Tc650 owners-Tundra/Silverado/f150?

[ripperj]

By front porch he means that you can lower the tailgate and use it like a small deck or big step from the rear of the camper. Lots of camper/truck setups require the tailgate to be removed. Some folks put shortbed campers in long bed trucks, this gives options at the rear end of the camper. Even if the camper is short enough to be able to close the tailgate, it complicates the options for steps if the tail gate is left on

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[doctorit]

By front porch he means that you can lower the tailgate and use it like a small deck or big step from the rear of the camper.

Exactly. I leave it on, lowered. The TC650 isn't short enough to fit completely in the 6.6' F250 bed; I can't close the tailgate with it loaded. As for how it makes it "safer", when my daughter opens the camper door, on purpose or on accident, there's a tailgate there at basically the same level as the door for her to walk or fall out on, as opposed to a 3' drop straight to the ground or a narrow, rickety little set of camper steps.

... it complicates the options for steps if the tail gate is left on.

Not in my case, I have the integrated step on the tailgate. It's solid. Since the girls are short, we supplement with a little folding footstool.

Not the best photo, but you can see the setup here:

 

[cninghm]

Oh ok, thanks. I kind of like the idea of leaving it on. Then, if I ever need it to haul anything else, it will be contained. Thanks for the photo.

 

[ripperj]

I don't know this from experience, but many people say that the tail gate gets all stone chipped if you drive around with it down, plus I don't think the Ram has the steps built into the tail gate, so you will need a step ladder or stool.

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[driller]

My ram is a 2500, the camper is a 850 SC. The truck handles the camper wonderfully. Fully loaded I am at 9300 lbs.. The satellite radio works fine with the camper on unless I drop into a deep narrow canyon. The 6.4 hemi has more than enough power with the camper and gets 12 to 13 mpg.

 

[Regcabguy]

I've always preferred the folding four steps I've used for 15 yrs. Entering the door from a step below is pretty easy. My tailgate is in the garage.

 

[cninghm]

Good info Driller. I was on the fence with the 2500 and 3500. Ram (Tech support) said I needed a 3500. Salesman said 3500 dually. I went with a 3500 srw.
Thanks, Ripperj. That makes sense.

 

[cninghm]

Thanks, Regcabguy. Good point about entering from below. I'm tall, so the extra headroom on entry would be good.

 

[cninghm]

So I get a call yesterday from the sales guy who already took my deposit for the truck. He asks me "you wanted black not white, correct? And a 3500 not a 2500, and a hemi 6.7, right?"
Wth?!
Scary.

 

[ripperj]

If you are ordering from the factory there must be a fairly detailed form with the options you wants, gearing, wheels, interior, etc?? Or are you just having them locate something for you?

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[cninghm]

I ordered from the factory. Signed their detailed sheet which specifically listed blackout edition and 3500, and 6.7 hemi. Smh

 

[cninghm]

So, I get an email from the dealer. They have a 2500 black-out edition, would I be interested?
Me: Why would I want that, I already ordered mine.
Them: Well, you won't have to wait.
Me: I already waited 4 weeks. When was mine ordered, and when am I going to see the confirmation sheet of what exactly was ordered? ...[many emails later]...They ordered a "Black" (not black-out edition) 3500 with bucket (not bench) seats. (I signed off on and put a deposit on a 3500 with Black-out edition and bench seats.)
Them: "The factory has advised due to supplier issues they are not running the Black Appearance Group".
me: The 2016 2500s are rolling in with the Black Appearance Group, and 2500s are same size as 3500s. Doesn't make sense.
Them: The factory is still offering the Black Appearance Group in the 2500
I contact RAM.
RAM Tech support: Black appearance group (sales code APX) was an option for 2015. For 2016 this option was expanded to other colors and renamed the sport appearance group (sales code APV). So if APX was ordered for 2016 the order would not have been processed. There are no supplier issues that we can find right now, but we are still checking.
Me to the Dealership: Cancel my order and refund my deposit.

So, I have to start over after I cool down. But this dealership is OUT.

 

[doctorit]

That sucks, sorry to hear.

It's really a shame that both the factory and dealerships have moved so far away from custom ordering. It's not as easy as it should be, and your story is too common. At the risk of sounding obvious, try to locate one, even in another state, that's already on a lot. You may only get 90% of what you want, but at least it will physically *exist* and you can do the deal without any assumptions or implications.

 

[seeNik48]

I am so sorry that this is such a frustrating experience for you. Aren't there competent people anymore? It is frustrating to the consumer who wants information and, once having that info, gets stymied by people who do not know what they are doing. I wish you luck. All you want to do is get out there and enjoy life.

I want to edit this to add a personal note. We have a 2008 F250 Superduty. It has a strong motor as our mechanic did a thorough diagnostic on it. But, it has cooling issues and we are awaiting the installion of a third radiator. I won't go into details except it has been frustrating. We had thought about trading it in but this one has everything that we wante: long box, extended cab, off road, tow haul, low miles. It seems that people want the short box double cab so our configuration is becoming more difficult to find on a lot. We would have to order new or go out of the area. New is not an option as we just don't have the income. Out of area is a hassle. So, hopefully the newer Mishimoto radiator will be the solution.

I say get what you want. You will be a happier camper.

 

[ripperj]

I can't name one, but I know they are out there- dealers that specialize in Internet sales, they will get you what you want, how you want it. You may have to fly and drive it, I would rather do that than have it dropped off out front and have it be wrong.
In 35 years of buying trucks, I have yet to find a dealer with both a good sales dept, and good service. The place I bought my Ram is not very good at either.

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