Decided on the Ram, now need some help with the options :-)

[Bas]

I test drove an F-150 and compared it with the new 1500 Laramie Crew Cab with eTorque and it was a no contest for both myself and the wife.
So now the time has come to figure out what options we want/should have. Living in Colorado so some snow and ice in the winter and planning to buy a trailer (25 - 30 feet, likely around 7000 or pounds). We will use it as a daily commuter car and as our main family car.
Now, for the towing we heard someone say a longer wheel base helps stabilizing or having the 4-corner air suspension would greatly help. I never thought of that and should we go with either or both? The latter is like 2K more than going with a longer bed which again is more than staying with the 5.7 bed. Advice in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Anyhow, these are the options we are considering (I put comments where I am unsure how useful something is):

• Engine: 5.7L V8 HEMI MDS VVT Etorque
• 3.92 Rear Axle Ratio - I want the capability to tow more if needed
• Black, Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats - Love the console
• Bed Utility Group
• Trailer Tow Group - this is a bit odd configuration; I like that Ford has the max tow which then adds the rear axle, bigger gas tank with a discount. Some option that I think should be added.
• Laramie Level 2 Equipment Group
• Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle - Is this really needed? Or is the automatic 4X4 enough when slippery outside (or just plain 4x4)
• 4-Corner Air Suspension ? So this is unsure and expensive
• 33 Gallon Fuel Tank - also depends; seems like I see sometimes 23 gallon tanks and sometimes 26 gallon ones.
• Power Running Boards - wife is short
• Radio: Uconnect 12 -wife is spoiled

Everyone's taste is different and I am open to suggestions (I was thinking about the sports package which would take care of the bucket seat/console, but not sure I like the hood; I ain't 20 no more.
Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[devildodge]

Looks like your option list will work just fine.

Alert though: you will find this numerous places here.

Alert: the trailer tow group will lose you the surround view.

If you don't really need the tow mirrors, plenty have said the regular are fine, just get the trailer brake controller.

Good luck, any more questions be sure to ask

 

[XDBrad]

The way I see it a lot of the options are personal preference but... a couple things you mentioned have merit.

The longer wheel base will add stability when towing but could limit your GVWR, I’d check those numbers.

Trailer tow group... read up on some posts here concerning the group or just adding the controller. With the group you lose the 360 view and electric fold mirrors. I have the tow group and like it fine but know what you’re getting/losing by going with the option.

Air ride, it could be nice but I also hear it can be finicky (I don’t have it). I too tow a good bit and have always been a huge fan of the after market rear air bags (I’ve always used Firestone). You can install yourself and they typically run ~$500. And... if you splurge on a large enough air compressor you will have on board air supply for a low/flat tire should you need it.

392 axle is a must, absolutely love the ratio in mine.

Auto 4X4, while I think I can predict the roads well enough, I’m not confident that my wife can. Auto is a must for me.

Limited slip... you’ll never know you don’t have it until you need it. In snow/mud it makes a huge difference. Remember a 4X4 without LSD or a locker is really only 2 wheel drive, one in front and one in back. Personally I’d never have a truck without a locker or LSD. As an afterthought I wish I would have forgone the off road package and got the LSD, but I love my truck all the same...

Again, a lot of opinions here. I’m certain others will agree and just as meant disagree with me.

 

[devildodge]

The air suspension has some lovers and some haters. The 4th gen was prone to freeze up. Of course no one knows yet about the 5th Gen...winter hasn't hit yet.

It does make hauling the trailer and load easier, but could be lived without.

Me, if I could get it, I would.

 

[devildodge]

The limited slip is a must have in my opinion, but then I must have the Elocker. Either one will make backing that trailer easier.

But again this is personal preference, plenty agree to disagree.

 

[Zeronet]

A 25-30 foot trailer. Is that overall length (hitch to bumper) or floor length?

7000 pounds. Is that empty weight, loaded weight or the trailers max weight (GVWR)?

You mentioned a family. How many passengers will be in the vehicle when towing?

Reason i ask is that you could run into a payload problem depending on your answers to those questions. Heavily optioned half ton trucks (you have a long list of options) can be low on payload.

Conventional wisdom would say to pick the trailer FIRST, then buy the truck that will comfortably tow it. Please, please, please don’t buy an expensive truck only to find out it won’t tow the camper your wife falls in love with (like I did)!

Seriously, If you can answer those questions we can give better advice on options.

 

[Bas]

The limited slip is a must have in my opinion, but then I must have the Elocker. Either one will make backing that trailer easier.

But again this is personal preference, plenty agree to disagree.

I read somewhere it is one of the other?

 

[Zeronet]

Yes one Or the other. He was jokingly undecided.

 

[devildodge]

Thanks @Zeronet I was trying to figure out what he meant. Now I get it.

I would not get a truck without anti spin.

Now that the eLocker is available, I wouldn't get one without it.

You can read plenty of posts here by me, that payload is the deciding factor with DT.

@Zeronet has the option weights down pretty good. We have a wide variety of payload ratings now...the Ram site is way off on actual payload and towing.

The numbers you need to know are 7100 GVWR and the GCWR will depend on your rear axle ratio and cab actulnd bed size. You can find them in the towing section.

Again, good luck and do ask questions if you are unsure.

 

[Bas]

Thanks for all the info, I will do some researchIn payload although to be honest I think I will be ok. @dutchman187 Ben je Nederlands?

 

[dutchman187]

Thanks for all the info, I will do some researchIn payload although to be honest I think I will be ok. @dutchman187 Ben je Nederlands?

Family heritage.

 

[Bas]

Thanks for all the info, I will do some researchIn payload although to be honest I think I will be ok. @dutchman187 Ben je Nederlands?

And it looks like the gvwr stays the same, at least when using nada

 

[devildodge]

Yes GVWR is 7100 for any 4wd with Hemi.

 

[Zeronet]

Thanks for all the info, I will do some researchIn payload although to be honest I think I will be ok. @dutchman187 Ben je Nederlands?

Like @devildodge said, there’s a lot of good info in the towing section of this site. Please don’t be fooled by the published payload and towing numbers. They are nothing but marketing fiction.

 

[Bwarren2]

I test drove an F-150 and compared it with the new 1500 Laramie Crew Cab with eTorque and it was a no contest for both myself and the wife.
So now the time has come to figure out what options we want/should have. Living in Colorado so some snow and ice in the winter and planning to buy a trailer (25 - 30 feet, likely around 7000 or pounds). We will use it as a daily commuter car and as our main family car.
Now, for the towing we heard someone say a longer wheel base helps stabilizing or having the 4-corner air suspension would greatly help. I never thought of that and should we go with either or both? The latter is like 2K more than going with a longer bed which again is more than staying with the 5.7 bed. Advice in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Anyhow, these are the options we are considering (I put comments where I am unsure how useful something is):

• Engine: 5.7L V8 HEMI MDS VVT Etorque
• 3.92 Rear Axle Ratio - I want the capability to tow more if needed
• Black, Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats - Love the console
• Bed Utility Group
• Trailer Tow Group - this is a bit odd configuration; I like that Ford has the max tow which then adds the rear axle, bigger gas tank with a discount. Some option that I think should be added.
• Laramie Level 2 Equipment Group
• Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle - Is this really needed? Or is the automatic 4X4 enough when slippery outside (or just plain 4x4)
• 4-Corner Air Suspension ? So this is unsure and expensive
• 33 Gallon Fuel Tank - also depends; seems like I see sometimes 23 gallon tanks and sometimes 26 gallon ones.
• Power Running Boards - wife is short
• Radio: Uconnect 12 -wife is spoiled

Everyone's taste is different and I am open to suggestions (I was thinking about the sports package which would take care of the bucket seat/console, but not sure I like the hood; I ain't 20 no more.
Thanks in advance for the input.

My pet leave with Ram is the tow mirrors are manual, so parking in a garage, could be an issue. Just FYI

 

[Zeronet]

Something to consider on the longer bed option...Yes it will increase towing stability. But these trucks are already large and there are trade offs when not towing. Parking, maneuverability, will it fit in your garage? Things like that. Will you and your wife be comfortable driving it everyday? A trip to a drive thru may be a whole different experience.

Also the 33gallon tank option. Depending on how far and how often you plan to tow this could be a great option. Maneuvering in a gas station with a 30ft trailer attached can be challenging. If you only plan to tow 150 miles to a campground then the standard 26gal tank will be fine. If you want to take long trips the 33gal tank will come in handy.

Again every option you add reduces payload capacity so keep that in mind when deciding what options to add.

 

[Bas]

Wow, learning a lot here, thanks so much. And I even posted in the wrong forum, missed the 'towing' one.
I think I will stick with the 26 gallon tank, get rid of the towing package and just add the brake assist, and stick to the 5.7 bed. Looks the automatic fold in mirrors are only available in the sport package so I either need to get that or check my garage door width. What is the mirror to mirror width of a Laramie?
Luckily my wife is in love with this truck as well, she is actually the one that wanted one to start with and totally understands there are consequences regarding the trailer we can tow with it.

 

[356]

Auto folding mirror are on my non-sport package Laramie. I like them, and did the controller option intead of trailer tow. I’d also recommend the active safety group.

 

[Bas]

Auto folding mirror are on my non-sport package Laramie. I like them, and did the controller option intead of trailer tow. I’d also recommend the active safety group.

I saw the auto fold on the back or sports appearance only and yes the safety group is nice, I like the 360 camera view which you lose with the towing package so I hadn't added that to my earlier configuration. I think the towing package is super weak by the way, I liked the F-150 telescoping mirrors.

 

[Bas]

While specing it out, it looks I might be better off by going to a Limited since we pretty much want it all