TheSkiingRAM Build

[TheSkiingRAM]

Here it is! The official build page for TheSkiingRAM on the Expedition Portal Forums!

As always, you can find the most up-to-date information on the build on Instagram @TheSkiingRAM
You can take a direct link to my page here: www.instagram.com/theskiingram

You can also access the build website, which is excellent for seeing the more fine details on the build at:
www.theskiingoverlander.com
This website also houses the information for the previous build, TheSkiingJeep

Lets get into the meat of the build. I ordered the vehicle from factory back in late 2017.
It's a Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon in white, with the black power wagon branding.
Ultimately the vehicle arrived to Denver around Christmas of 2017 equipped with:
- 6.4l v8 Hemi (Standard)
- Engine block heater(To reduce start up wear)
- RamBox bedside storage
- Dual 380 amp total alternators
- Automatic high beam
- Rain-Sensitive Wipers
- Led bed lighting
- Normal width power folding mirrors(NOT tow mirrors)
- Leather interior
- Front bench seat
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Heated and ventilated seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Bed Liner
- Undercoat(On top of the standard frame coating)
- Backup camera
- 9 Speaker Alpine audio system
- Rear Window Defroster
- Security Alarm/Keyless entry/Keyless start/Remote start
- Uconnect 4C Nav

Yes, I got it pretty much fully loaded. This is the same reason I got a lifetime/million mile Mopar Maxcare warranty with a 0$ deductible. TheSkiingJeep was very far from my first build, and I've built many vehicles, most of which attended SEMA. Unfortunately due to scheduling complications with the title sponsor, TheSkiingJeep did not attend the show. And unfortunately, TheSkiingRAM will be my last public build. This is why I decided to this time carry on TheSkiingJeep social media presence and transfer it to TheSkiingRAM unlike previous builds. So what should you take away from this little paragraph? That I'll be keeping TheSkiingRAM for quite some time, and don't plan to build anything in the public spotlight after it. I also do not intent to bring it to SEMA, so there will be no title sponsor. This is for many reasons, but largely because I am tired of the internal politics and having to largely sacrifice my role as a consumer advocate(using my platform to call companies out on their **************** and anti-consumer practices), in order to avoid sacrificing any future sponsorships. However, despite my change in attitude, I still have several sponsors for this build, and will have similar placement to TheSkiingJeep(Again, I don't promote any products I don't personally stand behind).

Now that's taken care of, lets continue on with the build.
Immediately after the vehicle arrived, I got it in to have a large volume of stuff done. This included having the roof wrapped in a metallic black vinyl, having suntek clear self-healing protection film placed over large portions of the vehicle(roughly 60%), as well as having a compustar security system installed that allows me to monitor the gps location, battery status, doors, locks, etc. All of this was installed by the wonderful folks over at Elite Auto Salon in Colorado Springs.
Here's a picture of where the build is after that:

Here's some planned changes to the build(Obviously this stuff is subject to change, and I may be unable to edit it):
- Custom cargo rack designed to support both a rooftop tent and ski rack among other things
- Replacing the factory winch with a Superwinch EXP
- Extend the underbody protection
- Rear bed side branding additions
- New tires(yes, bigger!)
- New wheels
- Equipment for as many weather conditions as possible
- Roll in spare tire carrier in bed
- Forward facing full time camera to improve visibility past the big hood, especially when cresting ridges
- Various lighting improvements, from chase lights, to scene lighting for camp ground and similar uses)
- Potential suspension upgrades, such as upgrading factory shocks
- Potential cargo storage upgrades

And that's all I've got for now! Any future updates will be included in new replies to this thread! Thanks for stopping by!

 

[Tex68w]

I've been following you on IG for a while now. I like where your build is headed, but I find myself perplexed over why you would replace the factory winch? It's one of Warn's toughest and most reliable winches ever built. The label it a M12000, but most have said it is actually a M15000 that was relabeled for liability reasons. What are you gaining by running a different winch, especially one that in my opinion is an inferior winch (I've had them all)?

 

[TheSkiingRAM]

I've been following you on IG for a while now. I like where your build is headed, but I find myself perplexed over why you would replace the factory winch? It's one of Warn's toughest and most reliable winches ever built. The label it a M12000, but most have said it is actually a M15000 that was relabeled for liability reasons. What are you gaining by running a different winch, especially one that in my opinion is an inferior winch (I've had them all)?

The factory winch is a modified M12000(currently produced as an M12 - its actually not branded at all on the power wagon, and is just said to be a "Warn winch" in truck documentation, but is functionally an M12000/M12 - my own speed tests confirm its an M12 motor) with the motor swapped to the left(normally on the right) due to fitment of the compartment, and larger diameter line.

As far as the EXP, it provides better water resistance(ip67 vs ip69k due to a fully potted control box), synthetic line, faster line speed at all weights(see photos below), and a superior warranty(Maxcare explicitly does not cover winches. And it is only covered under the factory 3 year/36, while the EXP default warranty is lifetime mechanical/5 year electrical), among other things such as control box lighting, and the brake moved out of the drum(a zeon platinum synthetic still has it in the drum), to reduce heat stress on the synthetic line. The EXP also lightens up the front end by about 55lbs vs the m12000, largely due to the steel cable.

Here's the line speed of an M12:

And here's the line speed of an EXP 12:

As you can see, the EXP is faster at all weights, including 0lbs and 12,000lbs load. 44FPM EXP vs 30FPM ML12, and 6FPM EXP vs 4(rounded up)FPM ML12 respectively.
IMO The additional amp draw of the EXP isn't a problem since I'm running the dual alternators option for 380 amps, vs the mere 180 amps of the single alternator that is standard on the power wagon.

Hopefully this answer is sufficient as to why I replaced the factory M12 equivalent.

EDIT: Updated for clarification.

 

[Tex68w]

Speed is the least of my concerns in regards to a winch, but load on the electrical system is of concern. For as little as we will use these winches, especially when you have prior alternatives like getting pulled out by a buddy or the use of a traction device like MaxTrax, those few extra feet per minute are meaningless IMHO. YMMV and that's ok. I just think that there are far more important areas to spend your money or that are in more urgent need of upgrading.

The Power Wagon winch is in fact a M12000, it may be altered in the literature labeling for the sake of Mopar, now FCA, parts and warranty legalities. The solenoid box however, does in fact say M12000 on it, check yours again! The crap thing about the PW winch is that Warn can't warranty anything on it, you must go through your Ram dealer for that.

 

[TheSkiingRAM]

Speed is the least of my concerns in regards to a winch, but load on the electrical system is of concern. For as little as we will use these winches, especially when you have prior alternatives like getting pulled out by a buddy or the use of a traction device like MaxTrax, those few extra feet per minute are meaningless IMHO. YMMV and that's ok. I just think that there are far more important areas to spend your money or that are in more urgent need of upgrading.

The Power Wagon winch is in fact a M12000, it may be altered in the literature labeling for the sake of Mopar, now FCA, parts and warranty legalities. The solenoid box however, does in fact say M12000 on it, check yours again! The crap thing about the PW winch is that Warn can't warranty anything on it, you must go through your Ram dealer for that.

As previously said. There's no labeling saying M12000. When I said that, I was referring to the vehicle, documentation, and advertising. Not the unit itself. And correct. Warn warranty does not apply, And the factory truck warranty(extended mopar warranty not applicable to winches) is certainly sub-par to the Superwinch Warranty.

When it comes to pricing... Originally Superwinch had intended to provide their EXP for TheSkiingJeep for me to review there. However their production line ended up being delayed. We decided to instead move the sponsorship to the next build(this one), for me to review it. So to be clear, I'm not paying to upgrade the factory winch, but have tested it in order to provide a comparison point for review. Will I be doing a review of the EXP and how it compares to the M12? Absolutely. Will I be doing a "is an upgrade worth it considering the M12 is already there?" ... Potentially. That'll be a much more prolonged decision. I do think that the wireless aspect of the EXP provides some of the largest incentive in an upgrade over the already-present ML12.

 

[Kingsize24]

Want to sell your M12 and associated brackets?

 

[TheSkiingRAM]

Want to sell your M12 and associated brackets?

we'll see.
Pretty sure I didn't pull any brackets when I changed them out. The change isn't finalized because I'm waiting for the hawse fairlead bracket to come back from being powder coated.
It'd be the winch only. Which is standard mounting pattern as most warn winches, and could probably fit in a standard winch compatible bumper on any vehicle without any additional brackets or drilling needed....

More than likely I'll retain the winch myself or reuse it on another one of my vehicles.

 

[Tex68w]

I agree that the warranty or lack thereof does leave me a bit baffled, but I have never had a Warn winch fail me so I hedge my bets with that brand compared to the majority of others that have failed. Wireless is nice and it can be had on the M12000 as well, it's a $110 wireless upgrade you can pick up on amazon/eBay/4wdhardware/quadratec/summit/etc.

You've made your reasoning known so I'll let this winch convo die. Looking forward to your future mods.

 

[TheSkiingRAM]

Looking forward to your future mods.

Good news then!
I've got some changes coming within the next month or so. I plan to have quite a few things done by the time I have to attend a Porsche event at the end of July.
As always, the most up-to-date information is, and will be on my Instagram page.

 

[TheSkiingRAM]

Do you Always point out which products were given to you by sponsors that you "personally stand behind"?

Generally not right out there. I won't randomly say "HEY LOOK AT ME AND THESE PRODUCTS I GOT FROM SPONSORSHIPS"
But I always say what is and isn't sponsored, at minimum in the reviews I do for them. So they are technically units provided for the purpose of review, and I disclose this in every review.

The rooftop tent from CVT I've yet to review was provided at significant discount by them
The winch was provided by Superwinch.
The vinyl and the film applied to the vehicle was done at discount by a local shop, Elite Auto Salon, who I worked with extensively before the deal.

I have several ongoing deals where there is no product in my hands yet. Because of this I don't disclose these, since there is still potential for them to change, and even fall through. Therefore there is potential for me to say that, "Hey I'm working on a deal with X company" or "Y company has agreed to send me their product to review!" and then it ends up falling through for whatever reason.

As far as me standing behind the products, I have ended deals with sponsors in the past because of how their product functioned, how they treated their products, or how they treated their customers. Furthermore, I don't just agree to whatever flies at me. In the case of the product that has been discussed the past few replies, the Superwinch EXP, I had actually declined and decided to not go with a Sponsorship from WARN because I thought that the EXP would be a superior unit. I'll be able to either reaffirm this, or prove myself wrong when I begin my review on the unit.

This is an answer to what I think you're asking? Or perhaps you're being snarky based off how you put my words in quotations, and hopefully this answer will benefit someone else then.

Generally speaking I'd like to think I'm pretty transparent about how I run my builds. You're welcome to disagree of course.

 

[mezmochill]

I think it would be pretty easy to say at the beginning or end( preferably the beginning) of a post that these products a.b. and c. talked about were given to me by a sponsor.

Its called product placememt marketing( im sure somebody in the ad biz works here and can give the correct terminology). Many people come to forums for straight up opinions based upon life expierences.

There are sponsors that pay to advertise their products on the forum and labeled as such.

Grey is grey.
Direct is direct.

No need to be defensive bud. Just attempting to see if youre being paid with product to promote it thats all.

Nothing is free. If so get your sponsors to give everyone here the same products.

You're welcome to disagree of course.

Direct not snark.

Im sure you know what I mean.

 

[Tacoma675]

Good looking truck. Pretty much equipped just like mine.

 

[TheSkiingRAM]

Good looking truck. Pretty much equipped just like mine.

Thanks! I'm definitely loving it, and hopefully you are too!

I think it would be pretty easy to say at the beginning or end( preferably the beginning) of a post that these products a.b. and c. talked about were given to me by a sponsor.

Its called product placememt marketing( im sure somebody in the ad biz works here and can give the correct terminology). Many people come to forums for straight up opinions based upon life expierences.

There are sponsors that pay to advertise their products on the forum and labeled as such.

Grey is grey.
Direct is direct.

No need to be defensive bud. Just attempting to see if youre being paid with product to promote it thats all.

Nothing is free. If so get your sponsors to give everyone here the same products.

You're welcome to disagree of course.

Direct not snark.

Im sure you know what I mean.

Are you implying I should say this in every single post I talk about something?
That's rather unrealistic, and irrational.

I make it clear what is and is not sponsored in some form. I do not need to go out of my way even more than I already do.
I disclaim what is sponsored when I write reviews. I do not say every little thing that is sponsored every single time I post about my truck. It's irrational, tacky, and most people would find it repugnant.
Just because I stick something on my truck and then take a picture of said truck and post it up, I don't need, and shouldn't be going, "HEY GUYS! THAT THING THERE ON THE SIDE?? ITS SPONSORED!"
Why should I add a disclaimer to every time I post something? I'm providing no opinion of the product.
And in the places where I do provide opinion of products(reviews), I do provide a clear disclaimer already.

My discussion about the EXP is based entirely on objective facts. Such as what the line is made out of, line speed, etc.
It provides no opinion on the winch itself, as I haven't developed an opinion on it. Since there's no opinion there, there was no need to disclose any sponsorship.

When it comes to price, I didn't provide any opinion on if its worth the price or not, but I did disclose the sponsorship here, even though it has no impact on the non-opinion I gave for that. What I provided to that was a list of what I am going to do. Including a review. It contained no opinions in itself.

 

[ExplorerTom]

...........whatever

Subbed for updates.

 

[TheSkiingRAM]

What do the sponsors expect from you? You call them sponsors.

"It's irrational, tacky, and most people would find it repugnant."

By the above quote I can see you've never been questioned about viral marketing or product placement. No need to get so defensive.

Some would like to know if the products that are being promoted by a poster were given to them by a vendor for free. Some might think that opinions may be swayed by said free merchandise. Doesnt seem irrational, tacky or repugnant to me. Seems to me some us like to have all the info to make an informed decision.

Just because you may not like to be questioned doesnt change that fact.

Alright bud.
I'm not discussing any agreements I have with companies.
"I can see you've never been questioned about viral marketing or product placement"
What a passive aggressive remark. Thanks!
Maybe since you're the all-mighty arbiter on how product placement and embedded marketing works, you can give me a few tips.

Its funny you start off your initial post with "as always"......with 7 posts.


Smoooove. Gotta love instagram marketing.

Que the lemmings in 3...2...1..

And yes. This is because I have accounts on this for my previous builds, as well as other forums. For many people, this is not the first time they've seen me, or one of my builds(My last build literally had a nearly identical name).
It'd be fantastic if you could get off my thread since you're so aggressive and clearly hate anyone whose able to turn their passion into success Have a nice day bud. Maybe someone will give you a hug.

Subbed for updates.

Lots planned! Glad to have you here!