Ram Questionnaire Online & Aison Question

[MJWenrich]

I did a lot of searching online for new Ram 3500 trucks and recently received a request from Mopar or one one of their affiliates that must have been tracking my use of the internet. They wanted to know if I bought a truck and my experience looking for it using their site. Surprisingly, they even asked for input beyond their check box questions. I unloaded on why I had not purchased yet and included many of the glitches many of the new owners have experienced. I also mentioned the confusing option packages and that I could not order a truck equipped exactly like I would want, plus the lack of knowledge their salesmen have about trucks. Since I answered yes to the question "Have you driven one", I included the hesitation problem with one of the two trucks I drove. Also mentioned that Ram should talk to those who have driven their trucks for feedback. I for one, do not like to take my eyes off the road to operate controls and new vehicles all have that. I will have to learn to live with it but the distraction still bothers me.

I believe Joe Donnelly when he says factory reps are at May Madness but my belief is that either I am the only person who complains about the above or the factory just does not listen to feedback. Anyway, thought I might let folks know that maybe the company has turned a corner on feedback. Or...it was just a way to follow up and bug me with phone calls to come in and test drive a truck. If anyone else gets this survey I encourage you to take it and give them your impression. If I get a call from a salesman I will update this post.

And does anyone know if we can order an Aison in a SRW 3500 yet? Or ever?

Mike

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Sorry that you have bad feelings for the new RAM trucks. I LOVE mine, does every towing job way easier than my modded 04 did, better fuel useage and I like the extra stuff.

 

[RVTRKN]

Like the truck (with the Aison) but not the price.

 

[MJWenrich]

My bad feelings are for the lack of quality control and the miserable time trying to figure out the packages. I like the trucks but I don't want to spend my retirement years in the dealership getting reflashes for the computer stuff. I zeroed in on a Big Horn model but could not order the SRW 3500 with an Aison. That was a deal breaker for me and I would like to have the air ride I believe. But I am waiting to see if Ram gets the problem solved with the software. I know you read and contribute to this forum so you must have seen the problems others are having. No doubt it is a great towing rig however I really would not enjoy CEL's ruining my travels.

 

[Darmeisner]

MJWenrich, There are lots of us driving their 3500 SRW with the Aisin. You can get any rear end ratio you want as long as it's 3.42.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I assume that the majority of owners are (like me) very happy and have had NO issues with CELs or anything else.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I assume that the majority of owners are (like me) very happy and have had NO issues with CELs or anything else.

This is the third CTD that I bought primarily to tow big fifth wheels. I agree totally with Gonzo, my 2014 is far and above the best so far.

 

[Bug Out]

Aside from my complaints about the flare between shifts(TCC) gap too long, the truck and first and foremost, the Cummins engine(Which is the main reason I purchase RAMS/Dodge) have performed beyond my expectations. I would have never guessed a 2500 could out tow my 2005 3500 6 speed 4:10 dually in all aspects, up hill, down hill etc. Even with the "option" of 3:42 rear gears, I am pleased. Thats not to say I would not have ordered 4:10's if I could...( For the right price I'd do it tomorrow)

Don't think your complaints are falling on deaf ears here. There are Chrysler Warranty people, Chrysler engineers etc looking at these posts trying to improve the product.

I was also told that the manufactures currently have the ability to do "re-flashes" via the radio antenna without your knowing it ever happened etc. Apparently there is questions about privacy that are keeping that from happening. Sometime in the future one may be rolling down the road and get "updates" like your smart phone etc do now, except it will be to your vehicle. Maybe we should let the NSA be in charge of re-flashes.....LOL

JMHO

 

[MJWenrich]

Darmeisner....I tried to order a 3500 SRW with the Aison in January but that trans is not available now as it was when you purchased yours. You can only order it in the DRW trucks now, possibly due to a shortage of the trans. I certainly hope there are folks who are not having issues with their new trucks and it may be we only here the bad on this forum. However, there are enough issues with some trucks to be of a concern to me. Maybe they were built on Friday or Monday morning but several trips to the dealer for the same problem is not what I want in a new truck. I went thru this with my 2004.5 due to a howl in the driveline. The truck went in several times and I lost use of the truck for about three weeks total, not to mention the numerous trips to set up the service. The noise never was eliminated..only muffled. With 120K on the clock, it is louder than ever now and will require some repair at some point and I believe it is in the trans or transfer case. Otherwise, it has been a great truck and I'm still not afraid to drive it anywhere or tow anything. I'm looking for a better payload, the Aison and engine braking. Otherwise, I would keep it simple and stay with what I have. Nothin' wrong with the 325 HP CTD.

I appreciate the feedback. I do want to hear about the good stories along with the bad re: these trucks. And I hope others do as well.

Mike

 

[Darmeisner]

MJWenrich...I now understand your dilemma. I bypassed two dealers and went to a dealer with the most stock of 3500 CTD's. MY truck was built in September, purchased in January and had everything I wanted except a block heater cord (on order from Geno's). It had 250 miles on it I think from a sales manager type and now has 1200. Because of that IMHO I can't find a single thing wrong with it except the rear fuel heater needs to be turned on...that's why I'm trying to find a warrantable problem. If you think all new Rams are typical of the issues reported, you're seeing 30 to 50 problems of the several thousand sold to date.

Back to your issue, in other threads in this forum people are willing to help....we just don't know where you are.