abc4yew

I bought my '14 3500 4x4 srw specifically for the Aisin and have been very happy with it except for a recent flash. Now I've found that if I leave off the traction control and put the truck in tow/haul with engine brake on the performance is very good, better than before the flash. The Aisin has a 4 disk torque converter and I expect it will hold at least 1200ft/lb and 600HP if the input shaft would stand up which is the likely fuse in the system to prevent major damage.
By comparison an Allison has 1 disk and the Ford unit has 2 disks of a larger diameter.
These transmissions are stout. The downside of the older 48re was the flimsy case and output section which allowed the shafts to get out of alignment causing shear. Using a inflexible flexplate made the situation much worse. I rebuilt my two trannies 6 times even after being build, driveline flex over rough roads with power would result eventually in a shaft failure or a TQ converter failure. I lost 4 ATS converters and still have two to send back. The 48re was a heavy 727 from the 60's era and it showed.
I don't plan on bombing this truck until the warranty is mine as it works fine and gives good mileage. To me it was worth the money especially with the price the company paid for it.

Sierra1

So far I'm happy with it, especially in tow/haul mode and the exhaust brake on...I barely have to touch the real brakes to slow the truck and trailer down.

jump

I'm no expert or engineer. Just a passable shade tree mechanic. My 2011 3500 is rarely unhooked from my three car trailer. The 68 trans went bad at about 70k but I think it was due to a factory defect. The replacement has 350k and still seems strong. Hope that helps.

Danderson

I'm pretty tired of shifting and would love a '14-'15 tradesman auto.
I met a guy from Montana with one. He sold his '06 and bought the '14.
The guy was stoked.

bob_boater

Agree with Danderson.

I like the auto in my 2015 Ram 2500 Tradesman Crew 4X4 68RFE 6.7 TD, 18-inch tires, 3.42Rear Diff. It works for what I got it for and for what I use it for. Though, I have not driven the manual in the Dodge Ram, so I have no 4th Gen Ram manual trans experience as a comparison to the auto.

However, I have driven a manual in a Ford tow truck DRW (in the '80s) and an 89 Porsche 911. When I'm driving for pleasure, I only drive a manual. When I have to drive, I prefer an auto. That's just me.

Bottom line, it is worth it if you like/prefer it, imo.