What options are must for you?

[tegguy]

Currently in the market for a lightly used or new Ram 2500 limited and I'm a little confused on all the "options" you can select. I was curious what options people think are a "must have" with these trucks. Looking to keep the truck at least 10 years and currently only occasional towing is expected but we might opt to buy a travel trailer or something at some point depending on where life takes us... Please feel free to comment on my "must haves" below as well

My known must haves:
- Level 1 Equipment
- Night edition
- Anti spin diff
- Bed step (can I add this later?)

I'm upgrading from a 2004 ram 1500 with low miles

Edit:
I guess let me rephrase it.... I'm torn on the following items because I don't know what they do or if I'd really use them

- Aux switches prep (or the aux switches)
- Adaptive steering (probably not super useful for me)
- Towing (I'm confused on the below items and what the difference is)
-Wired tow camera
- Trailer Surround-view camera system
- tow mode digital rear-view mirror
- Tow Technology plus group
- Towing technology group

What does the self leveling suspension give you? Air ride or something else?

 

[CdnHO]

Depends on what you are going to spend, the model and what you are doing with the truck, how big a trailer do you anticipate. Add the bed step now instead of later.

 

[tegguy]

Depends on what you are going to spend and what you are doing with the truck.

We're trying to figure out what we'd have to spend to get what we want. Right now there is only occasional towing of a classic car with a rented trailer but we have 2 young boys and I'd like to possibly rent/buy a trailer to try to our camping with them at some point. I can't envision needing to tow every day of the week at any point. Hard to predict what we'll want to do in the next 10 years....

 

[CdnHO]

Obviously not a fifth wheel. Since you are towing, even occasionally, take a look at the tow ratings for various configurations. Does a 2500 fit the bill for the future or would be be better off with a 3500 at a slight additional cost? Will a gas engine meet your needs? Start at what you need in capabilities and add the bling later as you can afford.

 

[LegendaryLawman]

Go with the 3500 for higher payload.

Bed step is an easy add.

Night edition looks cool but the bumper gets killed with rock chips. Its also in my opinion a huge rip off for 4K

Avoid all the extra cameras and safety equipment- my opinion waste of money and another thing to fail and fix down the road….

I’d likely try to get the 5th wheel package. You might need it later or a future buyer might want it on a 3500’truck.

 

[tegguy]

I've been looking more at the payload ratings than the payload lately as I figured they'd likely be the limiting factor especially with the top level stuff like the limited. I was a little shocked they're only like 1820 pounds when GMC was up in the 3000 pound payload capacity. I was thinking 1800 minimum is probably where I'd need to be given my current situation (4 people + car + trailer = 1350 ish pounds before cargo). I'm having a hard time getting the wife to consider a 3500 especially when a 2500 is probably pushing it for what we need to do today.

Gas engine would probably fit the needs however, the limited trim level that we're looking for doesn't have that as an option. We could step down to a Laramie possibly but would have to take a close look at the options (want the seat memory and rambox's at a minimum).

Unfortunately I think I'd kick myself if I didn't get the surround view camera and all that but that's personal preference. Good point on the bumper but I was debating a clear bra for the truck to help with that stuff since it's not just the bumper that will take a hit.

 

[LegendaryLawman]

You can’t get rambox with Laramie- sucks I wanted one but I also didn’t want the center console and all the tech stuff either so I went with a stripped down Laramie. I’m guessing I’ll live without the ram boxes lol

 

[tegguy]

You can’t get rambox with Laramie- sucks I wanted one but I also didn’t want the center console and all the tech stuff either so I went with a stripped down Laramie. I’m guessing I’ll live without the ram boxes lol

Honestly the Ram boxes are one of the only things pushing me to Dodge LOL.... Test drove a Sierra 2500 Denali and it was a nice truck but storage was problematic.

 

[DrTron]

I'd kick myself if I didn't get the surround view camera

Definitively the safety group. You don't have to use the adaptive cruise control if you don't want to, but things like automated high-beam headlights, rain-sensitive wipers and especially the blind-spot detection are lifesavers.
And I wouldn't want to go without the surround cameras anymore, much, much easier to park.

And yes, I also went with the Ramboxes, those and the surround cameras were two of the reasons I got myself a new truck. Totally love them, although a (not necessarily cheaper) alternative are swingboxes near the tailgate. Less storage space, though.

 

[AH64ID]

• 3500
• Auto-level
• HO 6.7
• Laramie
• 360° camera
• DRVM w/ wired tow-mode camera
• 5th wheel prep
• Long bed
• No safety group (greatly dislike adaptive steering)
• Night edition
• Protection group
• Block heater
• 50 gallon tank
• Aux Switches
• 8.4” w/out Nav

But that’s all personal preference, so it’s hard to quantify them as “must haves” for others. Many can also be added after the fact, but some cannot.

 

[tegguy]

I fully expected a wide range of answers since everyone has a different use. I guess let me rephrase it.... I'm torn on the following items because I don't know what they do or if I'd really use them

- Aux switches prep (or the aux switches)
- Adaptive steering (probably not super useful for me)
- Towing (I'm confused on the below items and what the difference is)
-Wired tow camera
- Trailer Surround-view camera system
- tow mode digital rear-view mirror
- Tow Technology plus group
- Towing technology group

What does the self leveling suspension give you? Air ride or something else?

 

[DrTron]

Could y'all clarify why you don't like the safety group?
Maybe the driving style of other drivers is different in your neck of the woods, but I've had it happen several times in bad weather that a car with it's headlights off was creeping into my blind spot, and more or less invisible through the mirrors or even looking over my shoulder. That's when the blind spot alert really comes in handy.

 

[G Mcpherson]

With the New Tow mirrors [ 23-24 ] I've found not to have really any Blind spot using the Convex mirror compared to the Old style Mirror.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Must have is nothing. But i am more inclined to go with less electrical options as it’s just less to fail plus working with the truck id rather spend less personally as it stands a base model 2500 cost way more than my first house ever did lol

 

[AH64ID]

Could y'all clarify why you don't like the safety group?
Maybe the driving style of other drivers is different in your neck of the woods, but I've had it happen several times in bad weather that a car with it's headlights off was creeping into my blind spot, and more or less invisible through the mirrors or even looking over my shoulder. That's when the blind spot alert really comes in handy.

For me it’s a strong dislike of the adaptive steering that cannot be turned off.

I wouldn’t mind adaptive cruise control, but wish Ram would put the camera in a different location. It’s large and semi-obtrusive.

I haven’t found a need for BSM in these trucks. It does come in handy on vehicles with smaller mirrors.

- Aux switches prep (or the aux switches)

6 switches on the center stack that can be utilized to add aux electrical systems. For example I have backup lights, an air compressor, a winch solenoid, and a trailer tpms booster on mine.

- Adaptive steering (probably not super useful for me

Adds an electric motor to the power steering. It can be ordered separate or with the safety group. The safety group uses it for lane keep assist.

I suggest driving one with it before you order to see if you like the feel.

)
- Towing (I'm confused on the below items and what the difference is)
-Wired tow camera

The Digital Rear View Mirror has a camera in the CHMSL and a plug on the rear bumper for an extra camera. This is that extra camera. It's nearly impossible to find after you place the order, so if you get the DRVM order this.

- Trailer Surround-view camera system

A 4 camera system that you install on a trailer to have a 360° trailer camera view. You need the truck 360° camera for this feature to be active.

- tow mode digital rear-view mirror

DRVW with the tow-mode camera included.

- Tow Technology plus group

DRVM 3.0 with extra side cameras that show up on the DRVM. It also includes trailer steering control for reverse. Aux switches are not compatible with this option.

- Towing technology group

Truck 360° camera, and cargo view camera.

What does the self leveling suspension give you? Air ride or something else?

On the 2500 it's 100% air ride. One the 3500 it's a supplemental airbag setup on softer leaves for better ride and handlig, both loaded and empty.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Could y'all clarify why you don't like the safety group?
Maybe the driving style of other drivers is different in your neck of the woods, but I've had it happen several times in bad weather that a car with it's headlights off was creeping into my blind spot, and more or less invisible through the mirrors or even looking over my shoulder. That's when the blind spot alert really comes in handy.

The convex mirrors on the towing mirrors is more than enough for me to see my blind spots

 

[DrTron]

Well, all the adaptive steering does is make it easier to turn the wheel at low speeds like parking or backing up. I don't see that as an disadvantage. At highway speeds it has no effect at all.
True, the camera mount on the windscreen is quite large, but I wouldn't say it obstructs my view (maybe for some really, really tall people it does).
And like I said, the great thing about the BSM (even with the towing mirrors) is that it sees non-illuminated objects. You wouldn't believe how many people drive in blackout mode around here, even at night and in bad weather.
But yes, in normal conditions the convex mirrors on the towing mirrors are pretty good. Just hard to judge distances due to that, so I like the peace of mind that I can change lanes safely when the light is off. That's another thing drivers around here can't seem to do. When the gap in traffic is longer than their car, they'll switch lanes...

 

[AH64ID]

@DrTron there is a difference in the steering feel at all speeds with the adaptive steering. It lacks the positive feedback a HD truck should have.

 

[DrTron]

@DrTron there is a difference in the steering feel at all speeds with the adaptive steering. It lacks the positive feedback a HD truck should have.

Not having ever driven one without it, so I really can't compare.
But I agree that my steering could be a bit stiffer at higher speeds, no idea if that's the general setup of the power steering in RAM's HD trucks or if that is an effect of the adaptive steering. But it's not like it's totally bad.
Also, it certainly doesn't help that RAM doesn't mention the adaptive steering in the manual anywhere (at least I haven't found it there). But posts in different forums claim that it only affects steering at low speeds. No references given for that, of course.

 

[AH64ID]

Not having ever driven one without it, so I really can't compare.
But I agree that my steering could be a bit stiffer at higher speeds, no idea if that's the general setup of the power steering in RAM's HD trucks or if that is an effect of the adaptive steering. But it's not like it's totally bad.
Also, it certainly doesn't help that RAM doesn't mention the adaptive steering in the manual anywhere (at least I haven't found it there). But posts in different forums claim that it only affects steering at low speeds. No references given for that, of course.

My ‘22 doesn’t have it, but dad’s ‘22 does. IME that light feeling is the adaptive steering.