truck” I assume that’s what they mean. I agree with the 5.0 radio and upfitter switches. I wish mine had vinyl rather than cloth and carpet. Be sure to spec the HD vinyl. That material seems to be much higher quality. At least it was when in 15.

 

[kthaxton]

Sometimes "work truck" means carrying around 2000 lbs of tools.....for work.
I often see "work trucks" that are half tons. It merits quantifying what "work truck" means, instead of assuming.