So, I decided to write a thread about long term driving for various reasons. I also included some information about the Undercover Tonneau and N-Fab step bars. I wanted to put this info out there for people looking to buy a 4th Gen Ram as well as to reassure people who already have one. I have owned the truck since Feb 09 and have over 17,000 miles on it. It is a TRX-4 Hemi Crew Cab. They come with the 3.92 limited slip and skid plates.

I made chapters if you want to skip over parts.
1. Comments on 17,000 miles.
2. Comments on a road trip from Iowa to New Jersey to Florida.
3. Comments on the Undercover Tonneau.
4. Comments on N-Fab Steps.
5. HID Fog lights.

1. I have had no major issues with the truck. I have the seat creak, which was taken to the dealer and "fixed". Yeah right. I also have the brake pedal squeak.

My worst tank of gas was 11 mpg and the best was 17 mpg. My truck weighs 5700 lbs. I weighed a wheel and tire today, if anyone cares, and it came in at 69 lbs. That is the 275 on a 17" aluminum wheel.

The Wrangler AT/S is a great tire. Mine still looks new. There is a ton of tread left. I have had them in snow and gravel and have zero complaints. I expect to get to 50k with these tires.

I noticed some factory blemishes on the paint, but overall I am happy with the truck. The inside still smells new. If I were to buy it again, I still would get the TRX-4, though I really wish Dodge offered a 3.55 limited slip.

2. The road trip was from Ames Ia, to Marlton NJ, to Milton Fl. I had the wife, a 4 year old, a 8 week old and a 70 lb dog. It had 1200 lbs of people and cargo in it. I know because I had it weighed before and after.

I could not tell it was so heavy. It accelerated fine and the brakes worked like it was empty. I was very pleased. I do have Air Lift air bags installed. The back end did not squat and the ride was the same as every other day.

I got around 16.5 to 17 mpg. I went 70-75 mph the whole way. I am pretty confident that 60 mph would deliver around 18 mpg and 65 mph would deliver around 17.5 mpg. I hand calculated these numbers.

It got a little cramped inside since we had so much stuff in it, but the seats were comfortable the whole time. We spent days in it and never had a single complaint.

3. The Undercover Tonneau is awesome. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a hard cover. It is easy to go on and off, my wife helps me, and it will hold me on top of it. In fact, the whole trip I had a stroller, baby seat, a suitcase, and a folding crib under a tarp strapped to the top since we ran out of room in the bed. It will hold a decent amount of weight.

If you want one and are on the fence, rest aussured, you will be happy with one.

4. N-Fab steps are great looking, but a pain to clean. The gloss black powder coat does scuff easily from shoes. I hit a curb or two with them since they do hang low, but they are built very well and you can't even tell.

I would recommend them, but maybe with the textured black powder coat.

5. HID fog lights. I installed them with a relay, as should everyone. The relays are cheap insurance that your harness won't melt no matter what the maker of the kit says.

They are too bright for every night use, so I use them like a high beam. It takes a second to warm up, but I still use them quite often. They make great off road lights.

After 17,000 miles, I still love this truck.

 

Great write-up Luke. Enjoyed reading all of it

 

Get ready for an apparent rear diff fluid change at 18k miles. This will be my only complaint for the truck so far (at 17300 mi).