No Tow Package?

[DieselNewby]

Ok, fairly new guy here, but I am very close to buying a new Ram and am curious about this.

The dealer has found me a 6spd, 600 with SLT and most of what I really want. The only thing it is missing is the tow package. What does this consist of with the 6spd? Is it simply add a hitch and off I go? Or are there coolers , suspension items and things I'd need to add and bring the price up too high to justify not buying it up front?



I thought pretty much all Rams were ordered with the tow package but guess not. Oh, also, will the 7 prong adapter still be through the bumper or will it have to be added old school style?



Thanks!

Eric

 

[DieselNewby]

One more thing.

Another thing I just thought of, the truck even has the tow mirrors on it. Strange someone would buy a truck with tow mirrors, and no tow pacakge! It must be a mistake or something.

I think I am reading that there will be additional "heavy duty engine cooling" and a 750 amp battery to tow with? Correct?

 

[gonzo2]

The Cummins already has the HD cooling, batteries etc.

The only items that come with the towing package are the proper wiring harness/connectors and the hitch. They just cost more getting them after.

 

[VStahl]

it is an easy way for the dealer to add a couple of hundred by having trucks on the lot without the hitch and wiring. mine had the tow mirrors but no hitch. I had the hitch and 7 pin put on by dealer when i bought the truck.

 

[DieselNewby]

Thanks all! For the cost of a hitch and the plug in 7pin I will try to get the dealer to gimme a deal! If not, I'll buy after market, if I have anything left over after downpayments etc!



Again, I figured the Cummins had the HD stuff already, I mean, how much more HD can you get??

 

[100 Proof]

I just THREW AWAY a factory hitch and all the fasteners that I've been trying to give away in the PAY IT FORWARD section for a few weeks. Of course, I just did it yesterday.



100 Proof

 

[SRadke]

I've seen a couple hitches in the "pay it forward" section, keep and eye there if you aren't in a hurry.



-Scott

 

[Skippy1538]

DieselNewby,

My truck also came from the factory with out a hitch. I talked to the dealer and they sold me the hitch and wiring harness for $170 dollars. The install was about an hour for both. Most time consuming was running the wiring harness up to the front of the cab. The wiring harness will go into the factory spot in the bumper. My only advice is when you install the hitch don't cut out the plastic bumper cover like the directions show. Push the tabs up through the bottom of the bumper enough to slip the two bolts in. Mine looks like it came from the factory.

Skippy

 

[klenger]

The link below is for the Mopar accessories



http://www.mopar.com/MoparController?action=redirect&brand=dodge&appname=accessories



Here is the accessory for the hitch receiver. The picture looks incorrect, but I think it is the correct part for the HD RAMS.



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Here is the accessory for the wiring harness.



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[DieselNewby]

No Truck yet

Originally posted by 100 Proof

I just THREW AWAY a factory hitch and all the fasteners that I've been trying to give away in the PAY IT FORWARD section for a few weeks. Of course, I just did it yesterday.



100 Proof

Well, I don't have my ram yet anyway! But thanks for the tip on the pay it forward area. I hadn't even looked in that section of the site yet! This is a great site.



Eric

 

[DieselNewby]

Originally posted by Skippy1538

DieselNewby,

My truck also came from the factory with out a hitch. I talked to the dealer and they sold me the hitch and wiring harness for $170 dollars. The install was about an hour for both. Most time consuming was running the wiring harness up to the front of the cab. The wiring harness will go into the factory spot in the bumper. My only advice is when you install the hitch don't cut out the plastic bumper cover like the directions show. Push the tabs up through the bottom of the bumper enough to slip the two bolts in. Mine looks like it came from the factory.

Skippy

Thanks Skippy,

When I pick up the truck I'll make sure the install looks right!

 

[Moterhead]

In addition to the hitch and seven pin connector through the bumper, the tow package includes the wiring and connector under the dash for the brake controller. Also the pigtail to hook to your controller. If you don't anticipate using electric brakes, then this part is no big deal. IMO, most guys who tow with out trucks tow heavy enough to need the brake controller.

 

[DieselNewby]

Originally posted by Moterhead

In addition to the hitch and seven pin connector through the bumper, the tow package includes the wiring and connector under the dash for the brake controller. Also the pigtail to hook to your controller. If you don't anticipate using electric brakes, then this part is no big deal. IMO, most guys who tow with out trucks tow heavy enough to need the brake controller.

My boat uses surge brakes, and the boats up to 26' or so also use surge brakes so the need for the underdash controller is not really there for me right now. I'd assume running the controller later wouldn't be too difficult or expensive right? Obviously it'd be easier with pre-wiring etc. there.

Thanks for the heads up though. I've never used electric brake controllers etc so I'd have never asked about them!

 

[Moterhead]

How hard wiring a controller in is relative. What's "hard" for one guy is easy for another. I'm sure the techs at big RV places would say it's easy. I just put the controller into mine. When I press the brake pedal now, I hear a relay click. Obviously i'ts not just running a few wires.



Re, surge brakes, just read a post by a guy who had a trailer with surge brakes. Went down a long, winding grade. Trailer brakes were on almost constantly. Burned out the lining, seals and bearings!!! On the flats or occasional hill, surge brakes might be OK. Not for a regular deal. UHaul, etc uses 'em because they rent to one-time type users who wouldn't have controllers. JOIBO!!

 

[DieselNewby]

Originally posted by Moterhead



Re, surge brakes, just read a post by a guy who had a trailer with surge brakes. Went down a long, winding grade. Trailer brakes were on almost constantly. Burned out the lining, seals and bearings!!! On the flats or occasional hill, surge brakes might be OK. Not for a regular deal. UHaul, etc uses 'em because they rent to one-time type users who wouldn't have controllers. JOIBO!!

I hear you on the surge brakes, but, almost every boat trailer I've ever seen has surge brakes. Dunking electric brakes into salt water just isn't a good thing either. In order to trailer down a long grade I try to enter the grade at the speed I want to be traveling, and use engine braking instead of brakes to maintain speed. Also, when i feel the trailer tug (use its brakes) I make sure to "hit the throttle" to get the brakes to release. No big deal, I've traveled the entire east coast with my trailer. . surge brakes have been fine.