A few more stupid questions...

[A4Owner]

Okay so I have created a list of nice to haves and need to haves. I live in Ontario Canada where extended patches of cold weather are a reality. I know the AS on the LTD and LHorn were upgraded for Gen 5 and Although I really, really would like to have AS this is ultimately an option I can pass on. Reason why is that I read, on this forum, that the coils actually ride smoother when factoring in the same 22 inch wheels, temps and approximate tire pressure so right off the bat is that correct (are coils smoother than AS)? Next up is all the radar guided cruise and tech stuff...I think this is the entire Level 1 group along with the HarKar audio system. So to me this falls under nice to have but, ultimately as long as I have a front camera an back up camera (so that I don't smash this monster when parking...former Audi owner so to me these things are HUGE) so just wondering whether any of you would say "No, no man...you absolutely gotta order Level 1 and here's why...." so appreciate the feedback here. So next up is the Panoramic sunroof and I will be honest I don't know that I could live without one. I know they leak and the leaks sometimes lead to the casing on the rear sliding window cracking but I use sunroofs all the time...lubricate and clean them semi-annually and have never ever had one leak or fail...and again I use these things daily in the summer. HOWEVER and this is a big however, my main motivation for buying a gigantic truck is space and quite....so can anyone here confirm to me that a LTD or LHorn without the panoramic sunroof is a) bigger for headroom and d) quieter than models equipped with the panoramic sunroof since doing so would make me pass on the roof...even though I think I'd have buyers rumors that very afternoon. Rambox and MF tailgate are easy for me to decide: answer is no. With the cost savings of not going crazy with these options I was thinking of a ceramic coating (by the way if you think I know nothing about trucks...my knowledge of these coatings is even less) and rust proofing (again live in Ontario where its cold, snowy and really salty on our roads so think that would be good idea?). Oh shoot almost forgot: trailer brake gain control...so I don't have a massive trailer and probably won't ever have one but does NOT getting trailer brake gain control mean the truck does ALL of the stopping whenever a trailer is hooked up behind you? That's probably not an issue if you're towing 3-4K pounds but I guess you'd really need it in the 8-9k pound range eh? Okay sorry that was a lot but again I don't really know a lot about this stuff...

 

[Dragonmaster13]

That was VERY difficult to read, try spaces between paragraphs of thought or some bullets next time.

All LTDs have air suspension, so if you’re ordering that trim level you’ll get it, otherwise I’d opt for coils all day, nothing like a frozen air line in -40C and one bag that won’t inflate.

No sunroof is 5-6 db quieter than sunroof, very little change in headroom, but the cab is so large unless you’re pushing 6’8” you won’t notice it.

Skip the HK system and get the Alpine, although Ram thinks it’s lower end it actually has better dynamic range and isn’t always boomy like the HK.

Adaptive cruise is good, but aggressive. I skipped it and like the regular cruise better.

I believe if you opt for the 360 cameras you will automatically get adaptive cruise in the tech package.

Coming from a car skip the ram boxes. I regret not getting an MFT though.

Get the rustproofing/undercoating in Ontario for sure.

Towing over 5,000lbs you are required by law to have trailer brakes in most provinces and states. This requires a brake controller. Most trailers under 5,000lbs don’t have trailer brakes, so yes the truck does all the stopping and a brake controller is not required.

 

[Fatherof3]

The Limiteds in Canada can be ordered without the Air Suspension and I'd order it without for Canada .

 

[HSKR R/T]

The panic sunroof does not cause the rear window leak, and I can't say I've heard of many people with sunroofs that leak. Interior noise difference would be barely noticeable. And headroom isn't an issue. I'm 6'5" and have plenty of headroom to spare with my pano.

I'd definitely opt for the MFT. Wish my truck had it. Ramboxes, not so much.

I don't know if you can get the front camera without the same package that includes adaptive cruise control. But you can always turn that feature off if you don't want it.

Trailer brake controllers, if you have, or know someone who has alfaOBD, it's cheaper to install it yourself than adding it as an option. And even if you don't need it all the time it's a nice option to have. And if nothing else I might make it easier to sell in future.

 

[Lurts]

As someone who came from a small car (Mini Cooper) to my first truck, I would strongly recommend the 360 camera. It’s a must-have for me with this truck.

 

[Rick3478]

So next up is the Panoramic sunroof and I will be honest I don't know that I could live without one.

If you don't mind me going off on a bit of a tangent, since you seem to be a big lover of sunroofs, what is the attraction? I can't imagine anything up there that I want to see, and I sure don't want the sun beating down on me, especially in the Summer. Costs more, likely to leak, and if it's powered openable has more little motors and switches to fail. I've walked away from otherwise perfectly good vehicles because they couldn't be ordered without sunroof/moonroof. What am I missing?

 

[Ninety-9 SE-L]

Okay so I have created a list of nice to haves and need to haves.

-I live in Ontario Canada where extended patches of cold weather are a reality. I know the Air Suspension on the LTD and LHorn were upgraded for Gen 5 and Although I really, really would like to have AS this is ultimately an option I can pass on. Reason why is that I read, on this forum, that the coils actually ride smoother when factoring in the same 22 inch wheels, temps and approximate tire pressure so right off the bat is that correct (are coils smoother than AS)?

-Next up is all the radar guided cruise and tech stuff...I think this is the entire Level 1 group along with the HarKar audio system. So to me this falls under nice to have but, ultimately as long as I have a front camera an back up camera (so that I don't smash this monster when parking...former Audi owner so to me these things are HUGE) so just wondering whether any of you would say "No, no man...you absolutely gotta order Level 1 and here's why...." so appreciate the feedback here.

-So next up is the Panoramic sunroof and I will be honest I don't know that I could live without one. I know they leak and the leaks sometimes lead to the casing on the rear sliding window cracking but I use sunroofs all the time...lubricate and clean them semi-annually and have never ever had one leak or fail...and again I use these things daily in the summer. HOWEVER and this is a big however, my main motivation for buying a gigantic truck is space and quite....so can anyone here confirm to me that a LTD or LHorn without the panoramic sunroof is a) bigger for headroom and d) quieter than models equipped with the panoramic sunroof since doing so would make me pass on the roof...even though I think I'd have buyers rumors that very afternoon.

-Rambox and MF tailgate are easy for me to decide: answer is no.

-With the cost savings of not going crazy with these options I was thinking of a ceramic coating (by the way if you think I know nothing about trucks...my knowledge of these coatings is even less) and rust proofing (again live in Ontario where its cold, snowy and really salty on our roads so think that would be good idea?).

-Oh shoot almost forgot: trailer brake gain control...so I don't have a massive trailer and probably won't ever have one but does NOT getting trailer brake gain control mean the truck does ALL of the stopping whenever a trailer is hooked up behind you? That's probably not an issue if you're towing 3-4K pounds but I guess you'd really need it in the 8-9k pound range eh? Okay sorry that was a lot but again I don't really know a lot about this stuff...

Had to break this down into segments for my sanity.

I live in Florida, so Air Suspension + Cold weather are a mystery to me. I didn't find the AS to be a particularly useful feature for the price, even when towing, so I didn't check it off.

Adaptive Cruise Control. Check your packages, because I got the Advanced Safety Group. That gave me Adaptive CC, Auto-Braking, 360-degree view, lane keep assist, etc. Um, the adaptive CC, I really like it, but it's very aggressive when getting back up to speed. I keep it on when I'm following, but if I decide to pass or a slower vehicle moves out of my way, I prefer to control the acceleration. With my EcoDiesel, there's no need for me to downshift to get back up from 65 to 70mph, yet the adaptive CC will basically floor it, and my fuel economy goes out the window.

I like having the auto-braking, but I've already found that when I'm backing into certain spaces, my truck will detect a curb and basically lock up my brakes. This morning I thought I backed into something, but it was my reverse auto-braking engaging for no reason.

360-degree view is a must-have and I wish I had easier access at low speeds. There are still a lot of blind spots, but you'll never park crooked, again.

The Harmon Kardon is, OK at best. I think my Frontier's base-model system is actually better. The HK has some distortion in the highs and the lows are pretty boomy.

The sunroof is something I would never buy on a truck. I think it's the most unnecessary feature, and it lowers your payload capacity. I'm not concerned about it leaking or needing servicing, I just think it adds nothing of value.

MF tailgate I would also never buy. Doesn't seem useful enough to justify paying for. The RamBoxes I really did want, but I wanted a particular bed cover that wouldn't have been compatible.

I got the ceramic coating because I have to worry about UV light from the sun hitting the roof and hood. Rust is not my enemy, here. You'll want to look into some rust-proofing in your neck of the woods.

I got the trailer and bed packages because I regularly tow and find all of that stuff useful. My trailers all have electric brakes, so it's simply nice having a factory controller and other features. I don't know for certain if this is integrated, but I'd imagine the vehicle's emergency collision avoidance system should also be able to apply the trailer brakes. An aftermarket controller probably wouldn't be able to do that.

 

[HSKR R/T]

If you don't mind me going off on a bit of a tangent, since you seem to be a big lover of sunroofs, what is the attraction? I can't imagine anything up there that I want to see, and I sure don't want the sun beating down on me, especially in the Summer. Costs more, likely to leak, and if it's powered openable has more little motors and switches to fail. I've walked away from otherwise perfectly good vehicles because they couldn't be ordered without sunroof/moonroof. What am I missing?

Love my sunroof. I like driving with my windows open, opening sunroof. Works awesome in summer in vent position to aid in getting the hot air out to get interior cooled down. Love the extra light it lets in. Get a ceramic tint film applied and the heat is significantly reduced. It was one of the options I highly desired when looking for my BTS. Luckily, most of the ones delivered to my area had it.

It's less likely to leak than the rear window, third brake light, or shark fin. Properly maintained it will give your years and years of trouble free use. I have a 2002 Volvo with factory sunroof that still works just fine and doesn't leak.

As for payload, I'm never going to be hauling anything that close to max payload where the small amount I lose from it will bother me. And if you are hauling that close to max payload, might be time to consider stepping up to a 2500.

It's mostly personal preference. Nothing anyone says will say your opinion, and that's fine. I can see how some wouldn't like it.

 

[Rick3478]

Love my sunroof. I like driving with my windows open, opening sunroof. Works awesome in summer in vent position to aid in getting the hot air out to get interior cooled down. Love the extra light it lets in.

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like sort of a jeep/scout/bronco vibe for you. Not what I want from a vehicle most of the time, but I think I sort of get it.

 

[truckless]

The Limiteds in Canada can be ordered without the Air Suspension and I'd order it without for Canada .

If you have a heated garage to park in though, shouldn't be an issue. This is my 4th truck with air now and never had a problem.