I’ve been researching pickups for a future purchase and based on what I see sofar I’d buy a top trim level 4wd Ram 1500 with airride and the hemi V8. If you own a late model Ram how do you like it? What pros and cons have you seen and what options you like. I will use it mostly as passenger vehicle and light towing under 5000 lbs. Also limited off road when pheasant hunting in SD.
Looking forward to hearing how you like your Rams.
I have a 2017 Ram 1500 V8 Bighorn that is coming off lease in October of this year. I’ve got 38k on it now. The ride is smooth, the seating in the crew cab is comfortable, fit and finish seem good. I’ve had zero issues with anything (but, you really shouldn’t in 38k miles…).
I tow my Skeeter WX2190 with it and it handles it like a champ. I did add airbags to the coils in the rear that are adjustable – cost about $300 installed. Put them at 30 pounds when towing, let air out when not towing. I’ve gotten 24mpg driving back/forth to my son’s college in Iowa (about 180 miles one way) on multiple occasions. I get 13-14 mpg when pulling the boat or covered snowmobile trailer.
I would have liked tow mirrors, but that was only in another “package” that was about $2k more. I bought slip on’s for $40. Cloth interior with heated seats and heated steering wheel is really nice. Remote start is nice and works well.
I haven’t done much off-road, just a little in SD when prairie dog shooting. Clearance is fine, the Goodyear’s on it leave a lot to be desired for off road traction. But, they are quiet on the road.
Good luck!
Scott
2018 Rebel, 5.7 liter Hemi, etc.
This truck has a lot of stuff in it that took me a while to figure out, but other than that it’s been solid. It’s an absolute beast in the snow. I’m pulling a 16 foot Lund with it and I can’t even feel the boat back there when I’m towing.
SR
truck.jpg
So glad to see a truck posting.
My friend has a 2017 Ram 1500 V8 Bighorn. 56k miles on it and no problems. Personally i wouldn’t buy one now that they are owned by Fiat. Have heard some issues with cheap foreign parts being used lately but that’s just what ive heard from mechanics. I wasn’t a huge Dodge fan to begin with so not much of a change for me. My buddies truck is real nice though and he is happy with it.
I drove a 2006 Dodge Durango with the HEMI for 3 years. Relatively solid vehicle and the motor had loads of power.
I would skip the Air Ride and get bags if needed, but you shouldn’t need anything for towing 5000 lbs. crappie, exactly what cheap foreign parts are being used lately ? If anything, I can attest, the quality is much higher in the RAMS since FIAT took over… my Warranty numbers say so. They sell a poop ton more RAMS and my warranty dollars continue to go down ?
As far as options… love the room in a Crew. Love the heated steering wheel in MN, Loved the cooled seats in Maui. Love the sound system and hands free… the HEMI goes without mention. Also a new feature I really like is the auto down tailgate feature… now if they would power the close…. I am guessing, stay tuned !!!
I would skip the Air Ride and get bags if needed, but you shouldn’t need anything for towing 5000 lbs. crappie, exactly what cheap foreign parts are being used lately ? If anything, I can attest, the quality is much higher in the RAMS since FIAT took over… my Warranty numbers say so. They sell a poop ton more RAMS and my warranty dollars continue to go down ?
i don’t have any specifics. just things i hear from mechanics. Said since Fiat took over more parts are sourced from Europe and they are junk. Again each person will need to do their own research and determine whats true and whats not. Mechanics can be biased sometimes for sure. I haven’t been in the market for a new Ram so it wasn’t important to me to validate the claims. If i were carnivore i certainly would look into it for himself. Not here to bash RAM i think every major truck manufacturer has its good and bad. Kind of comes down to what you value when selecting one over the other. RAM has some nice features for sure
Ive driven a few Dodges & Chryslers over the years. Some better than others. My last Durango was a decent vehicle but that was a 2006 so not really close to the truck the guy is asking about other than having the HEMI motor.
Well I drive a 2020 Laramie, so I was just looking for some more info for the insight you provided.
I have had 6 ram 2500’s and 1 ram 1500 since 1994. I have collectively put 805k miles on them. The 94 the tranny went out at 33k rebuilt under warranty sold with 130k. The 98 second gear band broke at 95k had that repaired for $600 sold with 180k, The 2002 1500 the 5.9 the intake plenum started leaking at 50k traded it in. The rest were just regular maintenance and ware repairs once over 150k. I will keep buying them as long as they keep treating me well. I have a 2018 now with 76k. A guy at work has a new style 1500 and I made a road trip out to SD in it, and that is a very nice truck, and has been good for him so far with only 40k miles. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a 1500. The Ford Eco Boost motors run better mileage running empty than the 5.7 from what I have heard, but pulling a load they are close to the same.
I’m on my second Ram and love them both. I had a base model 2011 Ram Quad Cab 5.7 with no bells and whistles, put about 130k miles on top of the 20k I bought it with and had 0 problems and still got about 12k on a trade in. Traded it for a 2017 Ram Big Horn Crew Cab, mainly since the 2011 Quad cab (not sure I have these terms right) didn’t work with a car seat in back. I have about 20k on the new one and 0 problems. This one has all the gadgets, which I don’t really utilize, but the bluetooth & heated steering wheel are nice. I’ve had 5 grown men in it for trips up north with no complaints on room. Great MPG. I’m not a big fan of the GPS as it’s clunky to use, and I default to Google Maps on my phone, but that would be my only complaint.
Well I drive a 2020 Laramie, so I was just looking for some more info for the insight you provided.
We all know where you stand when it comes to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. How long is a standard warranty on a RAM anyway? 5 year/60k miles limited powertrain? 3 years/36k on everything else? I don’t know about you but for me when i talk about poor quality parts i would still expect most of them to last 36k miles without issues. In other words, i wouldn’t rely on warranty claims to tell me about long term quality of auto parts.
Sorry to derail the thread. to the original poster i have no experience with a new RAM which is what you were asking for so ill bow out and let those that do speak. Good luck in your search and enjoy whatever you pick out
My last two trucks have been Rams. My next one will be too. Had a 2015 Eco-diesel 8 speed 1500 and now a 2018 2500 Cummins.
My only “must have” if I got a half ton would be the 6.5′ box. As in an absolute must…..
The 8-speed would also be a must, but I think that might be standard now??
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>big_g wrote:</div>
Well I drive a 2020 Laramie, so I was just looking for some more info for the insight you provided.We all know where you stand when it comes to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. How long is a standard warranty on a RAM anyway? 5 year/60k miles limited powertrain? 3 years/36k on everything else? I don’t know about you but for me when i talk about poor quality parts i would still expect most of them to last 36k miles without issues. In other words, i wouldn’t rely on warranty claims to tell me about long term quality of auto parts.
Sorry to derail the thread. to the original poster i have no experience with a new RAM which is what you were asking for so ill bow out and let those that do speak. Good luck in your search and enjoy whatever you pick out
Thank you.
8 speed is standard now.
I have a 2019 Bighorn Crewcab and I love the truck. Tons of room and it tows our 1850 Reata with no problems. I averaged 14 MPG to and from LOTW last week.
When I bought the truck I did alot of pricing and feature comparisons. The Ram was less expensive than Ford and GMC (those were the others I was considering) at the comparable trim packages. Also, the interior is very nice comparatively.
I’ll own another one….
2013 1500 with 5.7 hemi. I have 110k on it and only problem ever was transmission cooler leaked a bit. I have an Express which is about as far from top trim as you can get but it’s not my daily driver anymore and only thing I wish it had is a backup camera.
2014 Ram 2500 with 309,000 miles.
But I have a Cummins. 
My son has a 2018 Ram 2500 Power Wagon crew and loves it. I have rode in it and it rides better than my Chevy 2500 HD.
The only thing I know is a friend had a 2018/19 Ram 1500 (not sure on year) that had steering issues that Chrysler couldn’t fix so he traded it on a GM product. 2 different dealers had it several times. Chrysler would not replace it either.. He liked the truck but the steering issue was dangerous in his mind.
Had a Jeep GC with the air ride. It froze up when we had the super cold weather in 18 and burned out the compressor. $4500 later we traded it for a non-Chrysler product.
My buddy has a 2020 Laramie. Nice truck, rides like a car. The only issue he had is that his father in law backed into a rear taillight. It had the blind spot indicator LEDs etc and cost him $970 to replace just the taillight, nothing else 
In my opinion, the newest Rams haven’t been around long enough to test the longevity. To me, trading off a truck or swapping it within the first 5-6 years since it was manufactured really isn’t putting them to the test. In today’s world, most trucks really don’t start to show “what they’re made of” until you roll 100k and put them through a lot of different scenarios.
In my opinion, the newest Rams haven’t been around long enough to test the longevity. To me, trading off a truck or swapping it within the first 5-6 years since it was manufactured really isn’t putting them to the test. In today’s world, most trucks really don’t start to show “what they’re made of” until you roll 100k and put them through a lot of different scenarios.
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I agree
Had a 2011 ram Laramie put 100000 mi never touched anything but usual tires etc. now a 2016 ram limited with air ride suspension but have had 2 compressors put in already with 80000 miles on it both 5.7 hemis and 1500 along with several other issues on this one.
Would be hard to pass on a F-150 with the lifetime powertrain warranty they are offering now. Just my opinion
Would be hard to pass on a F-150 with the lifetime powertrain warranty they are offering now. Just my opinion
Thats a pretty sweet deal. Says just need to follow all scheduled maintenance.
I have an 06 1500 with the hemi I have owned since new. Been very happy – no major problems (except the stupid expensive air conditioner circulation flap repair). Only thing I don’t like is how it started to rust all alone the wheel wells and bottom of the doors.
My best friend is looking to buy the 2019 or a 2020 Ram Eco-diesel He has a T-trailer and thinks it would be better than his Ford 250 v8 or his Chev 1500 v8, anyone with thoughts?
I told him to do his homework on the package with forums that are only dedicated to the setup that he is looking at. That was what I did before purchasing my 2012 LML D-max. I read a years worth on 2 separate sites before I ordered.
2014 Ram 2500 with 309,000 miles.
But I have a Cummins.
Dutch have you had any trouble with the emissions on the cummins
So for those who wait 5-6 years to buy a “new truck” you realize drivetrains are rarely changed… what sits on it is what is changed… across all manufacturers. I don’t get waiting 5-6 years, your buying the old model new truck ?
So for those who wait 5-6 years to buy a “new truck” you realize drivetrains are rarely changed… what sits on it is what is changed… across all manufacturers. I don’t get waiting 5-6 years, your buying the old model new truck ?
Don’t think anyone was suggesting waiting 5-6 years to buy model “X” vehicle. What was said is in order to determine reliability it takes 5-6 years. The argument was all vehicles are fairly reliable within the first 5-6 years of ownership. What separates the junk from the not is what happens after that. To say your 3 month old truck has been great is kinda like saying that hot girl you’ve been dating for 3 months is amazing. Yeah of course she is, let’s check back in a year from now
Yeah, being a Service Manager for 18 years, I don’t see much. What was your last new truck you bought ? How did it work out for you ? He asked about new Rams and I thought you realized you didn’t have any first hand knowledge, but rather a friend with a 3 year old truck and nothing specific about cheap parts from some mechanics ?
Yeah, being a Service Manager for 18 years, I don’t see much. What was your last new truck you bought ? How did it work out for you ? He asked about new Rams and I thought you realized you didn’t have any first hand knowledge, but rather a friend with a 3 year old truck and nothing specific about cheap parts from some mechanics ?
You definitely make me not want a ram, but good luck with the forceful tactics. 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dutchboy wrote:</div>
2014 Ram 2500 with 309,000 miles.But I have a Cummins.
Dutch have you had any trouble with the emissions on the cummins
Emissions? No.
Last 200,000 miles have been great. First 100,000 i don’t like thinking about.
Overall the cummins is awesome. The Dodge is a Dodge. I should say i bought on price only. I would recommend them.
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