Tips for new owner

[Slaw32]

Have ordered a new 2018 3500 dually . Should be able to pick up next weekend . Trading in a 2011 2500 . New truck has max tow package .
First question : tire pressure , rear , loaded and unloaded .

Since this is my first dually any helpful hints on running it versus a single wheel drive will be greatly appreciated .

 

[Cummins12V98]

First question did you get the Factory rear air????? Next did U get the AISIN????? What gear ratio and what will U be towing???

80psi front ALL the time rear 35 solo and 65 towing. take it in right away and set the toe to 1/32", TRUST me on this!!!

 

[Slaw32]

Thanks for your response on air pressures .
The truck was ordered Sept 12 .
In 2018 , max tow includes ,

Aisin trans , rear air , 4.10 axle ratio , 30,000 lb fifth wheel , dual rear wheels , and other less useful stuff .

Will be pulling a 44' toyhauler . About 13' tall sidewalls that go almost to the ground . Approximately 20,000 lbs loaded .

Will pick up truck this weekend with a 3 hour drive home to start break in .

 

[SnoKing]

Thanks for your response on air pressures .
The truck was ordered Sept 12 .
In 2018 max tow includes ,

Aisin trans , rear air , 4.10 axle ratio , 30,000 lb fifth wheel , dual rear wheels , and other less useful stuff .

Will be pulling a 44' toyhauler . About 13' tall sidewalls that go almost to the ground . Approximately 20,000 lbs loaded .

Will pick up truck this weekend with a 3 hour drive home to start break in .

Got you beat! We did 1350 miles in the first 48 hours and had motel receipts for two nights.
Greeley, Co to NW WAshington. 406 miles first afternoon, 659 miles the next day and 285 miles the follow morning. Learned a lot about the truck in those two days. Door to door 12:25 Monday to 12:25 Wednesday.

Trust what Cummins12V98 says about alignment and tire inflation. SnoKing

 

[Cummins12V98]

Thanks for your response on air pressures .
The truck was ordered Sept 12 .
In 2018 max tow includes ,

Aisin trans , rear air , 4.10 axle ratio , 30,000 lb fifth wheel , dual rear wheels , and other less useful stuff .

Will be pulling a 44' toyhauler . About 13' tall sidewalls that go almost to the ground . Approximately 20,000 lbs loaded .

Will pick up truck this weekend with a 3 hour drive home to start break in .

You will be a happy Man! Run the hell out of it!!!

 

[mpaulson]

Where do you live? If you are in a freezable zone where it's winter, don't fill the DEF tank more than 3/4 full in the winter. The DEF freezes and expands and will bust the tank if you fill the tank right up.

 

[Slaw32]

Wow , thanks for the def info . This will be my first experience with def . My mechanic says run it stock , if issues develop then look at delete . Hope this truck is as strong and as trouble free as my 2011 .

 

[y2k17ram]

I doubt new trucks will have a full DEF tank. Mine had less than 1/4 tank new off the lot

 

[Killer223]

make sure to very the load on the drive home, to help break in the rear gears. speed up then let EB slow you down, 5-10 mph is all that's needed aver 5-10 miles or so.
Enjoy your new truck.

 

[gsbrockman]

Where do you live? If you are in a freezable zone where it's winter, don't fill the DEF tank more than 3/4 full in the winter. The DEF freezes and expands and will bust the tank if you fill the tank right up.

Incorrect.
The tank is manufactured of a plastic that will allow some expansion and contraction.
I belong to several Cummins / RAM oriented forums, and I have NEVER heard of anyones DEF tank bursting due to being frozen.
Additionally.....I have filled mine till it runs out of the filler neck with bulk DEF at the pump on numerous occasions during winter months and no issues. At 306k miles......I have bought a few gallons of DEF year round since February 2014.

 

[WMonroe]

Is setting the toe to 1/32” for single wheel trucks also or just duallys?

 

[Killer223]

Set toe to zero

 

[Cummins12V98]

Is setting the toe to 1/32” for single wheel trucks also or just duallys?

I only have info on the Dually trucks.

 

[Killer223]

the issues is alignment shop set in degrees, not */32's. you have a solid front axle yes? or did you order a 2wd?
if 4x4 set total toe to 0.

 

[Cummins12V98]

the issues is alignment shop set in degrees, not */32's. you have a solid front axle yes? or did you order a 2wd?
if 4x4 set total toe to 0.

OH really???

 

[Killer223]

i gotta give you props on that one. i haven't seen that old of alignment rack in a while.
here's more modern print out.
But if it works it works. no shop around me uses those kinda measurements. it's all Degrees.


i'm sorry for misspeaking.

 

[Bob4x4]

I doubt new trucks will have a full DEF tank. Mine had less than 1/4 tank new off the lot

The dealers are paid to top it off during the delivery process

 

[SnoKing]

Is setting the toe to 1/32” for single wheel trucks also or just duallys?

My 2015 3500 SB 4x4 CC has not tire wear issues, beyond the short life of the FS AT's. Has 36-37K on it. Replaced the ATs at 29-30K with Michelin LTX Defenders. SnoKing

 

[mpaulson]

Incorrect.
The tank is manufactured of a plastic that will allow some expansion and contraction.
I belong to several Cummins / RAM oriented forums, and I have NEVER heard of anyones DEF tank bursting due to being frozen.
Additionally.....I have filled mine till it runs out of the filler neck with bulk DEF at the pump on numerous occasions during winter months and no issues. At 306k miles......I have bought a few gallons of DEF year round since February 2014.

Maybe your climate doesn't get as cold as some Canadian and Alaskan locations do. Page 162 and 163 right out of the owners manual state what I said basically. When you see -40 F or C, things happen and I personally have heard of it locally. So, not knowing where the OP is from, This might be a good piece of advice.

 

[AaronOregon]

OH really???

View attachment 100528
View attachment 100529

That rack and book are over 20 years old, at least! New racks are degrees..... Wouldn't trust that rack to do my daughters go-kart.