[Roy]

I am a locate away from purchasing an RT. But, for some reason, dealers apparently don't think that owners want both of those options on a car. I can find plenty of one or the other, but not BOTH. This is driving me nuts. Looks like the factory crossbars are installed through the roof so not easy to add aftermarket. The aftermarket ones sit so far forward that they make using a cargo box pretty useless since it almost sits over the hood.

OK fine, I can add the tow package. Then I did some reading on what all comes with the tow package- mainly the load level shocks and extra cooling and figured there goes that plan. Even if I don't tow heavy with this vehicle, the shocks will help payload if we have a full car plus cargo.

So I have 4 options now

1. Buy without the roof rails and continue to rent a minivan for our yearly trip
2. Buy without trailer/tow and add it, but sacrifice the benefits like load level and additional cooling
3. Build exactly what I want and wait 8 weeks. Dodge may be offering more or less back in 2 months.
4. Wait another month to see if one pops up how I want it, gamble incentives are better than the $1000 dodge is offering currently.

Any input? Main reason for wanting the rails is to use the cargo box on our yearly 3500 mile trip to FL. Usually we rent a minivan for $1,000 for 2 weeks. Could look into a hitch box but I don't think we will get as much luggage in as the rooftop box. Seems odd that a SUV would be ordered without a $500 option making it so much more versatile.

 

[Roy]

OK, so maybe I was off a little. I took some of the packages off (blacktop) and more popped up. I think the BT package totally makes the RT, so getting without it I would be pretty bummed. Quite a few in Black with options we want, but we want any color but black. Or, they are spec'd out to the gills and @ 58K MSRP.

 

[Roy]

Anyone have any thoughts on rebates next month or 2? Jeep is offering $4000 on their vehicles currently. I can't believe Dodge is only offering 1K, however they are priced cheaper from the start. Problem with Jeep is to get the "blackout package" you need to get a low tier or high tier. Not an option on the middle Limited model. Low Tier doesn't have tow and cloth inserts. High Tier has everything and prices it more than I want to spend.

Closest vehicle I found was 400 miles away. I don't mind driving to get it or towing both ways. I emailed the dealer for giggles. Local dealer could not locate one within their area of whatever they search (300 miles?). I was dead set against the captain chairs on the durango but have since changed my mind and now want them. They are great for road trips because you can stash coolers and stuff between them. Plus they make getting out from the back seat easier. All the minivans we rent for long tips have captains and I think back to how difficult it would be without them.

 

[Roy]

Use to be R/T's had the HD cooling standard and load leveling shocks...but don't know about the '18 model.
You can run the VIN and check to see if it has, then you just need to install the hitch and wiring.

Crazy to me the Hemi option doesn't include the hitch as standard equipment!!!

The GT and RT are both $995 to add tow. I would think that if all the GT needed was hitch and wiring it would be less than the same upgrade for the GT?

 

[Roy]

After some research about the tow package on the GT vs RT, it appears that the $999 on the RT nets you 3 items total. Tow hitch & bezel ($300 with paint), wiring ($50+$75 to program), full size spare ($50 if even). Total out of pocket for self install: $425 without the spare upgrade. The RT already come with the HD cooling, HD brakes, and load leveling shocks.

As a result, I decided to buy one locally with the options I wanted with intent to install the hitch myself. It saves me the frustration of waiting 8 weeks, plus there were rumors that the roof rails were delaying production. I located one and the dealer is picking it up today. We worked the numbers and they were cheaper by any other dealer by several thousand. I am not sure if next month Dodge will be offering more than a whole $1000 incentive, but I feel the vehicle as a good value at what they are giving it to me for so I can't sweat it. Hope to have it by Saturday assuming the dealers don't play games in finance and that the car is in good shape.

 

[Roy]

I have bought and sold probably over 30 cars and I am 36. I factory ordered my truck exactly how I wanted it. Now I am kicking myself for leaving a couple options off that most on the lot had (like 5th wheel prep) because I felt I didn't need them. At the end of the day, it's just a car and your needs/wants change over time. If I can locate one with most all the options I want, I won't lose sleep. Especially in this case because Tow can be added for half of the factory price so it's actually cheaper in the long run.