RAM RHO Ride Quality- Dealer Didn't Allow Test Drive

[RHOfan]

Thanks for the feedback and recommendations. If I’m unable to test drive one locally, hopefully I’ll be able to drive one at Mark Dodge. And also drive other variants so I can make the best choice. I’m prepping to sell my house and relocate away from this area by fall.

As to being rear ended in the tech corridor that I work & live in (DFW area) there are always new people from Asia coming in with no experience driving real automobiles. They pass a drivers test but then revert to how they drove their rickshaws in their home countries (aggressive). When you are stopped in traffic and get rear ended hard three different times, there isn’t much you can do if all the available lanes are full and you can’t use you driving skills to do anything more than not be hit smack in the center. Wrong time, wrong place.

Guessing you might be a bit sensitive to my comment about being rear ended 3x.

I’m a former insurance underwriter & CPCU. We use statistics to predict accident & loss frequency. Let’s just say that someone who gets rear ended 3x within, say, a 3 year period…that’s a high risk driver. It may be related to where you drive, so don’t feel bad, but it doesn’t change your risk profile. Moving might help. Make sense?

Just don’t get a moving violation or have an at-fault accident, because your insurance cost will go through the roof!

 

[ZL1Ragtop]

I had a completely loaded '20 Limited Eco before getting my RHO. I had 22"x10" Fuel wheels that I added about two years into ownership.
I didn't even know about the RHO, I was on the web one day and a Doug Demouro review popped up that he had just completed on the RHO. Buddy owns the local CJDR dealership. Called to inquire...One had just dropped at his store that the buyer backed out on. He put a plate on it and i had it for the afternoon...Brought it back and ordered mine.....
I actually think the RHO rides better than the air bagged Limited...Has a TON to do with the wheel size. While the tires on the RHO are noticeable (noise) , the sidewall is way more forgiving than the larger alloy rim on the Limited, regardless of the manufacturer.

 

[Catalina455]

Guessing you might be a bit sensitive to my comment about being rear ended 3x.

I’m a former insurance underwriter & CPCU. We use statistics to predict accident & loss frequency. Let’s just say that someone who gets rear ended 3x within, say, a 3 year period…that’s a high risk driver. It may be related to where you drive, so don’t feel bad, but it doesn’t change your risk profile. Moving might help. Make sense?

Just don’t get a moving violation or have an at-fault accident, because your insurance cost will go through the roof!

Appreciate your input. The initial accident was in 2013 that required spinal fusion. Subsequent was in 2016 & 2025.

Insurance has been very forgiving and no rate hikes. Clean driving record, last ticket was in ‘84.

 

[Santino]

Appreciate your input. The initial accident was in 2013 that required spinal fusion. Subsequent was in 2016 & 2025.

Insurance has been very forgiving and no rate hikes. Clean driving record, last ticket was in ‘84.

I have had 2 spinal fusion...I literally feel your pain

 

[Fast1al]

I never test drove an RHO prior to purchasing and just finished a 3,500 mile road trip along the east coast in the RHO. Coming from a 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 with air suspension the RHO is very similar comfort wise related to the suspension, albeit with more body roll and a more floaty feeling. Putting the RHO into sport mode definitely firms up the suspension and decreases body roll. The RHO's seats are more comfortable than the defender (I'm 5'11", 165lbs). I do prefer the feel of a truck over an SUV. I also have multiple herniated discs from years of sports and weightlifting and no concerns with the RHO's comfort. Even if you get to test drive the truck tire pressure can have a big affect on the ride and I found that 35-38psi max is ideal. Also I'll be swapping to BFG KO3s in future which should improve the ride quality (I think the Raptors come standard with these)

 

[Catalina455]

I had a completely loaded '20 Limited Eco before getting my RHO. I had 22"x10" Fuel wheels that I added about two years into ownership.
I didn't even know about the RHO, I was on the web one day and a Doug Demouro review popped up that he had just completed on the RHO. Buddy owns the local CJDR dealership. Called to inquire...One had just dropped at his store that the buyer backed out on. He put a plate on it and i had it for the afternoon...Brought it back and ordered mine.....
I actually think the RHO rides better than the air bagged Limited...Has a TON to do with the wheel size. While the tires on the RHO are noticeable (noise) , the sidewall is way more forgiving than the larger alloy rim on the Limited, regardless of the manufacturer.

Thanks for your input. Those were my thoughts going into this after an MR& air suspension Escalade with 20’s. The wheel sidewall and size are so important and may indeed improve ride quality. With as many city miles on cracked concrete I suspect from the comments I’ve read that city may be in “Baja” mode whereas freeway in a street mode.

On the air suspension I(not dealer) couldn’t find a ride selection in the menu, just the up/down of the air suspension. Is that correct, the air suspension doesn’t have drive modes?

I like your user name, after two V-wagons, a CT4-V Blackwing(all manuals) , I’m focusing on my Pro-Touring Pontiac LT4 dry sump LT4 2650 build & wrenching my ‘71 back to Nursing Home livery. I have a built Pontiac 468 sitting on a stand but in the GP 8 mpg would sting. Miss hanging with the ZL1 guys but they’ll see me back on the circuit soon enough.

I never test drove an RHO prior to purchasing and just finished a 3,500 mile road trip along the east coast in the RHO. Coming from a 2024 Land Rover Defender 110 with air suspension the RHO is very similar comfort wise related to the suspension, albeit with more body roll and a more floaty feeling. Putting the RHO into sport mode definitely firms up the suspension and decreases body roll. The RHO's seats are more comfortable than the defender (I'm 5'11", 165lbs). I do prefer the feel of a truck over an SUV. I also have multiple herniated discs from years of sports and weightlifting and no concerns with the RHO's comfort. Even if you get to test drive the truck tire pressure can have a big affect on the ride and I found that 35-38psi max is ideal. Also I'll be swapping to BFG KO3s in future which should improve the ride quality (I think the Raptors come standard with these)

Thanks so much for your input and that’s very positive that you can drive in comfort given your history of back issues.

And I’ll continue to bring a tire pressure gauge & request the pressures you suggest. I’ve had TKO’s and TKO 2’s and both were excellent. I’m sure the TKO 3’s will ride even better.

When you are just driving in town or at 40mph or under on cracked concrete or very bad potholed roads, is the suspension set to Baja or what do you suggest for city & highway driving?

Thanks so much.

 

[RamFan]

i'm not sure my dealer allowed me to test drive an RHO before i made my final purchase.

The dealer we bought ours from wasn't going to let us test drive it....we were there with cash...I said you have to be F'ing kidding me...the manager walks over to the salesman's desk and said, let them drive it.

Mind you we ordered it in May of 2024 and offered to put money down and had been in regular contact up until the day it was delivered in December.

Its not a Ferrari...if you have the means, there is no reason they shouldn't let you drive it.

Chris

 

[OGVIPER]

Only 1 spinal fusion 3 years ago so I feel some of your pain. They let us test drive a brand new TRX right out of the showroom. But they hard pulled my credit without my permission lol. Most places will let me and the wife drive whatever we want. They copy my driver's license and off we go. A few places have have let us take it alone. Most often they ride in the back. A couple times they never offered or said no.

RHO has an advantage of being higher up and more easily seen by people looking to hit you. Put a sturdy hitch on the back to lessen any further hits. Good luck in your search and good luck healing .

 

[wosborne_1]

I was able to test drive mine before buying. No way would I spend that much money without driving it. That said, I had a 2020 1500 Limited with air ride and now have a 2025 RHO. The ride is night and day with the air ride being like a car and the RHO feeling like a truck. I am sure some was due to the Limited having 22" wheels with street tire and the RHO 18" with AT's, but the air ride was soooo nice. I don't know. If was was to choose again, I would probably get the Limited again. The RHO is fun and cool, but driving it is a chore, especially on long road trips.

 

[JunkYardDawg]

Any dealer who wouldn't let you test drive a vehicle is not a dealer to deal with they can kick rocks. Most take my license and hand me the keys with my license back and say see you later. One dealer even gave me one to take home for the night with that said I wasn't comfortable because I was afraid I would hit a deer. Worst case scenario they send me out with a boot sales person and I play mind games with them!

 

[Dark Knight G45]

I had 2 Rebels with the air suspension. Those were great cars and may be more what you’re looking for since they have the larger tires and smaller wheels.

With that said, my RHO is still extremely comfortable. I love how it eats up the bumps and glides over everything. I’ll sacrifice a bit of the handling for the crazy looks and capabilities of this truck.

I hope you get a test drive. My dealer let me test drive this before I committed to it.

 

[rtfd333]

If you are able to test drive an RHO, be sure to flip through the drive modes. IMO auto/street is a bad representation of what the truck is capable of and the default mode upon start up — likely will be the mode you test drive in unless you change it yourself. Plenty of threads here on drive modes and people’s personal preference but, I find sport far more comfortable than street. Baja has more cushion but is a bit bouncy at times.

When I took delivery of mine I was too excited and overwhelmed to even start looking at the different drive modes during my test drive.

Wish the best of luck to you and hope you land on the right truck. I too was between a tungsten and RHO. Still smile every time I get in my RHO almost a year later so I think it was the right decision!

 

[Chris3058]

No test drive for me either....ordered and buy it or someone else will....essentially. Coming from a 20 Rebel on springs I was figuring it would be better with the fancy Blackhawk setup.

 

[INTIMD8R]

No test drive for me either....ordered and buy it or someone else will....essentially. Coming from a 20 Rebel on springs I was figuring it would be better with the fancy Blackhawk setup.

Same, never seen one in person as well as never saw a TRX in person only what I saw online. Ordered the RHO without any concerns I would love it. And I love it!