Hello from Germany

[Volker]

Hi all

My name is Volker and i am from Germany. I just regustered to the forum and wanted to introduce myself.
As said , i am from Germany and i am 51. Actually i don't have a RAM, but i am thinking about to buy a 2018 Laramie modell, as i need a car to tow my boat. My curent car is a 2005 Range Rovef Sport, with a Diesel engine, which our goverment wants me to get rid of it. We do have a lot of restrictions here in Germany which does not allow me with my car to drive down town to certain cities.
I spend a lot time in researching and evaluating an alternative for my car, which should be affordable for me.
Due to the modeĺ change, the last 4th gen RAM's are on sale now with an atractive price. In general i figured out that the RAM's are prety solid, beside some issues that maid me thinking about it again.
My major concern is the lifter issue on the hemi engjne. As i understoud, this is a quality escape in regards to failed beraings within the lifters, which could happen or not. It seems to be not related to MDS. Are there any advises from you guys in respect to this issue? Can there be any preventive maintenance action performed to avoid the replacement of the camshaft in the future? Are there aftermarket lifters available that have been proofed to perform better?

Thanks alot in advance and regards

Volker

 

[Random_Walk]

Welcome!

Good news... the lifter issue, as far as I can tell, had been solved quite awhile ago (again... I think, not 100% sure); Hemi owners can tell you roughly which years avoid this problem.

There are other alternatives as well: The 6cyl Pentastar (a petrol engine which gives better mileage at the expense of a slightly lower towing capacity) or the 3.0 EcoDiesel (which I think would actually make sense in the EU...)

One issue that I've heard about on the Hemi that can be alleviated is the manifold bolts, which can break at high mileage. If you replace them early on, you should be good to go... Again, the Hemi owners can be more instructive than I can.


PS: You may be tempted to laugh at my location (and yes, I know why), but I promise it does exist, and unlike the name (it's actually English for Nebel, which we get a lot of), the place is quite awesome to live near.

 

[Ratket]

Welcome- How heavy is your Boat? - Is the V6 an option?
The lifter issue is still up for debate.
The exhaust manifold bolts are still an issue, but their are a lot of correctable options for this.

On the v6 I haven’t heard of any issues and it has a solid reputation from my understanding and that’s why I asked if it would fit your need.

 

[quietpeen]

Welcome

 

[Volker]

Hi all

Thanks for the warm welcome and some additional informations. The V6 is rarely available in Germany and the debate in regards to diesel engines is still ongoing. Nobody knows if the diesel engine has a future here. Such a truck makes only sense if we convert them to run on liquified gas (LPG) which is compared to regular fuel prices a good alternative. The operating costs would be lower for the RAM than for the Range Rover, even with the Hemi. My boat weight is about 3,8 t, so my favorite engine would be the hemi.
I am already aware of the manifold bolts and i assume this should not be show stopper for the.
@ the guy from Mist.
It seems that you have some ķnockledge about german?

Regards Volker

 

[crash68]

My boat weight is about 3,8 t, so my favorite engine would be the hemi.

If I did my conversion and math correctly, you boat is about 8400 lbs(US). Given the weight of the boat your definitely going to want the 3.92 axle ratio. If you haven't towed something of this weight with a gas engine, it will definitely be a different experience. Gas engines need to rev up to build torque, it won't walk away with the load at 2K rpms like your diesel Range Rover. It won't be uncommon for the rpms to get upwards of 4K to 4500 rpms when accelerating or climbing hills.

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[Nate4x4]

Willkommen!

 

[TruckTime19]

Welcome!
Willkommen!

 

[MikeG71]

HALLO!!


to the Forum!


~I only know that because my Daughter took German in High School......Lol!

 

[mboymopar]

Welcome to the site!

 

[Joe w.]

Welcome

 

[Random_Walk]

My boat weight is about 3,8 t, so my favorite engine would be the hemi.

A Hemi would be about the only engine that could pull it off, unless you bumped up to the Ram 2500s. Like others have mentioned, be certain that the gear ratio is 3.92 (or better) to maximize towing capacity (and ease of towing).

An LPG conversion would be doable, but a Hemi would be a better choice anyway, since it can out-tow the 3.0L EcoDiesel.

@ the guy from Mist.
It seems that you have some ķnockledge about german?

Regards Volker

Umm, weiss Ich nur genug um gefährlich sein.

(no, seriously, I'm rusty as hell; I used to work for the US subsidiary of SolarWorld AG, though.)

 

[Jonathan Millet]

https://home.mobile.de/AUTECGMBH#ses_200348811

Th

AUTEC in Mannheim had some great Rams when I was living there.

My last two 5.7L never had issues.

Good luck.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Volker]

Hi all

The truck of my choise at my dealership has the 3.92 gear ratio and has also the heavy duty engine and transmission coolers. Those extras i guess are a standard option for cars imported by the few official approved copanies to germany.
As the RAM trucks ar not imported by the FCA to europe/germany, there are only a couple of dealers here. I am lucky as i do live very close to one of them. Also the warranty is not covered by the FCA, it is covered by an warranty assurance with lots of exceptions. But i thought that the 4th gen should be solid car, well matured without any childrens's diseases.
I know that a gas engine behaves different to a diesel engine. Specially when it comes down to torque. But i saw a video where the RAM with a hemi was tested in the US, running up a mountain road with a heavy load trailer.
To go for a 2500 insn't really an option as the 1500 is already a huge car for german roads. Also the 2500 wouldn't fit my garage as it is only available with the long bed.
Do you guys have any experince with undercover elite LX bed cover? This cover looks interesting to me as it could be easily removed from the truck if needed.

Schöne Gŕüße aus Deutschland

Volker

 

[MikeG71]

Do you guys have any experince with undercover elite LX bed cover? This cover looks interesting to me as it could be easily removed from the truck if needed.

I don't have an Undercover but I do know a few guys that do. They have the Undercover Flex, which to me is pretty bad ass. It will fold up against the rear window if you need the entire bed space and is rated for highway speeds............ I don't know if that would be the same as Autobahn speeds......? LOL! These guys carry around Snowmobiles and Dirt Bikes/ Quads amongst other things, and they haven't had to remove the cover yet.



Make sure you post up pictures of your truck when you get it.

 

[Volker]

Hi all

Just signed the contract at the dealership.
I will get the truck march 15th.

Volker