2013 truck option help

[RVTRKN]

In January of 07, I ordered my C&C, and it was with a very competent fleet sales manager. The options where not quite the same as the website had, and with a lot of questions as per the packages and what was included, seemed stressful trying to absorb what to order. He was very patient and explained the reasons for the changes, but after it was all said and done, I had put a fairly large deposit on my new truck. Now when the truck came in, the folding rear fold flat system was not there and I was not happy, I had to order an option I didn't want just to get that. The manager got on the phone and got nowhere and then I went over his head to the owner and was asked for a little time to sort things out. A couple of days later I was told that Dodge reserves the right to change the options at any time during the building process and I would have to purchase it as an extra cost for $1200. 00, and no that is not an error, it was $1200. 00. I ended up buying a used set on eBay for $250. 00 including the shipping. Even after a very competent fleet manager ordering exactly whats available, doesn't mean it will be there when it comes in.



BTW, I bought my 04. 5 off the lot and it didn't have tow mirrors. I asked why someone would order a HD truck without them and was told they weren't as popular at the time the order was turned in, so I purchased a set for 500. 00, but it was worth it.

 

[TCDiesel]

Its clear states the options Available, Blame your Dealer, NOT RAM, Heck when I look into the 2013 (Dec 20012) it took 2 seconds to know the big separation on the 2013 2500/3500. Ram Now considers the 3500 the tow rig, RAM has some ***** but informing the buyer is the Dealers responsibility.

 

[Bug Out]

After all the wondering, I went to the local Dodge parts(same dealer truck was bought from) counter and asked the parts guy for mirrors for the 2013 RAM 2500. He point blank told me as of 1-1/2 weeks ago they dont have a part number as RAM has the tow mirrors on the 1500 and 3500 but not 2500. He went on to explain on the trucks they have installed them on, it was blowing some "module" inside the door.

I have contacted RAM via mail and E-mail. They responded within 2 hours after the first e-mail and wanted to know what was going on>? I sent them a 2 page letter, very nice ,not profanity laced and they have not returned a response. That tells me one of two things: They are as dumbfounded by this as I, or they are telling me in a roundabout way to pee up a Ducks gazoo. I will give them one more week and ask again to see whats going on. Hopefully they will have a response that is helpful and does not send me to the aftermarket for another $750. 00

 

[Ram4Sam]

These are on the lot at the local dealer here, not sure they are 2013's, they have been there a couple of weeks. On edit: Actually, just went and looked at the window sticker, this is a 2013..... there were several trucks with the tow mirrors.

Sam

 

[Cissco]

Local dealer here has at least 75 2500 2013 trucks,1 3500 SW 2013,and 35 assorted 2012 . I only seen 2 trucks without tow mirrors. All I have to say is I had time to kill. my 2011 29,000 miles=ball joint

 

[Bug Out]

Well that kills the story the parts guy gave me. Where was the truck at?? Nor cal??? Looks like a very top end truck too. Maye the ghetto SLT models like mine dont get them... . I sure hope Chrysler has a good response ... Thanks.

 

[TCDiesel]

Local dealer here has at least 75 2500 2013 trucks,1 3500 SW 2013,and 35 assorted 2012 . I only seen 2 trucks without tow mirrors. All I have to say is I had time to kill. my 2011 29,000 miles=ball joint

Cissco, If the SWR 3500 is 4x4 go check out the drive axles they should be a considerable change, joints, Axles, Design. Also the scuttle is the fronts are free axle. . They have 1 at Elk River Dodge here and I was going to check it out yesterday ,but the salesman that has it as demo left it home" ON SATURDAY" Hmmmmmmm trying to sell in driveway!!!!!!!!!

 

[Ram4Sam]

Well that kills the story the parts guy gave me. Where was the truck at?? Nor cal??? Looks like a very top end truck too. Maye the ghetto SLT models like mine dont get them... . I sure hope Chrysler has a good response ... Thanks.

So Cal... . There were a number of 2500 like that one, but they looked dressed out, not sure if they were full pop leather trucks or just SLT's.



Sam

 

[mwilson]

I wonder if corporate Ram is trying to discourage towing with a Ram 2500 or this was just a case of overlooking checking the block for tow mirrors when the truck order was prepared at the dealership. My guess is it was the the order form.

I'm beginning to think the following may be the case... .

My locale dealer donated a couple of hours yesterday to the cause, we were trying to figure out why CBari cannot order the fold flat floor option on a 3500 Crew DRW in SLT Trim.
While studying the mock truck that we built it shows that truck as having black, fold out tow mirrors as standard equipment. It did not occur to me to have him run a 2500 truck to see what might have happened in Bug Out's case.

I am still banned from driving but I promise to check this out the next time I can catch a ride to town.

My theory is that the mirrors are a separate option on a 2500 as they were on my Mega even though it had the tow package and a 3500 has them as standard equipment.

CBari, I have some printed material that I will attempt to scan and post for you.

Mike

 

[Bug Out]

Mwilson, I appreciate it. I swore after buying my last RAM in June of 2012, 3500 4X4 CC max tow dually from Avondale dodge I'd never step foot in a dealership again. This truck was bought via a AAA broker so no haggle, arguing etc.

Even the broker was surprised when I pointed out its "touted 17,400 tow capacity, class "V" tow hitch etc and no mirrors?? WTF was RAM thinking a person was going to tow with a class "V" hitch that could use car mirrors for???? Oh, and a MSRP of $50,140... . Bottom line its my fault for not seeing it before purchase rather then hearing the door sticker on the phone. If Chrysler does nothing or cares less, then so be it. Time will tell. Again, its my fault.

 

[sag2]

Before you keep getting all over the dealer, I just looked, and there are 16 pages of changes (for Ram truck, 2013 only) that gives the dealers the current production changes for each body model. I don't know how anyone would keep track of the changes. That is why the best way to configure a truck is to have the dealer build it in his order system. That gives the best opportunity to not build something that can't be built. And as was stated, the factory reserves the right, and does so often, to change orders up until the truck is built. It isn't just a Ram thing, everyone does it.

 

[mwilson]

Before you keep getting all over the dealer, I just looked, and there are 16 pages of changes (for Ram truck, 2013 only) that gives the dealers the current production changes for each body model. I don't know how anyone would keep track of the changes. That is why the best way to configure a truck is to have the dealer build it in his order system. That gives the best opportunity to not build something that can't be built. And as was stated, the factory reserves the right, and does so often, to change orders up until the truck is built. It isn't just a Ram thing, everyone does it.

Yes, and combined with Sag's statement above the smaller dealers are having trouble keeping themselves trained on the full line. The co-owner of our local dealership says if he did each and every web based sales training for his Dodge, Ram and Chrysler full lines he wouldn't have time to order anything. Bigger dealers with assigned purchasing agents fare better, I'm sure.

I know what we went through yesterday building mock trucks helped my understanding of the situation.

Mike.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I would definitely check with another parts counter/counter guy, the mirrors surely have a part number. Somewhere, sometime in the near future, somebody with a shiny new Ram will clean one of those tow mirrors off the side of his truck. He will take to the dealer for repair and I doubt they will tell him sorry, no part number exists and it can't be fixed... ... . I'm a parts guy, so I know sometimes you just have to look a little harder.



Sam

 

[Cissco]

TC I did not look at the ball joints. The front axle had a CAD like my2001. It looks a lot bigger and the control arms look like one big arm. There are plates welded on the rear frame for a hitch. The dealer is going to call me about my appointment. I will look again if I can. Dealer sales a lot of trucks I will ask about # on 2500 2013 tow mirrors.

 

[RVTRKN]

Back in 06, my salesman benefited directly from my research on the 07MY C&C, I had research on the engine, transmissions, both the G56 and Aisin, as well as the not yet arrived 07. 5 6. 7 CTD. Only one individual got it right per the HP/TQ for all the new vehicles for the 07 MY including the different HP/TQ numbers for 07. 5 with the G56. Dodge reps couldn't tell me or my salesman any info on the new HP numbers, or wouldn't. The problem on the misinformation cost me a lot of money, first was the new smog costs besides the added extra cost for the CTD from the $5600. 00 to $6200. 00. Dealers only care that they sell vehicles and it is usually a better than average salesman that wants to know his products, as was with my salesman. Its Dodges fault that they don't require some training for those motivated individuals and then teach the rest of the staff. Its a sad state when I'm looking at new trucks and the salesman realizes I know more and starts asking me questions.

 

[JR]

A guy at work just bought a 13 2500 Ram gasser. He was working with a local dealer and bought the truck site unseen from Michigan. It was supposed to of had tow mirrors but the day it showed up locally he discovered the truck had standard mirrors. He brought it to the dealers attention and within 3 or 4 days he took the truck back in and they installed a set of factory tow mirrors on the truck. I had asked him if he thought they were going to try to slide in a set of aftermarkets on him so he made sure to watch them do the install. He said he watched the mechanic break each mirror out of a brand new mopar box.

The 1500 trucks also have an option for tow mirrors, I have seen a few of them locally as well.

 

[Jeff Knight]

There are new 2013 ST & SLT's on ebay with tow mirrors. There is also a 2013 3500 dually on there.



Jeff

 

[Bob4x4]

AMink, I am currently in corresponding with Chrysler corp. I am hopeful they come up with a solution. If they don't, I'll post my letters and their correspondence here and elsewhere so other folks are aware. I have my fingers crossed they do the right thing.

I just called Mopar accessories their response was there is an issue with the door module that precludes adding tow mirrors to a 13 not built with them at this time

 

[Bob4x4]

Back in 06, my salesman benefited directly from my research on the 07MY C&C, I had research on the engine, transmissions, both the G56 and Aisin, as well as the not yet arrived 07. 5 6. 7 CTD. Only one individual got it right per the HP/TQ for all the new vehicles for the 07 MY including the different HP/TQ numbers for 07. 5 with the G56. Dodge reps couldn't tell me or my salesman any info on the new HP numbers, or wouldn't. The problem on the misinformation cost me a lot of money, first was the new smog costs besides the added extra cost for the CTD from the $5600. 00 to $6200. 00. Dealers only care that they sell vehicles and it is usually a better than average salesman that wants to know his products, as was with my salesman. Its Dodges fault that they don't require some training for those motivated individuals and then teach the rest of the staff. Its a sad state when I'm looking at new trucks and the salesman realizes I know more and starts asking me questions.

There is product training for salesman complete with certification rewards etc but salesman have a high turnover rate and often change brands

 

[RonD]

Another good example of when the Bean Counters get involved with Manufacturing, and Ram wants to know why there in last place, here is a good example, if all those trucks sitting on the Dealer lots said on the MSRP sticker " This Vehicle does not have trailer tow mirrors", when none sold they might have a solution