3/4 ton Dodge Diesels Transmissions

[John Maryland]

For the Dodge owners, 2017 diesel models has anyone had Transmission problems when towing near max weights and and or with higher altitudes. Thanks

[upflying]

From the chatter I read on the cummins forums, the 68RFE is a good transmission on a stock truck. Problems with the transmission happens after doing mods such as deletes and tunes. The performance truck crowd also tends to be hard on stuff so that also might be another cause for failures.
It's also known as Ram, not Dodge.

[Cost4133]

the 68rfe is decent stock, the truck has torque management which limits power and prevents you from being destructive.

If you want to play a little more, the 68rfe can be built, or look for a truck that has an aisin, which is a far superior trans

[67L48]

The HD transmissions on the big three have been very solid for a while now. Ford just switched from its 6-speed to a new 10-speed, so anything new will have to earn respect. The RAM transmissions, from what I've read, are stout, too.

I'd recommend going to a RAM forum. You'll learn a lot more specific information about the details of RAM trucks there. Just like RAM owners at that forum are better advised to visit here with their Forest River product questions. Different tools for different jobs.

As mentioned above, it's been well over a decade since Dodge built a truck. RAM.

[cyclepuck]

The 68rfe is a good transmission and most will recommend replacing the trans cooler bypass with an aftermarket once it get up there in miles. The oem may go bad and stick in the bypass position resulting in a over heated trans. Even us gasser guys are doing that and it results in cooler trans temps. There about $120 and can do it yourself in 20min.

[Jim34RL]

I have been towing a Cedar Creek 34RL with my 2008, Dodge 3/4 ton Mega Cab, 68RFE auto, 4X4 with 3:73 gears and using Nitto Dural Grappler LT 285/70R 17 126R tires. I have also installed a Smarty S67 set on CaTCHER Level 3 which adds 60HP/120 lb-ft of TQ to the rear wheels. The transmission also has a Mag-Hytec deep pan installed with temp probe in it, which adds an additional 3 QRTS of fluid to the transmission. The transmission is serviced every 40,000 miles two new filters and fluid. I now have 135K on the OD and the transmission has worked flawless. The transmission oil temps at the pan never have exceed 195F when towing my trailer.

This truck has crossed the continental divide in Colorado with the trailer in tow going west and has towed out east in the Smokies, never having any towing issues.

I do use T/H mode and the exhaust brake whenever I am towing my trailer.

[The Big Toe]

Originally Posted by John Maryland

For the Dodge owners, 2017 diesel models has anyone had Transmission problems when towing near max weights and and or with higher altitudes. Thanks

Miles on truck? Any mods? Tires? Type of problem??

[CraigBean7672]

Still driving an old 03 with stock trans 188k miles w/Banks tuner, airbox & exhaust. My 5er is just under 11k lbs. It will get hot in the mountains 30-45 mph but stays cool at freeway speeds. I pull over when it hits 240. I spoke with a few tyranny shops about adding an elec fan cooler on a switch but really it should be rebuilt with a billit converter and upgraded valve body and few other parts. I keep putting it thinking I'll get a new truck instead which hasn't happened yet either.

[John Maryland]

Originally Posted by The Big Toe

Miles on truck? Any mods? Tires? Type of problem??

2017 with tow package no mods, chips diesel going to be pulling a 38 ft DVR 5th wheel luxury suites. No problems yet just wondering if i could expect some.

[Leatherman]

I have a 2016 CTD with the stock trans. Mine left me stranded due to a solenoid issue. Ended up being a recall that I got in the mail a week after the transmission died.

Repaired and I've never had a problem before or since.

[aircommuter]

Originally Posted by John Maryland

For the Dodge owners, 2017 diesel models has anyone had Transmission problems when towing near max weights and and or with higher altitudes. Thanks

I have been building automatic transmissions and Cummins engines since the early 70s, transmissions earlier than that. It a very long explanation. Send a pm if you want all the details.

[boydn1]

Originally Posted by upflying

From the chatter I read on the cummins forums, the 68RFE is a good transmission on a stock truck. Problems with the transmission happens after doing mods such as deletes and tunes. The performance truck crowd also tends to be hard on stuff so that also might be another cause for failures.
It's also known as Ram, not Dodge.

Wow, It's spelled Potato, Ram, Dodge same thing...

[reg11756]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

I have been towing a Cedar Creek 34RL with my 2008, Dodge 3/4 ton Mega Cab, 68RFE auto, 4X4 with 3:73 gears and using Nitto Dural Grappler LT 285/70R 17 126R tires. I have also installed a Smarty S67 set on CaTCHER Level 3 which adds 60HP/120 lb-ft of TQ to the rear wheels. The transmission also has a Mag-Hytec deep pan installed with temp probe in it, which adds an additional 3 QRTS of fluid to the transmission. The transmission is serviced every 40,000 miles two new filters and fluid. I now have 135K on the OD and the transmission has worked flawless. The transmission oil temps at the pan never have exceed 195F when towing my trailer.

This truck has crossed the continental divide in Colorado with the trailer in tow going west and has towed out east in the Smokies, never having any towing issues.

I do use T/H mode and the exhaust brake whenever I am towing my trailer.

JIM,

I have my Ram 2500 ltd on order. Early research seems that the Cedar Creek FW we plan to buy should not be a problem at 13,300# dry weight. After reading more of these blogs, I want to be sure we will be good as the truck is rated to nearly 20,000# plus cargo. Any thoughts from you?

[The Big Toe]

Originally Posted by John Maryland

2017 with tow package no mods, chips diesel going to be pulling a 38 ft DVR 5th wheel luxury suites. No problems yet just wondering if i could expect some.

Drive it respectfully, use your gears when you need to and perform routine maintenance.

There's guys on the Cummins Forum that have gotten over 500,000 miles on their 68R and no problems. And the one guy, all he does is pull RVs -- For a living.

People tune their Cummins up to 500 horsepower then cuss their transmissions out when they fail. go figure

And sometimes, they fail without any help at all. But mostly, they're a good transmission.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by reg11756

JIM,

I have my Ram 2500 ltd on order. Early research seems that the Cedar Creek FW we plan to buy should not be a problem at 13,300# dry weight. After reading more of these blogs, I want to be sure we will be good as the truck is rated to nearly 20,000# plus cargo. Any thoughts from you?

20,000 lbs if properly equipped which your Limited will not be. If you're getting a diesel, you'll be over your rated payload capacity, but likely not your rear axle weight rating. If you get gas, you'll be at the limit of your towing capacity with your Cedar Creek loaded up.

[reg11756]

Originally Posted by Lins

20,000 lbs if properly equipped which your Limited will not be. If you're getting a diesel, you'll be over your rated payload capacity, but likely not your rear axle weight rating. If you get gas, you'll be at the limit of your towing capacity with your Cedar Creek loaded up.

It is a diesel. Not sure if you are saying I will be OK or not. Have patience with this noob.

[reg11756]

Originally Posted by Lins

20,000 lbs if properly equipped which your Limited will not be. If you're getting a diesel, you'll be over your rated payload capacity, but likely not your rear axle weight rating. If you get gas, you'll be at the limit of your towing capacity with your Cedar Creek loaded up.

Lins,

The GAWR rear is 6040#. Cannot find a lot of stats from Ram or FR on FW pin weight, or most of the #'s the weight calculator posted on this forum to plug in, so I can use all the help I can get. Not too late to stop the truck order if I have to go to 1 ton or talk the missus into a smaller FW, (hah)

[67L48]

Originally Posted by reg11756

It is a diesel. Not sure if you are saying I will be OK or not. Have patience with this noob.

I believe he's saying that you will not be OK.

Historically, 3/4 tons have had a GVWR of 10,000 lbs and the diesel engine option at ~800 lbs eats up a lot of that allowance. Payload can be less than 2,000 lbs in a diesel 3/4 ton truck. Payload is, of course, just a proxy for GVWR ... it you're over payload rating then you're over GVWR. So, for 3/4 tons, gasoline engines are going to have more available payload/GVWR for towing/hauling.

In 2020, some 3/4 tons have had higher GVWRs and I'm not sure where RAM fits in that category.

So, I believe he's saying that with a 20,000 lb load, a 3/4 ton diesel will have the tow capacity, but probably not the payload/GVWR. A 3/4 ton gasoline probably has the payload/GVWR, but probably not the tow capacity. I didn't corroborate those numbers. I'm just trying to interpret the above post.

This is where the age-old debate between 3/4 ton and 1 tons rages on. Are the historical GVWRs of 10,000 and 11,500 lbs real or administrative. If you think it's real, then you're better served with a 1 ton when you want the diesel and would only get a 3/4 ton with a gasoline engine. If you think it's administrative, then you grab the 3/4 ton diesel and don't care about being over the GWVR of the truck.

You can decide which of these camps you fall into and I won't debate for one or the other.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by reg11756

It is a diesel. Not sure if you are saying I will be OK or not. Have patience with this noob.

As 67L48 said, I am saying you are likely not ok on paper. Capability wise you are ok. Your rear axle weight rating should actually be 6500 which mine is. As far as I know Ram hasn’t raised the GVWR of their 2500s past 10K lbs yet but GM and Ford are doing that for some with the right option package. I quickly looked on Rams website and a diesel powered Limited typically has the lowest payload (due to all the features and options). A gas optioned Limited has the payload you would need but the towing capacity drops to 15 or 16k. I have a 2500 diesel Laramie and love it. I don’t plan on towing super heavy and if we get a fifth wheel it’ll be a light weight one.

[reg11756]

Originally Posted by Lins

As 67L48 said, I am saying you are likely not ok on paper. Capability wise you are ok. Your rear axle weight rating should actually be 6500 which mine is. As far as I know Ram hasn’t raised the GVWR of their 2500s past 10K lbs yet but GM and Ford are doing that for some with the right option package. I quickly looked on Rams website and a diesel powered Limited typically has the lowest payload (due to all the features and options). A gas optioned Limited has the payload you would need but the towing capacity drops to 15 or 16k. I have a 2500 diesel Laramie and love it. I don’t plan on towing super heavy and if we get a fifth wheel it’ll be a light weight one.

Glad I put it out there, and thank you for your input. Tried to do my homework before I found these forums and solid info is scarce. Of course all the truck and trailer dealers are all good news.

BTW, the website info is WRONG in places showing tow capacities as low as 15,000# !!! I confirmed that the website is WRONG and that when you run a specific VIN# thru the tool it CLEARLY comes out at 19,000#+. Let me know if you think that makes a difference.

I am confident the rig would tow the FW we are looking at ordering but likely going to be a problem in tough conditions, hills, altitudes, braking, etc. Starting my search for a 1 ton 3500 with the H/O diesel and Aisin trans. It just took so long trying to find equip and colors etc so we ordered and now I prob have to take something on the lot or in transit now.