General maintenance advice please

[jmooney96]

Thank you in advance for your opinions

New user, non mechanic, please be kind with me:

2015 Ram 3500
107,000 miles
OEM rebuilt transmission just installed
All cases and differentials serviced
Crankcase filters routinely replaced
Heavy duty brakes in good shape

I use this to tow a 10k lb fifth wheel and being newly retired are preparing to travel pretty extensively cross country.

What services would you do to this truck to avoid breakdowns while traveling like this?

I’ve considered:
New serpentine belt
New radiator hoses , flush and fill

What advice would you have for a non mechanic

 

[ShadowJ]

AAA membership or something like it and do the belt, or at least have it with you, do the flush and fill and keep an eye on fluids and do oil changes regularly and should be fine. Duct tape, electrical tape, fuses, spare fluids, a small tool kit, jack, etc. are good to have along

 

[jmooney96]

AAA membership or something like it and do the belt, or at least have it with you, do the flush and fill and keep an eye on fluids and do oil changes regularly and should be fine. Duct tape, electrical tape, fuses, spare fluids, a small tool kit, jack, etc. are good to have along

Thank you

 

[whitexc]

Gas or diesel? You may get varying answers depending.

Are you new to towing the fifth wheel? If not you likely have some tools and a little know how.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jmooney96]

Gas or diesel? You may get varying answers depending.

Are you new to towing the fifth wheel? If not you likely have some tools and a little know how.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

6.7 Cummins diesel
Been towing for 15 years

Thank you for asking for more info

 

[johnmyster]

For starters,

Carry a spare set of fuel filters with the tools necessary to change them. Fleetguard FS53000 and Mopar 68197867 rear. 1-3/8 six point socket and long extensions for front. Strap wrench and WIF wrench for rear. Know how to drain them if the WIF light comes on.

Wiggle test the heater grid bolt.

Mopar 53034051AB air filter or fleetguard equivalent.

Fan belt is not a bad idea then carry your old as a spare. Gates fleetrunner (green) is the preferred belt.

Check the recall history to see if the water pump was replaced in 2017. In either case, these trucks are prone to heater core plugging and water pump failures are certainly not unheard of, so a citric acid flush, new coolant, new water pump, new hoses isn't out of the question if this truck is going to take you far from home. (Do the water pump AFTER any chemical flushing.) My preference is Fleet Final Charge Pro coolant due to cost/performance/availability. Preventative replacement of the plastic heater core elbow (coming out of the head) is cheap insurance, or carry a $12 dorman as a spare. None of this is labor intensive, while the belt is already getting changed, etc. Dayco idler and tensioner if you really want to be inclusive when the water pump is getting changed.

Do something with the headlights to make them acceptable for night driving.

Add a cabin air filter?

Bilstein 5100 shocks.

Lube front drive shaft cardon joint.

Test batteries. Carry a jump pack.

Know where the fuse is for your radio/head unit so you can hard reboot if it locks up.

Amazon fuse packs for the assortment of fuses FCA decided to use (three types), or you can buy a small assortment from Genos...plus the other types of fuses for your camper.

 

[G Mcpherson]

Also do not buy Filters on Amazon. Geno's Garage is a good source for those.