I have another take on this. I use my Ram 5500 purely for work. Period. It’s a Laramie.
I have heated & cooled seats-I love them. Nothing makes the day a little easier when it’s hot outside and you can turn them on to get some of the sweat off you. On cold days, they help keep you in the field a little longer by adding some warmth to my tired body when it’s 20* outside.
I have a crew cab- Its great with seats folded down for carrying my most valuable tools, like my hay baler monitor ($5,000) my moisture testers, my laser, equipment manuals, etc. Last thing I want is them bouncing around in metal tool boxes. With seats up, I can take extra help with me to work.
Automatic transmission- Love it for towing. Todays modern automatics are fantastic. They can be shifted manually, too. Not as effectively as the 8LL or the Spicer 7 speed I had in my previous dump trucks, but at least there’s some manual control. They also are safer for towing since you have your hands more available for the wheel. They down shift, too. And when coupled with a diesel engine, they have very effective exhaust braking. Mine will slow the truck & trailer without barely any use of the service brakes.
Cruise control- great for long hauling trips
LED lighting-brighter/safer at night. Easier to see deer. Longer lasting. Less battery draw.
Back up cameras-improve safety, prevent trailer/truck damage when backing.
While I DO agree stripped work trucks should always be available, I do not think “loaded” trucks indicate any measure of softness in the owner/operator. Yeah sure there’s keyboard warriors out there with money that must have the best of everything.
You try doing what I do for a living. It ain't easy. Having a truck that takes a little of the work out of the day and makes me a little more comfortable is a God send to me. I had vinyl stripped trucks. They were uncomfortable and I didn‘t look forward to driving them. A loaded truck makes me want to keep working longer.
