Dodge Ram 3500 Question
- Thread starter jdfishing
- Start date
Hi John: We have a new 2015 Ram Laramie dually setting at the Dodge dealer in Ankeny Iowa. We opted for the dually this time (rather than the SRW) and ended up with a Gun-metal metallic gray with a two-tone lower section. The cab this time is the mega cab for the convenience/comfort of rear seat riders rather than the crew cab on our 2011. I'm having a Pull-Rite auto-slider hitch installed this time and will have to sell my old super-5th 18K Pull-Rite hitch. We will have a 3.73 ratio rear end being turned by the AISIN 6-speed transmission. My trailer towing capacity will be over 23,000 lbs. Regarding air bags, I have them on the 2011 3500 SRW, but they are not interchangeable with the 2015 dually. Pretty certain that I'm not going to need them on the 2015 3500 dually. The dealer had to order running boards for it, so we're driving their rental car for a few days. I kid everyone asking how I tow the B/H with a Dodge SUV; I simply tell them I'm going to have the dealer mount the hitch on top of the SUV.....;-))
Jim.Allison
Well-known member
The RAM is an awesome truck, If you are going SRW be sure to get the 20 inch wheels. The 20 inch tires are capable of 3640 lbs and there is one that will go 3750 lbs. Though you might have a marginal load on the pin your tires will never be overloaded. They will support an axle load of 7280 or 7600 respectively. The 2015 2500 and the 3500 srw are very capable. But the 3500 comes with the upgraded aisin 6 speed transmission. The Cummins is reliable and the hp and torque is unbelievable. I had a problem with mine that was mostly dealer and self inflicted.
The quality of the truck is exceptional. 15,000 (15 Thousand) mile oil changes are easy on the pocket book. The EVIC center is unrivaled in the industry. I would not trade my 2500 SRW for love or money. The upshot is that the 3500 SRW Laramie with the transmission upgrade is very capable and nicely appointed. The GCVWR is well within the capability of the truck unless you are towing a freight train.The performance is beyond belief.
The DRW drivers will be all over me for telling you that the RAM 3500HD will Tow anything Heartland makes, and will support most everything heartland makes. The controllability of my 2500HD is excellent and I do not feel the need for a DRW truck. To me, my truck is a multi use vehicle and I don't want to haul around those extra tires and that wide wheel base when Im not using it to tow. Todays 3500 SRW RAM 3500HD has closed the gap and virtually eliminated the need for DRW truck in RVing. I will give credit and pay homage to the dually drivers, if you do buy a 3500hd in DRW you will have the king of TVs. But owning a DWR truck comes with some drawbacks.
The quality of the truck is exceptional. 15,000 (15 Thousand) mile oil changes are easy on the pocket book. The EVIC center is unrivaled in the industry. I would not trade my 2500 SRW for love or money. The upshot is that the 3500 SRW Laramie with the transmission upgrade is very capable and nicely appointed. The GCVWR is well within the capability of the truck unless you are towing a freight train.The performance is beyond belief.
The DRW drivers will be all over me for telling you that the RAM 3500HD will Tow anything Heartland makes, and will support most everything heartland makes. The controllability of my 2500HD is excellent and I do not feel the need for a DRW truck. To me, my truck is a multi use vehicle and I don't want to haul around those extra tires and that wide wheel base when Im not using it to tow. Todays 3500 SRW RAM 3500HD has closed the gap and virtually eliminated the need for DRW truck in RVing. I will give credit and pay homage to the dually drivers, if you do buy a 3500hd in DRW you will have the king of TVs. But owning a DWR truck comes with some drawbacks.
Jim.Allison
Well-known member
Do you think you need airbags on your 2015 DRW for anything other than a better ride? I have them on my 2500 and hardly need them. I put about 50 psi in just so I have a little rake in the truck. I keep 10 psi in them all the time as instructed by the manufacturer. I loaded my rig this weekend for a trip and forgot to inflate them. I never noticed it. Thats a BC3650RL with a generator and battery bank on a RAM 2500HD Cummins 4X4 SRW. Of course when I discovered it, i inflated them and I did observe the lift that 50 psi provided and it was noticeable.
I just traded my 2012 2500 CC SB with a pullrite slider. My 12' was a tradesman. This truck I opted for 2014 3500 CCLB SRW Big Horn with 20" tires. Had the dealer install a 25k B&W hitch with puck mounts. Also added steps and bed liner. The 2500 had 3.73 but SRW in the newer models is only available in 3.42. I didn't do the Aisin transmission and have towed our Sundance up some steep Va mountains. The 3.42 did well and the LB seems more stable. I love the cummins engine. One thing I have noticed with the new truck is better fuel economy running empty. Both of my trucks were and are white.
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happykraut
Well-known member
Just ordered a 2015 RAM Laramie 3500 SRW 4x4 SB Cummins with 3.42 Aisin tranny. 850lb-ft of torque. I opted for flame red over silver. The Aisin is also available in a 3.73 and 4.10, but not all models. A nice option is the Auto-level rear air suspension.
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FiremanBill
Well-known member
I went from Ford to Dodge back in May and have been thoroughly impressed. Granted mine is a 2010, first year of the new body styles so there must have been some minor issues but apparently they were all worked out before I got it.
I did have one issue on a trip to Knoxville back in Sept when the ETC warning light came on. Limped it in under reduced power to the dealer and after a reflash of the computer it runs better now than it did when I got it. One small thing that bugs me about it is I get an intermittent windshield washer fluid warning light. Even when completely full it will come on every now and then for no reason.
I had air bags on my old ford but have no reason or desire to put them on the dodge.
I know they have improved this rig over the last 5 years so I am sure you will be very happy with it.
I did have one issue on a trip to Knoxville back in Sept when the ETC warning light came on. Limped it in under reduced power to the dealer and after a reflash of the computer it runs better now than it did when I got it. One small thing that bugs me about it is I get an intermittent windshield washer fluid warning light. Even when completely full it will come on every now and then for no reason.
I had air bags on my old ford but have no reason or desire to put them on the dodge.
I know they have improved this rig over the last 5 years so I am sure you will be very happy with it.
Bohemian
Well-known member
Ram has two automatic transmissions. The 68RFE is standard and the Aisin, a ~~$3000 option.
Both have the same 4th and 6th gears. The Aisin has much lower low gears. To get the same 1st gear final drive ratio as the Aisin with 3.42 diff, you would the 68RFE with a 3.9 rear diff.
You get the highest HP version of the CTD with the Aisin transmission.
Both have the same 4th and 6th gears. The Aisin has much lower low gears. To get the same 1st gear final drive ratio as the Aisin with 3.42 diff, you would the 68RFE with a 3.9 rear diff.
You get the highest HP version of the CTD with the Aisin transmission.
Bohemian
Well-known member
Nabo
Southeast Region Director-Retired
Here's our 2014 Dodge 3500 with the 2015 now a classic Landmark. It has the 3.42 rearend and Aisin transmission. At this time we have not added air bags but might because we seem to have some truck bouncing when the camper is on. We have already put CenterPoint Air suspension under the LM which helped with the boucing but didn't take it all out. 
We didn't have that problem with the 09 Dodge 3500 SRW with the 2012 Big Country.
We didn't have that problem with the 09 Dodge 3500 SRW with the 2012 Big Country.Jim.Allison
Well-known member
Do an internet search, fly in to get it. LOL. Here is a good place to start. Find it here, quote it locally, if you can't get the deal fly out pick it up and drive it back.
http://www.vernonautogroup.com/web/inventory/All_years/Ram/All_models/All_body_types/new/
http://www.vernonautogroup.com/web/inventory/All_years/Ram/All_models/All_body_types/new/
happykraut
Well-known member
Here are a couple very large dealers you might want to check out. http://www.brunemotors.net/
http://www.davesmith.com
http://www.davesmith.com
Hi Bernie: Just curious, and if you don't mind, approx. how much off sticker were you able to negotiate? I'm trying to get a feeling for what would be a reasonable offer. I don't do the negotiating game.
