Factory Order RAM 3/4 Ton 2500

[dshizzel]

I'm looking forward to ordering a 2015 Ram 2500 from the factory. I've decided against having the 5th wheel/Gooseneck prep done since it seems to really only accommodate the Mopar frame/rail assy and seems to be a waste of money based on what I want to do (see below).

I want to get the short bed (6.4'). My last TV was a '99 QC LB.

I plan to get the RamBox storage management, and will offset the narrower space and shorter bed with a Sidewinder setup and standard 5'er hitch. I've read some posts in other forums that, on balance, indicate that 5'er towing with RamBox is not a problem this way. (eg, hitting the sides of the boxes when sharp cornering.

I'll likely end up with a Heartland 5'er with the angled front cap. Between that and the Sidewinder, I should be ok for maneuverability.

My question to the forum is what options would absolutely preclude the addition of the hitch. For example, the auto-rear leveling, or full size spare tire.

Any other advice you could offer would be great, as well.

Thanks!

[texasclarks]

Congratulations! I am sure you will enjoy it. I guess I would have ordered the 4x4 version...for piece of mind if nothing else. I am glad you came back and provided us with the feedback on why the Ford over the other two.

[dshelley]

Congratulations, I was especially impressed with your questions, your responses to them and your letting us know the reasoning behind your final decision. Thanks and I'm sure others will benefit from this.

[FishOnOne]

dshizzel wrote:
Followup -- I decided to go agnostic on the brand name. I, instead, looked for price, features, and quality.

Chrysler's recent ownership by Fiat disturbs me about the focus on quality. I work for a manufacturing company, and I know it starts from the top down.

So, it was between GM and Ford. GM has a really nice truck, but they didn't have the rebates that Ford did.

I ended up ordering a F-350 Super Duty XL/SRW/2WD w/PowerStroke Diesel and some appearance and equipment upgrades. SuperCab and long box. Gooseneck/5th wheel prep package, and 18,000 lb hitch all setup at the factory/dealer.

Dead on at invoice so I feel I got a good deal. And, $3,000 of rebates. Sweet.

I appreciate everyone's advice and look forward to posting pictures on this thread when I take delivery.

Sounds like a jewel... You'll love that truck.

[spud1957]

Very nice. Being an XL 2WD you'll have over 4000lbs of payload.

S

[dshizzel]

Followup -- I decided to go agnostic on the brand name. I, instead, looked for price, features, and quality.

Chrysler's recent ownership by Fiat disturbs me about the focus on quality. I work for a manufacturing company, and I know it starts from the top down.

So, it was between GM and Ford. GM has a really nice truck, but they didn't have the rebates that Ford did.

I ended up ordering a F-350 Super Duty XL/SRW/2WD w/PowerStroke Diesel and some appearance and equipment upgrades. SuperCab and long box. Gooseneck/5th wheel prep package, and 18,000 lb hitch all setup at the factory/dealer.

Dead on at invoice so I feel I got a good deal. And, $3,000 of rebates. Sweet.

I appreciate everyone's advice and look forward to posting pictures on this thread when I take delivery.

[dshizzel]

mrkoje wrote:

If you are looking for a no-frills pickup I would recommend you take the Chrome appearance and popular equipment options just for the added resale value in the future. Ugly black bumpers really put a limit on the marketability. Not a lot of folks want to pay big bucks for a vehicle that looks like it belongs in a corporate fleet.

These are good suggestions and I follow your reasoning -- thanks!

[mrkoje]

dshizzel wrote:
3500 SB SRW Cummins IN.
5th Wheel/Gooseneck IN.
Aisin OUT. 68F IN.
Rambox OUT.

Tradesman vs. SLT - Noodling.Re: cabin noise and ride - is there any real difference aside from more gewgaw options inside?

Thanks, everyone for your help in getting me this far into my decision.

There is no difference with the powertrain - both trim levels can be had with the 6.7L Cummins and either the 68RFE or Aisin transmission. The differences are going to be mostly cosmetic except for the manual on the floor shift 4x4 on Tradesman (the manual is still shift on the fly and can be upgraded to electronic. For example the Tradesman trim comes standard with "ugly" black bumpers and grill, doesn't have the upper glove box cover in the interior, will have black door handles etc.. The SLT will look nicer. Most dealers will order the Tradesman package with the optional Chrome Appearance group ($800) and optional popular equipment group ($500). This for the most part gets you looking like an SLT on the outside but still with a lower base MSRP than the SLT. Also, dealers mostly order the SLT trim with the optional Big Horn group ($1800 or so & it's called Lone Star in Texas) which adds fog lights, power seat, leather steering wheel etc..

If you are looking for a no-frills pickup I would recommend you take the Chrome appearance and popular equipment options just for the added resale value in the future. Ugly black bumpers really put a limit on the marketability. Not a lot of folks want to pay big bucks for a vehicle that looks like it belongs in a corporate fleet.

[dshizzel]

3500 SB SRW Cummins IN.
5th Wheel/Gooseneck IN.
Aisin OUT. 68F IN.
Rambox OUT.

Tradesman vs. SLT - Noodling.Re: cabin noise and ride - is there any real difference aside from more gewgaw options inside?

Thanks, everyone for your help in getting me this far into my decision.

[jerem0621]

dshizzel wrote:

It's looking like life without Rambox is going to be much simpler as I can use the factory prep, picture frame, standard hitch, and Sidewinder

I've spent a lot of time noodling the Rambox and have looked at several of the trucks with the Rambox....

I am not very impressed with it. The strange shape of the interior of the RamBox seems like it would limit what I could actually put In the ramboxes. I think a regular toolbox at the front of the bed would be more useful.

+1 for the Factory prep, picture frame, and standard hitch (B&W Patriot 16k if possible...it does work with the Sidewinder)...I know it gives you a flat bed when removed and that's great, but another advantage is that you don't have a monster fifth wheel hitch that won't sit flat on the floor. Which is my biggest gripe with the B&W turnover Ball plus Companion.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[ib516]

The new trucks are pretty high, but I didn't have to do any adjusting and have no issue with the bed height.

[dshizzel]

Hey, any issues with bed/hitch height and 5'er angle? I saw one poster somewhere else who had to do a whole buncha mods to their 5'er to get it to tow level with their new 3500 because the bed was so high. I think I've also seen some having something to say about it on this forum, too.

It's been a few years, but I think my '99 QC CTD had a bit of a squat to it once the landing gear came up, so all was fairly level (without banging the frame) when hauling. It had heavy duty leafs because I'd ordered it with the camper package (not sure what I was going to tow/haul at the time).

[gtsum]

I was in same boat earlier this year after finding out my 2013 Ram Laramie 1500 had a door sticker of 1061 lbs...was going to order a 2500 cummins until I started to really look at pin weights of possible fivers...I ended up ordering a 2014 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW Megacab Cummins loaded...I have 4075lbs payload and dont need to worry about hitch weight (except for the 16k plus GVWR th's). The 2500 certainly rides better unloaded no doubt...but I didnt want to repeat my mistake I made with the 2013 1500 (payload)

[ib516]

RoyJ wrote:
The Aisin also has a deeper 1st gear, which is very usefull for towing heavy.

Wish they offered it on the 6.4 Hemi. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe you can only get that combo on Cab and Chassis.

The 6.4L is available with an Aisin in the 4500 and 5500 C&C. They call it a 66ASC I think.

[RoyJ]

The Aisin also has a deeper 1st gear, which is very usefull for towing heavy.

Wish they offered it on the 6.4 Hemi. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe you can only get that combo on Cab and Chassis.

[ib516]

dshizzel wrote:
Looking harder at the 3500 now. Seems like the 2015 configs at TrueCar, Edmunds, DodgeRam.com, etc are coming online.

Question: Is the Aisin tranny really $3,000 "better"?

AISIN and 68RFE teardown (pics)

Part 2

The Aisin is heavier duty.