2018 Cummins Low Torque in 1st Gear on Takeoff Under Load

[Dmacmilitant]

Trying to help my dad with is 2018 Ram 2500 Cummins issue.

The issue he is having is very little power or torque when he takes off from a stop in 1st gear under load, such as his 5th wheel or pulling another vehicle. He says it feels like it’s trying to take off in third gear. He was trying to help somebody pull their car out of a ditch and when the tow strap and chain were right he was trying to stomp it and it didn’t budge. Couldn’t rip the tires loose or anything. They ended up hooking the car to his buddy’s Chevy 2500 Gasser and he ripped it right out of the ditch.

I have a ‘22 Ram 3500 Cummins HO and I pull anything heavy with a lot of torque at takeoff just as I did with my ‘20 2500 Cummins SO. I’ve driven my dad’s truck in the past with heavy trailers and it ripped right along with no issues.

Any ideas or directions to point him in? He’s asked some shops as well as the dealership and they have no answers or guidance.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Trans slipping in first? Torque converter failing? Fuel filters plugged? Need to properly diagnose the truck really

 

[Dmacmilitant]

Trans slipping in first? Torque converter failing? Fuel filters plugged? Need to properly diagnose the truck really

I appreciate the response and that's kind of what he was looking for, just an idea of where to start. The dealership stays tight lipped and honestly they don't do much where he lives to even try to diagnose issues like this. He'll be stuck in the dealership vortex of being told they can't duplicate the issue since it's not hooked up to a trailer under load, only for them to say they can't drive it with a trailer hooked to it if he offered to bring it back with a trailer. He is stuck, so he'll be trying to throw parts at it or finding someone willing to drive it with him and give some opinions. One dealership and one shop so far said they have no idea and made no offer to do anything to look at it. In fact, the shop told him to keep driving it until it gets worse and does it during regular driving. I shake my head.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

I appreciate the response and that's kind of what he was looking for, just an idea of where to start. The dealership stays tight lipped and honestly they don't do much where he lives to even try to diagnose issues like this. He'll be stuck in the dealership vortex of being told they can't duplicate the issue since it's not hooked up to a trailer under load, only for them to say they can't drive it with a trailer hooked to it if he offered to bring it back with a trailer. He is stuck, so he'll be trying to throw parts at it or finding someone willing to drive it with him and give some opinions. One dealership and one shop so far said they have no idea and made no offer to do anything to look at it. In fact, the shop told him to keep driving it until it gets worse and does it during regular driving. I shake my head.

Look for a dedicated diesel shop