I took my new '14 out yesterday pulling our '08 Fuzion toy hauler for the first time. The ram has only 4000 miles. (Only had it 3 months). On the road it pulled flawlessly , although i was getting 5-8 mpg (computer calc going 75).

My question is when we got into town. We came to Branson, Mo. Our campground took us through the main stretch. Lost of stop and go traffic on inclines going slow and starting up hills. It felt like we were slipping a lot. I never received alerts the tranny over heated or smelt anything. I have experienced overheated transmissions in the past while towing. This was different, just slipping.

This is my third ram auto pulling this camper in this kind of situation. ( had a '04 2500 auto quad, '08 3500 mega swb and now a '14 3500 mega swb). But this is the first time I experience this type of slipping while pulling the Fuzion. It was like the TC would never lock in.

So because this is my first new truck ever (purchased with less than 35 k miles) and first time towing this early in a truck's life, are the issues I experienced common and part of breaking in or if not, what are tips and things I need to make sure of for my tow home and my future vacation to South Dakota to see Mt Rushmore in August?

Thanks.

 

Do you have a 68rfe or Aisin transmission?

 

68rfe

 

Check your fluid for color. What you describe in driving conditions I'd be willing to bet the fluid spent a lot of time close to 300*.

Highly recommend putting a tranny fluid temp gauge in.

As far as break in is concerned, the tranny really doesn't have a "break in" period. The engine however may continue to "break in" up to 70-80k miles. This can be observed by gradual increases in fuel economy.

I have to wonder why the first owner gave the truck back at 4k miles and equally wonder if there was a tranny issue before.

 

I'll check the fluid. I guess I should smell it for the burnt smell.
I got the truck with 300 miles, and it was a dealer trade from Dallas to NE ok. Most of that was the drive up. So if the tranny is messed up, then I probably did it.
I did find a tranny temp as part of the gauges that are stock after the fact.

I have also been thinking about the roll back assist might have been a factor. I really had to give it the fuel to get moving.

I have a lot to learn on this truck I guess.

 

Torque converter doesn't lock in first gear that was your problem. Part of the reason why I went back to a manual

 

The biggest issue I've seen so far with the newer 13-14's is the torque management. The low end management drives me absolutely crazy. I've seriously considered going back to the dealer to see if they could flash the ecm.

 

After a few narrow misses towing my son decided he'd had enough and went back to the dealer, this was just after they were introduced around June 2013. The dealer told him there was nothing he could do about the torque management. He did consider going back to a new 2012 so he could use a mini max, but has since decided to keep the 2013 because of the higher GVWR, which he does use.[IMG][/IMG]

 

Looks like he needs all the GVWR he can get. I can relate to the narrow misses

 

Could try this:

http://www.dieselperformance.com/ind...uct/index/299P

 

I took a look and although it says it will work on a 2013 I'm not sure, besides his main problem arises when towing on poor, slippery or gravel roads when the truck goes over a bump and the traction control decides to slow the truck down, not thinking there might be a heavy trailer back there. Not as bad with a goose but a cargo trailer is a different story.

 

Oh. Does he know traction control can be disabled with the EVIC?

 

Yes but it automatically turns it's self back on at 40 mph./60kph and it remains on.

 

I forgot all about this one.. I finally got feed up and traded to the other side.

 

Me too man these new trucks are crazy, I'm not selling my 2011 but I am going to pick up another manual 2001 3500 to keep around as a spare truck, and we used to complain about the VP's.