Ram 3500 as a city/daily driver

Kevin and Beth · 12-25-2016, 01:01 PM

I ran into a ram owner yesterday in Nashville that really was having a lot of problems with regen and just running empty in the traffice jams of Nashville. got me to thinking. Maybe in the future there is possible changes coming to emission laws. Heard a few talking, maybe wishful thinking. How many drive the CTD with current emissions around the DPF, DEF, EGR in city traffic jams. Sitting still idling for long periods of time.(Nashville has become a challenge just to get through the city on the interstates without sitting still). Who has a daily driver with the CTD in a city and does the DPF give problems?

thanks

Bookemdanno · 12-25-2016, 03:46 PM

I've got a 2500 with the diesel, but it's not a daily driver (I have a company car that I drive during the week). I've got 14.6k miles and purchased new in '14. Knock on wood, but I haven't had any problems. We will be driving it from TX to Atlanta, GA next week (not towing). I really only drive it on the weekends and when towing the 5er.

TCNashville · 12-25-2016, 04:01 PM

If you visit any of the Diesel Forums of the big 3 they all basically say the same thing. These newer diesels aren't grocery getters and like to run hard as it keeps 'em cleaner. Never put it away cold and follow the maintenance schedule. I've driven all 3 and although I went with Ford, they were all great trucks.

robkelly · 12-25-2016, 04:20 PM

I have a 2500 CTD that so has so far Ben good as a daily driver. My commute is 26 miles each way, with only about five miles of stop and go, and I have a chance to open it up a bit before and after the stop and go, so that probably helps.

Bucko06 · 12-25-2016, 07:40 PM

Not the Cummins, but I have the power stroke. I have an issue which I have attributed to short daily drives. My commute is 8 miles. I often cut regens short. I have had a number of NoX sensors fail and throw the check engine light. And, because it is emission related the truck goes into limp mode after 50 miles. A thought not confirmed, I suspect the issue is related to frequent short drives. During the core camping season I run the truck a lot harder while towing. I wouldn't choose it for a daily driver. But, I don't want a Ford Focus to tow either. So I take the VERY GOOD towing with not great daily function. I love the truck.

cariboocreek · 12-25-2016, 10:22 PM

Daily driving in the city with a 3500 diesel will be an expensive exercise in frustration. Constant regens and an engine that will "make oil" will be costly. If you must use a 3500 as a daily driver, consider the gas engine (6.4).

etex211 · 12-26-2016, 07:04 AM

The federal government has killed the diesel pickup.

Hopefully, with the upcoming change in the government, the EPA will take it's boot off the throat of the diesel pickup market.

spoon059 · 12-26-2016, 08:10 AM

Not the worst thing in the world, however one needs to remember that the diesel likes to be WORKED and take it out on the highway once or twice a month to clean up the congestion.

A nice highway trip on a Saturday out into the country, or to the next town over for breakfast... something. I too am fortunate to have a company car for monday thru friday driving. I try not to use the truck for quick trips to the store, I like to get the exhaust up to at least 500 or 600 degrees every time I drive. Church is a 40 minute drive up the highway once a week. I also try to get at least one camping trip a month ( a little harder with two toddlers in winter weather, hopefully we can start back up in a couple years!).

Take care of your diesel and it should take care of you. The people that complain about the EPA stuff on these trucks are usually the ones not driving them the way they were meant to be driven. Its unfortunate, but it is the new reality of diesels.

herewego · 12-26-2016, 08:35 AM

I drive mine every day to work (2014 3500 ) I have done No modification's, the exhaust from my Diesel I think are cleaner than a lot of the cars .
I do not set in a lot of traffic

bdreinv · 12-26-2016, 10:02 AM

Hi have an 06 Ram 3500 4x4, auto trans 4:11 rear end never get better than 18 in town. Have a buddy 06 2 WD 6 speed never gets less than 20 in town.Not bad for these big old hogs!

Firefighter78 · 01-02-2017, 09:10 PM

Just bought a new 2016 F350 Dually with the Powerstroke. I love this truck to pieces, it's a ton of fun to drive and turns a lot of heads. As far as using new diesels as daily drivers just few miles a day, it will have detrimental effects on the entire package- DPF, EGR, inner cooler. Personally, it would be much cheaper to buy a $1000 clunker for short trips. Will also save your 70k truck from getting hit by others car doors or some Jackwagons cart slamming into it.

My career / profession is in advanced Diesel engine technology in the construction industry. I hate to rain on anyone's Parade but the federal Regs on Diesel engines are near impossible to reverse. We will see CNG in a few years which is what the govt should have focused on originally.

3'senough · 01-03-2017, 09:05 AM

Daily driver CTD 2014 with DEF. I went with the DEF to help with the local short drives. To date I have not had any issues related to short drives, limp modes or regen. I use this as a daily driver and frequently it will just drive 5 miles for 5-10 trips over a several days before getting out to the highway.

Just my experience with a DEF CTD.

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