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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Tow Vehicles -> Ram 3500 Batteries
Post Info TOPIC: Ram 3500 Batteries
Barb and Frank


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Ram 3500 Batteries
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We have a 2016 Ram 3500 diesel with just over 50,000 miles.  In the last week we have found our batteries dead twice in the morning.  Am wondering if life expectancy of a battery should be greater than just over 3 years?  We are full time and on average we move every two weeks.

Also last week we had an auxiliary fuel tank installed at Classy Chassis in Indiana.  The battery problem began after the fuel tank was installed.  We called Tom Martin to ask if the battery problem could be connected to the pump, but after walking through the process, he determined everything was ok with the installation.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Frank



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Barb and Frank

2016 Landmark Key West

2016 Ram 3500/Cummins Diesel/4WD
LarryW21


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I replace my TV’s battery every three years regardless what any test says. Just don’t want to be caught 10 miles down some USFS dirt road without being able to crank it.

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Barb and Frank


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LarryW21 wrote:

I replace my TV’s battery every three years regardless what any test says. Just don’t want to be caught 10 miles down some USFS dirt road without being able to crank it.

 I agree - don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere needing new batteries.  Looks like we’re going to shop for new ones for our truck.



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Barb and Frank

2016 Landmark Key West

2016 Ram 3500/Cummins Diesel/4WD
arcaguy


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Granted my truck is not a RAM 3500 but I replaced the battery at about 9 years. I'm thinking that 3 years is way too short, heck that's the warranty period on my new battery. I would look real hard at the fuel tank installation. Just because someone (I assume the installer) said the problem wasn't connected to the tank installation I'd double check. Is there a fuse you can pull or wire you can disconnect to disable the fuel pump and any related fuel gauge? Something ain't right.

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Terry and Jo


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Put me in the category of those wanting to change batteries in my vehicles every three years.  Which means that I need to replace the ones in my F450 before we do any more traveling with the RV.

Terry



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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

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Barb and Frank


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Terry and Jo wrote:

Put me in the category of those wanting to change batteries in my vehicles every three years.  Which means that I need to replace the ones in my F450 before we do any more traveling with the RV.

Terry

 Thanks Terry - we are going shopping for batteries today.  We had them tested yesterday and one was reading low, so we’ll be replacing them as soon as we can find a source.

Frank



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Barb and Frank

2016 Landmark Key West

2016 Ram 3500/Cummins Diesel/4WD
RonC


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Frank ... I use OEM stuff. I know it's not the least expensive, but it's my preference. Have you considered your local RAM dealer?


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Ron and Janice

 

2016 Ford F350, King Ranch, DRW, 4x4, CC, 6.7 PS Diesel, remote control air lift system

2017 Durango Gold 381REF, Lambright furniture, MCD shades, morRYDE IS, 8K Disc brakes, GY G114  LR H Tires, 27,320 lbs CGVW

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The Bear II


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I have found over the past 20 years that batteries seem to last between 3 to 5 years. This is true for our 2 daily driver cars, our truck we tow with, our four 5th wheel trailer batteries and our two mobility scooters.

It's funny, I had never considered replacing them before they went bad, I always seem to wait until I'm ready to go some where and I hear the dreaded click click click.... time to get out the jumper cables.



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Barb and Frank


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RonC wrote:

Frank ... I use OEM stuff. I know it's not the least expensive, but it's my preference. Have you considered your local RAM dealer?

 

Ron,

I agree, generally we want the best possible batteries, tires, etc. for our vehicles.  We were not happy with the batteries that came with our truck - they were no-name, generic.  Ultimately, we went with Duralast Platinum batteries from AutoZone.  They were highly rated and recommended on Consumer Reports, plus if anything goes wrong with the batteries within 36 months, they will be replaced for free.  In addition, I received a 10% military discount.  Time will tell if they hold up.

Frank



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Barb and Frank

2016 Landmark Key West

2016 Ram 3500/Cummins Diesel/4WD
Terry and Jo


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Batteries are a funny thing.  We bought our Mobile Suites back in May of 2010.  Our RV batteries lasted for 8 years (replaced in 2018), and even then, they seemed to be OK.  I just wanted to get new batteries before we did much more traveling.  Interestingly enough, the only maintenance I did on the original batteries was to check them once a year and add a bit of water.

Upon recommendations from others, we got Trojan batteries.  I don't know if Trojans are usable in motor vehicles as I've not kept up with battery markets in a very long time.

Terry



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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug
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