On a 2008, 2500 Ram diesel with a manual transmission, failed to engage in gear while towing. First time (June 2008) the transmission failed the vehicle had approx. 10,000 miles and would not shift to lower gears. I took it to dealer who said nothing was wrong. Truck is now at dealer with over 17000 miles and they say it now needs a new clutch. Yesterday while towing vehicle failed to downshift and every stop the truck had to be shut down to engage transmission. The vehicle also launches forward while the clutch is depressed after I get it in gear. I have less then 18000 miles on the truck and 15000 miles are highway miles a clutch should not fail without having something else wrong. I was with a friend of mine, who is a diesel tech. When the transmission failed to engage, he said he believed it was the hydraulic system failing to engage the clutch. Yesterday while making a left turn, in the middle of a intersection I had to shut the vehicle off and engage the transmission. I was lucky no cars were behind me and the light had changed to green for the cross traffic who had to wait until I turned the truck off to engage the gears and restart the truck.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA