I was in a similar situation. I needed truck capabilities more so as I am in rural northern Minnesota. Ended up selling my Mercedes clk, and opted to keep our x5 which I have been spoiled with tech options in, this resulted in me purchasing a laramie longhorn eco diesel optioned out to limited specs. But I kept front tow hooks and got the lovely saddle interior and two tone exterior. X5 4.4i had heated seats (front and rear [a godsend in Minnesota]), steering wheel, Auto leveling rear suspension (again a godsend for towing), and the beloved sunroof for summer. I regularly do a 700 mile round trip with a trailer for business purposes and the ecodiesel economy had me hooked. I struggled very much with the decision for the ram box for additional locking sealed storage but opted against it just for available bed space and versatility in covers and anything that will find it's way into the bed. I put a BAK roll-X tonneau cover on that I am very happy with. It is a nice fit and I love rollup cover without being Velcro and 2" above the bed. Stake pockets etc have full access. I'm almost positive they make a roll-x for the rambox though as well as it was on the spreadsheet for install.
Overall I have been happy with everything. The truck is more than capable towing and payload even with the air suspension though if I get 1500-1700# or so in the truck and then fill the fuel I lose being able to move the air suspension due to payload. That is the only message that I get. It still goes into areo mode on the highway and it otherwise does fine I just cannot lower the truck to entry mode to say scrub bugs off of the windshield easier until releasing some weight. Auto leveling works great. Trailer brake controller works great.
Anyways the x5 now sits in the driveway and is only used to go to Work which is only a mile away so diesel warm up etc would be complete waste. Currently at about 6k miles and 25MPG average including 2500+ towing miles. Never reset the trip a since I drove it off the lot. And trip b is from factory.
I ordered the truck March and picked it up in may. Almost 6 weeks exact and I picked it up the day after it was delivered.
Luxury lives up and exceeds the BMW with exception of softer leather which stretches unlike BMW. And my 3 dogs love the bed. And the fold flat rear floor on the crew is great for the dogs or cargo.
If you get the truck it won't be something you'll regret in my opinion. Find a cover that works and make the 1200 rambox decision. That's all I saw it as.
Overhead carrier for kayaks should be easy to find. Something using stake holes as a removable ladder rack setup I would assume to be pretty good.
Hope anything I said can be of help to you.
Oh and my wife is 4'10" and can drive the truck. That is very difficult for a full size truck.
PM if there is anything I could possibly help with.
Overall I have been happy with everything. The truck is more than capable towing and payload even with the air suspension though if I get 1500-1700# or so in the truck and then fill the fuel I lose being able to move the air suspension due to payload. That is the only message that I get. It still goes into areo mode on the highway and it otherwise does fine I just cannot lower the truck to entry mode to say scrub bugs off of the windshield easier until releasing some weight. Auto leveling works great. Trailer brake controller works great.
Anyways the x5 now sits in the driveway and is only used to go to Work which is only a mile away so diesel warm up etc would be complete waste. Currently at about 6k miles and 25MPG average including 2500+ towing miles. Never reset the trip a since I drove it off the lot. And trip b is from factory.
I ordered the truck March and picked it up in may. Almost 6 weeks exact and I picked it up the day after it was delivered.
Luxury lives up and exceeds the BMW with exception of softer leather which stretches unlike BMW. And my 3 dogs love the bed. And the fold flat rear floor on the crew is great for the dogs or cargo.
If you get the truck it won't be something you'll regret in my opinion. Find a cover that works and make the 1200 rambox decision. That's all I saw it as.
Overhead carrier for kayaks should be easy to find. Something using stake holes as a removable ladder rack setup I would assume to be pretty good.
Hope anything I said can be of help to you.
Oh and my wife is 4'10" and can drive the truck. That is very difficult for a full size truck.
PM if there is anything I could possibly help with.
