Questions about towing with a 2013

[jelag]

So I've been towing with these trucks for maybe 25 years.... now am looking at a 2013, which would be my first automatic.... its a 3500 longhorn and I assume it's the 68re.... I've got a thread going under 3 gen to find out... This truck, even though its a high end Longhorn from what I can tell doesn't have a temp gauge for the transmission...

If you have this set up... please share any issues you might have had.... I'll be towing about 15K and my old 05 dually has done a fine job... but its time for something newer....

Would love to hear your thoughts...

 

[Larry Willard]

My '13 does have a trans temp gauge, it is in the information center in the center of the dash and you have to scroll thought it with the arrow keys on the steering wheel and select what you want displayed.

Larry

 

[SnoKing]

When you open the hood and look at the engine, is the transmission dip stick on you right/drivers side Aisin or left/passengers side 68RFE? It could be either in a 2013 3500. Get one with an Aisin. SNOKING

 

[CaptMac]

I have a 2013 Longhorn 3500 with the AISIN, I tow 14k Cedar Creek, had a 2004 1/2 3500 DRW with a smarty jr, this new truck is in another league, it's quitter, stronger frame, stronger engine, nicer towing.
The transmission gauge is digital in the drivers center screen you got to scroll to find it.
I think you will enjoy the newer truck, with 850 torque I have plenty of power and it's completely stock.

 

[SnoKing]

transmission temp on our 2015 EVIC can be added as a virtual electronic gauge on the left center of the display. I had it their for a while, however transmission temps where a non issue, so I have boost on one of the gauges and exhaust brake effect on the other.

The picture below shows the transmission temp gauge when I had it selected. SNOKING

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[jelag]

OK guys. thanks for the insight..... now for the kicker that I've just found out.... it has the 68RFE.... and the 3.42 rear axle ratio..... On all my past trucks... with the 5.9 they had the 4.10 rear axle... if necessary I wouldn't have an issue with an additional transmission cooler and external filter like I used to use on the Fords that I owned.... but here in the Pacific Northwest I'm now concerned with the 3.42 rear axle ratio....

Honestly this truck is the right truck, right price... all the bells and whistles we want/need.... except for the rear axle concern..... I do have the skill set to upgrade the axle ratio... but would love to drive it the way it is....

Everyone's thoughts are helpful... Jim

 

[SnoKing]

OK guys. thanks for the insight..... now for the kicker that I've just found out.... it has the 68RFE.... and the 3.42 rear axle ratio..... On all my past trucks... with the 5.9 they had the 4.10 rear axle... if necessary I wouldn't have an issue with an additional transmission cooler and external filter like I used to use on the Fords that I owned.... but here in the Pacific Northwest I'm now concerned with the 3.42 rear axle ratio....

Honestly this truck is the right truck, right price... all the bells and whistles we want/need.... except for the rear axle concern..... I do have the skill set to upgrade the axle ratio... but would love to drive it the way it is....

Everyone's thoughts are helpful... Jim

Jim I will do fine. the strong suit of the Aisin is the lower 1st and 2nd gear to get a load moving. Cummins12V98 tow much heavier with 3.42's. With T/H on and in 5th gear I am at 1750 RPM towing 16K 5th at 60 MPH. Lots of power at lower RPMs with the new trucks. AND they are freeway cruisers when bobtail with the lower gears. 80 MPH is 1750 in 6th on ours. You could change the gears later, however I think you will find that it is NOT necessary. SNOKING

 

[Cummins12V98]

For the weight you are talking I would not hesitate! I towed a combined 29K with my 11HO Dually 3.42's and 68RFE. Taking off from a start I eased into it then hit it hard after the load started rolling. 65K with over 1/2 towing HEAVY no issues.

 

[jhenderson]

Jim, you have the skills to re gear if you find it necessary, though there's a very good chance you won't. Parts aren't that expensive. If the price is low enough to cover the parts for a re gear you've got little to loose. I was apprehensive about going from my 3rd gen to the 2015 but it turned ou to be a very good move. I think you'll find it the same for you and your wife.

 

[SnoKing]

What they ^^^ said. It is just great to have a truck that is so refined and still be a workhorse all wrapped into one vehicle. We love ours. SNOKING

 

[jelag]

OK so I finally figured out that it has the 3.42 rear end after some mistakes along the line.... the truck has never been used to tow... I bought the truck last night but will be 10 days before I can go grab it.... I'm not interested in the sungfit canopy... so that will go... and the truck came with 2 sets of rims... one chrome stock steel and a set of mags..... I'm going to have to research the mags to see if they will in fact do the job with the weight of the 5er....

I've now been searching for the stuff to make it mine.... B&W hitch kit for my companion hitch,, Toneau Cover, weather tech, mud flaps... I'm sure you know the drill.... but the huge surprise is that Amazon will save me a ton of money... but... I'm going to go see several shops and see if they'll take the deal and do the local thing....

Thanks everyone for your input... more on this later...

 

[Jim W]

Jim,
I am not sure on the 2013.5 trucks as to size of stock tires! But I have two sets of rims and tires for my truck. One set is for winter which are the M/S2 Michelins LT265/70R/17E tires and stock rims. My other set of summer tires are Nitto Dura Grappler LT285/70R17 126R E/10 tires are rated for 3750 at 80PSI each and Mickey Thompson Sidebiter II rims 17X9 which are rated for 3,640 LBS each. My summer towing tires are inflated to 50 PSI (2755LBS) front and 70 PSI (3415LBS) rear when I tow. If you have 18" tires and rims this will allow you more options for tires and rims to support your towing needs. Just a suggestion.
I am towing a 2016 34RL Cedar Creek 5th wheel.

Jim

P.S. I along with several members were at the rally held at the Cummins plant in 2013. During the question and answer period the new differential options were discussed by the Ram engineers and the audience. I asked what testing was done to insure that the 3:42 rear differential was adequate for towing. Per the engineers this was tested pulling the heaviest trailer allowed for a SRW RAM trucks using the SAE towing requirements. This truck configuration past all testing requirements and per the engineer this will be the only axle ratio offered in the SRW configuration.

I just thought I pass this on to you.

 

[Northfork]

Jelag I realize this a week plus old but FWIW I just went through the same drill on the hitch outfitting my new to me 07 dually. I checked around and no one could beat the Amazon price on the hitch package...meaning the Gooseneck and the Companion. A friend has an account with a Wholesale Trailer Supply place and while they got very close the free shipping and no tax was the
difference, worth about $125 in my pocket.
I did the install myself with the help of a couple of friends, cost me a few beers and some BBQ burgers. It is a full day for sure, but easy instructions to follow.

 

[jelag]

Northfork.... I was in the HD Truck parts business.... had a group of these trucks and still have several commercial accounts with old vendors... and I've installed this package several times.. its just a shame that I couldn't give one of those vendors the business... but geez.. it was over $100 more... the hitch now sits in the garage... I'm moving the companion from my 05 to the 13... with the changes in the 2013 frame on the 3500's this is going be an afternoon project for a retired old fart... But I appreciate your thoughts..

 

[SnoKing]

Northfork.... I was in the HD Truck parts business.... had a group of these trucks and still have several commercial accounts with old vendors... and I've installed this package several times.. its just a shame that I couldn't give one of those vendors the business... but geez.. it was over $100 more... the hitch now sits in the garage... I'm moving the companion from my 05 to the 13... with the changes in the 2013 frame on the 3500's this is going be an afternoon project for a retired old fart... But I appreciate your thoughts..

I would install the factory pucks and convert you hitch to the puck system base. I installed the pucks in my 2015 with inbed electrical. Took 4 hours working by myself. With two people it would be much quicker. SNOKING