PolarisCobra
Senior Member
So i bought my 1500 just a little over a year ago, thought I would post some reflections and observations.
First, I bought it at a local dealer (not a Ram dealer) with 23,000 miles on it. Looked at my local Ram dealer, they didn't have a truck on the lot with the options I was looking for. Looked at Rams and Fords. Wanted a bench seat and a Crew Cab, need to carry six people when my son visits from out of state. That led me to a Big Horn, since in general, the Laramies have the full console and bucket seats up front. Wanted a few options, but didn't need all the toys.
My truck was owned by National Car Rental before me according to the paperwork. That concerned me a bit, but as I looked it over, it was really very clean, no signs of abuse, and would have the remaining factory warranty to 36,000, so I went with it.
The truck has the 5.7, Crew Cab, and 6 foot bed. This seems to be a rare combo, most of the Crew Cabs I see have the shorter bed. That was not a big deal to me, but I did need to get it home to make sure it fit in the garage. Makes it with about 2 inches to spare at each end, so I'm good.
A year later, it has 44,000 miles on it, and has been flawless. Two recalls (transmission and tailgate), done no problem. Not one other problem.
I have snowmobiles, and use it to tow my 2 place enclosed trailer several weekends every winter. Typical trips are close to 300 miles round trip. Mileage towing is 12 -13, which seems to be typical no matter what kind of truck you have. Trailer weighs nearly 3000 pounds loaded, so it doesn't really tax the truck, it does a GREAT job pulling it. One trip last winter was VERY cold, - 30 one morning. Hit the remote start on the key fob, truck started like it does any other day, let it warm up for a few minutes, drove like normal. The 4 wheel drive pulls the truck and trailer up hills without issue.
Still have the original tires on it at 44,000 miles, they are getting thin, and will be replaced before winter. They will slip a bit when it's wet, but overall I feel like they have been fine for me.
I have added a few things, and been very happy with all of them.
Installed this cover on the bed
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00REJXVEW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Put on these steps. I like them, the steps themselves look great. Only issue is the brackets rusted. Cleaned them up with a wire brush, painted with rust stop paint, then a couple of coats of Rust-Oleum, then a couple of coats of Plasti-Cote. Hoping that holds up. If you get a set of these, I would recommend putting some better paint on them before installation.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018MOCIMI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Installed these flaps, they look fine, zero issues. I did need to take off the factory spats, and drill a couple of holes in the fender.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AX7O5XM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Orders these mats. Price was good, they have held up perfectly, still look like new. Having the bench seat, I liked that there was an option for one mat the covered all the way across the front, they fit great front and back.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XD5M21N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Oil changes will continue to get done at 8000 - 9000 files with Pennzoil Platinum.
I could not be happier with my truck, it suits my need perfectly, is very comfortable and trouble free. Time will tell , but I am wondering if I made the right decision buying the extended warranty, if things hold up like they have, I won't need it much, which is actually a good problem to have.
First, I bought it at a local dealer (not a Ram dealer) with 23,000 miles on it. Looked at my local Ram dealer, they didn't have a truck on the lot with the options I was looking for. Looked at Rams and Fords. Wanted a bench seat and a Crew Cab, need to carry six people when my son visits from out of state. That led me to a Big Horn, since in general, the Laramies have the full console and bucket seats up front. Wanted a few options, but didn't need all the toys.
My truck was owned by National Car Rental before me according to the paperwork. That concerned me a bit, but as I looked it over, it was really very clean, no signs of abuse, and would have the remaining factory warranty to 36,000, so I went with it.
The truck has the 5.7, Crew Cab, and 6 foot bed. This seems to be a rare combo, most of the Crew Cabs I see have the shorter bed. That was not a big deal to me, but I did need to get it home to make sure it fit in the garage. Makes it with about 2 inches to spare at each end, so I'm good.
A year later, it has 44,000 miles on it, and has been flawless. Two recalls (transmission and tailgate), done no problem. Not one other problem.
I have snowmobiles, and use it to tow my 2 place enclosed trailer several weekends every winter. Typical trips are close to 300 miles round trip. Mileage towing is 12 -13, which seems to be typical no matter what kind of truck you have. Trailer weighs nearly 3000 pounds loaded, so it doesn't really tax the truck, it does a GREAT job pulling it. One trip last winter was VERY cold, - 30 one morning. Hit the remote start on the key fob, truck started like it does any other day, let it warm up for a few minutes, drove like normal. The 4 wheel drive pulls the truck and trailer up hills without issue.
Still have the original tires on it at 44,000 miles, they are getting thin, and will be replaced before winter. They will slip a bit when it's wet, but overall I feel like they have been fine for me.
I have added a few things, and been very happy with all of them.
Installed this cover on the bed
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00REJXVEW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Put on these steps. I like them, the steps themselves look great. Only issue is the brackets rusted. Cleaned them up with a wire brush, painted with rust stop paint, then a couple of coats of Rust-Oleum, then a couple of coats of Plasti-Cote. Hoping that holds up. If you get a set of these, I would recommend putting some better paint on them before installation.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018MOCIMI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Installed these flaps, they look fine, zero issues. I did need to take off the factory spats, and drill a couple of holes in the fender.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AX7O5XM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Orders these mats. Price was good, they have held up perfectly, still look like new. Having the bench seat, I liked that there was an option for one mat the covered all the way across the front, they fit great front and back.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XD5M21N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Oil changes will continue to get done at 8000 - 9000 files with Pennzoil Platinum.
I could not be happier with my truck, it suits my need perfectly, is very comfortable and trouble free. Time will tell , but I am wondering if I made the right decision buying the extended warranty, if things hold up like they have, I won't need it much, which is actually a good problem to have.