Who orders the trucks on dealer lots?

[TCollier]

.... But many dealers think they know better and don't follow that advice. That is why you can look at one dealer and see all the same model or color, and another dealer is completely different. Then there is the guy ordering that likes cars but does not know anything about trucks.

I guess this is why you could buy any 3500 truck you wanted at my local dealer, as long as it was a Longhorn or Tradesman and white. They were also lazy and didn't want to look elsewhere for me. That's why I ordered a truck with a guy 10 hours away.
In my exhausting internet searches (well over a thousand 3500 DRWs) from Missouri down along the Gulf back up to NC, Central Florida had the worst deals. They would get insulted or not even return your call when you ask why they are asking 12k more for the same truck as a lot in NC.
Missouri, NC, Texas had the best starting prices,and the biggest variety. Georgia lots had a good variety and the prices weren't too bad either. Central Florida had more Mega Cabs than I have ever seen. Some lots were 5 to 1 MC to CC DRWs.

 

[Jeff Knight]

http://www.kernersvillechryslerdodg...mq1enewsletterretail&sid=ram&channel=e_direct This dealer has a few manuals.

 

[TCollier]

http://www.kernersvillechryslerdodg...mq1enewsletterretail&sid=ram&channel=e_direct This dealer has a few manuals.

Almost made a deal there. Huge inventory.

 

[Newsa]

That, or they just have a different preference than you. I prefer auto's for pretty much all driving situations, but I especially like them for winter driving, towing and for off-roading. It has nothing to do with laziness.

Some people like manuals simply because that is what they learned on, and they are stuck in nostalgia.

This is the FIRST time that I've ever heard anyone say they like automatics for winter driving and off roading.
But I won't question your preference. I just will never understand the rationale.

As for slow uphill driving in rain, my g56 gives me a gentle 3mph in first at idle, a constant 6 mph at idle in second, and 11 mph in 3rd.
I like driving my G56 even in stop and go traffic. The manual transmission, exhaust brake and light pressure on the accelerator pedal make it easy.

Still am surprised every time my hill assist activates. It feels like there's something wrong with gravity.
I experienced hill assist towing last summer and now I know what it is. Almost wish i didn't have hill assist. Makes me feel lazy.

 

[kthaxton]

As far as snow driving, try starting on a fairly steep snow covered road and not breaking traction while releasing the clutch, it's not easy. I lived in the mountains for 19 years where the roads were snow packed about 5 months a year, I hated the short time I had a manual Subaru. I would often have to back out of my driveway (or a neighbors) and then have to start uphill, it is so much easier to maintain traction with an auto.

As far as off-roading, I'm sure you'll find the vast majority (not all mind you) of serious rock crawlers will prefer an auto. Climbing up a very steep incline in Moab for example, losing traction mid way up, stopping and having to start again while not rolling back down, is a scary proposition especially without a hand e-brake. It's kinda hard to operate the clutch, gas and brake pedals all at once. Further, having a torque converter while slowly crawling along on high traction slickrock is quite nice (especially with an automatic locker) because it acts as a "cushion", so to speak, between the engine and the drivetrain. Making that type of driving more complicated is just silly.

I'm trying to think of a scenario where a manual would have an advantage in winter driving....I can't think of one.

 

[Mingoglia]

..
As far as off-roading, I'm sure you'll find the vast majority (not all mind you) of serious rock crawlers will prefer an auto. Climbing up a very steep incline in Moab for example, losing traction mid way up, stopping and having to start again while not rolling back down, is a scary proposition especially without a hand e-brake. It's kinda hard to operate the clutch, gas and brake pedals all at once. Further, having a torque converter while slowly crawling along on high traction slickrock is quite nice (especially with an automatic locker) because it acts as a "cushion", so to speak, between the engine and the drivetrain. Making that type of driving more complicated is just silly....I can't think of one.

This is a lot steeper than it looks. Although it's certainly not the most extreme wheeling I do, I rarely have video. Although I agree, most serious rock crawlers have gone to an automatic, because it's easier (not funner IMO), I've held out because I'm far smoother than just about anyone with a manual. It's all about control, and I know people who have been driving a stick for 50 years who aren't "good" at it. The only time in serious rock crawling I prefer an automatic is when having to run up waterfalls with tire speed and your transmission needs to shift to make it up. Every other time I'll take a manual any day. Especially in Moab. There's tons of traction there. My rig's been a dedicated trail rig most of it's life and is still on the original clutch. Don't miss the video link above this pic.

#ad

 

[kthaxton]

(not funner IMO),

This is where it comes down to different strokes for different folks...and not laziness. I am by no means a hardcore wheeler (at least not compared to true hardcore wheelers, probably the roughest I've done is Metal Masher and Hole in The Rock, in my Ramcharger), I just enjoy driving over rough, scenic terrain that occasionally requires complete attention. Complicating the task of merely driving, gives me no pleasure.

I get pleasure from skills like playing a difficult lick on my guitar, or clearing a difficult line on my mtn. bike. The thrill of shifting a lever whilst pushing in a clutch does nothing for me but complicate the task I am really trying to enjoy. I don't hate manuals by any means, I just prefer an auto for 95% of what I do.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I'm curious to know if dealers in the Midwest and other states that have rough weather and big hale storms, keep there cars protected? I've seen some good deals but the hail damage possibility always makes me think twice.

 

[Newsa]

http://www.kernersvillechryslerdodg...mq1enewsletterretail&sid=ram&channel=e_direct This dealer has a few manuals.

That's where I bought mine.

 

[Brocky]

I learned on a manual, and I certainly know how to use one, but I get no joy out of shifting gears manually (I suppose I am too complex of a being to get such simple pleasures ) further, I never really thought of it as such an amazing skill to obtain...something you learn and use, it's not like an art.

I think my least favorite time to drive a manual is on a long steep grade, during a storm, with bumper to bumper traffic, inching along in 30 ft increments...but hey, I guess some revel in the opportunity to amaze themselves in that show of skill.....over and over and over and over again.

Basically you are right about driving a manual transmission, although back in to 50's and 60' there were men who could literaly "make music" with a twin stick Mack married Triplex or Quadreplex, or a Spicer divorced 5X3 or 5X4.. and never touch the clutch wile doing it!! Those days are long gone..

 

[jgillott]

I'm curious to know if dealers in the Midwest and other states that have rough weather and big hale storms, keep there cars protected? I've seen some good deals but the hail damage possibility always makes me think twice.

My buddy that owns a body shop just flipped 2 loaded out Rams that were total loss due to hail on the dealer lot. One had the plastic still on the seats. Now these trucks were well beyond dent removal, but I would assume that these were not the only ones.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

So if the vehicles have light damage, do they get repaired and put back on the lot for sale as new? Or do they get shipped off for sale elsewhere? This is something I've always wondered about.

 

[NIsaacs]

Basically you are right about driving a manual transmission, although back in to 50's and 60' there were men who could literaly "make music" with a twin stick Mack married Triplex or Quadreplex, or a Spicer divorced 5X3 or 5X4.. and never touch the clutch wile doing it!! Those days are long gone..

I really can't make music with it but my Ford in my sig still gets driven with a 5x3, note 2 sticks in the pic

Nick

 

[mikeyb]

My local dealer has a new 2014 2500 4x4 SLT in black gold, buckets with the center console, 8.4, factory running boards, fog lights and the Tradesman instrument panel. I know why it hasn't sold yet....go figure.

 

[Newsa]

Does the 8.4 come with the upgraded speakers? Or is thst more?

 

[JR2]

I just picked up my new truck and when I ordered it from the local dealer I asked him why none of the 2500's had cab clearance lights. His reply, I only order clearance lights on the 3500's that way I can count them from the window.... On a side note, my dealer was more than happy to order exactly what I wanted, as a matter of fact I sat with the "truck ordering guy" for two hours making sure I got exactly what I wanted and making decisions on some of the little stuff.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

My local dealer has a new 2014 2500 4x4 SLT in black gold, buckets with the center console, 8.4, factory running boards, fog lights and the Tradesman instrument panel. I know why it hasn't sold yet....go figure.

THIS all the way. There's at least a dozen trucks on dealer lot's right now that I want in my drive, but won't because of weird options like this.

 

[Newsa]

I just picked up my new truck and when I ordered it from the local dealer I asked him why none of the 2500's had cab clearance lights. His reply, I only order clearance lights on the 3500's that way I can count them from the window.... On a side note, my dealer was more than happy to order exactly what I wanted, as a matter of fact I sat with the "truck ordering guy" for two hours making sure I got exactly what I wanted and making decisions on some of the little stuff.

As long as he's willing to order and give a good price. In Miami, if you order, you pay sticker. They want to get rid of inventory

 

[zb39]

Here is your answer……………………………..

Generally there is one person at the dealer who is responsible for ordering vehicles. As a rule Chrysler does not just "ship" cars to dealers. Everything is ordered by the dealer, but there are those times on occasion when the plant is just starting up after a MY change or when parts are in short supply when the factory orders product to build. Then the sales Area Manager will call the dealer and say we have these vehicles for sale and they are already built. If you take x number of them I can get you some more Wrangler allocation or get that sold order scheduled. Other than that every vehicle is ordered by someone at the dealer. There are all kinds of reports available to the dealer on what mix is selling and what the suggested order mix should be. But many dealers think they know better and don't follow that advice. That is why you can look at one dealer and see all the same model or color, and another dealer is completely different. Then there is the guy ordering that likes cars but does not know anything about trucks.

 

[Newsa]

I really can't make music with it but my Ford in my sig still gets driven with a 5x3, note 2 sticks in the pic

Nick

How does a 5 x 3 work? Never heard of that. How hard was it to put a 12 valve in a 74 350?