If you can spring the extra $ for the Laramie I would do it. It will be more comfortable in the long run and if you aren't planning on using it all day everyday as a "work truck" it'll be much more livable. The Big Horn is kind of the upscale work truck. It has nice amenities inside but not too flashy and simple to work with.

I believe the $150 f/r park assist is the one that beeps at you when its getting close to something where as the $350 park assist back is probably the rear camera (might be worth asking the dealer for clarification). Either way I suggest the camera over the beepers because it's way more useful and you can see clearly how close you are to an object.

 

If you can afford go for Larmie.
I have a 14 Big Horn CC with long bed and 4wd, Hemi and 8spd. Only thing I wish I had was heated steering wheel.

 

Do you intend to tow something with your truck? If so, pay careful attention to the towing /payload numbers. You will find out the Laramies may have significantly lower towing and especially payload numbers vs Big Horn depending on how you configure the Big Horn.

If towing/payload capacity isn't important and you can shell out the money, go for the Laramie.

 

You will find out the Laramies may have significantly lower towing and especially payload numbers vs Big Horn depending on how you configure the Big Horn.

If towing/payload capacity isn't important and you can shell out the money, go for the Laramie.

According to the RAM web site, the delta in towing capacities is 150 pounds when the Laramie and Big Horn are equipped the same, 4x4, axle ratio, and cab configuration. The same is true with payload numbers, 151 pounds different.

Is the RAM web site incorrect?

http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/tow_chart/

 

I also like the look of the 2 tone that Laramie offers with fender flares.The big wide tires tend to throw a lot of crap up the sides of my current Ram without them when the roads turn ugly.The 4WD is an option on the Laramie,just like all model Rams.You do have to pay for it.If you do get 4WD,the Laramie comes with a auto 4WD selection as well as 4hi loc+4lo loc.Most all Rams in my area are 4WD and I bet the one you saw is too.The Laramie does come standard with some features I want.Such as power adj mirrors,seats and pedals,all w/memory,little better headlights,trailer hitch,dual chrome tiped exhaust through rear bumper(cool)a 8.4 radio and info screen instead of 5"and I think a rear camera along with a bunch of other little extras inside.More money then the Bighorn and these standard features are why.If you are looking towards a Laramie now,the closer you look I think you'll agree it's a lot of convienence stuff for the money if thats what you want.Both great trucks though.

 

I would test drive both trucks with the options as close to what you want as possible. I was deciding between a Laramie and a Sport. In the end I ordered a truck and the price difference wasn't even a factor… I just liked the Sport better. By the time I paid for options versus standard equipment the Laramie was actually $300 cheaper and I couldn't get rear heated seats or seat memory.

 

I've never owned a car or truck that is equipped like my 2013 Laramie…. At the time I was feeling a little flush so I went big.
I can only repeat what others have said… If you can swing it… Get the Laramie. You and you wife will LOVE the amenities …auto everything… heated and cooled everything. At times I forget I'm driving a truck.
It does have a bit more chrome than the other models but if that's not a deal breaker- yer good. And mine came with a 3:55 rear which was just right for me.

 

I was set on a Laramie until I really looked at the Limited. A little more money but it has EVERYTHING.
The Limited only comes in monotone but the Longhorn comes two-tone.
If you can swing it you won't regret it. The leather, the detail inside is remarkable.

 

It all depends on your tastes and your pocketbook. I could afford either, but chose Big Horn. My tastes are fairly simple. Don't like too much fancy stuff on my vehicles. I really like the "clean" lines of the Big Horn.

 

I was going to get a Outdoorsman until they said I couldn't get the ecodiesel and 40/20/40 bench seats. After looking at the cost between the Big Horn and the Laramie on how I wanted them outfitted, it was a no brainier to spend the extra ~2000 for the Laramie to get a lot of extra stuff. Test driving the Laramie with the ventilated seats on sealed the deal.

 

I found that by time I added all the options I wanted to the bighorn there wasn't much a price difference between it and the laramie as most of it's standard equipment.

Same thing when going from Laramie to Longhorn... I'm sure the pricing is set up to encourage people to step up to the next model.

 

If I could afford either, I would go with Big Horn.

 

It really depends on what you're going for. I had a GMC Sierra SLT 2500HD loaded out with Bose and everything else before. The bad part is I run an industrial contracting company so I ended up tearing the leather, and it was just too nice for a "personal" work truck. I went with the Big Horn 2500 solely because I could get the heated steering wheel and seats without the leather. My next one in a couple years will probably have leather, but I didn't see the point this time. All in what you use the truck for...

 

I LOVE my laramie. If you can afford either then go laramie. The amenities are awesome.

 

BigHorn for me. Don't need leather seats, NAV is a waste compared to the apps on my cell phone, needed 40/20/40 seats.... Other extras are nice in the Laramie but I'm not paying for things I won't use or need. I'll be towing so I need that extra payload.

 

I was originally looking at an Outdoorsman. I figured I didn't need all the bells and whistles or the leather interior. Then I took my wife to look at the trucks and told her what I was thinking, she gave me a look and said in that special voice "Why wouldn't you get leather?" So then I know that I needed to start looking at the Laramie. The dealership pulled around a Longhorn with the filigree seats and she looked at that and said "What's with all the stuff on the seats, that looks gay." So I ended up with a regular Laramie. Plus I didn't want the 20 insh wheels and you can't get a Longhorn or Limited with 17's.

 

My bighorn has f/r park assist and a 4wd auto button...

 

I have seen DOT and state police at the marine where I keep my boat. They have a portable scale and have stopped guys pulling 32' trial axle trailers, and large cuddy cabin boats with half tons. I'm sure they where 1500-2000lbs or more over tow rating. One of those "hay I only live 10miles from here" things. They do not usually get fined just drop the boat and come back with the right tow vehicle.
A friend of mine was towing 3 farm tractors commercial and thousands over and did get a small fine.
Other than that I have never heard of someone getting stopped and weighed. I'm not saying to overload by thousands but a few hundred lbs I wouldn't even think twice about if I even thought about it once. Like you said every manufacturer does it different and in the above example I'm sure my new truck will be able to handle my luggage, might even through in a case of water.