Delivery Checklist

[firecadet613]

After receiving a few requests...here is the delivery checklist I used when taking delivery of my 2019 Ram 1500. I had a checklist I used for my F150 - borrowed from an F150 forum member and modified a bit. I modified the RAM one based on issues people had found with their trucks. My late May 2019 build - had not one issue. I am VERY pleased.

Insist truck is left off/cold before I arrive

Oil Level

Brake Fluid Level

Washer Fluid Level

Coolant Level

Battery Terminal Tightness

Start via remote start

Both keyfobs work

Intelligent access works

Metal key works (door and tailgate)

Leaks/issues while warming up – check other items below

Equipped with all standard / optional equipment?



Exterior

Truck sits Level

Doors – stamping flaws – look around door handles

Paint Runs/Swirls

Body Panels / Door jambs / under doors

Check Axle for diff sticker

Sidesteps / Tow hooks / Chrome DLO

Exterior Lights & fogs & hazards & license plate lights

Tailgate function

Alignment of Body Panels

Cabs, doors, fenders and hood

Bed to cab

Headlights / Grill / Bumpers

Washer fluid sprays

Fender Flares – completely tight to body

Exterior Damage?



































Interior

Full tank of fuel

Power Slider operation / binding

Moonroof operation

Door locks

All 4 power windows

Power Mirrors & folding

12V & 120V outlets

Uconnect & NAV operation

Satellite radio / FM

Tire Pressures

Heated / Cooled seats

Steering wheel buttons (front & radio controls on back)

Interior Trim / Ceiling / Doors / Grab Handles / Visors and lights

Center Console – Light? In Floor / under seat storage

Rear seat – lift up and recline?

Washer fluid sprays?



Test Drive

A/C & Heat

Tire Pressures

Shift +/-

Steering

Rattles / Squeaks / Wind noise

Sunroof rattle/noise?

4 Auto / 4 High / 4 Lo operation

Front / Rear Parksense operation

Backup Camera

Steering / Acceleration / Braking

Take on Interstate – 75+ MPH – Hood Depression?

Trailer Light Hookup working?

Run through carwash – Moonroof leaks?

 

[ryelinek]

Good stuff thanks for sharing!

 

[Slim]

After receiving a few requests...here is the delivery checklist I used when taking delivery of my 2019 Ram 1500. I had a checklist I used for my F150 - borrowed from an F150 forum member and modified a bit. I modified the RAM one based on issues people had found with their trucks. My late May 2019 build - had not one issue. I am VERY pleased.

Insist truck is left off/cold before I arrive

Oil Level

Brake Fluid Level

Washer Fluid Level

Coolant Level

Battery Terminal Tightness

Start via remote start

Both keyfobs work

Intelligent access works

Metal key works (door and tailgate)

Leaks/issues while warming up – check other items below

Equipped with all standard / optional equipment?



Exterior

Truck sits Level

Doors – stamping flaws – look around door handles

Paint Runs/Swirls

Body Panels / Door jambs / under doors

Check Axle for diff sticker

Sidesteps / Tow hooks / Chrome DLO

Exterior Lights & fogs & hazards & license plate lights

Tailgate function

Alignment of Body Panels

Cabs, doors, fenders and hood

Bed to cab

Headlights / Grill / Bumpers

Washer fluid sprays

Satellite antenna paint to match

Fender Flares – completely tight to body

Exterior Damage?



































Interior

Full tank of fuel

Power Slider operation / binding

Moonroof operation

Door locks

All 4 power windows

Power Mirrors & folding

12V & 120V outlets

Uconnect & NAV operation

Satellite radio / FM

Tire Pressures

Heated / Cooled seats

Steering wheel buttons (front & radio controls on back)

Interior Trim / Ceiling / Doors / Grab Handles / Visors and lights

Center Console – Light? In Floor / under seat storage

Rear seat – lift up and recline?

Washer fluid sprays?



Test Drive

A/C & Heat

Tire Pressures

Shift +/-

Steering

Rattles / Squeaks / Wind noise

Sunroof rattle/noise?

4 Auto / 4 High / 4 Lo operation

Front / Rear Parksense operation

Backup Camera

Steering / Acceleration / Braking

Take on Interstate – 75+ MPH – Hood Depression?

Trailer Light Hookup working?

Run through carwash – Moonroof leaks?

Where on the axle is the Diff sticker? Thanks in advance!

 

[sgk]

Wow quite detailed, that's very helpful but don't think id have the time or patience to go through that. Hope you get there early. Is your dealer far from you is that why its so thorough?

 

[firecadet613]

If you look at the undercarriage of my truck - there is a sticker on the rear axle, I'd assume that's it (I never checked).

My dealer is literally around the corner and so far they are fantastic. I took a 15 minute test drive and spent about 15 minutes looking at the truc in my driveway. I'd much rather get issues resolved before I drop all that money on it than fight for it after the fact. Major issues are few and far between but reading these forums will make you think they only make lemons!

 

[Deleted member103]

If you look at the undercarriage of my truck - there is a sticker on the rear axle, I'd assume that's it (I never checked).

My dealer is literally around the corner and so far they are fantastic. I took a 15 minute test drive and spent about 15 minutes looking at the truc in my driveway. I'd much rather get issues resolved before I drop all that money on it than fight for it after the fact. Major issues are few and far between but reading these forums will make you think they only make lemons!

Wow ! I am gonna write all that down, make 3 or 4 copies, and will give them to the salesperson that "wins me over" and gets my order . . . I will at that time Insist that he share it with any & all employees who will be "in contact" with my new DT from the moment it arrives till I drive it home ! "THEY" probably have a downsized official-version FCA form, but I bet it is not nearly as detailed ! The Dealer most likely will make "excuses" that sound valid - and maybe so - but I will definitely be looking at the MAJOR Items BEFORE I leave the LOT and give it a thorough work-over at home . . . which for me is only about 7 minutes away ( if I make the 2 traffic lights ), and this particular dealer gets my business ( bought the G.C. their ) !

? - They let you take it for a test drive BEFORE you signed & Payed ? ? ? How did you "negotiate" that ?

Going over all the items; I think they would take ME 2+ hours -- of course I am a particularly nit-picky s.o.b., i.e.; perfectionist ! Ugh !

Looking forward to the day . . . and not all at the same time !

 

[firecadet613]

Just like you'd test drive a vehicle at a local dealer that you wanted to drive....my last truck they let me drive it before it was PDI'd! I guess it helps that it's a special order with your name on it?

 

[Deleted member103]

Just like you'd test drive a vehicle at a local dealer that you wanted to drive....my last truck they let me drive it before it was PDI'd! I guess it helps that it's a special order with your name on it?

Been down this conversation before about test drives, so I don't need any further "critical comments" -- But, in my neck of the woods ( it's a NICE Place ) the 2 dealerships in my proximity don't do them without the salesman in the passenger seat ! SO, guess I'll just have to "kidnap" him for a couple hours, give him a nice bonus to shut him up and . . . the rest is history . . . ps, maybe it would be different since it's actually gonna be mine - with my name on the sticker ! ?

what's PDI'd ? I'm having ? a mental block ? or . . . ? Oh, . . . "Post Dramatic Inspection" ?

ps / edit 3 minutes later after taking a pee . . . PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION ! ? Do I win the Prize ?

 

[alwi228]

I am probably going to get kicked off this forum for admitting this. I literally did not do a single one of those before I took the truck. I didn't sit in it or test drive it....let me explain. I was in a rush, and getting the guys to get the numbers straight and stop playing games took 3 hours, by that time I had to leave and pick my kid at daycare before the cops were called and I was arrested. The ONLY thing I did was check to see if the bumper was straight. I guess if I was looking to own this car for 10 years or so, I would have given it more thought. I just dont end up owning these things for over 3 years so I figure whatever I run into, FCA will make it right. fortunately, they have always been super gracious with warranty work that needs fixing. Just wanted to highlight how stupid I am....and how much kids turn your world upside-down lol. Thank you for the list! I was one of the guys begging you for it

 

[2019REBEL]

I did most of those when I picked up my 2014. I also asked if they could put it up on the hoist so I could get a look underneath to make sure it had the right gears in it. That was about the time people were ordering 3.55 gears and getting the 3.21.

 

[Jared B]

I am probably going to get kicked off this forum for admitting this. I literally did not do a single one of those before I took the truck. I didn't sit in it or test drive it....let me explain. I was in a rush, and getting the guys to get the numbers straight and stop playing games took 3 hours, by that time I had to leave and pick my kid at daycare before the cops were called and I was arrested. The ONLY thing I did was check to see if the bumper was straight. I guess if I was looking to own this car for 10 years or so, I would have given it more thought. I just dont end up owning these things for over 3 years so I figure whatever I run into, FCA will make it right. fortunately, they have always been super gracious with warranty work that needs fixing. Just wanted to highlight how stupid I am....and how much kids turn your world upside-down lol. Thank you for the list! I was one of the guys begging you for it

I've done similar, Infact when I bought my current truck I was in such a hurry I didn't even drive it. I was running out of time before I had to leave for work, test drove a different Ram Sport then when I came back I saw the one I ended up buying sitting in the corner of the lot, made sure it had the options I wanted and just said I'll take that one. Gave it a good once over the next day though.

 

[firecadet613]

No worries! I did all my negotiating before I ordered via email. Only in the dealer to test drive before I ordered and then to put the order in.

My trend is every 2 years I get bored and get new, my wife begs to differ. I'd rather do a detailed look over before I sign so there are no surprises.

 

[Jared B]

Made this thread a sticky.

 

[alow]

Great info and idea.

 

[warvet]

Been down this conversation before about test drives, so I don't need any further "critical comments" -- But, in my neck of the woods ( it's a NICE Place ) the 2 dealerships in my proximity don't do them without the salesman in the passenger seat ! SO, guess I'll just have to "kidnap" him for a couple hours, give him a nice bonus to shut him up and . . . the rest is history . . . ps, maybe it would be different since it's actually gonna be mine - with my name on the sticker ! ?

what's PDI'd ? I'm having ? a mental block ? or . . . ? Oh, . . . "Post Dramatic Inspection" ?

ps / edit 3 minutes later after taking a pee . . . PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION ! ? Do I win the Prize ?

My buddy works at Town and Country Ford in Birmingham Alabama and he said the same thing......no such thing as "tagging out a vehicle" there.....salesman has to be in the truck and he said he has actually been in so many customer garages (test fits) that it's just a normal thing for him. As for me........I pull up at Ford, GMC, etc and say ....I need you to tag that out and they do with no questions asked. Shoot, they try to make you keep it for a night or the weekend here. I refuse to purchase without, at least, one hour of test ride. I like to run an errand, take it home in my drive way and look the vehicle over to see if it fits my needs.

I've never looked them over as closely as firecadet, but its a good idea. Shoot......in the Harley world, I've seen Harleys delivered with little to no oil or overfilled, for example.

 

[alacombe]

My buddy works at Town and Country Ford in Birmingham Alabama and he said the same thing......no such thing as "tagging out a vehicle" there.....salesman has to be in the truck and he said he has actually been in so many customer garages (test fits) that it's just a normal thing for him. As for me........I pull up at Ford, GMC, etc and say ....I need you to tag that out and they do with no questions asked. Shoot, they try to make you keep it for a night or the weekend here. I refuse to purchase without, at least, one hour of test ride. I like to run an errand, take it home in my drive way and look the vehicle over to see if it fits my needs.

I've never looked them over as closely as firecadet, but its a good idea. Shoot......in the Harley world, I've seen Harleys delivered with little to no oil or overfilled, for example.

I wouldn't but a truck if the salesman had to be with me.

 

[sgk]

I don't even care to test drive, I trust all of you. If you say its good then why would you steer me wrong. Actually, I go off the looks I mean a truck is already practical enough, I don't see it necessary to have it the whole day or even an hour. Really what am I not going to like some wind noise, the shift knob etc? I had a Ram in the past, i like it this is many years newer I'm sure ill like it. I may be a minority but i have not test driven half the vehicles I bought unless the salesperson insists it's odd since I'm already sold but ok.

 

[warvet]

I don't even care to test drive, I trust all of you. If you say its good then why would you steer me wrong. Actually, I go off the looks I mean a truck is already practical enough, I don't see it necessary to have it the whole day or even an hour. Really what am I not going to like some wind noise, the shift knob etc? I had a Ram in the past, i like it this is many years newer I'm sure ill like it. I may be a minority but i have not test driven half the vehicles I bought unless the salesperson insists it's odd since I'm already sold but ok.

Definitely, what works for you works for you. But yes.....I may not like the wind noise, I may hate the lag in transmission or shifting, I may absolutely hate the seats. Having it for an hour or more allows me to really see if it's something I could find comfortable enough to ride all day on a road trip. Mostly, it's because I want to just really take a good long look at it. .......so, I agree about "looks". Think that's crazy...... when I buy full face helmets for my Harley, I try it on and walk around the store for awhile. And if it's at the motorcycle store, I go sit on a new bike that's just like mine and check the peripheral vision, etc. I've seen ppl "collect" helmets because their first ride....after five minutes, it was pressing their pressure points.......no refunds.

 

[Aries Ram]

My buddy works at Town and Country Ford in Birmingham Alabama and he said the same thing......no such thing as "tagging out a vehicle" there.....salesman has to be in the truck and he said he has actually been in so many customer garages (test fits) that it's just a normal thing for him. As for me........I pull up at Ford, GMC, etc and say ....I need you to tag that out and they do with no questions asked. Shoot, they try to make you keep it for a night or the weekend here. I refuse to purchase without, at least, one hour of test ride. I like to run an errand, take it home in my drive way and look the vehicle over to see if it fits my needs.

I've never looked them over as closely as firecadet, but its a good idea. Shoot......in the Harley world, I've seen Harleys delivered with little to no oil or overfilled, for example.

Birmingham AL is my neck of the woods, I'm right down the road in Tuscaloosa.

 

[SpeedyV]

...I go off the looks I mean a truck is already practical enough, I don't see it necessary to have it the whole day or even an hour. Really what am I not going to like some wind noise, the shift knob etc? I had a Ram in the past, i like it this is many years newer I'm sure ill like it. I may be a minority but i have not test driven half the vehicles I bought unless the salesperson insists it's odd since I'm already sold but ok.

I think a highly-equipped F-150 looks great on the outside, but I was let down by the interior and the ride. I'm not going to spend that kind of money on a vehicle that looks great to strangers but isn't enjoyable for me. You spend 95% of your time inside the truck, so you want that experience to be satisfying...right?

That said, I think you'll like the new Ram for all of the aforementioned reasons...