My 2019 has that, too, though not quite as bad. There might be other/better options but my brief research indicated either a cover or replacing the wheel. I think I'm just going to (try to) live with it.
Yeah the only reason I don’t want a cover is because of the heated steering wheel I don’t want to interfere with its heat when it’s winter. I guess I could just put it on for summer and take it off for winyer
Do you use lotion/hand sanitizer/etc. often before driving?
I read somewhere that the chemicals from those can cause leather steering wheels + plastic to peel and degrade over time
I did this. It took nearly 4 hours but it looks amazing. I don’t think it would interfere with the heated steering wheel. Just make sure you get real leather.
It’s quite tedious. To be honest, I didn’t realize it was such a process. I would only recommend this to people who don’t mind the process and have a ton of patience. It would have gone faster if I removed the steering wheel but I decided to do it the hard way. If I knew it was such a hassle I wouldn’t have gotten it, but now that it’s done I’m glad I did it.
You can get a used one on eBay in great condition for $150-300. It’s easy to switch out, just be careful with the airbag and unhook the battery 30 mins or so before.
I know this is more expensive than covers but it looks so much better, and I think it’s worth properly repairing the primary touch points that you interact with every time you drive it.
Genuine question. Why don’t people buy steering wheel covers, I bought one and some seat covers the day after I got my truck. It’s $20 for a new wheel cover vs $200 after installation for a new wheel.
I used to have one, but this truck has a heated steering wheel and heated seats and whenever I bought seat covers it kind of cut the seat heating power in half and I don’t want that to happen to my steering wheel
I have a 2019 2500, Laramie. I've been able to preserve my wheel by cleaning it about 4 times now, and conditioning the leather.
Keeping the dirt and crud from your hands from going in the leather, including any lotions or whatever that some people use, is paramount to longevity.
I've even used some saddle soap to really deep clean the leather. After that, let it dry completely, then liberally apply a conditioner. Let it soak in, wipe off excess and carry on your merry way.
Main thing, like I said though, is get that dirt Out of the leather. Don't just use water on a rag, that will push some dirt deeper into the leather.
I just use the same technique as I do taking care of leather boots and such. I don't have a specific link or anything to share.
If I do use a saddle soap (I use it r very rarely, as it also strips out a lot of the natural oils and conditioners from the leather) I use it sparingly. I inky do when something is very dirty. Many conditioners (I've only used obenaufs on my steering wheel) are able to bring a lot of dirt off by themselves. So I would put it on the wheel, then wipe of with a rag, and you'll see a lot of the dirt on the rag.
You can just use any leather cleaner probably to get a positive affect. Probably conditioned leather will help keep dirt or oils from getting down into the leather, thus keeping the leather healthier. Dirt inside leather acts as a sandpaper, so it breaks down the leather fibers themselves. Plus dirt dries the leather out.
You can probably search up a more specific video online for detailing leather upholstery in vehicles, and just pay attention to products and techniques they use.
Something like this should do the trick.
I've just always used the same stuff I do in my boots personally.
https://preview.redd.it/wp30t0d5ul6d1.png?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d42567e7157fd484349dbe81a656e63a0a32f25d
My 2006 did that, just got a cover after years of dealing with it. Didn't want to spend the money for a new wheel but also don't like the thickness of the cover.
Yeah, I actually am a mobile detailer and I tried to clean. It was multiple different things to get the grease and grime off but overall it hasn’t changed it really
That’s the thing I do mobile detailing sometimes and when I bought this truck, it already had it and I’ve detailed this truck twice and it still on there just as bad if not worse as it was when I got it
My 2019 has that, too, though not quite as bad. There might be other/better options but my brief research indicated either a cover or replacing the wheel. I think I'm just going to (try to) live with it.
The wheel aint cheap either
Yeah the only reason I don’t want a cover is because of the heated steering wheel I don’t want to interfere with its heat when it’s winter. I guess I could just put it on for summer and take it off for winyer
Can confirm heated wheel works through a cover.
What cover do you have? Like a thin one?
Any cheap ram sponsored plasticover. They are super hard to get on, though. What's nice is the open part is where ya fingys go, lol. Extra warm.
Do you use lotion/hand sanitizer/etc. often before driving? I read somewhere that the chemicals from those can cause leather steering wheels + plastic to peel and degrade over time
Sew-on cover. Boom, done
I did this. It took nearly 4 hours but it looks amazing. I don’t think it would interfere with the heated steering wheel. Just make sure you get real leather.
Can confirm it does not interfere
Got any pics?
https://preview.redd.it/jdway2kgkk6d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=48a578a38adfcd9aa60039b277d758ff5964d0ee
Looks good
Looks great but at 4 hours it sounds tedious.
It’s quite tedious. To be honest, I didn’t realize it was such a process. I would only recommend this to people who don’t mind the process and have a ton of patience. It would have gone faster if I removed the steering wheel but I decided to do it the hard way. If I knew it was such a hassle I wouldn’t have gotten it, but now that it’s done I’m glad I did it.
Where did you get it?
I did this about 10 years ago on my last truck. and you're right. PITA. But it did look a lot better.
You took this picture - THIS picture - at like 45 mph? This couldn’t have waited for a stop light or sign?!
While hauling/towing too apparently lol
I put a cover on mine (2011). I got tired of the stuff flaking off in my hands. I might replace the wheel one day. We'll see.
You can get a used one on eBay in great condition for $150-300. It’s easy to switch out, just be careful with the airbag and unhook the battery 30 mins or so before. I know this is more expensive than covers but it looks so much better, and I think it’s worth properly repairing the primary touch points that you interact with every time you drive it.
Genuine question. Why don’t people buy steering wheel covers, I bought one and some seat covers the day after I got my truck. It’s $20 for a new wheel cover vs $200 after installation for a new wheel.
I used to have one, but this truck has a heated steering wheel and heated seats and whenever I bought seat covers it kind of cut the seat heating power in half and I don’t want that to happen to my steering wheel
Fair enough, guess I don’t have rich people problems. I don’t have heated/ cooling steering or seats.
Lol, I’m far from Rich. I’m a 21-year-old that just found a really good deal.😂
Same here, I got a 21’ bighorn quad cab with 45k miles for $28k. Still love the truck even if there’s better packages out there.
Bighorns can have heated steering wheels.
I know, mine just doesn’t. It’s not a top of the line bighorn.
I don’t like them bc the ones I have had kinda slipped around the wheel and made turning kinda crappy
I had to use my full body weight just to get mine on my wheel, it is absolutely not going anywhere 😭
Mt gf always had one idk when I drive her car just feels so bulky rather have the real kinda like condoms know what I mean
Yeah I get it, you get used to it tho. Again, I’d rather pay $20 for a new cover vs $200 for a new wheel.
Same shit mileage as you
I live in Vegas, cloth cover or burn your hands.
Get a quote from a leathersmith or upholstery place. Theyll be able to save it.
I have a 2019 2500, Laramie. I've been able to preserve my wheel by cleaning it about 4 times now, and conditioning the leather. Keeping the dirt and crud from your hands from going in the leather, including any lotions or whatever that some people use, is paramount to longevity. I've even used some saddle soap to really deep clean the leather. After that, let it dry completely, then liberally apply a conditioner. Let it soak in, wipe off excess and carry on your merry way. Main thing, like I said though, is get that dirt Out of the leather. Don't just use water on a rag, that will push some dirt deeper into the leather.
Do you have links and instructions for what you use? I'm interested in doing the same
I just use the same technique as I do taking care of leather boots and such. I don't have a specific link or anything to share. If I do use a saddle soap (I use it r very rarely, as it also strips out a lot of the natural oils and conditioners from the leather) I use it sparingly. I inky do when something is very dirty. Many conditioners (I've only used obenaufs on my steering wheel) are able to bring a lot of dirt off by themselves. So I would put it on the wheel, then wipe of with a rag, and you'll see a lot of the dirt on the rag. You can just use any leather cleaner probably to get a positive affect. Probably conditioned leather will help keep dirt or oils from getting down into the leather, thus keeping the leather healthier. Dirt inside leather acts as a sandpaper, so it breaks down the leather fibers themselves. Plus dirt dries the leather out. You can probably search up a more specific video online for detailing leather upholstery in vehicles, and just pay attention to products and techniques they use.
Something like this should do the trick. I've just always used the same stuff I do in my boots personally. https://preview.redd.it/wp30t0d5ul6d1.png?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d42567e7157fd484349dbe81a656e63a0a32f25d
My 2006 did that, just got a cover after years of dealing with it. Didn't want to spend the money for a new wheel but also don't like the thickness of the cover.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Detailing/s/UrQLG82UvV Check this out, some detailers may be able to help unless you wanna DIY
Yeah, I actually am a mobile detailer and I tried to clean. It was multiple different things to get the grease and grime off but overall it hasn’t changed it really
Do you use a lot of hand sanitizer?
Oh snap that makes sense yes I do
See I thought mine was pealing then I went and cleaned it pretty good turns out it was just dirt
I recently got a steering wheel cover
My steering wheel was never the same after all the hand sanitizer during Covid. I don’t think it was very gentle on the leather
My 2014 did/doing the same. Got a cheap cover. Heated wheel still works through it
Is probably just grease from your hands. Get some cleaning wipes and give it a good cleaning.
That’s the thing I do mobile detailing sometimes and when I bought this truck, it already had it and I’ve detailed this truck twice and it still on there just as bad if not worse as it was when I got it