New to Diesel

[SoCalBob]

Hello all. Lifelong operator of diesel powered heavy equipment, specifically cranes. Never planned on owning diesel powered personal vehicles. Started with a 22 Ram Rebel EcoDiesel to pull a 24’ toy hauler. Loved that truck mostly. Then we upgraded to a 30’ Airstream and bought the well maintained 2018 2500 Laramie 6.7 Cummins truck they offered with it and sold the Rebel.
The maintenance and small repair on these trucks I’m fairly comfortable handling but the quirky electronics and emissions related stuff is a definite challenge.Hope to get educated a bit here.
Day to day driver is a 2011 VW Jetta tdi. Great car for it’s lack of def system. I’ve been using motorcycles for my actual commute to and from work and dirtbikes as my main hobby. The truck is for towing and bike hauling mainly and actual truck stuff.

 

[Tom Davis]

Hello and welcome!

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[BossHogg]

Hello all. Lifelong operator of diesel powered heavy equipment, specifically cranes. Never planned on owning diesel powered personal vehicles. Started with a 22 Ram Rebel EcoDiesel to pull a 24’ toy hauler. Loved that truck mostly. Then we upgraded to a 30’ Airstream and bought the well maintained 2018 2500 Laramie 6.7 Cummins truck they offered with it and sold the Rebel.
The maintenance and small repair on these trucks I’m fairly comfortable handling but the quirky electronics and emissions related stuff is a definite challenge.Hope to get educated a bit here.
Day to day driver is a 2011 VW Jetta tdi. Great car for it’s lack of def system. I’ve been using motorcycles for my actual commute to and from work and dirtbikes as my main hobby. The truck is for towing and bike hauling mainly and actual truck stuff.

Diesel emissions systems, or issues with them, are always the talk of the town, so to speak. I've got two RAM diesels, a 2015 3500 Cummins and a 2022 1500 ECODiesel.

At 1,200 miles on the ECODiesel, it went over to Green Diesel Engineering to get their tune installed. It made a significant difference, instantly noticeable in throttle response, shift behavior, and fuel economy. My best MPG is 32.6, driving freeways on cruise control on a very long trip, 2,300 miles round trip. I have not had a single engine or emissions-related problem with this truck.

The 2015 3500 is always pulling something if it is moving. Camper, equipment, or dump trailer, it is always pulling. Again, not a single issue with the powertrain or emissions system outside of recalls until I made a fatal mistake. I allowed RAM to apply the 67A recall. That resulted in a string of Check Engine lights about NOx inefficiency. The dealer has not been able to fix it, and right now, the truck is sitting in my yard waiting on a new round of parts for the "parts canon" that may never come. My service writer simply said to me, "It is a mess" and "I'm not the only one". Not encouraging words, nor is the dealer wanting my truck sitting on their lot. It tells me it will be a very long wait.

I think the secret to success with diesel emission systems is not using them for short, repetitive trips. They need to get hot by working; this allows regens to complete.

If your 2018 does not have the 67A recall, do not allow it.

 

[Fake-Account27]

I think the secret to success with diesel emission systems is not using them for short, repetitive trips. They need to get hot by working; this allows regens to compl

I have 80k miles on my 2018 and 40k of those miles are towing my travel trailer. I also have not had any issues, and the one person I know who has bought a used truck that idled a lot, has had issues. I even had a check engine light one time related to the emission system and it solved itself after an 6 hour drive towing the trailer.

I did 67A maybe two years ago and have not had any issues.

 

[Papa Red]

Welcome to the forum.

Red

 

[Joe w.]

Welcome

 

[NotSoFast]

If your truck doesn't have one, get a block heater. Most of the engine wear and most of the emissions happen while the engine is cold. Diesel engines are pretty efficient so they don't produce as much waste heat to warm themselves up. And they are massive. A block heater won't get the engine to the boiling point of water, but it would be nice if it does.
The exhaust brake is one of the best features in the Cummins, especially when towing. It not only saves your brakes but it helps clean the EGR system.
Diesel engines are marvels of sophisticated engineering and are built to work hard. You can tow a load up into the mountains, unhook, and drive it to a trailhead. But the part the truck loves is the pull. It's built to do that without breaking a sweat. The rest it just puts up with.
My favorite for electronics is the tire pressure monitor when off-road.
Have fun going places with your Airstream.

 

[David Oakes]

AFAIK, all 6.7 engines come with a block heater, many just don't have the cord installed or just not plugged in. I don't think that's the case with a 2018 though, it should be there with plug.

 

[JW2 Innovations]

My 2016 didnt have the cord w/plug but was easy to find and install myself.

Amazon and some zip ties, done.