Thoughts About New Ram Trucks?

Badass69 · October 11, 2015

Not being a Kool Aid drinker and doing lots of research before I buy, Ram and slow is not something I find in the same road test, no matter what rag I read. The rest is a matter of personal taste.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Drive one.... They sure aren't "fast" either...Real world they are easily the slowest fullsize truck with their top engine package versus anyone else other than maybe Nissan... and considering I have had a Ram and a Titan I find that questionable too.

Supposedly get great fuel economy though.....

Sent from my potato

j-ten-ner · October 11, 2015

looking for options from those that are familiar with the newer RAM trucks 2014-2016

I have been a life long GM guy - only owned GM truck... and a lot of them. However, I'm thinking about making the jump to RAM. I have a 2014 SLT fully loaded now.. but the driveability and creaking in the rear is getting old. Had a shock, and both leaf springs replaced over 6 visits...still sounds like a 1979 FORD.

I always thought RAM was way behind in regards to tech.. but I looked online and was surprised. Tech Key, push button start, Rain sense wipers, Floor storage, RAM box... all awesome idea's that GM doesn't have. Air ride option.. big HEMI , the list goes on.

Does anyone have any experience with these truck... good or bad?

No experience with a RAM here.

I just don't like the look of the truck. But even worse is the dial-shifter-thing. That's the deal breaker for me.

Shifting this truck must feel like putting on lipstick in the morning...

so long

j-ten-ner

KARNUT · October 12, 2015

Drive one.... They sure aren't "fast" either...Real world they are easily the slowest fullsize truck with their top engine package versus anyone else other than maybe Nissan... and considering I have had a Ram and a Titan I find that questionable too.

Supposedly get great fuel economy though.....

Sent from my potato

A two door Ram 0-60 5.4 seconds, Car and Driver, that's not slow. You can be a little creative and buy a Hemi 2 door express throw a little more money at it and have a high perforce tire burner for less than 30K.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

fondupot · October 12, 2015

My dad's 2014 Ram Laramie is a damn nice truck. No probs with his 14k miles in. knock on wood.

Oh and for people saying the Rams are slow. Have you driven one? they got some giddy up.

My dads hemi 8 spd 3.21 rear end is quicker than my truck. Throws me back in the seat harder than my truck.

Badass69 · October 12, 2015

A two door Ram 0-60 5.4 seconds, Car and Driver, that's not slow. You can be a little creative and buy a Hemi 2 door express throw a little more money at it and have a high perforce tire burner for less than 30K.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's fine for what is not a real truck either. A 5.3 Chev or 5.0 liter F150 regular cab isn't much different... and a Tremor would outrun it. I spend enough time at the local track to watch these trucks run real world and the Hemi Rams are always the slowest thing out there for the large engine trucks.

Sent from my potato

theonlyway · October 12, 2015

I chose GMC because I was told GM were the only full size truck that could use a standard duty plow without voiding warranty. I looked at the ram 1500 5.7 and even drove one for a week. The mpg in city averaged 20 which was impressive, and I like the standard dual exhaust molded into the rear bumper but everything else didn't look as quality as the GM. I looked at the Ford as well, but the 5.0 can only use light duty plows and the mpg in city was 14 with a light foot. The ram bed box takes up like 12" of space from the bed, leaving it like a tacoma size bed. I didn't find the ram any slower than the GMC or Ford to be honest

tnchevy · October 12, 2015

I drive a ford with a 5.0 every day for work and it feels slower than my 5.3 chevy. Track numbers may be different but I test drove a hemi ram 3.92 and chevy 5.3 3.42 on the same day and the RAM was much more responsive.

'01LS1 · October 12, 2015

thanks for the feedback thus far. I have to say.. been trolling the RAM forums doesn't seem to be near the complaint we read here..

I think that is because complaints are allowed on this forum.

Go over there & say blank Dodge & you will be ran off.

Not bashing FCA, but all the mfg's seem to have a good share of issues.

Would think this would affect resale? http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/07/fca-to-repurchase-ram-pickups-as-part-of-record-setting-penalty.html

Check payload. Know that was an issue when they option the trucks out.

Also read Ramforumz for a couple years & fuel mileage was a bit of an issue.

There were plenty of 11/12/13 mpg tank avg's posted up for 2009-2013 model years. Maybe they have improved that?

HondaHawkGT · October 12, 2015

I like the 3/4 and 1-ton Rams but the 1500's don't impress me. Nice ride but at the expense of stability when using for work. The springs are just too soft to handle any weight in the bed. That's why they have air bags from the factory now. It's a bandaid on the underlying problem. The 5.7 is a strong motor. The minivan-style shift knob is just embarassing. Thir interiors look great new but my buddy's Ram serms to be falling apart after 3 years. He doesn't seem too hard on his truck so it's a bit surprising. Also had trans problems that his dealer gave him a hard time over. Chrysler eventually stepped up but the whole ordeal took nearly a month.

GPGuy · October 12, 2015

Just based on appearance I would say a Ram is my second favorite after the Silvearado. I haven't driven one so I can't comment on how fast or slow they are. I don't think I could get past that gear selector knob though.... but then I still prefer the column shifter over a floor shifter in a truck too... so maybe I'm just picky.

BuyAmericanIron · October 12, 2015

I drove a Ram Laramie Limited with air ride prior to ordering my Sierra Denali. It was a very nice truck and performed similar to the 6.2L. My biggest concern was resale value which has traditionally been much lower than GM. Here is an example. My old truck was a 2008 Sierra Denali loaded with every option offered when built. It was traded with 43,000 miles and brought $28,800. That truck was seven years old. A friend at work tried to trade a 2013 Dodge Ram Laramie with 25,000 miles and they offered him $28,000. That loss of resale value helped with my decision.

bhbdvm · October 12, 2015

^{I had a 2013 Ram Laramie with 5.7 Hemi, air suspension and Ramboxes. Great truck with no problems. I needed to use a truck cap on my bed and this was not possible with the Ramboxes. I sold the Laramie and purchased a 2015 Ram Ecodiesel Outdoorsman. Again, so far so good with the truck. The Ecodiesel is as advertised as far as miles per gallon. Remember is says "up to 28 miles per gallon". I have 20 inch wheels and 4x4 Crewcab with the 6.5 foot bed. I get 22 mpg in the mountains with a heavy foot, camper, larger tires, and a bike mount on the front bumper and a 3.92 rear end. The Ecodiesel is quick off the line but not as fast as the Hemi when pushed when already at highway speed. I have mastered the rotary knob and It does not bother me. The eight speed transmission is a great match for this engine. I have never owned a GMC truck but I have been looking. Mostly for some of the updates and the "looks" of the GMC. The Ram is a good truck. Like any forum you will find people loving their truck and also some that have had bad experiences usually related to unrealistic expectations or a problem with the dealer.}

Daly · October 12, 2015

That's fine for what is not a real truck either. A 5.3 Chev or 5.0 liter F150 regular cab isn't much different... and a Tremor would outrun it. I spend enough time at the local track to watch these trucks run real world and the Hemi Rams are always the slowest thing out there for the large engine trucks.

Sent from my potato

How is it not a real truck? IMO a regular cab short box is more of a truck then a crew cab with a 5 foot box. Those crew cabs are no better then an Avalanche, basically a Suburban with on open storage area…

kooch · October 12, 2015

looking for options from those that are familiar with the newer RAM trucks 2014-2016

I have been a life long GM guy - only owned GM truck... and a lot of them. However, I'm thinking about making the jump to RAM. I have a 2014 SLT fully loaded now.. but the driveability and creaking in the rear is getting old. Had a shock, and both leaf springs replaced over 6 visits...still sounds like a 1979 FORD.

I always thought RAM was way behind in regards to tech.. but I looked online and was surprised. Tech Key, push button start, Rain sense wipers, Floor storage, RAM box... all awesome idea's that GM doesn't have. Air ride option.. big HEMI , the list goes on.

Does anyone have any experience with these truck... good or bad?

3 guys at my office, 2 Chevy guys and 1 Ford guy all jumped ship and bought Ram trucks this year. 2 got the 2500 with the Cummins diesel and 1 got the Laramie 1500 with Hemi. All are very happy with their decision.

Badass69 · October 12, 2015

How is it not a real truck? IMO a regular cab short box is more of a truck then a crew cab with a 5 foot box. Those crew cabs are no better then an Avalanche, basically a Suburban with on open storage area…

Hook 7000 or 8000 to a 2 wheel drive regular cab short box and go tow with it even in some mild wind... Gm rates them for up to a 9000 lb trailer now so they must be good for it... lol.

Sent from my potato