Option advice 1500

[plainsman]

Looking at new 14 or ordering 2015 Laramie quad cab, 5.7, 4x4 with 3.55 rear, ram box, convenience group. Wondering about getting air suspension for everyday driving on gravel and highways with occasional towing up to 7,000 lbs?
Is this option worth it. Is it better to have dealer look for available 14 or just order the 2015? What options would you recommend for and against? Don't think I need the optional 32 gl fuel tank? One dealer is offering me $500 below invoice on the truck order via my insurance company purchase plan. Is this a good deal on 15 or just go for a 14 at invoice and take any rebates?

 

[Andy578]

air bags give a bit smoother ride and help your highway mpg a bit and can give you more clearance when needed, of course they also help with loads in the bed or towing. for occasional towing i wouldn't bother with them, the tiny bit of mpg gains isn't worth the cost imo

the bigger tank is really just if you want that extra range or not. i personally like having it but if you let it get low it really hurts that much more when it comes time to fill up

i don't think they changed much for the 2015 so i'd mainly just look at the cost difference. resale value will be slightly more with the 15 but if it's gonna cost you thousands more i don't think it's worth it. also i'd suggest looking at the 8 speed, better mpg and the low gears are really nice to have. it does take a bit to get used to how often the truck shifts tho

 

[2015er]

I would get the 2015. I am in the same boat as you. I am ordering a 2015 Ram quad, 4x4 Laramie but I think I am opting for the 3.6L with the 3.55 rear axle instead of the Hemi. Look at the numbers for payload, towing and acceleration. The payload is actually better, with the 3.55's the towing is not that much less and the acceleration is still in the 8 sec. range +/-. But the big plus is mileage - much improved over the Hemi and the purchase cost is less.

I am getting the air lift too and the Ram boxes and the sun roof as the savings from going with the 3.6 motor gives me some extra $ to work with.

I am going to purchase the truck using the Tread Lightly discount through the Chrysler affiliates program - I am told 1% under invoice plus any available rebates. I think this is the same as your referenced insurance co. plan. I have read accounts from other that this approach yield $10k plus off the MSRP. With the onset of Ford's new F150 I think Ram is going to be aggressive on the rebates for the 2015's they will be coming soon I think as the Fords are suppose to hit the showrooms in December and January.

 

[plainsman]

Some good points 15er but I do like the 5.7 and will look to save money elsewhere in my life to enjoy the rumble. Did they tell you when to expect delivery on your 15? What is the Tread Lightly Affiliates program? Available to anyone? Sounds like I probably can't do much better than $500 below invoice in any case.

 

[HAMMER77777]

Some good points 15er but I do like the 5.7 and will look to save money elsewhere in my life to enjoy the rumble. Did they tell you when to expect delivery on your 15? What is the Tread Lightly Affiliates program? Available to anyone? Sounds like I probably can't do much better than $500 below invoice in any case.

Dude, u can do much better than that. My guy sold my $58G truck for $46. Went WAAAAY below invoice, and added All Kinds Of Extra Rebates. PM me for him his info.. And ya, get The Airbags...I Love having Them!

 

[smiley]

Looking at new 14 or ordering 2015 Laramie quad cab, 5.7, 4x4 with 3.55 rear, ram box, convenience group. Wondering about getting air suspension for everyday driving on gravel and highways with occasional towing up to 7,000 lbs?

Is this option worth it. Is it better to have dealer look for available 14 or just order the 2015? What options would you recommend for and against? Don't think I need the optional 32 gl fuel tank? One dealer is offering me $500 below invoice on the truck order via my insurance company purchase plan. Is this a good deal on 15 or just go for a 14 at invoice and take any rebates?

I would definitely get the larger tank it is cheap and you can always just not fill it. You cannot however fill the extra part of the tank you don't have. When towing it is very nice to have and why I added to my truck after the fact. The air suspension seems to be great for towing as there is no sag. If you are not interested in paying the extra you could do air bags after the fact they are less than $100. If you can find a year end 2014 with what you want I would bet you could get a huge deal. I would go with 3.92 gears if it was me because you will like it better when towing but it won't be crazy high rpm or anything when on the highway. 3.55s are okay though if you are getting 8 speed transmission. Not sure where you live but the block heater is nice to have in the north too. Lastly I would get the Limited slip of you can too.


$miley

 

[dRAMbuie]

Factory air suspension is a nice option to have assuming all the bugs have finally been worked out.
When I bought my truck there was an indefinite hold on that option because of all the problems they were having with it.
With that said the added cost is actually quite reasonable considering what you get.
Sure you can get cheap air bags for cheap. But a good quality set of rears with in dash control is nearly the same price installed as the factory option.
And with factory you get all four corners with fuel saving, parking, and auto load leveling features.

As for other options I highly recommend the 8.4 Uconnect over the smaller screen. Better unit all around.
Larger tank is very nice for towing or if you spend any amount of time on the highway.

Also agree with smiley about the 3:92's. They don't really hurt your mileage all that much on the highway. No difference city, and are better for towing.

I would also highly recommend a backup camera. Those beefy tailgates take some time to get used to in tight spaces and if you ever have to hook up a trailer by yourself you'll thank me on the first hookup.

 

[GreenClassic]

If you are getting a Laramie with the 5.7, the only gearing available is either 3.21 or 3.92.

The 3.55 is only available with the 6-speed transmission, which is only available on the Tradesman and Express trim levels. The Laramie 5.7 is only available the 8-speed transmission.

 

[InspectGWS]

Factory air suspension is a nice option to have assuming all the bugs have finally been worked out.

I have 8,000 miles on my 2014 CC Sport and have had zero issues with the 4-Corner Air Suspension - I am amazed and a little glad that Chevrolet or Ford have not jumped on this band wagon...I love it.

 

[plainsman]

Thanks for the helpful comments! Green, yes I did read you can't get the 3.55 on this truck combo so guess I'll go 3.92. It is claimed the 8 speed makes up for the 3.55 but if the 3.92 does not wind out on interstate trips then that seems the way to go. I don't do a lot of towing but the loss of mileage over 12K a year is probably less than $200 so I can save that somewhere else. Anyone know how to figure my RPM at 75 with the 3.21 vs. the 3.92?

Question on the 32 gl fuel tank? I read accounts from others that the tank sloshes badly enough to hear in the truck and disturbing to passengers and some wish they didn't have it. Is that still true or did they baffle it? For now I'm sticking with the regular tank but would like the larger one.

Getting close to getting final bids from dealers.

 

[plainsman]

I will post this discussion on the 3.21 vs. 3.92. Now I'm wondering again which to get. Does Ram need lower axle ratios?Allpar Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep News | Allpar Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep News

 

[BoldAdventure]

Thanks for the helpful comments! Green, yes I did read you can't get the 3.55 on this truck combo so guess I'll go 3.92. It is claimed the 8 speed makes up for the 3.55 but if the 3.92 does not wind out on interstate trips then that seems the way to go. I don't do a lot of towing but the loss of mileage over 12K a year is probably less than $200 so I can save that somewhere else. Anyone know how to figure my RPM at 75 with the 3.21 vs. the 3.92?

Question on the 32 gl fuel tank? I read accounts from others that the tank sloshes badly enough to hear in the truck and disturbing to passengers and some wish they didn't have it. Is that still true or did they baffle it? For now I'm sticking with the regular tank but would like the larger one.

Getting close to getting final bids from dealers.

Um no sloshing, first I've ever heard of that. I have no problems and I am incredibly glad I got the larger tank. I have the 32gal tank and let me tell ya what.

We took a drive from Clearwater, FL to the Smokey Mountains in NC. I didn't fill up till we hit Atlanta and I still had maybe a little under a quarter of tank.

I took this photo when I got back on the interstate. When I'm driving lighter on the gas pedal I like seeing a 500 mile range.

It's worth every penny when towing.

Do the math, if you get at worst 10mpg while towing on a 26gal tank that's 260 miles and time to fill up.

On a 36 gallon tank thats 360 miles.

I got 13.3mpg pulling my Airstream.

 

[plainsman]

Both of those are nice rigs. One guy with a 2013 1500 said when he came to a stop it was like someone hit him from behind cause the fuel in the 32 gl was moving forward esp when half full, etc. Others said their passenger asked, what was that. Most of these reports were in the 2013s or earlier I think.

In any case if I tow a trailer I would be towing something about half the size of your Airstream so thinking I might stick with the 3.21 gear as most driving is daily and once in a while a 5-6,000 boat.

 

[preachp]

Hi plainsman,
Get the Limited Slip differential option. It is not much money and you will thank yourself many many times.

preachp

 

[Jeff CA]

75 mph with a 3.92 8 spd Hemi is a hair over 2k rpm.

 

[smiley]

I upgraded my fuel tank after I had the truck bought one from the salvage yard. I don't notice a sloshing but even if I did I would get it. I would do a 50 gal tank if they had it.


$miley

 

[BoldAdventure]

I upgraded my fuel tank after I had the truck bought one from the salvage yard. I don't notice a sloshing but even if I did I would get it. I would do a 50 gal tank if they had it.

I would too. Two years ago we where out west, driving from Moab, Ut up 191 to I-70 heading towards Capitol Reef. I didn't fill up because it was only 200 miles away, but we drove the entire stretch and NO GAS STATIONS. It seems out west there are huge stretches without them.

I had 4 5 gallon Nato cans with me, but I'll tell ya it made me think. And it's effected future purchases. I'll always opt for the bigger tank. Plus here is my thought, if there is ever a gas storage in FL from a hurricane like happened in Katrina, I've got 32 + 20 gallons stored.

That's a 520 mile range in an emergency, pulling the Airstream. Or greater if am unloaded and bugging out with just the family. We average 18mpg driving lightly on the gas, so that should be about 576 miles, add in my 4 cans and that's another 360 miles on top.

Call me crazy though

 

[plainsman]

Concerning options I am wondering about the 17" wheels as shown in the 2014 1500 catalog/Ram website? There can be certain advantages over the 20" such as better ride, mileage, more tire choices, less unsprung weight, etc. Has anyone gone this route? This size is very common on work trucks. I'm ordering 1500, 5.7, quad, 4x4. When I ordered my 2012 Grand Cherokee the advice was to stay with 18" over the 20" on the Overland. I have not seen this discussed. Seems main reason is folks like the look of 20" but I'm not seeing other advantages at this point. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[Andy578]

Concerning options I am wondering about the 17" wheels as shown in the 2014 1500 catalog/Ram website? There can be certain advantages over the 20" such as better ride, mileage, more tire choices, less unsprung weight, etc. Has anyone gone this route? This size is very common on work trucks. I'm ordering 1500, 5.7, quad, 4x4. When I ordered my 2012 Grand Cherokee the advice was to stay with 18" over the 20" on the Overland. I have not seen this discussed. Seems main reason is folks like the look of 20" but I'm not seeing other advantages at this point. Anyone have experience with this?

the 20s will actually be better highway mpg and worse in the city. i like having them since they kinda offset the mpg loss of having 3.92. as for the ride it really shouldn't make much difference in comfort. a big downside is the tires being expensive to replace

 

[plainsman]

Helpful comment but not sure why worse in city mpg and better highway although mine will be more highway than city. Did you ever compare the 3.23 axle with your 3.92? I go back and forth on this option and ready to pull the trigger otherwise. Most of my towing will be infrequent and less than 7,000 lb. Thanx for observations.