2016 Ram 3500 opinions.

[Fixastuff]

I'm looking at a 2016 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn dually tomorrow. Has the turbo diesel engine and asin transmission. Not sure on the axel ratio will have to get under it to find out. Will be towing a 14k bumper pull trailer with it right now but might upgrade to a 5th wheel so I can tow the vibratory plow and mini excavator at the same time later.

It has 115k miles and is 50k usd. Comes with "free" lifetime oil changes and state inspections.

I've never owned a dodge just ford's. Anything I need to look out for? Or any opinions on it would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[nova3930]

I've got a 15, 2500 and it's been rock solid. Cummins not even started to break in at 115k.

Not any problems with the aisin transmission that I'm aware of. Transmission issues that are out there gravitate to the 68rfe. The aisin is a true commercial duty transmission.

They did have some issue with turbine actuators freezing up. Using the exhaust brake can help prevent it. Tended to happen around 75k miles so if yours was a problem it's probably already been fixed. If not Ram now has a revised part and there are improved aftermarket actuators available.

Make sure it has the updated drag link or an aftermarket version in the steering. Old version had loose thread specs and they'd strip at highway speeds.

Other than that it's oil and filters in my experience. Don't let anyone tell you the breather filter is a $300 job either. It's literally a $50 filter and 8 bolts right in top of the engine. Takes longer to gather up the tools than to do it.

 

[YanmarFever]

Thats a lot of miles for 50 thou. keep looking around, the economy is about to dump any day and those trucks will be plenty to be had.
We just acquired one with 19,000 miles for 59 thou. believe it or not Car Max had the best deal on what we wanted.
It came with 30 days return no questions asked , 90 days warranty, + a 3 year warranty bumper to bumper.
Its not a dually but its a 2500 Laramie heavy duty
We shopped around for months...

 

[blee03]

Not sure on the price, used truck prices are crazy nowadays.

I have a 2012 2500 Cummins 68RFE Laramie that’s been great, 262k miles on it now. (My 4th CTD) I run my exhaust brake 24/7 pulling or not to keep the VGT turbo veins active. If not used they have a tendency to get sticky and cause issues.

Get it up to operating temperature and check for blow by. Pop the oil filler cap off and just set it on top of the oil fill hole. It will dance around a little because of the engine vibrations but not very much. If it goes crazy, smokes a lot or flys off I’d definitely pass on the truck.

Definitely run a Carfax on it. If you need help with a Carfax I might be able to get one ran if you’re seriously considering buying it.

 

[Hay Dude]

You sure it’s got the Aisin?
I think that’s only with cab/chassis 3500/4500/5500. I don’t know which 3500 you are looking at, pick up or cab/chassis.

Pickups got the standard automatic, which is greatly improved and nothing to worry about.

As far as jumping from Ford to Ram, you will probably be happier. I was long time Ford or GM in smaller trucks and made the jump in 2020 to Ram.

I’m sure I would have liked any of the 3 in 2020, but Ram was cheaper and in my opinion better and the specs were better. GM version of 5500 too big and lacked GCWR that I needed. Ford was a bad experience for me, so a change was warranted.

These Rams were built to tow and they can tow massive amounts of weight. I never suggest anyone overload their truck, but I have had to on several occasions and the truck never skipped a beat.

14K bumper pull or larger 5th wheel is nothing. Here’s mine with 19 tons of hay and a GN trailer.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I have a 2016 Ram 3500 cab/chassis that I bought new. It has just over 160,000 miles on it now. It has served me well. No major problems with it. I had a front wheel bearing go out a few months ago.

I use it to tow a 28' gooseneck and we load it up with equipment. About a month ago, I added a 40' trailer and the 3500 handles it well.

If I have one complaint, it's that the Cummins diesel is 'de-tuned' in a cab/chassis compared to a pickup bed. In other words, the cab/chassis has less horsepower and torque than a similar pickup.

I don't understand why Ram does this, and I think Ford does it too. Not sure about GM or Chevy.

 

[gsganzer]

I have a 2016 Ram 3500 cab/chassis that I bought new. It has just over 160,000 miles on it now. It has served me well. No major problems with it. I had a front wheel bearing go out a few months ago.

I use it to tow a 28' gooseneck and we load it up with equipment. About a month ago, I added a 40' trailer and the 3500 handles it well.

If I have one complaint, it's that the Cummins diesel is 'de-tuned' in a cab/chassis compared to a pickup bed. In other words, the cab/chassis has less horsepower and torque than a similar pickup.

I don't understand why Ram does this, and I think Ford does it too. Not sure about GM or Chevy.

I believe GM does it too. From my understanding, they de-tune due to torque. Because it's a cab-chassis, they don't know the rigidity of the final bed configuration.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a 2016 Ram 3500 cab/chassis that I bought new. It has just over 160,000 miles on it now. It has served me well. No major problems with it. I had a front wheel bearing go out a few months ago.

I use it to tow a 28' gooseneck and we load it up with equipment. About a month ago, I added a 40' trailer and the 3500 handles it well.

If I have one complaint, it's that the Cummins diesel is 'de-tuned' in a cab/chassis compared to a pickup bed. In other words, the cab/chassis has less horsepower and torque than a similar pickup.

I don't understand why Ram does this, and I think Ford does it too. Not sure about GM or Chevy.

Because a lot of those trucks are sold to large companies that don’t want to give 400/1000 to an hourly employee. Also there’s a longevity aspect to a larger truck working harder, pulling or carrying more weight.

 

[Fixastuff]

Truck was nice but they didn't want to budge on the price any so I'm going to wait and see if they will.

I just found a 2021 without the fancy laramie Longhorn options, 97k miles for the same price. It will tow more than the 2016, the interior options are nice but I don't need them.

 

[Hay Dude]

Truck was nice but they didn't want to budge on the price any so I'm going to wait and see if they will.

I just found a 2021 without the fancy laramie Longhorn options, 97k miles for the same price. It will tow more than the 2016, the interior options are nice but I don't need them.

Is it a Tradesman or a Laramie?
nice thing about the 21 is it’ll have a CP3 pump and much newer look.