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Old 08-05-2022, 09:22 AM   #1
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Ram 2500 2018 vs 2019

I am close to pulling the trigger on a 2018 Ram 2500 LB 4x4 with the 6.4 and 4.10 rear end. On the Ram Forums, I am getting advice to just get a 2019 because of the 8 spd transmission. Basically, the 2018 2500 with the 6 spd is trash and should never be used to tow anything.

Now, this is from people driving 1500s and I would like to hear from of the guys and gals here towing with the 2018 6.4.

I am coming out of a 2017 1500 4x2 with the 5.7 and 3.21, so I know a 2018 or 2019 will be a night and day difference.

What is your experience towing with the 2018 2500 6.4?
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Old 08-05-2022, 09:38 AM   #2
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What is the said transmission to be trash?
Is it the 68rfe? Its been around for a wile, and some hate it, even though they dont have one.
I have one, in a ram diesel, no problems. I beleave they put them in 1 ton's also, so a gasser wont be working it as much as a diesel will.
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Old 08-05-2022, 09:38 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haleme View Post
I am close to pulling the trigger on a 2018 Ram 2500 LB 4x4 with the 6.4 and 4.10 rear end. On the Ram Forums, I am getting advice to just get a 2019 because of the 8 spd transmission. Basically, the 2018 2500 with the 6 spd is trash and should never be used to tow anything.

Now, this is from people driving 1500s and I would like to hear from of the guys and gals here towing with the 2018 6.4.

I am coming out of a 2017 1500 4x2 with the 5.7 and 3.21, so I know a 2018 or 2019 will be a night and day difference.

What is your experience towing with the 2018 2500 6.4?
My advice is don't take advice from the 'experts' on the internet. I've been on forums for just about every vehicle I have owned, and according to them, every one is trash.

92 Winnebago class A - Motors are junk and wont last 20K miles
97 Coleman Popup - Roof will delaminate and fall apart
94 GMC 3500 Diesel - Will overheat and ruin engine
13 Rockwood Roo - Tent fabric will leak, ruining bed doors
16 Rockwood 8329ss - All Rockwoods are junk and will fall apart every trip.
02 Excursion Diesel - Crank sensors fail all the time, leaving you stranded
09 Harley FLHX - new style frame will give you death wobbles and kill you
07 Toyo Rav4 - Trans is junk.
17 Ram 2500 - grid heater bolt will break off, ruining engine. Oh and the trans is junk, and you should have gotten the other one (does not matter which trans you have)
17 Buick Cascada - It's a Buick. (technically, it's an Opel in buick clothes)
21 Polaris Ranger - both diffs and the trans will grenade on you

And on and on and on...

Other than the Toyota Rav4, none of these came true. Granted the Toyota had 276K miles on it, so its not like I consider it junk... My point is, every guy who ever bought something that failed (whether its his fault or not) seems to make it their life's mission to tell everyone else about it.

Tim

P.S. Buy the '18. That 6-speed is decent, if you take care of it.
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Old 08-05-2022, 09:53 AM   #4
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Upgraded from a 2017 1500 Bighorn 5.7L with the 3.92 and an 8-speed to a 2018 2500 Laramie Megacab 6.4L with the 3.73 with 42K on it. Towing/towed an R-Pod 195 (4200-4400#). Never had an issue with the 1500 on any of the hills/passes in Colorado even though I suspect I was at/just over payload at times. The 2500 has been fine as well, although heading up CO 62 SW out of Ridgway (pretty good hill) in May the 2500 wanted to stay at some crazy high RPM for a bit as I accelerated from maybe 25 MPH. Haven't had that issue before or since.

I realize that I'm not towing very much compared to most folks, but the 2500 has been fine with the 6-speed. Shoots up I-70 west out of Denver like it's not even towing anything (but then, so did the 1500).

Hope that helps a bit.
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Old 08-05-2022, 10:00 AM   #5
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the 2018 gas trucks come with a 66rfe. decent trans, tuned to shift at low rpms which is kind of annoying. they do have a problematic valve body and end plate. Several companies make upgrade kits that would be worth your while...
Towing wise, im sure you will be fine.

The 2019+ gas trucks get the 8hp75 which is a ZF unit. Zf is pretty famous for making a really good trans. You will see better power and fuel economy.
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Old 08-05-2022, 10:00 AM   #6
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For the OP,, i forgot to mention if you dont know.
Ram has a sight that you put in the vin# on a truck, and up pops the payload and tow rating for that rig, built out the door, from the factory.
Different rigs have different ratings.
My 2015 2500 6.7 cummins was spot on for the payload, as i went to a scale full of fuel, DEF fluid, me, tools and such, in truck, then months later found out about the put vin number in sight and spot on.
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Old 08-05-2022, 12:21 PM   #7
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I can't give any info on the 2018 but I have a 2019 4x4 long box 2500 with 6.4 and 3.73 and the 8 speed. It's got plenty of power towing a 36 footer thats probably 9000 lbs but is loud as hell in a strong head wind or up a hill. The computer says it averages around 27 litres /100km while towing at 60 mph but it's flat around here. I don't like the 4x4 compared to my old 2011 sierra 1500, I have the big horn and the entertainment system is slow. I also don't like how it revs so high at low speeds, everyone looks at you when they hear you coming through the park barely moving. Really poor milage around town too because of it. Happy with the mileage on the highway without a trailer, nice backup camera for hooking up to the trailer, plenty of room and storage
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Old 08-05-2022, 12:43 PM   #8
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We own a 16 diesel Ram with the 68 transmission. Locks out 6th when pulling a big trailer. So, a 5 speed.

The advent of the 8 speed was to improve 0-60 times and provide more flexibility in gear ratios. More grunt down low. Slightly better mileage.

Towing a trailer I doubt you would care much if at all.

Keep in mind the old HD transmission was a three speed with granny low. It was fine. Just slower. I drove one in the 60's. With a Chevrolet 307 6cyl.
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Old 08-05-2022, 01:20 PM   #9
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Quote:
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We own a 16 diesel Ram with the 68 transmission. Locks out 6th when pulling a big trailer. So, a 5 speed.
Is that a byproduct of tow/haul mode, or are you manually limiting the transmission?

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Keep in mind the old HD transmission was a three speed with granny low. It was fine. Just slower. I drove one in the 60's. With a Chevrolet 307 6cyl.
That takes me back to my high schools days delivering horse feed from the local Ace in an 80s Dodge with the 3 spd and granny gear.
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Old 08-05-2022, 01:21 PM   #10
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This is pretty much what I expected from fellow RVs using a Ram 2500 to tow.

Thanks for all the feedback.
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Old 08-05-2022, 08:03 PM   #11
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Tow haul mode. Locks out 6th. Prevents hunting.

Frankly it tows our roughly #15,000 easily. I would expect the 6.4 to be fine.

One day I lunch with the plant manager of the GM transmission plant.

I asked him about the old power glide vs the modern many speed locking torque converter ones.

His response? “ You are a maintenance as I renpmember?” Yes I responded.

“The new transmission is half as light and has three times the parts .” What do you think?
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Old 08-05-2022, 09:36 PM   #12
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2018 2500 Cummins Mega cab. Dragged our 5th wheel 35k miles around this country. Rock solid. Probably around 12k lbs.
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Old 08-05-2022, 10:00 PM   #13
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My 2015 6.7 cummins diesel, 68rfe in tow haul does not,, lock out 6th gear. All it does for me, is make shift rpm's higher before going into the next gear.
I tow a simple 8,000lb TT, and dont even use tow haul.
For the gasser people. I get hand calculated 10-8 mpg, towing on average, 8 with a nasty headwind at interstate speeds the 8, up to maybe 12 at best.
Thats not far off from the gas motor it seems.
Unhooked, i get very good for a 7,500lbs brick. I have a 2 door 4x4.
If i would have researched more on the modern diesel emissions stuff, i would be in the same truck, but with a gasser. The extra $8,000 for the motor and $600 for the trans, buys a lot of gas to make up the mpg difference.
I grew up with gas farm trucks, the same motors that went in the vehicles, but lots more gears. Had to rev them to make them work, so i am/would be used to the gas motor reving to make the hills or merge with heavy traffic.

OP, did you put in the vin# on the ram sight to get payload and towing on the 2 different year and trucks???
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Old 08-06-2022, 12:59 PM   #14
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My 18 diesel has tow/haul. Dies not lock out 6th. Does hold gears longer, and downshifts quicker when slowung down. Works great with engine brake.

Tim
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Old 08-06-2022, 01:41 PM   #15
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The engine brake is a great tool when towing heavy RV’s down step mountain roads.
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Old 08-06-2022, 02:06 PM   #16
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My 18 diesel has tow/haul. Dies not lock out 6th. Does hold gears longer, and downshifts quicker when slowung down. Works great with engine brake.

Tim
My 2019 diesel works the same. No lockout, pulls my 10K fiver in sixth most of the time.
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Old 08-06-2022, 02:50 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tomkatb View Post
Tow haul mode. Locks out 6th. Prevents hunting.

Frankly it tows our roughly #15,000 easily. I would expect the 6.4 to be fine.

One day I lunch with the plant manager of the GM transmission plant.

I asked him about the old power glide vs the modern many speed locking torque converter ones.

His response? “ You are a maintenance as I renpmember?” Yes I responded.

“The new transmission is half as light and has three times the parts .” What do you think?
aah yes, the old Powerglide! Rebuilt and reprogrammed many of those in my high school auto shop days. Once you put in good steels, fibers and bands and tweaked the valve bodies a tad, you had a decent transmission. Back then the parts were cheap, not so much these days. Hard to believe that after all these years the Powerglide is still being serviced.
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Old 08-06-2022, 04:03 PM   #18
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Modified Powerglides are still used in high power race cars, pullers and monster trucks. When properly fitted they are almost indestructible.
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Old 08-06-2022, 04:28 PM   #19
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I own a 2018 2500 Ram with the 3:73 gearing towing a 34 ft 5er 9800# empty about 1100 loaded and it does great. Drive 62 mph an get between 10 and 11 mpg. Hardy ever use tow haul mode unless really hilly country. When I have used TH going up 6% grade set cruise to 62 and walk right up the grade and pass many other campers. Later RJD
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Old 08-12-2022, 08:34 AM   #20
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I have a 2018, bought new in 2019 3500 SRW 6.7 diesel. I am an RV full timer so all I do is travel. Truck has tow/haul, exhaust brake, etc....I love it! My trailer is 30' bumper pull. I get from 10 - 13 mpg!

Happy trails!
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