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Idle/Drive Ratio
Just curious how my truck compares.
2015 Ram Cummins, just under 87k miles and I bought it new. I'm currently showing the following:
Idle: 95 Hours
Drive: 2736 Hours
How about you guys?
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IdaD
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05/17/22 09:33am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: GM 6 liter vortec what are you towing with it?
Some people would be miserable with that setup, others wouldn't mind it. Smart thing to do is upgrade the trailer and see how the setup works. If you're fine with it, cool. If not, pick your favorite diesel and enjoy - if we're talking new model diesels, I'd personally pick a Ram or GM.
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IdaD
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05/05/22 02:44pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: '22 Powerstroke seems a little thirstier than the '21 was.
Do late model trucks even depreciate these days? Other than the stupid high cost of tax and registration fees I’m pretty sure I could trade in every year and lose very little $.
Pickups haven't depreciated too badly for awhile, especially diesel pickups. That said the last year or two has been strange in that regard. Limited availability and much higher real world pricing on new trucks have really propped up older truck values. I think I could sell my 2015 for what I paid new or very close to it, and that's 7 years and 85k miles later.
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IdaD
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04/19/22 11:41am |
Tow Vehicles
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2015 Cummins Turbo Actuator
I just got a letter from FCA advising that they are extending the warranty on my turbo actuator to 15 years and 150k miles. How common is this problem and how expensive of a fix is it out of warranty?
I'd heard a little bit about it but I'm guessing it may be more widespread than I was thinking if they're extending the warranty coverage.
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IdaD
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04/18/22 08:58am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Looking for power?
I think I like the new Toyota powertrain the best for a half ton. Haven't driven one, that's just based on a few reviews and Toyota's reputation.
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IdaD
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04/15/22 07:27am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Finding a 3500 series truck to test drive....
Seriously, I would make the effort and have the death wobble fixed. On my old 2004, it was ball joints, replaced them, no more wobble. As for reliability, I would take any 5.9 Cummins before any GM or Ford. Ford feels like driving a brick, GM's seats are like milk crates.
I haven't driven a GM but I've driven two recent model year Super Duty diesels, an F-250 and an F-350 and honestly I didn't like the way either one drove very well. They felt very isolated from the road, the steering had no feel to it and the turning radius sucked. They're nice trucks and are certainly faster than my Cummins, and they shifted better. Roomier back seat too which matters to me with 3 kids. I'd definitely buy a new Ram CTD over the Super Duty again if I had a do-over, though - even not considering that CP4 issue. GM, I don't know - the current models look pretty nice on paper.
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IdaD
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04/08/22 04:32pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Finding a 3500 series truck to test drive....
Seriously, I would make the effort and have the death wobble fixed. On my old 2004, it was ball joints, replaced them, no more wobble. As for reliability, I would take any 5.9 Cummins before any GM or Ford. Ford feels like driving a brick, GM's seats are like milk crates.
I haven't driven a GM but I've driven two recent model year Super Duty diesels, an F-250 and an F-350 and honestly I didn't like the way either one drove very well. They felt very isolated from the road, the steering had no feel to it and the turning radius sucked. They're nice trucks and are certainly faster than my Cummins, and they shifted better. Roomier back seat too which matters to me with 3 kids. I'd definitely buy a new Ram CTD over the Super Duty again if I had a do-over, though. GM, I don't know - the current models look pretty nice on paper.
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IdaD
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04/08/22 04:29pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Finding a 3500 series truck to test drive....
The newer Rams basically copied the Super Duty's front suspension setup and it's far better than the older Dodge front ends. I haven't experienced any suspension issues or death wobble with my truck in the 7 years I've owned it. It is possible that you'll experience it I suppose since it is a SFA, but it isn't likely imo.
The new Duramax trucks look like great trucks but I understand not wanting to buy before you can check one out in person.
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IdaD
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04/08/22 02:41pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2500 Chevy Duramax vs 2500 Ram Cummins on the Ike Gauntlet
I had thought that Ram and GM use the same rear axle.
I thought so too, 11.5" AAM.
They do...or did anyways. I can't speak to the last couple years, but Ram does offer a larger axle in their dooleys and maybe 3500 srws. 11.8 ring gear, maybe a 12" model. And Ram went to a different/larger bolt pattern on the dooleys...
Now there's at least 4 different bolt patterns out there for current model 8 lug light duty trucks.
I don't follow it real close but I've not heard of a 12". I thought the 11.8" version was just on the HO models.
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IdaD
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03/29/22 04:52pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2500 Chevy Duramax vs 2500 Ram Cummins on the Ike Gauntlet
I had thought that Ram and GM use the same rear axle.
I thought so too, 11.5" AAM.
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IdaD
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03/29/22 12:04pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2500 Chevy Duramax vs 2500 Ram Cummins on the Ike Gauntlet
Payload was much different and somehow it was overlooked in the recap.
Payload means jack on these trucks. Check the axle ratings and they're probably very close.
I don't think that size trailer for these trucks is very telling. I don't know if the Ram needs more than 6 speeds or not but I do think the 68RFE is the worst HD diesel transmission. But I also think the Cummins EB has the best of the three.
Understood. (Couldn't find the ram axle ratings on their web page.)
My 2015 is 6000/6500. The same year Ram 3500 is 6000/7000.
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IdaD
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03/29/22 08:03am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: 2500 Chevy Duramax vs 2500 Ram Cummins on the Ike Gauntlet
Payload was much different and somehow it was overlooked in the recap.
Payload means jack on these trucks. Check the axle ratings and they're probably very close.
I don't think that size trailer for these trucks is very telling. I don't know if the Ram needs more than 6 speeds or not but I do think the 68RFE is the worst HD diesel transmission. But I also think the Cummins EB has the best of the three.
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IdaD
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03/28/22 04:22pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Timbrens vs. Sumos.....
Just installed the Sumo springs on my 2019 F150.
My research led me to believe Timbrens are great if you have a really heavy load hauled often but are too solid for daily driving unloaded.
I really didn’t want the hassle of air bag adjusting for my relatively light Travel Trailer, plus the Sumos are an easy install. My jounce bumper replacement bracket had a hole and bolt to add that the poly Sumo screws on to. Tack welding that in to the bracket would be a good thing. While the install procedure said to jack up the truck on the frame for an easier install, it was easy enough to do on a flat garage floor.
No change in daily driving. Have yet to haul a heavy load or pull my camper after the install.
I've had Timbrens on my 2015 since I bought the truck new and there's no discernable difference in the unloaded ride. I've got a bit less than an inch of a gap between the Timberns and axle. When I'm loaded up they are in contact with the axle and they have a nice settled ride. I can imagine that Timbrens might be a bit more abrupt on a half ton where you've got a softer suspension that allows more slapping, so to speak.
For under $200 and zero maintenance or fiddling, the Timbrens have been fantastic in my experience. I see no advantage to airbags in my application.
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IdaD
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03/25/22 09:06am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: F350 LT275/70r18 tires
Just my opinion but payload ratings are meaningless imo. Know your axle and tire ratings and stay within those and you'll be fine.
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IdaD
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03/16/22 09:00am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: What is your speed uphill?
Thank you for sharing this information.
The reason for this question is that we ordered two trucks, a RAM 3500 DRW LB and an F350 DRW LB. The RAM came in first so we took it. The Ford is getting built. From the sound of responses, it sounds like either truck will do just fine.
MC
I don't think uphill towing performance would be a determining factor with those two trucks, both should perform about the same. The Ram probably has an advantage downhill with the exhaust brake and definitely has an advantage with the CP3 pump vs the CP4 pump that Ford continues to use. The Ford has a better transmission and is probably a more reliable truck minus the engine. They're both good options overall.
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IdaD
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03/15/22 11:38am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Cooper AT3 XLT
I have no experience with these particular tires but in general I think Cooper makes a solid tire. In fact I've got Coopers on my wife's Pilot right now and they've held up and performed really well.
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IdaD
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03/04/22 11:32am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Dually life? What about Ford 6.2L
The only realistic scenario in which I ever see buying a DRW would be if we someday decided to buy a pretty large truck camper. A SRW HD would be enough truck for any type of trailer I'd ever want to own. If you don't really need the extra rear axle capacity, a SRW truck is better in every other respect.
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IdaD
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03/01/22 11:59am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Dually life? What about Ford 6.2L
Recently bought a new F350 4X4 single tire with 6.2 for $43K. No it doesn’t have the power of a diesel but also not $80K. Use it mainly to pull a heavy trailer(15,000+ lbs) locally so only getting 5-6 mpg and the 10 speed takes a little getting used to but it does the job.
Gets down to how many miles/year you’ll be towing and you do not need a dually.
And if you got a diesel F350 DRW in the same trim level as your gas DRW it would only be $10K more not $37K more.
Geesh.
After most folks buy a gas truck they have to justify not getting a diesel so suddenly the only way to get a diesel is in Platinum or Longhorn trim levels.
$43k is a good price for a new F350 these days even in a gas rig, but that's going to be a pretty basic trim level.
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IdaD
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02/28/22 11:05am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Air Bags
There are other options. Timbrens, SumoSprings, RAS. All will lessen sag, and no air lines needed, mostly install and forget. You can adjust the RAS to bring back a little unloaded rake and set it for various levels of weight help.
I put Timbrens on my 2015 shortly after I bought it and they've been trouble free and help firm up the ride when I'm loaded heavy. I've been very happy with them. You can't beat the simplicity.
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IdaD
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02/28/22 11:01am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: towing with gm 6.6 gas
Gas HD towing any kind of heavy-ish high profile trailer is going to be single digits unless you only tow downhill with a tailwind.
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IdaD
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02/08/22 03:59pm |
Towing
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