Have a 2012 that seems to be a 50/50 thing as to the chance it will start up after towing the boat

It has been towed to the dealership to be fixed / tested when it would not start but the tow truck driver didn't listen to the DO NOT TRY TO START THE TRUCK at the dealership so they can scan it for the issue.

Long story short they said it needed new module/key fobs with remote start replaced.... few week delay on parts. Truck was left with dealership for 24 days while brother went back to work ( not needed for that time period)

Well again today after towing boat to the lake it would not start up after morning of fishing...back at the dealership. Seems the problem is related somehow to towing the boat>?

Any ideas.... truck is heading out on a 3500 km trip end of the week and well that's a long enough trip without wasting a day stranded somewhere at another dealership

 

Are you dunking anything on the truck?

 

I tow all the time with my 2012 and never had any issue like this. I'm wondering how far into the water you are backing when you launch or retrieve your boat? I don't believe I ever got more than the back wheels wet, and definitely never up the axle, differential, bumper, etc. That said, I know a lot of launches can be shallow and I've seen some where people get even their front tires in the water.

When you say it doesn't start, does that mean turning the key doesn't do anything? No clicks, no turning over, nothing? Or does it mean it cranks but never starts?

 

The truck is never backed into the water. I'm standing on dry ground when I hook up the bow of the boat to the winch line and crank it the rest of the way onto the trailer. When I turn the key it gives one click and that's it. I get that lightening bolt symbol on the dash and a check engine light. I also had this occur once when I was away working for 3 weeks, came back and the truck gave one click and wouldn't start. Finally started took it to a dealership, they said battery had drained sitting for 3 weeks,, in that case it shouldn't have started an hour later.

I've had this truck for a year and to be honest I'd trade it in next week if they gave me a really good trade in,, I don't trust it anymore to start,,, that could be really bad late November when in 50 miles back in the bush hunting.

 

Almost sounds as though you have a ground loose somewhere that when you're at angle i.e. the boat ramp, it possibly contacts metal and shorts causing the starting problem. Same could be said for leaving it for a long period and then suddenly your battery is dead. I'd be up my dealers *** constantly till they fixed it or we'd be talking money back/replacement vehicle. Good luck.

 

maybe leaving the boat trailer pugged in to the trailer hitch is draining the battery some how?
Have you thought of unplugging the boat trailer after you shut the truck off? just an idea?
does it have the factory towing package wiring, or was it wired for the hitch after?

 

Factory hitch. Every time it happens I'm at the dealer. I'm also now in contact with Chrysler Canada. Pretty much told them I'm done with this truck it's just unreliable. Told them what I wanted, the ball is now in their court. Depending on how they reply,, ill be either going to get another ram or ill be looking at a blue oval symbol

 

Just so you know ahead of time, FORD found the problem with all their vehicles... then they put a oval circle around it in the grill...lol.
All joking aside, they ALL have their problems, but RAM trucks are the lesser of the evil.