Pre-Purchase Checklist

[Captain Howdy]

Thanks to the great information sharing within this forum and on YouTube, I was able to assemble a pre-purchase inspection checklist based upon the experiences of other owners. Look these things over BEFORE SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE!

1. Check that the spare under bed is same premium wheel and tire as those on the truck. Some get shafted with a garbage 18" wheel while others get premium spare. I'd have a problem with that.
2. Check that battery level is holding at 14 - 14.5 volts under normal operations during test drive. Some indications of future dead battery problem show up in form of 13-volt battery readings.
3. Have dealership check machine oil level in front and rear differentials and top-off transfer case if low. Many have reported this problem, and it can do real damage.
4. Check that the bed step can support you while standing on it. Some report that it retracts while in use. That's a warranty fix issue.
5. Check all parking sensors and blind-spot sensor for proper operation.
6. Check functionality of all bed and console AC outlets. Some reports of failure.
7. Examine front and rear door panels for alignment while closed. Some are blatantly different heights! Check weather stripping on inside of each door for imperfections or misalignment.
8. Examine all fenders for body alignment. Check tailgate to truck bed alignment. Check all body panels for proper fit. Issues have been reported.
9. Listen at front of truck for noisy ballast. Noise indicates fault or failure.

Please help me to modify or add to this list. Peace.

 

[MongoSmash11]

Thanks to the great information sharing within this forum and on YouTube, I was able to assemble a pre-purchase inspection checklist based upon the experiences of other owners. Look these things over BEFORE SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE!

1. Check that the spare under bed is same premium wheel and tire as those on the truck. Some get shafted with a garbage 18" wheel while others get premium spare. I'd have a problem with that.
2. Check that battery level is holding at 14 - 14.5 volts under normal operations during test drive. Some indications of future dead battery problem show up in form of 13-volt battery readings.
3. Have dealership check machine oil level in front and rear differentials and top-off transfer case if low. Many have reported this problem, and it can do real damage.
4. Check that the bed step can support you while standing on it. Some report that it retracts while in use. That's a warranty fix issue.
5. Check all parking sensors and blind-spot sensor for proper operation.
6. Check functionality of all bed and console AC outlets. Some reports of failure.
7. Examine front and rear door panels for alignment while closed. Some are blatantly different heights! Check weather stripping on inside of each door for imperfections or misalignment.
8. Examine all fenders for body alignment. Check tailgate to truck bed alignment. Check all body panels for proper fit. Issues have been reported.
9. Listen at front of truck for noisy ballast. Noise indicates fault or failure.

Please help me to modify or add to this list. Peace.

I also made sure heated vent and massage seats worked front and heat and vent in back plus steering wheel

 

[RHOfan]

Additions:

Check interior glass for scratches, which may appear to be trim panel glue but are, in fact, scratches. Never had this experience on any other new vehicle, but the Ram factory found a way.

Check rocker panels by “feel”… the dark paint & shadows make dents hard to see. Dents are common from access holes punched into the rocker or when the plugs are hammered into place. Feel around each of the plugs for sheet metal damage.

Check headlights for minor cracks that can allow moisture to enter later. These headlights are $$$$. If there appears to be a smudge, get it cleaned off & look closely!

Check for paint runs or scrapes under the clear. These aren’t easy to fix & require time in a body shop…unacceptable on a brand new vehicle.

Check the frame e-coat behind the front sway bar mounts. If already rusted, don’t just let them hit it with a rattle can. It needs a proper repair to prevent future rust.

The dealer may balk, but require a 30 mile test drive to be sure no safety system faults appear in the main cluster.

 

[jb37]

May seem like no-brainers ... but from a post history/memory (the few incidents mentioned in posts on the forum here)

• Air Filter/intake - make sure its the RHO / HO version
• Rear seat airbag "plugs" - make sure not missing in the rear headliner
• interior leather - back of driver/passenger seat and steering wheel - check leather pulled tight / no ripples
• Fuses - push/seat all fuses
• Paint drips/runs - mentioned above - check roof behind glass (if pano) and around shark fin
• Tailgate operation - including keyfob operation - check alignment and open/close
• presence of smart card - usually in center console

 

[frogjbm]

I’ve combined all feedback. These are excellent suggestions, thank you guys! Anything else??

RHO PRE-CHECK

• Air Filter/intake - make sure its the RHO / HO version
• Rear seat airbag "plugs" - make sure not missing in the rear headliner
• interior leather - back of driver/passenger seat and steering wheel - check leather pulled tight / no ripples
• Fuses - push/seat all fuses
• Paint drips/runs - mentioned above - check roof behind glass (if pano) and around shark fin
• Tailgate operation - including keyfob operation - check alignment and open/close
• Presence of smart card - usually in center console
• Check interior glass for scratches, which may appear to be trim panel glue but are, in fact, scratches. Never had this experience on any other new vehicle, but the Ram factory found a way.
• Check rocker panels by “feel”… the dark paint & shadows make dents hard to see. Dents are common from access holes punched into the rocker or when the plugs are hammered into place. Feel around each of the plugs for sheet metal damage.
• Check headlights for minor cracks that can allow moisture to enter later. These headlights are $$$$. If there appears to be a smudge, get it cleaned off & look closely!
• Check for paint runs or scrapes under the clear. These aren’t easy to fix & require time in a body shop…unacceptable on a brand new vehicle.
• Check the frame e-coat behind the front sway bar mounts. If already rusted, don’t just let them hit it with a rattle can. It needs a proper repair to prevent future rust.
• The dealer may balk, but require a 30 mile test drive to be sure no safety system faults appear in the main cluster.
• Check heated vent and massage seats worked front and heat and vent in back plus steering wheel.
• Check that the spare under bed is same premium wheel and tire as those on the truck. Some get shafted with a garbage 18" wheel while others get premium spare. I'd have a problem with that.
• Check that battery level is holding at 14 - 14.5 volts under normal operations during test drive. Some indications of future dead battery problem show up in form of 13-volt battery readings.
• Have dealership check machine oil level in front and rear differentials and top-off transfer case if low. Many have reported this problem, and it can do real damage.
• Check that the bed step can support you while standing on it. Some report that it retracts while in use. That's a warranty fix issue.
• Check all parking sensors and blind-spot sensor for proper operation.
• Check functionality of all bed and console AC outlets. Some reports of failure.
• Examine front and rear door panels for alignment while closed. Some are blatantly different heights! Check weather stripping on inside of each door for imperfections or misalignment.
• Examine all fenders for body alignment. Check tailgate to truck bed alignment. Check all body panels for proper fit. Issues have been reported.
• Listen at front of truck for noisy ballast. Noise indicates fault or failure.

 

[KA-1902]

Thank you all, very helpful tips.

If we are going to check this ourselves, does anyone know what a dealer’s post-delivery inspection includes?

 

[rhinonow]

Thanks to the great information sharing within this forum and on YouTube, I was able to assemble a pre-purchase inspection checklist based upon the experiences of other owners. Look these things over BEFORE SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE!

1. Check that the spare under bed is same premium wheel and tire as those on the truck. Some get shafted with a garbage 18" wheel while others get premium spare. I'd have a problem with that.
2. Check that battery level is holding at 14 - 14.5 volts under normal operations during test drive. Some indications of future dead battery problem show up in form of 13-volt battery readings.
3. Have dealership check machine oil level in front and rear differentials and top-off transfer case if low. Many have reported this problem, and it can do real damage.
4. Check that the bed step can support you while standing on it. Some report that it retracts while in use. That's a warranty fix issue.
5. Check all parking sensors and blind-spot sensor for proper operation.
6. Check functionality of all bed and console AC outlets. Some reports of failure.
7. Examine front and rear door panels for alignment while closed. Some are blatantly different heights! Check weather stripping on inside of each door for imperfections or misalignment.
8. Examine all fenders for body alignment. Check tailgate to truck bed alignment. Check all body panels for proper fit. Issues have been reported.
9. Listen at front of truck for noisy ballast. Noise indicates fault or failure.

Please help me to modify or add to this list. Peace.

First i’m hearing about number 1 on your list. Has this been reported elsewhere? My spare looks like it’s attached with the face of the wheel facing upwards, how can we confirm what wheel it is? I have the stock black wheels tho not beadlocks. Is that what you meant by the garbage 18 inch? Or is it something else entirely?

 

[AKRHO]

First i’m hearing about number 1 on your list. Has this been reported elsewhere? My spare looks like it’s attached with the face of the wheel facing upwards, how can we confirm what wheel it is? I have the stock black wheels tho not beadlocks. Is that what you meant by the garbage 18 inch? Or is it something else entirely?

There was an issue where a dealer got sent an RHO or two that had the Tungsten air intake instead of the RHO one. It's closed not open like the RHO's is with that big red filter.

 

[rhinonow]

There was an issue where a dealer got sent an RHO or two that had the Tungsten air intake instead of the RHO one. It's closed not open like the RHO's is with that big red filter.

Yeah that one I am aware of. Hadn’t heard of getting the wrong spare. Wondering what the wrong one would look like.

 

[BucsFan]

Thanks everyone for these tips, there must be a lot of frustration buried in there. I am meeting the MD guys in NOLA on Friday morning to pick it up, so I sent them this list. Thanks @frogjbm for consolidating the list. It will have been 308 days since my first order, so I want everything to be flawless.

 

[frogjbm]

Thanks everyone for these tips, there must be a lot of frustration buried in there. I am meeting the MD guys in NOLA on Friday morning to pick it up, so I sent them this list. Thanks @frogjbm for consolidating the list. It will have been 308 days since my first order, so I want everything to be flawless.

Wishing you the very best of luck my dude. Hopefully no issues and their PDI addresses all your requirements. Inspect everything! Take the time and do it right. Mine comes to MD sometime in April.