Joined the HD ranks today

[OrganizedChaos]

Well I joined the HD ranks today. Had a 5th gen 2019 1500 with the 5.7 and today I got a 2017 3500 with the CTD. Wanted more load capacity for towing my tractor and wife and I are thinking about adding a camper of some sort.

I was afraid the ride would be really bad after the 1500, but to be honest, I think I like the 3500 better on the highway. It is a bit rough at low speed on roads that aren't smooth but once you hit the slab it is great. Took the wife for a spin in it and she commented that it just felt a lot tougher.

Surprised me how planted the truck feels. The 1500 drove great but this just feels way more solid.

One thing that did not come with it was an owners manual. First diesel I have owned in a truck so there will be a bit of learning curve I suppose. Any pointers anyone has would be appreciated.

Here is a pic.

 

[Johnny G Bagwell]

Welcome to diesel life! Yea my wife complained its rougher than my 1500 but she doesn't have to ride in it often so no big deal. Just use her car on long road trips which is awesome because I don't have to drive lol

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[Firebird]

That looks just like my 2016, great choice!

 

[farmallboy]

Man that thing looks good. Love a 5th gen but that tire wheel look nice and level.


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[reek]

nice looking truck! I think you can request an owners manual for RAM

 

[crash68]

One thing that did not come with it was an owners manual. First diesel I have owned in a truck so there will be a bit of learning curve I suppose. Any pointers anyone has would be appreciated.

Owner's manual: https://www.mopar.com/ramtrucks/en-us/my-vehicle/owners-manual.html?openGarage=true
There is a diesel supplement manual also:
http://owners.mopar.ca/en/manuals/2017/2017E-RAM_15_25_35_45_55-Diesel-OM-SU-1st.pdf

 

[Bldrinker]

Great color choice I have a 2500 and a Durango GT that color

 

[MADDOG]

Congrats on the new truck.

 

[Travelin Ram]

Yeah that big hunk of Cummins iron under the hood will keep it planted for sure. In my experience nothing beats a 3500 diesel for a relaxing long distance cruiser.

 

[dhay13]

My son is looking for something similar. He has a 2018 2500 6.4 but already has 60,000 miles on it. He tows a 9000lb camper about 5000 miles a year. His truck tows it fine but his resale on his gasser won't be very good and his warranty is up already. He is looking at new Cummins but the prices are crazy. He wouldn't mind finding one a few years old with low miles. BTW-his is the steel gray too

 

[Gr8bawana]

Congrats on the new ride!

 

[OrganizedChaos]

Thanks for all the comments. I did find the manuals on line and have downloaded a copy. Not sure why but I like the 4th gen interior better than I did my 5th gen. Drove the 5th gen for almost 2 years but am just more comfortable in this one. I suppose because I have driven the 4th gen stuff a lot more.

A few things I/we have noticed so far.

The wife and I both think the bucket seats are more comfortable in the 17. The 19 was a sport and the seats I believe might have wrapped up a bit more on the sides. The 19 also had the suede insets on the sides of the seat and I never really liked that.

The headlights suck on the 17, going to upgrade them ASAP. Had to do this on the wife's Grand Cherokee which was fairly easy. The 3500 looks like it may be more difficult to get to the headlights.

I don't like the woofer eating up all that storage under the right rear seat. Guess I am old.

First time I opened the tailgate on the 3500 it pretty much slammed open. Guess I did get used to the soft open on the 19.

This truck does not have the Blind Spot Monitoring which I will miss, always looked over the shoulder anyway though.

Did not have the bed camera on the 19. Looks like it will be pretty handy.

The 3500 surprised me a bit in how much taller it is. I know part of it is the tires. Wife liked it cause she can "see better."

Al in all I am pretty happy so far. Ordered some Husky mats today and started trying to decide what bed cover I want. Probably end up going with the Bak-flip MX4 again.

 

[Richg87]

Very nice!

 

[dhay13]

Get the Dee Zee tailgate assist. It's like $30 and takes about 20 minutes to install. No more tailgate slamming

 

[Salty Ram]

The 3500 surprised me a bit in how much taller it is. I know part of it is the tires. Wife liked it cause she can "see better." [...started trying to decide what bed cover I want. Probably end up going with the Bak-flip MX4 again.

Congratulations on the purchase. The 3500 is what made me switch from Ford to Dodge when I wanted an HD. I ended up with a 2500 diesel and really liked it. And, like yours - my wife liked it because she could "see better" as well and actually liked driving it! I've since downgraded to the 1500, and she has said that she liked the 2500 better and that it "drove smaller" than the 1500. Also, really like the BakFlip as well but had the FiberMax and feel like they are good quality bed covers. However, mine was heavy and I tend to take mine off when hauling the toys where a lighter one has the benefit that it's easier for me to remove and put back on by myself - for me anyway.

Again, congratulations with the move to HD!

 

[OrganizedChaos]

Dhay, ordered the DeeZee tailgate assist. Thanks for the suggestion.

Salty, the wife sat in the truck for about 30 seconds when I brought it home, then said where is my key? She is 5' tall and might hit 100 lbs on a good day. Says she can drive this one because she can see out. The 19 Sport has the big hood bump and kind of blocked her view.

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[dhay13]

Good on the Dee Zee. My son installed one on his truck then bought me one. Definitely a nice addition for cheap.

 

[GsRAM]

Very nice. Good choice, congrats. Yeah going from 1500 to 25/3500 is like going from a car with a bed on it to a piece of equipment.

That's how I felt driving mine home. Good luck.

 

[mtwofeathers]

Well I joined the HD ranks today. Had a 5th gen 2019 1500 with the 5.7 and today I got a 2017 3500 with the CTD. Wanted more load capacity for towing my tractor and wife and I are thinking about adding a camper of some sort.

I was afraid the ride would be really bad after the 1500, but to be honest, I think I like the 3500 better on the highway. It is a bit rough at low speed on roads that aren't smooth but once you hit the slab it is great. Took the wife for a spin in it and she commented that it just felt a lot tougher.

Surprised me how planted the truck feels. The 1500 drove great but this just feels way more solid.

One thing that did not come with it was an owners manual. First diesel I have owned in a truck so there will be a bit of learning curve I suppose. Any pointers anyone has would be appreciated.

Here is a pic.

View attachment 220144

Owners manual can be found online as a download or hard copy. They don't say much tho. Better off getting the factory repair manual. You may need it when you hit higher miles on the diesel.

 

[Donald Parker]

Welcome to the club!