How does ordering a truck work?

[hogsty]

Hi folks! I'm a new member from Fort Worth. I joinrd the forum because I'm making the plunge into the diesel world. I currently have a 2009 1500 Lone Star edition, but opportunity knocks and I have the means to get a nice Cummins diesel. I'm 51, but plan on making it the last truck I buy. It won't be a work truck, mainly a commuter back and forth to our cabin in East Texas on weekends until we find the means to retire. I figue that to be about 100,000 miles from now. :-laf



I've looked around at the local dealer's inventories, and I haven't found exactly what I want. As I said, this wil be the last truck I buy, and for $50K or $60K it better be exactly what I want. So, I've decided not to settle for what's left at this time of year and just order a 2012 model. Probably a 2500 with all the bells and whistles, but haven't ruled out a 3500 single rear wheel.



Now a confession. I have never ordered a car or truck before in my life. I have ordered Harley's, but that's as simple as "I want this model". How does ordering a truck work? How much do you have to put down? How long does it take? Any "gotcha's I need to worry about? What if it comes in and I don't like it? (e. g. color)

 

[HBarlow]

You should first prepare yourself by studying the Ram interactive website and brochures obtained from the dealer. Review the details and ask questions about the various choices before you visit the dealer again. Make sure you know exactly what you want before you order.

Once you know exactly what you want beginning with model, Ram 2500, 3500, swb or lwb, color, interior, transmission, and accessories call or visit your dealer and tell them exactly what you want.

They can enter it into their computer while you're there or at least provide you a confirmation very soon after you give them your order.

I have bought three trucks from Glen Polk Autoplex in Gainesville beginning with an '01 by calling my favorite salesman and giving him my order. He calls me back with confirmation and faxes or mails me the dealer order confirmation print from their computer link with Chrysler/Dodge.

I have never even been present or given any kind of deposit but that may depend on you, your dealer, and your credit history.

In each case it takes about six or eight weeks for the truck to be built and shipped. My salesman calls me when the truck hits the lot and I drive over and pick it up the following day.

It has always been a very pleasant and painless buying experience. Nobody there, my salesman, Trent Polk sales manager and Glen Polk's son, or anyone else have never tried to alter any terms of our agreement or trick me in the slightest way. They are honest and good people to deal with. I highly recommend them and will give you my salesman's name if you are interested.

 

[hogsty]

Good advice. I figure all the details on the 2012's won't be published for another month or so. I intend to use that time to do my homework and find out all I can about the options available.

I would appreciate the name of your salesman. Gainseville is a little far from here, but not out of the question. It depends on how the locals treat me.

 

[RonD]

hogsty, first welcome. I have ordered 4 trucks in my life, the last one was in 2004, the next one will be next month, or September, plan your mission, in other words what will you do with the truck, or think you will in the future ?, if you ever think you will require a one ton, do it now, they cost a little more, ride the same, but carry more, and listen what Harvey said, if you follow His good advise you won't go wrong.

 

[WMoroni]

If your dealer orders the truck as sold with your name on it it may get priority over other trucks and get bumped up in line. My last truck tooks 28 days to come in and the coolest part is my name was at the top of the window sticker.

 

[HBarlow]

hogsty (what a name), my salesman's name is Jason Rushing. He is young, perhaps 32 to 35 now, and a very good young man. I met him by accident years ago and immediately took a liking to him. He has probably been selling at GPA for 11 years now. He is honest, reliable, and trustworthy. A pleasure to buy from.

I was living in Lubbock when I bought the three Rams and a Chrysler hemi sedan from them over the years, about 300+ miles from Glen Polk, and there is/was a dealership only a couple of miles from my home in Lubbock. I prefer dealing with GP autoplex and happily drive there to buy from them.

The dealer close by is . . . well, not a dealership I trust or care to do business with. I wrote that statement in a more blunt manner initially but decided to modify it since this is a worldwide forum that anyone can read. Glen Polk's operation is always honest, straightforward, no games, no tricks, great prices, just honest good service. I will buy from them again in the future.

 

[Wertles]

I've ordered two trucks in my life and will most likely order my next. You are doing the right thing by spending lots of time doing research. I spent about 2 months agonizing over every option before I ordered but I have NEVER wished I had ordered anything else. My two cents - you are buying a heavy duty truck. Make sure it has the capability of everything you do now and has the capability to do things you haven't thought of yet. Meaning, when you retire, could camping be in the plans? Seriously consider a 3500 with 4. 10 rear end so that if at some point you decide to tow something heavy, your truck will already be properly equipped. My origional plans were to get a 2500 with a hemi but when I decided on diesel, I went for the 3500. To me, it just made sense.

 

[hogsty]

Thanks, all good advice. I priced a couple online, and an identical Laramie Longhorn 3500 SRW actually came out a little less than a 2500. I don't want the ride to be harsh, and I doubt I'll have to pull anything heavier than a smallish John Deere, or a trailer full of hay. Camping may be in my future, but I would have to do it alone. She thinks camping is staying at a Holiday Inn rather than a Hilton. :-laf If I camp, it'll be on my Harley, and in a tent.

A couple of things keep me looking the way of the 2500. The first is economy - we'll be putting 300 miles on it almost every weekend back and forth to the cabin. I know the dually's have more rolling resistance, so I don't think I want that. If I could be sure the ride of a 3500 SRW wouldn't be any harsher than a 2500 I would go for that. Right now I'm leaning towards a 2500 crew cab 4x4 Laramie Longhorn.

 

[Wertles]

Test drive both. I don't think that you will notice any difference between a 2500 and 3500 SRW in terms of fuel economy or ride quality. A DRW definitely rides more harsh. The next big feature to consider after that is your gear ratio. Again, fuel economy is going to be quite similar between the 4. 10 and 3. 73. More will depend on how heavy your foot is and how much air you are pushing rather than the rpm's you will be running. The 4. 10 rear end with the auto will give you the greatest towing capacity and will alow you to add larger tires without compromising performance if someday you wish to move to 19. 5 tires and rims or just some large mud terrain tires to get you to your cabin. If you will never pull over a few thousand pounds, the 3. 73 will work for you just fine.

 

[stick]

Not trying to bust your bubble or anything, but why do you need a diesel? The new 6. 7's need to be worked, and don't tend to do well as commuter vehicles.



Stick

 

[HBarlow]

Wertles' is correct. The difference in fuel economy between the differential choices and ride between 2500 and 3500 will not be noticeable.

If you want only the lightest Ram diesel and don't plan to tow you will be wasting your money. Just buy a gasoline V8 "hemi. "