I personally use a Snap-on scan tool. Used to be they were the best ones if you wanted a scan tool (and still are great). Totally overkill for most vehicle owners. In the last 15 or so years there are many scan tools that have come out, which offer a wide range of capabilities, and many do what a Snap-on does (or more), for a lot less. Capabilities of OBD code products run from simple 'readers' to comprehensive scan tools with bi-directional abilities. Below are a couple affordable options which come to mind. I'm sure others will recommend different ones. You can go on youtube and see the reviews.
OBDlink MX Plus.
Advantage: Lot of Ram owners use them. Relatively cheap. Powerful. Small...works with phone or tablet. Works with many other vehicles, if you have other cars/tk's. Also works with many third-party apps like Alpha OBD (next). It covers the basics well and some extras like being able to change tire sizes etc for many vehicles (say, you went to a larger tire size on your Ram). The MX is probably all you need.
Alpha OBD:
This is a very powerful software which works with Rams and many other vehicles under the Stellantis umbrella (not all). So if you have a Jeep or other Dodge vehicle for example, you could use this. About as powerful as dealer software, but only about $50 or so ...very economical and powerful. Uses your phone or tablet ...and also a PC as I recall. You need a cable or OBDlink to connect to your vehicle/truck connector.
TopDon Scan tool:
They have several small, inexpensive 'readers' and also larger hand-held scan tools. My experience with them are theiir hand-helds, similar to a typical old-school or Snap-on scan tool. Personally I myself prefer a dedicated hand-held scan tool vs a phone, which just feels 'right' in my hands. My brother has the $550 hand-held variety with the OBD cable. Yeah, I was struck how powerful it is. Almost as powerful as my snap-on, and does a few things mine can't do!! His can communicate to about any vehicle made on earth. What I've hooked it up to it did well. It has some bi-directional capabilities. Software updates are reasonable. It's basically made in China but if you look into them, from what I've heard they're very responsive on customer service. If you had several cars of different makes and wanted a good scan tool with bi-directional capabilities and had the $$ ...this would be a good choice. And they also have inexpensive 'readers' as well.
Foxwell:
That's another company which has a wide variety of simple 'readers' and also very capable hand-held scan tools.
Autel:
They have a lot of scan tools from a code reader to very sophistocated shop-level scan tools. Been around a long time. Worth a look. My only issue with them is historical. I had a scan tool of theirs a long time ago, more like a higher-end 'reader'. I didn't find their updates that good or frequent. And they tended to stop with updates after a bit so I had a tool which wasn't very 'current' very long. Their goal seemed to be to move you into a new scan tool or up the foodchain. I called them and didn't think their customer service was very good or they were very sympathetic. Rubbed me the wrong way. I just didn't care how they ran their business model and short support. The Chinese companies by contrast just keep throwing out new stuff, updates and capabilities. HOWEVER, that said, the scan tool I had worked without flaw while I used it. And I must stress....that my Autel experience WAS over 15 yrs ago. It's possible more competition these days has straightened them up. I've read good things on various sites I go to by other users who use their products. So... definitely worth a look. And if all you are going to buy is a simple code 'reader' their product should work just fine.
ScanGauge:
Another product some guys like which can do a lot of real-time stuff and even give you 'gauges' as you drive. Reads codes too.
There are so many other products out there it's mind boggling. Just do a search. What is 'best' for you depends what needs you have and your budget and how far you want to take things with a scanner. You could watch youtube reviews until you are blue in the face! Most people don't need a larger more expensive scan tool. Codes and Google ..this site, can help pinpoint most your truck's or other cars' issues. A scanner, even the most expensive ones, aren't going to tell you what your vehicles' problems are. Still takes some digging. A google search (with your code) is probably the most powerful de-bugging tool there is.
If your only vehicle is the Dodge Ram, then the OBDlink MX Plus is probably your best choice. Use it as it comes. You can easily add Alpha OBD if you need more comprehensive software for your Ram and the MX is compatible with that. Or you can just go to the parts store when you need your vehicle's codes read ...and use the savings for a couple good restaurant meals
Good luck!
