The RAM 2500 is a workhorse of a truck, able to accomplish everything from tackling a run to the hardware store to towing a massive 5th-wheel trailer. You undoubtedly bought your truck because of its vast capabilities, and you depend on it to do what you ask of it, so it might be a worthwhile idea to consider a RAM 2500 service agreement, or RAM 2500 extended warranty, in the event something goes wrong.
Do You Even Need a Warranty or Any Other Alternative for RAM 2500?
All About The RAM 2500
This truck is one awesome machine. The RAM 2500 is available in two-or-four-wheel drive and comes with options for power as well.
The Cummins diesel makes this pickup the ultimate trucker’s toy, with essentially the same engine under the hood the big rigs use, only in a junior size. But once you hitch up to that 45-footer, you’re not going to be able to notice much difference. This truck hauls, thanks to its unbelievable torque. With the high-output version of the RAM 2500, you’re looking at more than 1,000 lb-ft!
Speaking of hauling, when properly equipped, the RAM 2500 hauls two tons. That’s over 4,000 lb., which means you can easily truck around with either 40 bags of cement or the equivalent of an entire Ford Taurus. In the bed. A third option is a small travel trailer. Again — in the bed!
All told, the RAM 2500 is capable — and that’s an understatement — but with regards to whether you’ll need a RAM 2500 extended warranty, it isn't a bad idea.
Common Repairs and Service Required by the RAM 2500
Awesome as it is, RAM 2500 is made of thousands of moving parts, and those parts do tend to suffer wear and tear, unfortunately. Therefore, many owners wisely purchase a RAM 2500 warranty to protect their expensive work trucks. Here are some of the low points:
Failed Alternator
When your alternator goes, it’s gone, and you’re dead in the water. A new one could set you back as much as $600, and that’s not even including tax or installation. Under a RAM 2500 warranty, finding yourself in a scenario like this goes from a problem that can dig a hole in your wallet to a problem that’ll only take up some time as the alternator gets replaced.
Ball Joints (CV Joints)
If your RAM 2500 is equipped with four-wheel drive, it has Constant Velocity (CV) joints on its half shafts (which transfer power from the differential to the wheel). Unlike Universal Joints (UV), CV joints don’t create a surging motion as they bend. Those CV joints wear out pretty quickly in tough conditions, which is RAM 2500 territory. It’s an expensive job to get them replaced unless you have a RAM 2500 extended warranty.
Brake Calipers
The brake calipers are the parts of the truck that squeeze the brake pads against the brake discs to stop you. In most vehicles, the calipers are responsible for stopping somewhere around 3,000 to 4,000 pounds, but the RAM 2500 is a massive vehicle that can weigh upwards of (and beyond) 7,000 pounds. If these fail, it’s not an optional repair, and the downtime is at least a day in the shop. The discs on these trucks can also go bad prematurely, and most likely, these won’t be covered under your RAM 2500 warranty.
Lock Actuators
Whenever you click the lock or unlock button, the actuator is the little servo motor that does the work of physically moving the lock mechanism. If these actuators break, wave goodbye to keyless entry. You can still go the old-fashioned route and put the key into the door lock, but that would defeat the purpose of having the remote lock and unlock feature in the first place!
Engine and Transmission Mount
The engine mounts are where the engine bolts to the RAM 2500’s frame, and they’re very important. It’s the same for the transmission mounts, which usually serve as a cross-member for the chassis as well. This is another area where having a RAM 2500 warranty will save your metaphorical bacon, as the design that RAM chose makes life a bit of a nightmare for repair shops. Replacement is one of the most complicated jobs there is because the entire drivetrain has to be supported to remove the broken parts and install the new ones.
Wheel Bearing Problems
Again, the gigantic RAM 2500 puts a lot of weight on its various parts, and some aren’t quite capable of handling the stress. Take the wheel bearings, for instance. If your wheel bearings are shot, you’ll feel and hear the grinding noise coming from somewhere near the road. At first, this problem won’t really affect much aside from your RAM’s fuel mileage, but eventually, because worn bearings affect wheel alignment, you’ll begin to ruin your tires.
Once that happens, even if you have a RAM 2500 extended warranty, you may be out of luck, so it’s essential to catch such problems early to prevent them from beginning to branch out and start messing up the rest of the vehicle.
Extended Warranties for RAM 2500
So let’s talk about that RAM 2500 extended warranty or even your factory RAM 2500 warranty. Many times, even the extended warranty will leave you holding the bag for certain repairs, especially if someone in the bureaucracy has the opinion that you did something to cause the problem.
Like an insurance company, they’re happy to take your money but reluctant to pay out when the bill is presented. That can be a huge pain, and it’s nothing like having a RAM 2500 service contract.
What’s Included in an Extended Warranty for Ram 2500?
It’s important to point out what a RAM 2500 extended warranty isn’t, and that’s insurance. Insurance covers accidents, while warranties do not. If you get into an accident, your RAM 2500 warranty won’t even be mentioned. Getting the damage fixed requires compensation by either your or the other driver’s insurance company. Additionally, these are not lifetime warranty contracts given that many people assume they are.
Your RAM 2500 extended warranty will also take care of items that are expected to wear out, such as tires and brake pads. They’re up to you to replace. Even if there’s a fault with one of these items, such as a tire that refuses to hold air, it will probably fall under the responsibility of the tire seller to diagnose and fix it, independent of your warranty.
Now, what is included in your RAM 2500 extended warranty? The answer depends on how much coverage you want. Remember, CarShield can tailor its service agreements to fit your individual needs, and there are many tiers to choose from.
Aluminum Level: Covers most electrical system issues, including the computer, as well as items such as the starter motor, alternator, engine control module (ECM), and other such parts.
Gold and Silver: Takes care of most powertrain and drivetrain parts. Gold increases coverage to parts such as the air conditioning compressor and power windows.
Platinum and Diamond: These levels are completely comprehensive and cover the car from bumper to bumper. The Diamond level is the closest to a factory RAM 2500 warranty.
If you only want to cover the electrical system or the powertrain, you can do that and save money on the front end. If you want total peace of mind and just want to drive your RAM 2500 without worrying about what will need to be replaced next, you can get that kind of coverage, too.
What’s the Difference Between an Extended Warranty and a Service Agreement?
Great question! Most people use the terms interchangeably, but a true “warranty” can only be offered by the manufacturer, and once it runs out, that’s just it — it runs out. With that being said, when your RAM 2500 warranty reaches the end of its life, what you’re really purchasing isn’t technically a RAM 2500 extended warranty but instead a RAM 2500 service agreement.
Again, you may ask, what’s the difference? For you, the buyer, the only difference lies in the entity you buy it from. Just because that protection isn’t called by the exact same name doesn’t mean you should expect worse coverage. At CarShield, we offer you all the protection that you’d expect from a warranty and then some.
RAM 2500 Vehicle Service Agreements
A RAM 2500 service contract goes way further than any warranty. Here are just a few of the benefits of having a RAM 2500 service agreement through CarShield:
Customizable Plan to Fit Your Budget
Not everyone wants all-or-nothing coverage. Perhaps you’re buying a RAM 2500 that’s already been through some major repairs or has replaced parts, and you just want to add some extra assurance for a few things. In that case, you don’t need the highest tier of coverage.
24/7 Roadside Assistance
Even with an extended warranty, you can still face the frustration of your RAM 2500 stranding you, but that’s not the case with CarShield, as we’ll come to the rescue 24/7, wherever you are.
Choose Your Own Mechanic
If you have a shop you prefer, and as long as they’re ASE-licensed, you can get your RAM 2500 fixed there, or you can get it repaired at the dealer. It’s up to you.
Towing and Rental Help
Not only will we tow your RAM 2500, but depending on the repairs needed, you can get rental car assistance as well.
Flexible Payment Plans
We’ll fit your budget, and we can say this with confidence because we want to work with you. Not to mention, you’ll also get a 30-day guarantee!
With a service agreement through CarShield, you won’t be blindsided by four-figure repair bills. You won’t need to stress out about how on Earth you’re going to be able to pay for it. And you won’t need to spend hours on the phone arguing with somebody in a call center (as fun as that is) about what the warranty covers and what it doesn’t. Go with a service agreement through CarShield, and get coverage for any RAM 2500 issues today.
