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08-12-2018, 08:09 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: LONGVIEW
Posts: 21
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Upgrade or downgrade to gas from diesel
I have a 2017 Sprinter 5th wheel 39’ aprox 12k lbs. My tow vehicle is an absolute dream combination. 2013 Ram 2500 diesel paired with a 6 speed manual, 4x4. This combo is truly incredible, problem is my ankle gets aggravated after driving. Had a ankle issue many years ago. I don’t know if I want to spend the extra $10,000+ for diesel with assin automatic. Would going to a hemi with auto be an upgrade or downgrade?
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08-12-2018, 08:22 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,221
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I'm betting you already know the answer to your question. Just how much of a downgrade is the real issue. IMHO you'd be seriously disappointed with the decision to go gas vs diesel.
Have you considered looking at a "pre-owned" truck with an automatic? Selling yours and buying something similar equipped with the automatic transmission likely wouldn't be a serious hit to the checkbook. While you're at it I'd bet you could upgrade to a 3500 for about the same $
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
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08-12-2018, 08:45 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,601
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I own a 6.4 hemi. The limit for the 6.4 with 3.73 is 12,500 and with the 4.10 it's 15,200?? (from memory). I have the 3.73 and my trailer is 10k gvw, usually loaded about 9250 - 9400. The 6.4 does a great job with it. I have toyed with the idea of letting it try to pull up to the max tow weight but I think it's happiest about where it is. I think it would struggle greatly in the Rockies with 12,500 behind it. The 4.10 would be better and I'm sure would handle it fine (12,500) but I think that would be putting it at it's limit.
So, would it be a upgrade/downgrade? I think the ultimate solution is the combo you listed, Cummins/Aisin but at a hefty price tag. The 6.4 with the 4.10 would do the job IMO but not as easily as the diesel. I would rule out a 3.73 personally.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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08-12-2018, 09:07 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,180
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While the 6.4 is a great gas engine I also don’t think you would be happy towing 12,000# with 3.73’s and going to 4.10’s will cost take from fuel mileage.
Location is Longview as in Washington? Have you looked at Dennis Dillon or Dave Smith in Idaho for price.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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08-12-2018, 10:45 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dade City
Posts: 1,039
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IMHO you do not need the Aisin transmission, the 68RFE will do fine. The only issues with the 68RFE come with increasing the HP (tuning) or severely overloading. You are not transporting for a living or "Hot Shotting", you are recreationally towing. The payload is marginal with the 2500, the 3500SRW CTD is a good fit. There are many transporters with the 68RFE logging 350K+ and no issues. On the other hand, if you are towing heavy with the 3500 CTD DRW, the Aisin is the only way to go.
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08-12-2018, 11:51 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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To me it would be both! Getting rid of the manual transmission would be a huge upgrade, sore leg or not. The downgrade would be going from diesel to gas engine while towing a large rv, I think your leg would still be sore from mashing the gas pedal to the floor constantly.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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08-12-2018, 01:00 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,601
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Quote:
Originally Posted by travelin texans
To me it would be both! Getting rid of the manual transmission would be a huge upgrade, sore leg or not. The downgrade would be going from diesel to gas engine while towing a large rv, I think your leg would still be sore from mashing the gas pedal to the floor constantly.
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Come on! The 6.4 isn't that bad. I don't recall ever having mine floored (maybe close but I believe in using the tranny to navigate the gears) plus, I think it is the clutch hurting his ankle so it would be a different foot anyway!!
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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08-12-2018, 01:52 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,221
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FWIW (shame on you for getting my interest up), I checked a local site similar to Craig's List just to get an idea of the price difference between used, by owner, 2500 and 3500 Ram diesel with an automatic transmission.
They're about the same. IMHO I think you could likely work out a nice trade for minimum $ out of pocket
I could be getting myself in big trouble if the DW sees this
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
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08-12-2018, 03:20 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Dade City
Posts: 1,039
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Canonman
FWIW (shame on you for getting my interest up), I checked a local site similar to Craig's List just to get an idea of the price difference between used, by owner, 2500 and 3500 Ram diesel with an automatic transmission.
They're about the same. IMHO I think you could likely work out a nice trade for minimum $ out of pocket
I could be getting myself in big trouble if the DW sees this
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Step 1 complete!
Step 2 stop for a test drive on the way to the food mart
Step 3
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08-12-2018, 04:36 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,221
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Saaad but true.
Have to control urges, Have to control urges, Have to control urges, Have to control urges,
Awww crap
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
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08-12-2018, 05:54 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Illinois
Posts: 581
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Doing the Diesel
I have the 6.4 gas, and I was pleased with how it did in the hills around Branson. Yes, it downshifted and the speed dropped to 45-50, but never felt it couldn't do it.
I do wonder about the mountains out west, as we'd like to do a Yellowstone/Glacier trip from the Midwest, so that is on my mind. Even considered getting the 4.10 rear upgrade, with the real negative being that I've heard it will cut gas mileage anywhere from 20 to 50%(!?!), so that really sounds like a bad idea.
__________________
Ed & Mary
2017 Cougar 333MKS
2015 RAM 3500 HD with 6.4L
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08-12-2018, 06:14 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
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If you're planning a single trip "out west to the mountains" I wouldn't buy a new truck just for that trip. Your "gas powered tow vehicle" will do the job in the mountains. You may be in the far right lane at 25MPH in second gear for much of the uphill climbs, but realistically, you're talking less than 50 or 75 miles of towing mountain passes for a single trip. The rest of the trip should be relatively easy towing and similar to what you found around Branson. I wouldn't buy a new truck specifically for that single trip. Now, if you're planning on multiple trips in the following years, now that's different. Touring Yellowstone, Mount Rushmore and most of the other local attractions will be done with the trailer parked in a campground, so you won't be towing for most of the trip.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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08-12-2018, 07:07 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,601
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pmedic4
I have the 6.4 gas, and I was pleased with how it did in the hills around Branson. Yes, it downshifted and the speed dropped to 45-50, but never felt it couldn't do it.
I do wonder about the mountains out west, as we'd like to do a Yellowstone/Glacier trip from the Midwest, so that is on my mind. Even considered getting the 4.10 rear upgrade, with the real negative being that I've heard it will cut gas mileage anywhere from 20 to 50%(!?!), so that really sounds like a bad idea.
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A tow truck is a tow truck...mpg is not on the radar. 3.73 vs 4.10...who cares? I've had both and I really loved the zip of the 4.10; it does cut a bit into the mileage but I never even worried about it nor did it seem like much of a reduction. As far as getting down to 25mph, I've never even had a problem getting anywhere close to those kinds of speeds. If you tow, worrying about "mileage" is just something that shouldn't be happening IMO.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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08-13-2018, 09:00 AM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Hewitt, Tx
Posts: 50
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I don't really see the need to go with the aisin. My truck / trailer combo is heavier than yours and I really have no problem at all.
__________________
2018 Cougar 359MBI 5er
2017 Ram 2500 Laramie CC SB 4x4
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel
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08-13-2018, 09:52 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,456
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ptpick
I have a 2017 Sprinter 5th wheel 39’ aprox 12k lbs. My tow vehicle is an absolute dream combination. 2013 Ram 2500 diesel paired with a 6 speed manual, 4x4. This combo is truly incredible, problem is my ankle gets aggravated after driving. Had a ankle issue many years ago. I don’t know if I want to spend the extra $10,000+ for diesel with assin automatic. Would going to a hemi with auto be an upgrade or downgrade?
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Here's the deal... if you're gonna keep the truck for several years and there is even a remote possibility that you will one day upgrade the trailer... then just pull the trigger and get a diesel dually... they ain't gonna be cheaper next year....
__________________
2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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