New 2023 3500 Limited without Level 1 Equipment Group – Mistake?

[content]

I am shopping for a new 3500 Limited CTD and will be towing a travel trailer. I have seen a few without the Level 1 Equipment Group but with the Towing Technology Package. I think I am OK with what I would give up, but wanted to make sure I’m not missing something important.

The graphic below is the list from the Ram website of what is included in the Level 1 Equipment Group. I yellow-highlighted the items that I think are truly added with the package – I think the non-highlighted items are actually included even without the Level 1 package?

Below are my thoughts on the highlighted items. Any input would be welcome.

• 12.6 inch screen – I am good with the standard 8.4 inch screen with Uconnect 5 Nav as I prefer the hard buttons for heated and ventilated seats
• 17 Speaker Harmon Kardon – would be nice but not a must have
• Adaptive Cruise Control, Adaptive Steering, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Keep Assist (Safety Group) – I am okay without these
• Digital Rearview Mirror – is it a mistake to not have this?
• Bed Lighting – would like to have this but can live without it
• Power Running Boards – would like to have but can add Amp steps aftermarket
• RamBox – do not want this for my bed uses

Thank you!

 

[Dodgeman]

For me, the Adaptive Cruise Control and the Full-speed Forward-Collision Warning Plus were must-haves. They are the biggest steps in safety and collision avoidance since the invention of brakes. Not having those would have been deal-killers. A 100 miles through the Salt Lake City metro area in rush hour is reduced from a stress session to an OK cruise. I set the ACC to the speed limit, pick the center lane and put my feet on the floor. The only thing left is keeping it in the center of the lane. The Ram’s ACC will even come to a stop and restart without touching the gas (provided the stop isn’t too long).

The adaptive steering is very nice. Power steering sensitivity lessens as speed increases.

We have lane keeping assist on an Acura SUV and I really like it. I keeps the SUV in the center of the lane with no discernible effort. That would be great for towing a big trailer, if it worked. The lame (opps “lane” - that was a Freudian slip but appropriate) keeping assist on the Ram is mediocre at best and I have it off most of the time. It doesn’t react until you get close to the edge of the lane and then over-corrects. I think it decreases safety. I’ve never let It go, but I think it would take you into the other lane or the ditch if you let it.

We love the power running boards but if you can get these with after-market, no issue there. I like the bigger screen, but that is not a deal-killer. We have the digital rearview mirror. It is very nice, particularly if the back window is blocked with cargo. We are also planning to get the tow mode camera for the back of our 5th wheel.

I’ve noticed on the Ram website that they seem to have changed the package options. We were able to get the safety group without the other Level 1 upgrades.

 

[Shorty]

I have to concur wuth the adaptive cruise control. I live in California and it is the best thing since sliced bread. It will take it from 70mph to zero and back up in stop & go traffic. Although it will only stay stopped for approx 5 seconds then the driver must take over. Once going again hit resume and away you go.

 

[Ionicbrick]

I’d say for towing a travel trailer the digital rear view mirror is pretty nice. I have a backup camera that I bought that plugs into the bumper for mine. When I hook up the trailer and plug it in, I see behind my trailer in my rear view mirror. For me that would be a deal breaker. That’s why I just ordered my limited to be sure I got everything I wanted. Not sure why they pick and choose options on a limited.


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[content]

For me, the Adaptive Cruise Control and the Full-speed Forward-Collision Warning Plus were must-haves. They are the biggest steps in safety and collision avoidance since the invention of brakes. Not having those would have been deal-killers. A 100 miles through the Salt Lake City metro area in rush hour is reduced from a stress session to an OK cruise. I set the ACC to the speed limit, pick the center lane and put my feet on the floor. The only thing left is keeping it in the center of the lane. The Ram’s ACC will even come to a stop and restart without touching the gas (provided the stop isn’t too long).

The adaptive steering is very nice. Power steering sensitivity lessens as speed increases.

We have lane keeping assist on an Acura SUV and I really like it. I keeps the SUV in the center of the lane with no discernible effort. That would be great for towing a big trailer, if it worked. The lame (opps “lane” - that was a Freudian slip but appropriate) keeping assist on the Ram is mediocre at best and I have it off most of the time. It doesn’t react until you get close to the edge of the lane and then over-corrects. I think it decreases safety. I’ve never let It go, but I think it would take you into the other lane or the ditch if you let it.

We love the power running boards but if you can get these with after-market, no issue there. I like the bigger screen, but that is not a deal-killer. We have the digital rearview mirror. It is very nice, particularly if the back window is blocked with cargo. We are also planning to get the tow mode camera for the back of our 5th wheel.

I’ve noticed on the Ram website that they seem to have changed the package options. We were able to get the safety group without the other Level 1 upgrades.

Well, not only have you encouraged me to educate myself on the Adaptive Cruise Control and Adaptive Steering on my current Ram , but you have also helped me reconsider the importance of these on the next vehicle. Thank you for that. And I agree with you on the "lame" assist. That feature I have used and had similar experiences as you.

 

[content]

I’d say for towing a travel trailer the digital rear view mirror is pretty nice. I have a backup camera that I bought that plugs into the bumper for mine. When I hook up the trailer and plug it in, I see behind my trailer in my rear view mirror. For me that would be a deal breaker. That’s why I just ordered my limited to be sure I got everything I wanted. Not sure why they pick and choose options on a limited.


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Thank you. That is a good point. I was researching this today and agree that would be a nice feature. I am reconsidering ordering a new 2024 rather than trying to find a dealer stock 2023.

 

[Ionicbrick]

Thank you. That is a good point. I was researching this today and agree that would be a nice feature. I am reconsidering ordering a new 2024 rather than trying to find a dealer stock 2023.

I ordered mine. She’s a ‘22 and was well worth the wait.


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[AH64ID]

For me, the Adaptive Cruise Control and the Full-speed Forward-Collision Warning Plus were must-haves. They are the biggest steps in safety and collision avoidance since the invention of brakes. Not having those would have been deal-killers. A 100 miles through the Salt Lake City metro area in rush hour is reduced from a stress session to an OK cruise. I set the ACC to the speed limit, pick the center lane and put my feet on the floor. The only thing left is keeping it in the center of the lane. The Ram’s ACC will even come to a stop and restart without touching the gas (provided the stop isn’t too long).

The adaptive steering is very nice. Power steering sensitivity lessens as speed increases.

We have lane keeping assist on an Acura SUV and I really like it. I keeps the SUV in the center of the lane with no discernible effort. That would be great for towing a big trailer, if it worked. The lame (opps “lane” - that was a Freudian slip but appropriate) keeping assist on the Ram is mediocre at best and I have it off most of the time. It doesn’t react until you get close to the edge of the lane and then over-corrects. I think it decreases safety. I’ve never let It go, but I think it would take you into the other lane or the ditch if you let it.

We love the power running boards but if you can get these with after-market, no issue there. I like the bigger screen, but that is not a deal-killer. We have the digital rearview mirror. It is very nice, particularly if the back window is blocked with cargo. We are also planning to get the tow mode camera for the back of our 5th wheel.

I’ve noticed on the Ram website that they seem to have changed the package options. We were able to get the safety group without the other Level 1 upgrades.

For me the safety group was a must NOT have.

I wouldn’t mind adaptive cruise control, but lane keep assist sucks and the adaptive steering feel in these Rams is atrocious, I hate it. It’s absolutely the worst feeling steering of any rig I’ve driven with it and doesn’t belong in an HD truck.

That’s all aside from the huge blind spot increase that the safety group stuff adds, to me it’s not worth any of it.

 

[jsalbre]

For me the safety group was a must NOT have.

I wouldn’t mind adaptive cruise control, but lane keep assist sucks and the adaptive steering feel in these Rams is atrocious, I hate it. It’s absolutely the worst feeling steering of any rig I’ve driven with it and doesn’t belong in an HD truck.

That’s all aside from the huge blind spot increase that the safety group stuff adds, to me it’s not worth any of it.

I still think there must be something screwy with your adaptive steering programming. I've driven several without it and several with and I definitely prefer the feeling with.

 

[Ionicbrick]

I still think there must be something screwy with your adaptive steering programming. I've driven several without it and several with and I definitely prefer the feeling with.

Yeah adaptive steering is the best. Makes maneuvering trailers at low speed so much easier.


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[AH64ID]

I still think there must be something screwy with your adaptive steering programming. I've driven several without it and several with and I definitely prefer the feeling with.

I don’t have it, I’ve just driven trucks with it. I would have been pissed if I had ordered it knowing how it drives, it’s that bad IMO.

Plenty seem to like it, but it’s got no feedback and doesn’t feel right for a little car let alone a truck.

There are threads about it as well, same feeling I get with it.

 

[Brutal_HO]

For me the safety group was a must NOT have.

I wouldn’t mind adaptive cruise control, but lane keep assist sucks and the adaptive steering feel in these Rams is atrocious, I hate it. It’s absolutely the worst feeling steering of any rig I’ve driven with it and doesn’t belong in an HD truck.

That’s all aside from the huge blind spot increase that the safety group stuff adds, to me it’s not worth any of it.

Unless you want to jump into comma.ai then it's all needed.

 

[phatboy64]

I agree with Dodgeman on all points. ACC is the best thing since sliced bread. The level 1 Equipment group does not add that much to the total cost of a limited, the bang for the buck is there and for most of the feature if you don’t like them you don’t have to use them.

 

[jebruns]

For me the safety group was a must NOT have.

I wouldn’t mind adaptive cruise control, but lane keep assist sucks and the adaptive steering feel in these Rams is atrocious, I hate it. It’s absolutely the worst feeling steering of any rig I’ve driven with it and doesn’t belong in an HD truck.

It takes some getting used to, that's for sure. Very light steering effort. I'm okay with it now, but preferred the steering feel of my 18 2500.

That’s all aside from the huge blind spot increase that the safety group stuff adds, to me it’s not worth any of it.

What blind spot is that?

 

[AH64ID]

What blind spot is that?

The massive shroud surrounding the rear view mirror. It does a decent job of blocking the view compared to the standard mirror shroud. It’s blocks more view than any other ACC/FCC vehicle I’ve driven.

Driver height probably plays a role too, I’m 6’4”.

 

[Christofo]

A big reason I bought a RAM was the ability to get the safety group on a Tradesman. I couldn't imagine buying a 2023 Limited that doesn't have those features, it's insane to me they aren't included.

I'll echo what has already been said, ACC is awesome, lane assist is mediocre at best (I have a comma in my truck, makes it 100x better), and I have no complaints about the adaptive steering.

 

[Dodgeman]

lane assist is mediocre at best (I have a comma in my truck, makes it 100x better)

What is “a Comma”? I would really like to improve the utility of lane assist. It there were a system to keep the big 5th wheel centered in the lane, it would be great.

 

[Brutal_HO]

What is “a Comma”? I would really like to improve the utility of lane assist. It there were a system to keep the big 5th wheel centered in the lane, it would be great.

comma.ai — make driving chill

open source driver assistance system that runs on 250+ car models

www.comma.ai

Open source self driving platform

 

[Enve46]

For me the safety group was a must NOT have.

I wouldn’t mind adaptive cruise control, but lane keep assist sucks and the adaptive steering feel in these Rams is atrocious, I hate it. It’s absolutely the worst feeling steering of any rig I’ve driven with it and doesn’t belong in an HD truck.

That’s all aside from the huge blind spot increase that the safety group stuff adds, to me it’s not worth any of it.

I agree but will add I dont want any of it. I just bought a Power Wagon with adaptive cruise, lane assist etc and hate all that crap. If I wanted an autonomous car I wouldn't buy an 7-8k truck hahaha I simply dont trust any of it. I dont like the steering wheel being controlled by a computer and I also dont have trouble staying in my lanes. Maybe its different with a trailer but thats not me either so the less annoying **** the better. The only thing I do like is the blind spot monitoring and even that with the new mirrors isn't needed as much. I think everyone is becoming to reliant on autonomy and Im really against it in all ways hahaha I dont mean to sound like an angry Karen here its just not for me.

 

[Dodgeman]

I agree but will add I dont want any of it. I just bought a Power Wagon with adaptive cruise, lane assist etc and hate all that crap..

Well, you’re in luck. It all has an off switch. Makes me wonder why you paid for it.