Help With Some Options on a 3500 HO

[R.J.]

I'm building out a 3500 HO Cummins CC Shortbed and had some questions on the options. I guess some of these are probably self explanatory, but would like to hear opinions on some of them.

- The RamBox worth it? I feel this is a great idea, but kinda bummed you can't use the factory fifth wheel or even order the prep package. I don't tow any fifth wheels currently, but it's nice to have the option if I wanted to use a different trailer.

- Auto Level suspension. I had a set of manual air springs on my F350 and liked being able to level everything out when attached to a trailer. Seems like kind of an expensive option?

- Running boards. Would you do full length boards or just under the cab. Probably just personal preference here.

-12" Nav. This thing looks good but like having physical buttons and knobs. If I selected the regular nav screen, would this be a downgrade over this?

- Safety Group. So if you go with the Level 2 package, you get the auto hi beams and auto wipers. Do I need this package to get the regular blind spot warnings or is this just for a trailer? Opinions on this package?

 

[User_1648]

I just purchased a '19 Ram 3500 Limited with the high output motor in it. The truck has everything I was specifically looking for and was minus the options I did not want anyway. I, too, sold my F350 to move into this truck. Here's my thoughts...YMMV:

Ram Box - a lot of people love this option, but as you said (and I was told the same) you cannot get the 5th-wheel prep package with it. I personally did not care for the Ram Box option because I have no use for it. Mine came with the 5th-wheel prep package.

Auto-Level Suspension - a very nice option, but I am going to install a Kelderman air system all-around, so I did not need this.

Running boards - I have the cab-length boards and love 'em. Mine are also the folding boards.

12" Nav - definitely go for it! You won't be disappointed. Some folks are seeing bugs in the head unit, but I have not.

Safety Group - I have it because I had it on my F350. Gives me peace of mind!

Good luck R.J.!

 

[Wileykid]

Brand new here, and have had my '19 3500 HO CC Shortbed for about 3 weeks.

I can only comment on several things.

I like the idea of the Ram Box, but I am going to be upgrading my trailer to a 5th wheel later in the year, and wanted the factory 5th/gooseneck prep. Thinking about putting a cargo box in the back with the built in fuel tank, so will have the extra storage if needed anyway.

Running boards: The auto ones are great, but I just put some steps on mine (wallet thanked me). My truck came with some running boards, but they were useless IMHO. They were only about 2-3" lower than the cab. I took them off, and put on steps that are 5-6" (?) lower, and makes it a lot easier to get in. The steps are cab length. My 5'4" daughter thanked me.

I like the auto wipers, and they work for me about 80-90% of the time. They sometimes will be too slow, or too fast, and keep alternating between the two. Easy fix by just turning the wipers "on". Auto high beams lasted less than one night with me. Flickering because of signs on back roads bugged me. Some later date, I will play with them more.

Have to add, my last truck had the backup camera, which I loved (especially hooking up), but the surround camera system is fantastic.

 

[Distillusion]

Just my $.02 worth, mostly personal preferences. (qualifier, I'm not running 3500s anymore, just 2500s)

Rambox: The big reason for going for the HO is the ability to tow really big loads. The non-HO Cummins is a workhorse that does just fine for towing some pretty big loads. The HO costs $2,695 extra (MSRP). I think most kinds of load where you would need the HO over the non-HO - you would probably need gooseneck or 5th wheel capability for anyway. So that would point me toward skipping RamBox, or toward saving money by getting the non-HO if I really wanted RamBox.

Autolevel: I'm a fan of these systems. Whether they're OEM or aftermarket, I think they can really be quite valuable. But if you want one, the difference between OEM and aftermarket is your evaluation of costs, quality, reliability, warranty, and overall utility to your towing needs.

Running boards: I usually do full length, I like the look better. I don't like the electric ones, just big fixed bars and steps.

12" Nav: I use the 8.4 without Nav. My smartphone is my Nav. Had a friend with Nav that was always finding map errors in that Garmin system (in UConnect) but he hasn't said as much in the last year or so, so maybe they've fixed a lot of them. It's a pretty display when working, but other than being larger, there's no real advantage -- to me -- for the 12 over the 8.4. And it's definitely not worth the cost difference to me. I don't spend much time with Uconnect at all, and I've had it in my trucks for 5 years. An occasional quick glance for radio station or heat settings. So larger doesn't bring me any real advantage. Plus I prefer, like you, a solid knob for volume - at the very least. Trying to control those heat sliders, for example, on a bumpy road... grrr!

Safety Group: The config I'm looking at for my next truck does not include the Safety Group. It still has all the safety features I want from the safety group except one, that being I think the adaptive cruise control would be good to have. But I am not feeling the need to spend all that money for adaptive cruise.

Surround Camera is a must these days, IMO.

 

[Marshfly]

12” screen has knobs for volume and channel as well as buttons for temperature. Colune and channel are also available on the back of the steering wheel. Come on guys. The 12” display is amazing. Night and day from the 8.4.

Also adaptive cruise is awesome if you travel. I won’t have another truck without it. Ask someone that has it that actually uses it on trips for their thoughts.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Distillusion]

Guess I'm saying that I simply don't care about a bigger screen. I don't look at it anyway. It's just adding $2,000 to the cost of the dash, as far as I'm concerned. I didn't spend that much on my 75" widescreen smart tv in my living room. The 12 inch unit is way, way overpriced for the difference.

When you configure a Laramie with level 1 and towing packages, you've got most of the safety features from the safety group: Auto high beams, rain-sensitive wipers, blind-spot & cross path detection. The only two you don't get are adaptive cruise and collision warning. But it still costs $1,500 to add the "rest" of the safety group to get the adaptive cruise. And I'm not interested in forward collision warning at all.

 

[MEZZ2006]

Here are my opinions, which we all know are like... well you know

- The RamBox. I also liked the idea of it, but I also needed the fifth wheel prep. You could always order with RamBox and install the fifth wheel prep yourself. It has been done many times on 2012(?) to 2018 Rams with Ram Box, but that limits your hitch and 5th wheel pinbox options. I contemplated doing this, but timing wasn't going to work out for me.

- Auto Level suspension. I also contemplated this option, but in the end, decided if the truck rides as good as everyone says, it was already going to be better than my old Ford I was driving. And I needed to cut some costs, so I skipped it.

- Running boards. I prefer the full wheel to wheel length, I think they look cleaner and add functional access to the front of the bed without having to climb all the way in from the tailgate. But like you said, personal prefernce.

-12" Nav. This wasn't an option on the Big Horn when I ordered, so I don't have this. I also like knobs though, so even if it was available, I probably would have skipped it, heck I even went with the fully manual climate control instead of the Auto dual zone.

- Safety Group. I love the adaptive cruise! Now that I have it on this truck, I regret not getting it on my wifes Durango when we purchased that in 2016. It is awesome on long trips.

Good luck with the purchase. You will love the truck! I know I sure do.

 

[R.J.]

Hey thanks for your input and opinions.

I'm pretty set on everything except the rear air suspension. It seems like a great option to have, but it's expensive and kinda worried about longevity. I can do some aftermarket manual air springs for about a third of the price.

 

[Rich]

Ram boxes are great. I had the fiver hitch installed at a huge RV dealership an they really did s good job. There is just barely enough room in the width of the bed for that slider hitch an I mean it's close, but the boxes holds ton of tools. Of coarse you no from our contact from other threads this is my trade model. I'll miss the boxes but will also be happy to have a long an wide bed again