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Comments
My question is; has anyone else out there bought a similar truck? What much could I expect to reasonably pay over invoice and how difficult is it to get these dealerships to accept Edmunds level invoice prices?
I'm in SE Georgia, but will travel up to 500 miles to find the BEST deal.
my order for a Ram Quad 4x4 2500 with the V10) and they both told me that Dodge has the V10 series on restriction due to some
engine problem...both indicated that there may not be any more V10's come out this year! Has anyone else heard this story, or know what the "engine problem" is?
I've read some input from truck owners in other newsgroups about how they've been having a heck of a time with tire wear on their RAM 2500 trucks. They mentioned cupping as one of the problems. One respondent said he almost completely eliminated the problem by pumping his tires up to 47 LBS.
Both the problem and this solution concern me. I have a buddy at work who, like me is going to be in the market to buy a new 4X4 pickup around August/September. Unlike me (a greenhorn when it comes to trucks) he has a lot of experience with 4X4 pickups. He told me that cupping is a fairly typical problem with 3/4 ton 4X4 pickups with the live axle-type front end.
Along with my note of the 20th, I really need some input from you more experienced guys out there. I'm going to be spending a LOT of money on this puppy, and I want to go into it with my eyes open. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!!
I was told, but have no experience, that frequent
tire rotation was critical for good wear on 4wd's.
What other chat groups have you found?
Ron
Thanks for your quick response. To answer your question about other chat groups, there's one out on www.truckworld.com. I found another one using the HotBot search engine, and then searched on Dodge Ram Pickups.
Your advice on rotation is well taken. I think what I'm beginning to learn is that the normal, common sense things associated with proper tire maintenance are ESPECIALLY important with 4X4 pickups.
Icepick, I appreciate your insights about front end alignment. I will definitely follow up on that when I get my truck. By the way, did your brother happen to mention if there's any difference between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks with regard to problems? Or are they both equally this way? It's unfortunate that the dealers know less than specialty folks like your brother. On the up side, it's nice to know that folks like him are around.
You guys have been very helpful. I appreciate your adding to my education. Take care. (smile)
Getting ready to take the leap and buy. Got my eye on a Ram 1500 Club or Quad Cab, SLT Short Bed. Still trying to feel out the dealers in the area regarding price. Looking for a dealer in the Southern California area willing to go close to the Edmonds dealer invoice (maybe $250 over?). They have their 3% holdback and currently a $500 dealer incentive, what more do they want!
I have been looking at 3/4 tons for a while. I currently have a 1/2 ton SLT and love it. Never have had any problems either. So reading all the negative comments scare me a little. BUT, I want to get a 3-4 horse gooseneck and need more power. Well, I have looked at the dodge quad cab, diesel, leather, tow pkg etc. I picked out what I wanted for I will have it for a long time. These diesels are supposed to last 200,000+ miles, right?? I am nervous about the trany because I prefer towing horses with an automatic. I am very worried though about trany and other problems I hear about. Plus I found a nice 97 3/4 Chevy. I think that truck would work too, it is gas though. The dealer said he has seen an overabundance of Dodges going through auctions...is he feeding me a line??? What are some thoughts??? I am at a loss. The Dodge dealer has given me a GREAT price on a 98 but basically will give me nothing for mine. In fact he has undershot Edmunds trade in by $3000!! If anyone has any advice I am very interested. Thanks!!! Lyn
I also was offered a great deal on the new vehicle last week, only to be low-balled on my trade-in by an almost equal amount. They said my truck was in above average condition and then offered me about $3,000 less than Kelley Blue Book "Good Condition" and about $4,000 less than Edmunds. The normal profit margin to the dealer on their average trade-in must be astronomical. I'm trying another strategy hoping to appeal to their business sense. If they don't offer me a fair value for my trade-in, then I'll buy the new truck from one of their competitors.
I too am trying the same route, with not much luck. I told them I was real interested in their truck but needed a better deal for my "Wonderful" trade. They don't seem to be biting. I think I have a very laid back sales person too! joy.
I think I am going to trot off to the chevy dealer, see what they say.
Thanks again and good luck to you! Lyn
I'm a satisfied F150 owner who's coming to the end of my 5-year lease and I've heard some good things about the Rams. Plus, who could resist that sheet metal?? Having read every comment on this bulletin board, I'm sorry to hear about all the problems you've been having with the trannys -- but they seem to mostly deal with diesels?
For my own use, I'll be hauling a fair amount but won't be doing any towing, so I'm just looking at the 1500 series with a manual stick. Have you guys got a read on the dependability of these? (I'll check out the link to that "dependability site", too...)
Any info you can give would be appreciated. This is a great conference, loved reading the postings!
Thanks!
I really don't want to end up with a brand new 1 year old truck but I also need to get the best deal possible
When you're ready to buy, type up a spec sheet with the exact truck you want, including ALL the appropriate option codes. Mail copies to the sales departments of the dealers in your area, and request a price in writing for that exact vehicle. The good dealers will see that you are a knowledgeable consumer who knows what he wants without any song-and-dance sales pitch, and will give you a good price without a lot of bull or delay. Having a price in writing before you walk in the door makes the process a whole lot faster.
The way the dealer explained it to me....
As soon as the order was placed in Feb the order was given a BL status. Maybe BackLog, I don't know. As soon as all the parts are received to build the order moves to a D status, the vehicle given a serial #, and you can not make any changes
to the order. As soon as the order is scheduled for assembly on the production floor it goes to a
D1 status. Progressive statuses are Q-someting for final inspection and a few others for various delivery stages. I've been calling the dealer every Friday for status. I guess they don't/can't
know anything definite until it goes to a D1, actually scheduled on the floor status. Plus the salesman is no where near excited about when its cumming in than I am. I though that I could get an indication from a current buyer what the approx lead time is now.
How's your's running? How many miles you got on it now? Notice any difference in break-in performance?
Ron
I hate ordering..Too much suspense. I can't stand waiting. I guess you feel the same way.
I've ever ordered.(Feel like a kid!)
Have you pulled the fifth wheel yet? Is the 17 mpg
city driving. I hope it does a little better than that. Seems that I've heard somewhere that you got to do some serious pulling to get the engine broke in to the point you get the 20+ mpg milage. Go to get the engine HOT for a decent break in. I don't know if that's true or make up.
Man, is it cold here in Pa. tonite, coldest its been all winter.
Today I started to consider adding the Mopar Ventvisors to the order. Maybe Friday I'll stop by the dealership to check the status of the truck and order them.
You seem to be doing what I want to do. I also have a 5th wheel and have questions as to performance Disel v. Gas. I have a F250 w/ a 460cid now and 105K miles. Stills pulls smooth with very little loss of power.
I also want to know about the mpg with the difference between the two. We are smogged down pretty good in Ca with gas engines and that why I want to go to disel
Jim
Anybody able to confirm? I would think any incentive is national program?
Well I'm getting the wiring and brake control installed Saturday then I will be ready to go. I will be towing my 5th wheel to East Texas weekend after next, to South Texas in April, to Gulf Shores Alabama in May, to Indiana in June, and to Colorado in September. That should break it in pretty good...
What are vent visors?
The only drawback is the noise, but allot of guys like that too.
What size is your 5th wheel?
Sounds like you'll get a good 6000 mile break-in. Are these all campgrounds you're going to?
Are you going to test run the camper much before your East Texas trip? I'll be anxious to hear how it does.
Yes they are all state parks. I stay at State Parks or Core of Engineers Parks whenever possible. Much nicer, and more privacy.
I don't know if I will make a test run not,this weekend its going to be raining all day Sat and Sun.. I will hook it up though just to see how it sets on the overload springs. Thats my only concern.
Do you have a travel trailer or 5th wheel?
My biggest concern is how level my fifth wheel will be when hitched. I'm probably going to have to flip the camper axles.
Another question: How are you handling the electrical(lights and brakes) plug. On my present truck it's mounted on the inside wall of the bed. I guess that's the typical location. I would like to locate it somewhere else incase I haul some tanbark and accidently hit it with a pitchfork. My '90 has a second plug underneath the front of the bed. What is this used for, a slide in camper perhaps?
Seems if the 98's have this second plug I could run an extention line down to it. What's your thoughts?
What type of hook-ups do you get at your state parks. I haven't camped ouside of Pa. yet. Do you have a slide out on your fifth wheel?
Agree on the smog but I had a girlfriend once who managed to put regular unleaded into her diesel VW and I don't relish the thought of that happening to a beautiful p/up!
Thanks ... later!
The State Parks all have at least Water & Elec, and some have full hookups. Private campgrounds (KOA ect.)that I have stayed at are like parking lots. You just pull into a slot between two other campers. Thats fine when your just spending a night on the road. I like to have some trees,and bushes, and a little lawn space if I'm staying a few days.
I don't have a slide out though, just a strait 26' Terry 25 5H. 1993 model. I've hauled that little critter from coast to coast in the past 5 years. Sure beats staying in a motel. You know what they say.."Home is where you park it."
We even stayed on the strip in Las Vegas. Circus Circus has a campground across the street from the casino, with about 1700 sites with full hookups. It really feels strange to come back from the casinos to your camper.
How did the the VW run with the gas in it? Your right that would be a nightmare. A $30,000 nightmare.
He claims they haven't got ANY 24 valves in yet and don't know what they even look like (other than pictures).
I would be tempted to go over to the Ford lot and buy a Powerstroke. I've seen them already on the lot. Oh well, maybe if you give up it will come in.
I saw that 5th wheel takeout too, but I haven't been able to find it. I thought that was maybe what you were talking about, that reseptical under the bed. I'll have to look again. going to get it installed in an hour. I guess I'll know then.
Hang in there guy...
One thing I don't really like is, third geer is a little low, (very noisy at 65mph,and 2650rpm)and O/D is a little high,(at 65 and 1750rpm.) It seems to like 75mph in O/D, but thats to fast for towing. I think I will try towing in O/D as much as possible, unless it is two hilly. I hope that is not to hard on the transmission. It runs pretty quiet at 60 mpg in third.( thats about 2500 rpm) Thats probably what I should tow at, but I'm used to 65.
The other thing is the overload springs. I think I will take the stops off. With the trailer hooked up they set just about a 1/2 inch from the stops, so every bump makes a banging sound.
Its going to take awhile to acclimate myself to this truck.
It sounds like you aren't overly impressed towing the first time out.
With the truck empty the overload springs are about 2" from the stops. Untill the load is heavy enough to make the stops contact the springs they don't do anything. They are not adjustable, although you could rig them to make contact all the time by attaching a thicker piece of rubber to the stops or something. The stops are just bolted to the frame, so they will not be hard to remove. I actually got them mostly for the heavy duty sway bar that comes with them.
I hope you get yours soon, so we can compare, and maybe share some ideas.
Another bit of good news...to hook up the brake controller all you have to do is plug it in. You will get a plastic bag that contains a wiring harness. You just splice the wires together with your brake control wires and plug it in. (15 min job)
I stopped by the dealership this afternoon and crawled underneath a 2500 to look at the over load springs. If you take the stops off, don't you think the springs may come up though the bed if heavily loaded up. I'm thinking if the stops were lowered 3/4 inch so they rest on the springs when you have the fifth wheel hitched, you would eliminate the bump sound.
Is that what they mean by fifth wheel take off? I'm assuming this plug is underneath the dash board. Neat!
Mike
I was just thinking about that spring hitting the bottom of the bed also. I'll come up with a solution for that one.
I never did find that 5th wheel take out...Let me know if you find it on yours.
Does it have the auxiliary rear springs?