Picked up our new Ram 3500 on Saturday - Cummins Diesel, AISIN, 4.10 rear axle ratio, 8' bed, DRW, 5th wheel prepped - and lots of bells and whistles.
We have never had a diesel vehicle before - so any info on operating a diesel would be appreciated - especially DEF. Our dealership was clueless when it came to our questions about diesel or towing. We live in the suburban Chicago area and there aren't many trucks like this one at local dealerships. They had this one brought in from northern Wisconsin.
Next step - picking up our Heartland Landmark Key West in about three weeks!
BiggarView said
07:49 AM May 24, 2016
Nice truck.
TRAILERKING said
08:58 AM May 24, 2016
Truck is nice but I really like the T-shirt.
Bill and Linda said
02:19 PM May 24, 2016
Barb and Frank wrote:
Picked up our new Ram 3500 on Saturday - Cummins Diesel, AISIN, 4.10 rear axle ratio, 8' bed, DRW, 5th wheel prepped - and lots of bells and whistles.
We have never had a diesel vehicle before - so any info on operating a diesel would be appreciated - especially DEF. Our dealership was clueless when it came to our questions about diesel or towing. We live in the suburban Chicago area and there aren't many trucks like this one at local dealerships. They had this one brought in from northern Wisconsin.
You will find three manuals for the truck. One "paper" and the other two on a CD. READ the manuals - especially the specific Diesel Supplement - and make sure your reading the section in the Diesel Supplement for the 2500/3500/4500/5500 trucks. The first section is for 1500. These are not like "gas engines" - especially the Cummins. They are serious engines and require care to make them last and not complain.
Concerning DEF - There is an entire and very complete section on DEF in the manual. Please read it. In the case of the RAM it uses quite a bit - relatively to the Ford or Chevy - of DEF. Just part of the Cummins for various design reasons. One does not want to fill the DEF tank full up and leave it set for months on end. DEF goes bad - especially with the heat. It has a shelf life. So if your not going to tow or use the truck frequency putting in 2.5 gallons of Blue-DEF - available at Walmart is all you need to do when the gauge gets below half. If you are towing a lot you will use a lot of DEF. Do not let the gauge get into the red. The EPA (US Government) requires the trucks to go into what is known as a "limp mode" - if you run out of DEF. Once you get too far into the red area it may take more than 2.5 gallons to reset the "limp mode." "It depends" - per the manual - and the simple thing to do is not let it get there.
Don't store DEF in the sun or the back of the truck. Heat will shorten its life. You can Bing questions about DEF and find a lot more about shelf life etc.
As long as the DEF doesn't get really hot for longer periods of time - you keep tank gauge out of the "red" and perform the normal maintenance as required in the manual these things tend to work just fine. But I can not over emphasis reading the manuals and expanding your understanding of diesel engines. As my father taught me: "If everything else fails, read the directions."
BTW, IMO, when towing have the exhaust brake on "Full" not just "Automatic." You have a commercial grade exhaust brake in that truck. It works extremely well. Use it and save your truck and trailer brakes. You will know when its working.
Be sure and always have the truck in Tow/Haul when towing. This changes several parameters in the engine / transmission control system specifically designed to keep things in the appropriate ranges (like gears) when towing.
Finally, read the section in the manual about allowing the engine (actually the turbo charger) to cool down before shutting off the engine - especially when towing. Give the turbo a chance to spin down and cool down. Treat the engine with respect and it will serve you well.
Enjoy the fine ride.
Bill
Barb and Frank said
03:13 PM May 24, 2016
Thanks everyone for the comments. Bill and Linda - thanks for the information on the Cummins diesel and DEF. I'm printing this out for reference. Will also read the truck manual. We started to watch the DVD - but it's got a lot of sections - and we need to take it bit by bit. This truck will be our everyday vehicle - not just for towing. But the towing tips you gave are very valuable. Thanks so much!
-- Edited by Barb and Frank on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 03:13:44 PM
Cummins12V98 said
05:14 PM May 24, 2016
Did you get the factory rear air ride?
ALWAYS run the truck in TH and full on EB. You have a great combo!!! I tow 32,500# combined with NO issues.
I can't recommend strong enough to get the B&W RVK3600 puck system hitch.
-- Edited by Cummins12V98 on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 05:14:55 PM
Barb and Frank said
05:37 PM May 24, 2016
Cummins12V98,
Unfortunately we did not get the factory rear air ride. It was on our list as a "highly desireable" item, but we did not have time to order from the factory since we need to pick up our new RV in a couple of weeks - so were we limited to inventory in the midwest area. Can the rear air ride be installed at a later point?
And yes, we have ordered the B&W hitch - 25K. Not sure about the item number.
Thanks for your thoughts and information.
Cummins12V98 said
06:46 PM May 25, 2016
Barb and Frank wrote:
Cummins12V98,
Unfortunately we did not get the factory rear air ride. It was on our list as a "highly desireable" item, but we did not have time to order from the factory since we need to pick up our new RV in a couple of weeks - so were we limited to inventory in the midwest area. Can the rear air ride be installed at a later point?
And yes, we have ordered the B&W hitch - 25K. Not sure about the item number.
Thanks for your thoughts and information.
Yes you got the good hitch. Awesome setup, congrats!!!
jayc said
05:53 PM May 28, 2016
Nice truck and welcome to the Heartland family of owners.If you haven't already found it, come on over to the Heartland Owners forum where you will find many friendly and helpful people to help you with any trailer questions that you may have.
Good luck and enjoy.
Barb and Frank said
08:56 AM May 29, 2016
Thanks JC - we're looking forward to being part of the Heartland owners forum.
Picked up our new Ram 3500 on Saturday - Cummins Diesel, AISIN, 4.10 rear axle ratio, 8' bed, DRW, 5th wheel prepped - and lots of bells and whistles.
We have never had a diesel vehicle before - so any info on operating a diesel would be appreciated - especially DEF. Our dealership was clueless when it came to our questions about diesel or towing. We live in the suburban Chicago area and there aren't many trucks like this one at local dealerships. They had this one brought in from northern Wisconsin.
Next step - picking up our Heartland Landmark Key West in about three weeks!
Nice truck.
You will find three manuals for the truck. One "paper" and the other two on a CD. READ the manuals - especially the specific Diesel Supplement - and make sure your reading the section in the Diesel Supplement for the 2500/3500/4500/5500 trucks. The first section is for 1500. These are not like "gas engines" - especially the Cummins. They are serious engines and require care to make them last and not complain.
Concerning DEF - There is an entire and very complete section on DEF in the manual. Please read it. In the case of the RAM it uses quite a bit - relatively to the Ford or Chevy - of DEF. Just part of the Cummins for various design reasons. One does not want to fill the DEF tank full up and leave it set for months on end. DEF goes bad - especially with the heat. It has a shelf life. So if your not going to tow or use the truck frequency putting in 2.5 gallons of Blue-DEF - available at Walmart is all you need to do when the gauge gets below half. If you are towing a lot you will use a lot of DEF. Do not let the gauge get into the red. The EPA (US Government) requires the trucks to go into what is known as a "limp mode" - if you run out of DEF. Once you get too far into the red area it may take more than 2.5 gallons to reset the "limp mode." "It depends" - per the manual - and the simple thing to do is not let it get there.
Don't store DEF in the sun or the back of the truck. Heat will shorten its life. You can Bing questions about DEF and find a lot more about shelf life etc.
As long as the DEF doesn't get really hot for longer periods of time - you keep tank gauge out of the "red" and perform the normal maintenance as required in the manual these things tend to work just fine. But I can not over emphasis reading the manuals and expanding your understanding of diesel engines. As my father taught me: "If everything else fails, read the directions."
BTW, IMO, when towing have the exhaust brake on "Full" not just "Automatic." You have a commercial grade exhaust brake in that truck. It works extremely well. Use it and save your truck and trailer brakes. You will know when its working.
Be sure and always have the truck in Tow/Haul when towing. This changes several parameters in the engine / transmission control system specifically designed to keep things in the appropriate ranges (like gears) when towing.
Finally, read the section in the manual about allowing the engine (actually the turbo charger) to cool down before shutting off the engine - especially when towing. Give the turbo a chance to spin down and cool down. Treat the engine with respect and it will serve you well.
Enjoy the fine ride.
Bill
Thanks everyone for the comments. Bill and Linda - thanks for the information on the Cummins diesel and DEF. I'm printing this out for reference. Will also read the truck manual. We started to watch the DVD - but it's got a lot of sections - and we need to take it bit by bit. This truck will be our everyday vehicle - not just for towing. But the towing tips you gave are very valuable. Thanks so much!
-- Edited by Barb and Frank on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 03:13:44 PM
Did you get the factory rear air ride?
ALWAYS run the truck in TH and full on EB. You have a great combo!!! I tow 32,500# combined with NO issues.
I can't recommend strong enough to get the B&W RVK3600 puck system hitch.
-- Edited by Cummins12V98 on Tuesday 24th of May 2016 05:14:55 PM
Cummins12V98,
Unfortunately we did not get the factory rear air ride. It was on our list as a "highly desireable" item, but we did not have time to order from the factory since we need to pick up our new RV in a couple of weeks - so were we limited to inventory in the midwest area. Can the rear air ride be installed at a later point?
And yes, we have ordered the B&W hitch - 25K. Not sure about the item number.
Thanks for your thoughts and information.
Yes you got the good hitch. Awesome setup, congrats!!!
Nice truck and welcome to the Heartland family of owners.If you haven't already found it, come on over to the Heartland Owners forum where you will find many friendly and helpful people to help you with any trailer questions that you may have.
Good luck and enjoy.
Thanks JC - we're looking forward to being part of the Heartland owners forum.