Moving to Germany, Got questions

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RougeIT

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Hello Ram Fam,
I'll be moving to Germany for a few years. Anyone on here done this move with their Ram. Where do you get your service done if there is even a place. I'll probably do what I can at the Autocraft center on base there. In case of anything outside of my knowledge base I'd love to know what you all do. Thanks for the info.
 

KKBB

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I have no idea. Good luck though. Sprecken sie deutsch!?!? I took 4 years of German in high school and that is about all I learned. Haha
 

Jeepwalker

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You're probably better off leaving it home with a safe person.

I go to Europe all the time, driven all over. European roads/towns and driving environment is so different, it's not like the good ole USA. Besides fuel costs which are 3x higher (of course you can probably buy from the base) ...yer talking centuries old medieval towns with curvy and excessively narrow roads, very narrow streets, and places where tolerances are rather tight. Parking will be a nightmare. I know you'll fight me for saying this, but a Ram will be totally impractical ...you'd be a lot better off with a smaller european car. A BMW would be more fun so you can (IMO) more fully embrace a european lifestyle for a period while you are there. Then enjoy the Ram when you come back to visit.

Enjoy your new adventure.
 

turkeybird56

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Hello Ram Fam,
I'll be moving to Germany for a few years. Anyone on here done this move with their Ram. Where do you get your service done if there is even a place. I'll probably do what I can at the Autocraft center on base there. In case of anything outside of my knowledge base I'd love to know what you all do. Thanks for the info.
Most PPL bringing American Vehicle over do most of their MX. But when I was there, there were 230,000 military members, and even places on Posts (Kasernes) selling American products. There are a few RAM places and looking on Internet, there is a Place South by Munich even advertising selling 2022 Limited. If you are going to USAREUR (US Army Europe), since with drawdown, I do not know of many places North, Most are west Like Kaiserslautern (K-Town) or South of Wiesbaden and further. It may be a challenge to get what you need if parts become an issue. May explain why we all bought used and worn out German Spec vehicles and drove them till they fell apart. My last car was a 74 Mercedes 280 SL (had a 2.8L Straight 6 two carbs motor), wat a beast. U really need to find a service member who has returned recently and pick their brain. I have no faith in AAFES having much of anything U may need, just saying. All IMHO.

ADDED: German TUV (inspection, OMG a pain), and their environmental laws are strict. Definitely go to on post garage to do any MX. I believe Military PPL's are now running European plates instead of USAREUR plates, but a lot has changed since I was there, why the suggestion to find a recently returned Service Member and pick their brain.
 
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RougeIT

RougeIT

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Appreciate the responses. I would leave with someone safe if I had one. I don't want it to sit for 3+ years. I'll be near Wiesbaden and we'll have our family honda oddy to travel with. Bonus is I'll be a few blocks away from the office to the house so it may go on the highway but not off base much. I really don't want to sell it or put it in storage. Good news is I was there recently and I saw dozens on a couple different bases so that kinda makes me a bit hopeful. From my conversation with people the days of buying cheap used EU cars are gone and most people are having to spend more than it would cost me to ship my truck there and back to get something reliable. It will not be going downtown I can promise you that. I wont get taxed or pay more than $35 to register it for USAREUR
 

Marmay

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My brother in law buy a Buick Regal in Frankfurt,and after 6 months he sold this car,he have to many problems driving in town and very hard time parking this vehicle, you park but can't get out ,can't open the door without hitting the other car,so yaa,this is a very different world there.
 

Dean2

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Bad idea, I spend a lot of time in Europe. Gas is getting close to $10 U.S. a gallon and it still going up rapidly. Unless you are getting senior officer pay that is going to suck when you are getting 15 mpg. Outside of freeways, European roads are not built for large vehicles like Ram trucks. You will end up having to have a second vehicle if you are driving in town much. My suggestion, leave the Ram at home. By the time you pay the trasport back and forth, plus the inspection fees, you can buy a car and resell it when you leave for FAR less.
 

mtnrider

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I spent many years overseas and I say sell it, you'll have no need for a truck over there and depending on where you are it could be a pain to park. Also fuel prices are much higher. It's just not worth the hassle and you can always get another when you come back. Plus its a great time to sell

.
 

vududoc

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I'm out in Bavaria and have had my 17 RAM out here for almost 4 years from the states.

The truck is rare (80k Euro new sales price) in Germany so its more of a status symbol.
I run a be4ter and mine spends most of the time parked. when i do use it i get about 19-20 MPG combined (change your driving habits quick for Germany and blitzers).

Since you will have an apo have your stuff sent in from the states and get good with diag and part numbers!!!!
I will say the ability to haul/pick up stuff is invaluable unless you turn your Honda into a trash hauler/truck.


feel free to pm
 

Kenobi

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Bad idea, I spend a lot of time in Europe. Gas is getting close to $10 U.S. a gallon and it still going up rapidly. Unless you are getting senior officer pay that is going to suck when you are getting 15 mpg. Outside of freeways, European roads are not built for large vehicles like Ram trucks. You will end up having to have a second vehicle if you are driving in town much. My suggestion, leave the Ram at home. By the time you pay the trasport back and forth, plus the inspection fees, you can buy a car and resell it when you leave for FAR less.
If he's military, the shipping is free. Not sure about contractors of gov civilian.

If he's mil, contractor or gov civilian on a base he'll get gas coupons to use on base. Those coupons are good in many gas stations throughout Europe.
 

Dean2

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If he's military, the shipping is free. Not sure about contractors of gov civilian.

If he's mil, contractor or gov civilian on a base he'll get gas coupons to use on base. Those coupons are good in many gas stations throughout Europe.
From the way he worded it I was guessing he is military. I did not know about the free shipping and gas coupons, that is a much better deal than the Canadian Military gets, unless it changed in the last couple of years. Even with those perks, a full size pick up would suck in most German cities and towns. With free shipping I would be buying a shiny low mileage German Spec Porsche, Mercedes, BMW etc and bringing it home with me. Would be way more fun on the Autobaun.:)
 

airrecon

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Hello Ram Fam,
I'll be moving to Germany for a few years. Anyone on here done this move with their Ram. Where do you get your service done if there is even a place. I'll probably do what I can at the Autocraft center on base there. In case of anything outside of my knowledge base I'd love to know what you all do. Thanks for the info.
Wow! Big vehicle to be taking to Germany. Parking there, and other European countries, can be an adventure. (Only the military will go to the expense of shipping vehicles etc. to foreign) . Sell it and buy local. And when you fill it up with the gas prices over there you may well wish you had
 

airrecon

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From the way he worded it I was guessing he is military. I did not know about the free shipping and gas coupons, that is a much better deal than the Canadian Military gets, unless it changed in the last couple of years. Even with those perks, a full size pick up would suck in most German cities and towns. With free shipping I would be buying a shiny low mileage German Spec Porsche, Mercedes, BMW etc and bringing it home with me. Would be way more fun on the Autobaun.:)
You are so right about size of the P/U and fitting in (not). Would never take something like it over there. Many great vehicles there not available in the U S.
 

MrSassy1949

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In order to bring a vehicle back for free, one must take a vehicle over.
I suggest not taking the truck. Take the Honda, then sell it or trade it in on a new vehicle before coming back.

USArmy retired
 

jwrich4

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Good morning,
I've spent 20 years in Gemany off and on. My last tour, I had just bought a Choo-Choo Customs stepside and came down on orders 2 months later. I took it with me, drove the Ish out of it for 3 years and sold it for more than I owed.
First, Germans love american pickups! Everytime I parked it somewhere, I would come back with a couple of people wanting to ask questions or just talk about my truck.
The new TUV rules can be a problem for older American vehicles. If your truck meets the latest US emission standards you should be good. Afterall, Military new car sales is selling new vehicles for delivery in country as well as back in CONUS. Reach out to them on the Exchange web page and get their input.
Getting around can be difficult at times, parking "on the economy" was the biggest issue I experienced. Depending on where you go, you may have to park away from your destination and walk or take public transportation.
I ******* traffic in center city Wiesbaden for almost an hour when I tried to park in the underground lot. Didnt know there was a 90 degree right at the bottom of the ramp and had to inch back and forth to get around it. Rinse and repeat to get out. The Germans were very helpful in "spotting" my sides and corners and only a couple of people looked at me in disappoval.
As to having Service done, AAFES has a garage at most Exchanges. Bases usually have a "do it yourself" auto repair shop with tools and people who will help you. On the economy, you will probably find one or two shops who are willing to help as well.
There are a couple of FB groups you may want to join. Ask a question and people will be very helpful.
US ARMY GERMANY (USAG)
US Army in Germany
USO Grafenwoehr - reach out to me at my email, I know the USO Europe Director who lives in Graf. I can do the introductions and you can ask questions directly. :)
USO Kaiserslautern

Get out and see Europe, meet the people, eat the food, careful with German beer in the beginning :) and Enjoy your Tour!
 
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Red04Hemi

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Hello Ram Fam,
I'll be moving to Germany for a few years. Anyone on here done this move with their Ram. Where do you get your service done if there is even a place. I'll probably do what I can at the Autocraft center on base there. In case of anything outside of my knowledge base I'd love to know what you all do. Thanks for the info.
I had my Ram there for 3 years, not far from where you're going. I lived in Kaiserslautern. There are a couple of places that sell US vehicle parts in K-Town make sure you use a VAT form to avoid paying the extra 20percent in taxes. Rockauto was my goto for car parts. I lived in Europe for over 13 years. Drove the Ram all over, just do NOT use indoor parking garages I almost got stuck in one. Not enough room to navigate and turning radius in our trucks make it almost impossible to get out.
 

DocHolliday

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Spent 5+ years working in Germany (DE). Do not bring that pickup with you. The roads in many places are so old, they were made for horse + cart travel. The fuel prices are over $10 US per gallon. If you get fuel chits your allotment will not cover your costs. The next really ugly factor is insurance.

Mandatory insurance comes in a one size package that cannot be changed. I.E. you will have one choice only, for one cost. My friend brought his Corvette over and had a $7,500 insurance bill. Mine was $3500 for my Mini Cooper that I bought in Germany, then couldn’t bring to the US because of emission restrictions. Check with your insurance company but make sure the person you talk to is authorized to write an EU policy. Very few are. Your policy does not adjust downward if you rarely drive your vehicle. It will not matter if you drive 1 mile a year or 100,000 the cost is the same.

In many cases you can travel everywhere via train or bus. It just takes a while longer but you are not trying to negotiate the roads. An added nicety is you can, and should, bring a food basket that can include alcohol drinks.
Parking is a nightmare. And expensive.
Doing your own auto work on Post is possible. I did. But plan ahead for times other than the weekend. I was able to get parts through the dealer. Otherwise there are a few places that sell oils or fluids. Your true filters are out there, just ask your co-workers for suggestions.
If you are eligible for VAT forms, you cannot use them for fuel. That fuel tank is going to cost you. By the way, use of credit cards is limited and in many places not accepted.
 
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boblonben

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My brother in law buy a Buick Regal in Frankfurt,and after 6 months he sold this car,he have to many problems driving in town and very hard time parking this vehicle, you park but can't get out ,can't open the door without hitting the other car,so yaa,this is a very different world there.
A Buick Regal is MADE in Germany and sold there, just not as Buick, but as an Opel, so their size is just made for there.
 
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