New Ram 3500

**sourdough** · 12-19-2019, 06:39 PM

I'm looking for a little more insight than what I have about the listed truck.

I have looked and looked for a Ram 3500, SB, 4x4, 6.4, 4.10...all over the place with what I want and have been unable to find it. I thought my only option was to place an order for a new one after the 1st of the year; get a 20, order what I want. But, they're having year end pricing which is pretty good and I just "wandered" around the Ram dealership "looking". Well, they've found a SRW 3500 pretty much like I wanted and I'm a hair of hitting the go button to do it.

My question would be to anyone that owns a SRW Ram 3500 I suppose. I am very worried about the height of the truck vs my 3/4 (2014 vs 2019). I sat it beside a new 3/4 and it appears to be an inch or so taller. The spec sheets I pulled show that it should be in fact about that. The 1 ton spec sheet shows the same as the 3/4 dimension wise; does anyone have one of these and know?? I want it to fit in my garage when I get home. I don't want to have to have a contractor come rebuild the garage and buying it with the wrong dimensions will require that.

I know; WHY do that when you can't check it in the garage? I have been looking months and months for something like it in TX without success unless I ordered. New year is coming, prices go up and the trade in goes down...and there's the "employee" pricing going on (which isn't that big of a deal)...but I've found a truck. At the end of the day I can, and will, have the garage modified if it doesn't fit but that is absolutely not what I want to do.

Anyway, if I can get the numbers squared with them tomorrow I will buy it unless someone here has some input to share that would make me put it off....but at least they can GET me one!

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

An added note: the 4.10 ratio. I have used most any of the Ram/Dodge ratios. I have not had the 4.10 with the 8 speed tranny. Took the 3.73 out with the 6.4 and it really seemed to fill some holes in the 6 speed and boosted the max tow by 2k lbs. (yes I know), but it IS an improvement.

Max tow for the 3.73 is approx. 14250 and the 4.10 is somewhere over 16k. Payload is the limiting factor and why I want the 3500. I am also looking at a somewhat larger trailer but don't envision anything over 13k gvw (probably 12 or so loaded). I've always said anything >10k should seriously consider a diesel. The new trannys make a lot of difference. Any thoughts?

rhagfo · 12-19-2019, 07:27 PM

Are you worried about the height of the cab? If so what is the height of your garage door.

Retired Copper · 12-19-2019, 07:28 PM

I am glad for you Danny. If it was me and I was worried about it fitting I would take a towel and a piece of pvc pipe and get them to measure it from level ground to the pipe laying on the towel at the highest point. Then you would at least have a good reading and know where you stand.

Laredo Tugger · 12-19-2019, 07:30 PM

Danny,
I have a 2018 SRW RAM 3500 (it is also a 4x4). As for the height, mine will fit in my garage which has a standard height header. I have a crew cab so the truck is about a foot to long for my garage. Not sure which cab configuration you are looking at or how long your garage is. Just something to consider. I thought all RAM 3500 were diesel, did not know they had a gas option. Good luck and hope this helps.
RMc

Brantlyj · 12-19-2019, 07:50 PM

Am I missing something? If the 2019 is an inch taller the the 2020 would be similar would it not?

Ken / Claudia · 12-19-2019, 08:18 PM

Just tossing this out, have you checked Dave Smith motors in ID. 1 friend got a 3500 this year, just talked this morning to another. They both did the whole deal on the phone and web site. The dealer pays for a flight from home, in this case PDX to Spokane Wa. They send a vehicle to pickup and drive you to dealer. Drive is about 30 miles away from airport. I was going to do the same with a used truck. But, they don't make the great deals as with a new vehicle. Unknown if they fly folks from TX or not.

**sourdough** · 12-19-2019, 08:54 PM

Thanks so much for the replies.

When I built the house I never dreamed of a "bigger" truck...but here we are. I built it with a standard garage length/width; I thought. I believe my entrance is 7'. I'm thinking that will work. I don't remember the length but my current 3/4 clears the entrance by a few inches and the length leaves me about 3" for the door to close - I think. I took DW today to look at the new 3/4 to see what she thought. She thought the same - maybe 1-2" higher.

Until October I had never had a dealer "bring" in a vehicle for me to buy sight unseen. In that case it was a newer version of one I owned and a SUV so no problem. This is much different and I won't so that to a dealer (no matter how much they zip you) unless I will buy what comes in.

Laredo my truck is a CC and it fits in my garage so I figure that will be OK. And yes, the 3500s come with the 6.4 option. Thanks to all for the input and thoughts. I truly hate trying to buy something supposed to fit in a garage 1500 miles away...never done that.

Wyldfire · 12-20-2019, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

Just tossing this out, have you checked Dave Smith motors in ID. 1 friend got a 3500 this year, just talked this morning to another. They both did the whole deal on the phone and web site. The dealer pays for a flight from home, in this case PDX to Spokane Wa. They send a vehicle to pickup and drive you to dealer. Drive is about 30 miles away from airport. I was going to do the same with a used truck. But, they don't make the great deals as with a new vehicle. Unknown if they fly folks from TX or not.

I believe you will find currently Dennis Dillion Ram of Caldwell Idaho has lower advertised prices then Dave Smith. They also do everything online and will pick you up at the Boise Airport.

Snoking · 12-19-2019, 10:18 PM

My thought is if you are going to the trouble of buying a 3500, get the diesel, Aisin Tranny and tallest gears available(3.73's)! You will get better mileage loaded or empty.

notanlines · 12-20-2019, 02:24 AM

I have to disagree with one thing Snoking suggested. I would prefer to tow with much lower gears than 3:73 if we're in the 12K to 14K or better range. And I can tell you that the mileage difference is nominal at best. But I do think the SRW 3500 is the answer for Danny.

Snoking · 12-20-2019, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

I have to disagree with one thing Snoking suggested. I would prefer to tow with much lower gears than 3:73 if we're in the 12K to 14K or better range. And I can tell you that the mileage difference is nominal at best. But I do think the SRW 3500 is the answer for Danny.

I tow a 16K 5th wheel with a 3500 4x4 CC SB RAM "diesel" with Aisin tranny and 3.42 gears it. Tows great at 24,500 combined and it a real freeway cruise empty. Now they come with 3.73 gears with the diesel, which is a concession to the inhouse 68RFE that has taller 1st and 2nd gears.

Just as finding a 3500 with the gas engine is hard, resell will be harder also.

66joej · 12-20-2019, 06:36 AM

Danny when measuring remember that funny little antenna (sirius xm gps?) on the roof. Adds about 2".

Laredo Tugger · 12-20-2019, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66joej

Danny when measuring remember that funny little antenna (sirius xm gps?) on the roof. Adds about 2".

No problem,just sawzall a slot in the door header!

K, just kidding. Just checked as I was typing this,my 18 has that antenna. It is mounted forward on the slope coming off the windshield and clears my garage door. I also have a slight slope on my driveway out of the garage so if Danny's is flat he will have even more clearance.
RMc

**sourdough** · 12-20-2019, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoking

My thought is if you are going to the trouble of buying a 3500, get the diesel, Aisin Tranny and tallest gears available(3.73's)! You will get better mileage loaded or empty.

I've crunched the numbers every which way and the benefits of a diesel in my case will never begin to pay back the up front 10k premium. If you NEED a diesel and will use it then a person should get it, in our case I just don't and I'm not interested in having one to have it. Not to start a diesel vs gas debate because I can't be swayed, just an explanation of the gas choice. I will say that Javi called me once and made a convincing argument for the diesel and almost had me convinced but I just can't get past the price tag.

rhagfo · 12-20-2019, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

I've crunched the numbers every which way and the benefits of a diesel in my case will never begin to pay back the up front 10k premium. If you NEED a diesel and will use it then a person should get it, in our case I just don't and I'm not interested in having one to have it. Not to start a diesel vs gas debate because I can't be swayed, just an explanation of the gas choice. I will say that Javi called me once and made a convincing argument for the diesel and almost had me convinced but I just can't get past the price tag.

Danny, are you trading in the 2014 6.4 on the new truck? Look at the difference in trade in between the 6.4 and a 6.7 diesel. Yep you do have the first time buy in of $10,000 or so, but the difference in trade in value you retain about 80% of it.
Likely not going to change your mind, but you aren’t just throwing $10k away. Then there is the towing experience, while a gas engine is getting to the top of its comfort zone at 12,000# to 14,000# a diesel is at low end of its comfort zone. I am sure Javi covered this with you.

notanlines · 12-20-2019, 03:08 PM

Just to inject a little humor, Javi once said you can always stay with the gas engine and just drive through the park with the windows down making a sound like a diesel....

**sourdough** · 12-20-2019, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhagfo

Danny, are you trading in the 2014 6.4 on the new truck? Look at the difference in trade in between the 6.4 and a 6.7 diesel. Yep you do have the first time buy in of $10,000 or so, but the difference in trade in value you retain about 80% of it.
Likely not going to change your mind, but you aren’t just throwing $10k away. Then there is the towing experience, while a gas engine is getting to the top of its comfort zone at 12,000# to 14,000# a diesel is at low end of its comfort zone. I am sure Javi covered this with you.

Russ, I've not traded in a diesel so I don't know the exact numbers but my son has been in the car business for decades. When I initially considered a diesel a few years ago I asked him about the return on trade. At that time he said they would generally bring about 4k more than a gas engine. With that said I would need to get 6k of "additional benefits" from a diesel to make it worthwhile. I just don't do that. If I anticipated a large trailer I would just buy one but 12-13k is as large as we will go. Granted the diesel does a better job of "pulling" but I don't pull all the time. 85%, at least, of my time is spent non towing so it would be of no benefit. They used to get far superior mileage but that isn't the case anymore and I could never make back that price differential in savings. And, unlike Jim mentioned, I don't drive thru the park trying to make diesel sounds...I don't like to wake people up or be woke up.

Anyway, the 3500 I was ready to buy is off the table because the local dealer said the dealer that had it won't send it to them.

Back to the drawing board. Looking at ordering one tomorrow if it can be here in FL before we leave and I can still get discounts.

Gegrad · 12-20-2019, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Anyway, the 3500 I was ready to buy is off the table because the local dealer said the dealer that had it won't send it to them.

Back to the drawing board. Looking at ordering one tomorrow if it can be here in FL before we leave and I can still get discounts.

Sorry to say, you can't get the discounts when you order; They only give the discounts for what they are currently running when the truck arrives at your dealer (approx 2 months, and nobody knows what they will be in 2 months). I had talked to several dealers about ordering one over the last few months and they all said the same thing. I suppose if you had someone on the inside this could be different, but if you order you are at the mercy of whatever the specials are when it arrives.

And the employee pricing is big- I got over $8k off sticker last week, because there are other discounts that stack with the pricing right now. I did not get exactly what I wanted, but decided that the ridiculous pricing right now was worth a few trade offs.

vampress_me · 12-20-2019, 04:38 PM

My only question would be are you sure you only have 7’ tall garage doors? Can someone measure it for you, just in case they are taller? Depending on when it was built, newer houses (as in 15 years old or newer) in our part of the country are typically built with 8’ tall doors. Well, depending on how cheap the contractor is...

**sourdough** · 12-20-2019, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vampress_me

My only question would be are you sure you only have 7’ tall garage doors? Can someone measure it for you, just in case they are taller? Depending on when it was built, newer houses (as in 15 years old or newer) in our part of the country are typically built with 8’ tall doors. Well, depending on how cheap the contractor is...

Thanks Lynette and that's not a bad idea. It was a custom build and I went through all of it but I just cannot remember the height of those doors. I had them widen the garage and build out a concrete raised area but I don't remember the doors. I'm sure we discussed the size of the doors because I know I told him I wanted separated doors instead on one long one so I could widen the distance between them and I think I just told him "standard" doors but... I've been going off mine and Susan's memories and how much space is above the current truck when I pull in. I'll see if we might find someone to give us an exact measurement. Thanks.

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