Don't order a truck from RAM w/o the patience I don't posess

[DJAustin]

Placed my order for the new 3500 Crew SRW 4x4 with Aisin trans on 26 Jan 14. Truck was built and put into shipping status on 14 Feb 2014. The following delivery dates have come and gone or continue to be pushed back: March 7th, March 27th, April 5th, April 7th, April 14- the latest date is now April 15th. The dealer GM says it is the transporters- they rather fill the space on their trailers with two small cars rather than one big truck to maximize their profits. Chrysler Customer Care states they have never heard of this before, but do acknowledge my truck has been in "shipping status longer that average" They have "esclated" my inquiry. Since escalation, the delivery date went from 14 April to 15 April! I am trying in vain to get in contact with Reid Bigland, who was appointed Head of Ram Truck Brand in April 2013. Even the Chrysler Customer Assist people claim not to have his contact information. I am having a very hard time getting to somebody of importance at RAM. They may not be aware of this issue. My salesman, who is the dealerships "Commercial Truck Specialist" tells me that the dealership's owner really doesn't care, as trucks always come in late and the owner and management never communicate this to RAM, and he is left dealing with irrate customers. (He says I am a calm one- he must really have some very ****** off customers, I have been far from calm in our conversations) Perhaps, like many of us,- I only purchase the RAM for the Cummins engine, and now the Aisin trans. I am seriously going to begin looking at the Duramax's this weekend. I am getting rid of my 2012 due to poor mileage. If anyone has any contact numbers for corporate executives, please let me know.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Demand your deposit back and then find a suitable Ram in stock elsewhere.

 

[LocoPilot750]

My '14 2500 went through the build & ship process pretty quick. It was unloaded less than 50 miles from the dealer, then sat ONE MONTH in the sun, sleet & snow before they delivered it. I was not happy.

 

[heavydutyfd]

DJAustin, Check you private messages...

 

[sag2]

Post the last six of the VIN.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Yes, do post the numbers from the VIN. We will see if we can light a fire under someone.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Just call Dave Smith motors in Kellogg Idaho.. Talk to Christine Neff, she will find you a truck ON THE LOT, fly you in (free) and in under 2 hours you will be driving your new truck home.... Simple.

Last time I was there they had 48 new Duallys on the lot..And they were down on numbers

 

[DJAustin]

Thanks for the PM Heavydytyfd. I will let you all know how it goes. My VIN is EG221970. I heard back from Chrysler Customer Assist. They told me that the dealer quoted delivery time of 6-8 weeks was incorrect and I should have been quoted 10-12 weeks. As such, they are not looking into it any further. They could not answer me as to why their system was generating the delivery dates starting with March 7th, and not the dealer though.

I've spoke to Dave Smith Motors, and they had good prices, just very from from me here in NJ. I do think it is worth re-visiting however. I am shopping around for one already on a dealers lot as Joe suggested.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

You can go onto www.ramtrucks.com and "build" a 2013 or a 2014, then check inventory. If you pick 200+ miles from your zip code, you will get a 1000 mile radius (re-enter your options, etc. in the boxes at left on the screen, or they will be lost).

Meanwhile, I will see what can be done about the one you ordered.

 

[MJWenrich]

Just call Dave Smith motors in Kellogg Idaho.. Talk to Christine Neff, she will find you a truck ON THE LOT, fly you in (free) and in under 2 hours you will be driving your new truck home.... Simple.

Last time I was there they had 48 new Duallys on the lot..And they were down on numbers

Gonzo...I believe the OP wants a SRW and I went thru a similar problem trying to find a SRW, 8 ft bed, Aisin, in white, in stock anywhere. Since they stopped putting the Aisin in the SRW the supply of those were almost gone but I found one close enough to my wants. There were plenty of DRW and Dave Smith's inventory showed that as well. His SRW models were mostly 68rfe transmissions. Not that it is not possible to find one but it makes it more difficult in the SRW/Aisin option. I just finished adding the options I would have ordered on a new truck but also got options that I would not have ordered, making the truck a little more expensive. Got 10K off on an internet special so I think I did alright. Now if I can just get rid of the acceleration lag off the line, I should be a happy camper.

Mike

Mike

 

[jgillott]

Gonzo...I believe the OP wants a SRW and I went thru a similar problem trying to find a SRW, 8 ft bed, Aisin, in white, in stock anywhere. Since they stopped putting the Aisin in the SRW the supply of those were almost gone but I found one close enough to my wants. There were plenty of DRW and Dave Smith's inventory showed that as well. His SRW models were mostly 68rfe transmissions. Not that it is not possible to find one but it makes it more difficult in the SRW/Aisin option. I just finished adding the options I would have ordered on a new truck but also got options that I would not have ordered, making the truck a little more expensive. Got 10K off on an internet special so I think I did alright. Now if I can just get rid of the acceleration lag off the line, I should be a happy camper.

Mike

Mike

As I mentioned in a thread I started approx. a month ago, I haven't had any luck trying to order a '14 equipped the way I want it. Well, let me rephrase that, I can order one, but the 3 local dealers I have delt with have told me that I will be in the same shape as the OP waiting on a truck that may or may not be built anytime soon. At this point, I'm probably just going to keep what I have for the time being and try again for a '15 if they get this Aisin availablity issue worked out.

As far as finding one on the lot that I like, I've had no luck.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I bet there is one close enough at some dealership. I have done a lot of seraches on ramtrucks and even guys like Landry and Wenrich finally caved and bought new Rams, lol. You just have to tell us the minimum options you HAVE to have, what color/s are absolutely unacceptable, etc. Our spies are everywhere!

 

[jgillott]

I bet there is one close enough at some dealership. I have done a lot of seraches on ramtrucks and even guys like Landry and Wenrich finally caved and bought new Rams, lol. You just have to tell us the minimum options you HAVE to have, what color/s are absolutely unacceptable, etc. Our spies are everywhere!

Must haves are SRW, Aisin, Laramie, Snow Plow Prep, Crew Cab 8' bed. I'd also like to have the 5th wheel prep and 3rd brake light camera. Blue Streak Pearl, Western Brown, Flame Red, White, and Black have been the colors that I have had the local dealers looking for. I'd prefer a solid color over 2-tone if at all possible. I do not want the Deep Cherry Red since it is so close to the Inferno Red that I have right now.

The big deal seems to be the snow plow prep group. I can find it in combo with the Aisin in a number of Tradesman package trucks, but that isn't what I want.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

As far as I could find out, the snow plow package is simply the skid plate and 220 amp alternator.

 

[jgillott]

As far as I could find out, the snow plow package is simply the skid plate and 220 amp alternator.

I've ordered all of my current and former Cummins powered trucks with the plow prep. On the 2nd and 3rd gens, I believe it also included a slightly stiffer front spring rate. Since we do plow (we currently have it mounted on our very tired 04.5) it is necessary. It has been common practice for years for dealers of every brand around here to void or attempt to void warranty claims if you hang a plow on a non plow prep equipped truck. On a truck this expensive, it isn't worth the risk.

Sorry to the OP for the unintentional change of direction in your thread...

 

[Dieselnerd]

As far as I could find out, the snow plow package is simply the skid plate and 220 amp alternator.

My truck has the snow plow package and you are correct, skid plate and 220 amp alternator, nothing else. Straight from the window sticker.

For some strange reason the snow plow prep makes the truck not recommended for a camper. They must think you are dumb enough to mount a camper and a plow at the same time. I will never be using a plow but I wanted the skid plate and the 220 amp alternator at a reasonable price.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

In 2013 the skid plate alone was $50 and the 220 amp alternator was $100. So, at $135 the prep pkg saved $15.

 

[Dutch & Di]

We had the same problem as we too wanted a SWD and other specific requirements. It was our truck so we should be able to get what we want. We checked with several dealers there were only 2 to be found and they didn't have what we wanted. We ordered a 2014 Mid July 13th with everything we wanted. We questioned several times why they could order a 2014 now when other dealers said they had to wait for 2 weeks. They brushed it off and let them as we just wanted to get it ordered. They too said 10 weeks. Like you, the truck was completed in a reasonable time but it sat forever before it ever got out of Mexico. One excuse after another then it sat way too long in various places before we finally took delivery on October 16th 95 days after order. We did at least get it early enough to have the Aisin transmission. Several bad experiences since taking delivery but I'm just not going there again. Extremely disappointing purchasing experience and I'm not sure if I would ever by a Dodge again--not that Dodge would care. The escalated service departments just tried to smooth our ruffled feathers and while I am normally a pretty pleasant person & stayed that way during numerous phone calls, they definitely got to experience a pretty bad side of me. Good luck if you do hang in there or with a Duramax if you find something you like. Hugs, Di

ps--you mentioned poor fuel mileage. I don't know if/when ours will come up {we have just over 7,000 miles on ours now} but so far not happy at all with the mileage hooked up or unhooked. So far not near as good as our 96 and we're towing the same 5th wheel.

Placed my order for the new 3500 Crew SRW 4x4 with Aisin trans on 26 Jan 14. Truck was built and put into shipping status on 14 Feb 2014. The following delivery dates have come and gone or continue to be pushed back: March 7th, March 27th, April 5th, April 7th, April 14- the latest date is now April 15th. The dealer GM says it is the transporters- they rather fill the space on their trailers with two small cars rather than one big truck to maximize their profits. Chrysler Customer Care states they have never heard of this before, but do acknowledge my truck has been in "shipping status longer that average" They have "esclated" my inquiry. Since escalation, the delivery date went from 14 April to 15 April! I am trying in vain to get in contact with Reid Bigland, who was appointed Head of Ram Truck Brand in April 2013. Even the Chrysler Customer Assist people claim not to have his contact information. I am having a very hard time getting to somebody of importance at RAM. They may not be aware of this issue. My salesman, who is the dealerships "Commercial Truck Specialist" tells me that the dealership's owner really doesn't care, as trucks always come in late and the owner and management never communicate this to RAM, and he is left dealing with irrate customers. (He says I am a calm one- he must really have some very ****** off customers, I have been far from calm in our conversations) Perhaps, like many of us,- I only purchase the RAM for the Cummins engine, and now the Aisin trans. I am seriously going to begin looking at the Duramax's this weekend. I am getting rid of my 2012 due to poor mileage. If anyone has any contact numbers for corporate executives, please let me know.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Here are just a few of the ones I found using my zip code 87101:

all have 8' crew, SRW, Cummins, Aisin, Laramie

blue, has snow plow prep, CHMSL camera, etc. Colorado
http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3JL4EG171924
http://www.coloradospringsdodge.net...-Springs-95f1ee370a0a00021d1db6a943949c1f.htm

white, Colorado
http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3JL9EG171868
http://www.coloradododge.com/new/Ram/2014-Ram-3500-Brighton-e04724ac0a0a00de5889a4ff6162d63a.htm

black, Texas
http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3JL9EG108110
http://www.sunlandparkjeepchryslerd...Ram-3500-7193553b0a0a00de7e2d40f39a74d189.htm

black, Montana
http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3JL1EG108652
http://www.lithiachryslerhelena.com...elena-mt-14c522af0a0a00650cb5db5fcd7e7cec.htm

black, Idaho
http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3JL6EG108775
http://www.davesmithmotors.net/new/Ram/2014-Ram-3500-9119a38f0a0a00e06e3446ab44d5dd63.htm

Utah, blue one and a black one
http://www.larryhmillerchryslerjeep...ck+Crew+Cab&&&&make=Ram&year=2014&model=3500&

 

[Dutch & Di]

But Joe,
DJAustin was talking about a 2014. But after your post, he may wish to re-think???? Hugs, Di

Here are just a few of the ones I found using my zip code 87101:

all have 8' crew, SRW, Cummins, Aisin, Laramie

blue, has snow plow prep, CHMSL camera, etc. Colorado
http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3JL4EG171924
http://www.coloradospringsdodge.net...-Springs-95f1ee370a0a00021d1db6a943949c1f.htm

white, Colorado
http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3JL9EG171868
http://www.coloradododge.com/new/Ram/2014-Ram-3500-Brighton-e04724ac0a0a00de5889a4ff6162d63a.htm

black, Texas
http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3JL9EG108110
http://www.sunlandparkjeepchryslerd...Ram-3500-7193553b0a0a00de7e2d40f39a74d189.htm

black, Montana
http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3JL1EG108652
http://www.lithiachryslerhelena.com...elena-mt-14c522af0a0a00650cb5db5fcd7e7cec.htm

black, Idaho
http://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=3C63R3JL6EG108775
http://www.davesmithmotors.net/new/Ram/2014-Ram-3500-9119a38f0a0a00e06e3446ab44d5dd63.htm

Utah, blue one and a black one
http://www.larryhmillerchryslerjeep...ck+Crew+Cab&&&&make=Ram&year=2014&model=3500&