Pruchase 2005 -48re

[davidsze]

Hi Diesel Owners



I Just Joined Your Club And I Would Appreciate Some Information Pronto? I Am Considering A 2005 Dodge 3500 Diesel, Single Wheels, 373 , With A 48re Transmission. About 40% Of The Time I Will Be Towing A 5th Wheeler Of About 14, 000 Lbs. With Repsect To The Following, Do You Have Any Suggestions Or Information?



1. Is The Transmission Strong Enough To Tow In The Rockies And The California Sierras? Will The Transmission Hold Down Long

Hills Without Buring Up Brakes?



2. Have You Heard Of Any Problems With 48re?



3. Any Experience With The Exhust Brakes? Dodge Has Not Yet Approved It?



4. Any Experience With Bank's Exhaust System? Has This Application Casued Any Rpoblems With The 48re?

 

[Carlsummers]

I am no expert, but, if if I was going to tow, I would get the standard transmission, instead of the auto... no matter what brand..... jmho

 

[daytripper63]

I liked my auto in my 98 (47re trans was upgraded to ATS eventually) and never liked shifting a stick but when I bought my 03 I went stick and no complaints, if anything its easier for towing and no problems with exhaust brake

 

[Sherman]

When considering pulling a 14000#tr,I would go DRW and a manual transmission with a 4. 10 rear,(that 14000# empty could easily become 15000 to 15500# when loaded up. I have the Jacob e-brake on my truck,wouldn't be with out it. I pull 16000# of tr when loaded.

 

[Don-T]

I have the 48re and I pull a 13k fifth wheel. I should have bought a truck with the 6 speed. I am going to have to spend a bunch of money on the 48re or replace the truck. I have a TST box on my truck, so I am overpowering the 48re. If you are going to leave the motor stock the 48re will be fine for you. I have the Banks Monster exhaust too. It was way too loud pulling under load so I put in a Donaldson muffler. It is much quieter and still flows well.

 

[davidsze]

If I Keep The Motor Stock And Put An Exhaust Brake You Think I Would Be Ok Pulling The 5th Wheeler. Dry Weight On The 5th Is 10,360; Total Weight 14,000 Lbs. Have You Had Any Problems With Bank's System?

 

[Don-T]

If I Keep The Motor Stock And Put An Exhaust Brake You Think I Would Be Ok Pulling The 5th Wheeler. Dry Weight On The 5th Is 10,360; Total Weight 14,000 Lbs. Have You Had Any Problems With Bank's System?

In another thread on this site there is an indication that there is a thrust washer in the transmission that will wear prematurelly with an exhaust brake. I not not yet heard of any actual cases of this. My Banks brake works fine but I have it set up for manual usage, I did not use the computer that came with it. The problem you will have using the exhaust brake is in the way the torque converter works. It will lock in overdrive without any problem, but braking won't be very good because of engine rpm. It will lock in 2nd gear if you shift the trans manually. Third gear will not stay locked during braking though, which is where you really need it in the hills. I installed an ATS trans controller in the truck so I can lock the converter in 3rd gear to get good braking.

 

[davidsze]

THANK YOU FOR THE INFOMRATION. What % of time do you tow? WHAT IS A ATS TANS CONTROLLER? IT SOUNDS LIKE TOWING WITH A 48RE I WILL HAVE PROBLEMS ALL THE TIME? I TALK TO TRANS SHOP AND INDICATED IF I CHANGE THE TRANS FLUID EVERY 15,000 MILES I SHOULD HAVE ON PROBLEMS. THIS ALLOWS THE FUILD

TO KEEP THE TRANS COOL? I HAVE ORDER THE TRUCK CAN TO SIX SPEED?

 

[Don-T]

THANK YOU FOR THE INFOMRATION. What % of time do you tow? WHAT IS A ATS TANS CONTROLLER? IT SOUNDS LIKE TOWING WITH A 48RE I WILL HAVE PROBLEMS ALL THE TIME? I TALK TO TRANS SHOP AND INDICATED IF I CHANGE THE TRANS FLUID EVERY 15,000 MILES I SHOULD HAVE ON PROBLEMS. THIS ALLOWS THE FUILD

TO KEEP THE TRANS COOL? I HAVE ORDER THE TRUCK CAN TO SIX SPEED?

I have 24k miles on this truck and about 20% of that is towing. You can see what the ATS controller is here. http://www.atsdiesel.com/products/products-dodge-transmission-controller.asp



I will say, with my limited knowledge on the subject, if you get the ATS commander (there are other controllers as well) to use with the exhaust brake and you keep within the published limits of the truck I doubt you will have trouble. There are a number of members here that know much more than I do on the subject, hopefully they will offer some information too.



In my case I wish I had the 6 speed, but I do have more power than stock and pull the camper. I let my wife talk me into the 48re so she would drive more than in the past.

 

[mbadger]

I wanted the 04. 5, but I also wanted the automatic that could have an ebrake. I waited and waited to get one that was approved. I too pull a large 5th Wheel trailer and another trailer. I finally got the 6 speed so that I could get the ebrake because I believe it is important for safety and wear and tear on my brake pads. I checked with Dodge and can't get the one that Dodge approves so will go with another one. I had an ebrake on my 96 and wouldn't be without one, if possible. I believe that driving in the mountains requires one. Good luck. Have a great day.



Mike