Factory Towing Package worth the $$?

[rgardjr]

So I pulled up the window stickers of both trucks and the more expensive truck has the 3.92 rear end, limited slip rear diff, front/rear Park sense, heated and cooled front seats, led bed lighting and the tow mirrors and brake controller. MSRP is $2665 higher on the more expensive truck. I have a 2014 Ram Limited that I custom ordered and I really think the more expensive truck has all the options that you would want in a Ram 1500 tow rig.

[JFlightRisk]

Personally, like what was said above, I'd go for the one with the tow package on it. That said, if you know ALL the options/specifics on that one, you can check nada.com, and kbb.com for the guide prices on it, to see if it's a reasonable price for it. Disclaimer: they are only a guide price, and the market can fluctuate due to part of the country, demand, and current sales prices. It's not gospel. If you want, you could check both of them, but you would be happier with the tow version.

[Big1]

Get the one that has the tow package, my son did you will thank yourself later.

[Fleetman]

Buy a Ford F250 Lariat 6.7. No comparison.

[curver900]

keep looking you will find another one closer to what you want to spend with the features you want... it just takes time... if you don't have time buy what you NEED.... don't buy based sole on price... that is a fools errand, plenty end up taking a beating on buying the wrong thing only to have to spend even more for the right thing...
buy once cry once...

[Cshenberger]

It also depends in where you are towing. Some vehicles you can't add trans cooler to later because the stock housing for a vehicle without a tow package is different (lacks the plumbing) for transmission cooling. So if the extra capacity gained from correcting suspension and gearing could just create trans heat problems.

Integrated brake controllers also have benefits over after market controllers. Like in a GM electronic stabilizing is part of the tow package and independently brakes to compensate for sway

[DGW]

They are really not much more than a comparably equipped 1500, assuming you don't get diesel, and you'll never have to worry about towing again.

[mgodsey]

Originally Posted by Redphoen

I'm looking at 2 2017 Ram 1500's that are nearly identical except one has a towing package and is $8k more. The tow package gets me different Mirrors, Brake Controller, Brake upgrade and 3.92 gears instead of the 3.21 and would give me an extra 2000lbs of towing capacity, which I would want.



But, could I buy the cheaper one and then upgrade the truck to get the same towing capacity for less than $8k?

I’ll make it easy for you. DEF will want the towing package. Like others have said, if you don’t want to pay the price, try to negotiate lower or look around. I actually think the $8k is def not bad considering the mileage difference. A little on the high side so I think you can negotiate a bit. But bottom line, GET ONE WITH A TOW PACKAGE (also, nothing you can add to increase towing capacity. Only things to make your towing experience better...so, you’d be stuck with whatever tow rating/payload capacity stated by the manufacturer).

[kblast523]

I just 'ridded' myself of a 2019 Ram 1500 (Mfg re-acquisition) and the tow rating for ALL Ram 1500's is equal until you add the HD Tow package. It will include the 3.91 axle, a bigger (35 gal?) fuel tank, tow mirrors and electric brake controller. My 19 was rated at 8250 lbs gross towing WITHOUT the HD Tow package. With, it was only about 9800 lbs. I added a brake controller at purchase, it came with a class IV receiver, and that was good for more than the rating of the truck.

I had traded in a 2015 F-150 EB 2.7 rated at 7,200 lbs. It did at least as good a job towing as the Ram. It did not have a brake controller either, added it and had the Ford dealer in Liberal, Ks turn it on.

I am now driving a 2018 Nissan Titan, and the entirety of the Tow Package is: Front Tow hooks on RWD models, electronic brake controller, class IV receiver on S models ...period. The oil and transmission coolers are sufficient to handle additional load of towing and on all three of the trucks, they had a tow-haul mode built in. The class IV is a stand alone option. All Nissan Titan's are pre-wired for brake controller, 4 and 7 pin connector, under hood fuses installed for trailer lights at the factory, as were the Ford and Ram.

Fleetman is correct, F250 - no comparison.

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by Redphoen

I'm looking at 2 2017 Ram 1500's that are nearly identical except one has a towing package and is $8k more. The tow package gets me different Mirrors, Brake Controller, Brake upgrade and 3.92 gears instead of the 3.21 and would give me an extra 2000lbs of towing capacity, which I would want.



But, could I buy the cheaper one and then upgrade the truck to get the same towing capacity for less than $8k?

The trailer-tow group on a new 2020 1500 Laramie is a $400 option.

[shloubrew]

I have a ram 1500. Like it as a tow vehicle, 8spd trans is great. But soooo wish I had the shorter towing gear ratio.

Ram’s are especially difficult to regear, my understanding is gearing is welded at the factory and the only way to change the ratio is to swap out both front and rear axles. (4wd).

towing gear ratio should be at the top of your option list when shopping for a truck (after engine/transmission)

Also, consider shipping new. That price sounds high and if they’re running good discounts a new ‘classic’ ram might not be much more. I paid 34k for my big horn back in 2014.

[Redphoen]

I keep see either 3.21 gears or 3.92 for the 2017 Rams. Which one should I look for?

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Redphoen

I keep see either 3.21 gears or 3.92 for the 2017 Rams. Which one should I look for?

3.92 would be better for towing.

[Redphoen]

Originally Posted by Wireman

The trailer-tow group on a new 2020 1500 Laramie is a $400 option.

I looked at new and with the options I want they were around $45k - $50k. My budget is closer to $30k

[rkymntsno]

Originally Posted by Redphoen

I looked at new and with the options I want they were around $45k - $50k. My budget is closer to $30k

I may have sped through this forum, didn't see what you planned on towing. I'd stay away from the Ram 1500's. You're gonna run out of payload quick. I got rid of a very nice 2016 Ram 1500 cuz the dealer sold me too much of a trailer for that truck 321 ratio which cut towing capacity by 2000 lbs. I also failed to do my research and believed the dealer thinking the Hemi could pull anything. Wrong.

[Redphoen]

Originally Posted by rkymntsno

I may have sped through this forum, didn't see what you planned on towing. I'd stay away from the Ram 1500's. You're gonna run out of payload quick. I got rid of a very nice 2016 Ram 1500 cuz the dealer sold me too much of a trailer for that truck 321 ratio which cut towing capacity by 2000 lbs. I also failed to do my research and believed the dealer thinking the Hemi could pull anything. Wrong.

Right now I have a 4200lb hybrid. And when we upgrade I'm only looking to tow around 7500lb max

[Levinehikeski]

Could be an instance of the one truck is priced low (no tow package ) the other prices high (tow package)? Mileage is a negligible difference. Doesn’t matter what price is on a vehicle, it matters what you pay. They to talk him down to $30, doesn’t sound like you want to spend that much, what will it hurt to test drive and throw a price at them.

[joe w]

We purchased new(2019) Ram 1500 with the 3.6 V6 and the towing package which included 3.55 gears, electric brake controller, 8 speed tranny and other package items. We towed our 2019 Jyflight SLX 212QB out to the Rockies and back and averaged just over 10MPG running at 62 MPH most of the way. On the level the engine was turning about 2700 RPM and all the temps, tranny, oil,coolant stayed in the normal range. That 8 speed is a great tranny. I run Mobil 1 full synthetic and run the rear tires 5 psi over the recommended 40. Hitch is a Husky centerline TS and we never experienced any sway despite the high winds and the big rigs passing at 75 or more MPH.

[Lyonseed]

As others have noted, the price difference is more related to mileage than tow pkg. I bought a new '19 F250 4x4 last summer and the "tow pkg" (5th wheel prep & camper pkg) added $990.00 to the price. Granted it is a much heavier truck so items like trans. cooler, pwr. adj. mirrors, etc were included. Depending on the weight of the trailer you are pulling, some of the tow pkg. items may or may not be necessary.

[kblast523]

Originally Posted by Redphoen

I keep see either 3.21 gears or 3.92 for the 2017 Rams. Which one should I look for?

The 3.21 gears will get you EPA ratings hwy/city no tow. The 3.92 will lower you hwy mileage by 2-3 mpg and 1-1.5 city.

The truck will run abt 500 rpm higher, in 5th @ 60 with 3.92s, than the 3.21s in 4th. I was fine pulling a 6000lb trailer with 3.21s got same mileage as 2.7EB in previous Ford with 3.55s.