Here are my choices...
4.10 Axle Ratio ($145) - This was a simple option for me. Much of my time will be spent below highway speeds and a good portion will involve off-road climbs and descents. With the factory tires it seem like 4.10 will be perfect for me although if I decide to switch to 35s or 37s I would re-gear. Over the past several decades I have re-geared several of my vehicles and consider it some of the most valuable money spent. I believe the 4500 and 5500 are available with factory 4.89 gears and I just wish that was an option for the 3500.
Electronic Shift-On-The-Fly Transfer Case ($295) - This was a low cost option that I went back and forth on a number for times. Since the transmission shifting would be done using a rotating electrical knob on the dash I felt it would be balanced and ok to push buttons to do the same with the transfer case. The controls are quite simple and can be fixed quickly and easily in the future if needed. And shifting a transfer case into four-low using a manual lever always seems like I am damaging something no matter how closely I follow the instructions in the owners manual.
Dual Alternators Rated at 380 Amps ($295) - This was another low cost option but instead was a rather simple decision. Since my camper will be using one or two 100 Ah batteries that will occasionally be charged by the vehicle I concluded that I would rather have it and need it as opposed to needing it and not having it. Maybe 380 amps is overkill for my application but a factory installed option for $295 is a very low risk expense in my opinion.
Engine Block Heater ($95) - Another very low cost option that may only be used a few times if ever but if I do need it someday and do not have it I will curse myself for not spending $95 for it. Since I enjoy camping in austere conditions this may be a nice option to have when firing up an engine that has been below freezing for several days. I have not researched this option much bit again, for $95 it was a simple decision.
Snow Chief Group ($555) - This includes a 220-Amp alternator, instrument panel mounted auxiliary switches, clearance lamps, LT275/70R18E OWL on/off road tires, and transfer case skid plate. In my opinion this is one of the best values for the RAM trucks. If you recall earlier where I felt like I was being robbed by Jeep for a $60k vehicle - this was completely the opposite. This is a package where I see logic and value and for $555 it was an easy choice. The larger alternator supports my thoughts as mentioned above the dual alternator discussion. The instrument panel auxiliary switches will support external lights, possible winch operation, etc. The clearance lamps are of little value to me since my camper will have them also. The larger tires and transfer case skid plate will be beneficial for off road excursions. This is a fair deal and if it cost much more I would not have opted for it but I consider it a well though out and logical package for a fair price.
Tradesman Level 1 Equipment Group ($995) - This includes Exterior Mirrors with Supplemental Signals, Exterior Mirrors Courtesy Lamps, Exterior Mirrors with Heating Element, Mirror Running Lights, Power Black Manual Tow Mirrors, Overhead Console, Overhead Cupholder Lamp, Power Windows with Front One-Touch-Down Feature, Remote Keyless-Entry, Speed-Sensitive Power-Locks and Upgraded Door Trim Panel. This was a tough decision since I was primarily interested in the tow mirrors and remote keyless-entry with power windows running a distant third. Could I do without all the other nice features, certainly. Maybe even order the tow mirrors separate but the keyless-entry did not appear to be an easy add-on. After dealing with keys wearing down, locks freezing up and admitting that power windows were not a mature technology that would probably last for a the next decade I decided to spend the extra money. Again, it this would have been over $1k I would not have selected it and been just fine but despite containing a number of options I could do just fine without there were just enough that I was able to select. In my opinion, if this was $695 it would have been an east choice - the current price pushed me right the edge of being able to justify the additional costs.
Granite Crystal Metallic Clear-Coat Exterior Paint ($200) - I had considered other colors but I decided that a subdued color looked best with the black bumper, grill, etc. Brighter colors may not show scratches as much but I will research some of the coatings that may offer additional protections. In the end, I am not that worried about it since it is a truck and I will use it as such. Sure, I am willing to make a reasonable effort to keep it looking good but I am more focused on the mechanical side versus the aesthetics.
Spray-In Bedliner ($565) - This was another option that I could easily had done without but for the price I considered it fair and worth it. The main value to me had everything to do with isolating the camper from the steel and hopefully also providing some additional friction to keep it from moving. My guess is the insulation value of the bedliner is greater when compared to steel and that alone if of some value. My camper will be permanently installed so preventing scratches and damage is not that important although if I decide to remove the camper and sell the vehicle separately some day there is some value in that. My focus is more on selecting options which value me today and not some potential buyer in the future.
Uconnect 4 with 8.4-inch Display ($795) - Another expensive option that I could easily do without but while researching this I came upon so many other owners struggling to upgrade their Uconnect 3 with 5-Inch Display maybe I was missing something. I still retained my manual controls for the heating and ventilation along with the radio and that is the only reason I even began to consider this option. Although I could not readily justify this additional expense I decided to spend the extra money since this would be such an expensive and difficult error to correct in the future. If this was a $495 option I would not have thought twice about it but after much consideration I decided that the few hundred extra was still enough when compared against a large number of owners paying even more to upgrade.
6 Speakers ($100) - This make no sense to me why they would not include six speakers in the original package but maybe RAM are just trying to squeeze a few extra dollars with this option. Again, I rarely even listen to the radio and when I do it is mostly AM stations so I do not require the best of sound reproduction but at $100 what is there to decide. Honestly, if manufacturers steered more away from expensive packages towards low cost options such as this my guess is more options would be sold and owners would be much happier.
Trailer Brake Control ($295) - Do I plan to tow a trailer? Not right now and if I were planning to tow a heavy one with brakes I would have strongly considered the 6.7L I6 Cummins but to have this safety feature available for a reasonable cost. Sign me up. If it was part of some expensive package I would be just fine without it but for the few extra hundred I can justify including it.
There is one option that I did not get that in hind-sight I wish I would have and that would be the Rear Wheelhouse Liners ($195). I purchased the pieces later and installed them but it would have been much easier just to have them installed at the factory. I can't imagine why they are not included in the Snow Chief package but it was really not a big deal.
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