2017 Dodge Ram ?

GMC-AT · December 20, 2016

I have had 2 Sierra's since 2014. Overall not real happy mainly due to a creaking suspension that no dealer can seem to permanently fix (same issue on both trucks)

Have been looking at other options... and saw some videos of the new Dodge. All I can say is wow.. these things looks to have everything the GM trucks have, plus a lot more. Adjustable air ride, keyless start, Tons of storage, way better lay out in the back seat/floor, heated rear seats, Ram box, etc, etc, etc...

The only thing it didn't have that I can find was the wireless charging.. but I have it now and really don't use it ..it's slow and sucks.

What am I missing? what is the "bad" about these trucks? I know the MPG is slightly less, but I don't care about a few MPG. Does anyone have any experience with the new Dodge? I'm not talking about an older 2010 model.. but the new trucks from 2016/2017....

DaveH71 · December 20, 2016

The bad is that Dodge is still Dodge. My shop right now has a 2016 ram 2500 cummins that's needs a complete rear end rebuild at 54,000 miles. Already had one driver front wheel bearing replaced because of excessive play and also needs upper ball joints on both sides in the front.

My opinion is go look at a tundra.

GMC-AT · December 20, 2016

Noted..thanks for reply.

x219c · December 20, 2016

One big plus I see is that the 1500 can be had with a diesel.

As far as the negative, the big thing that steered me away was the way they do their electronics.

From what I understand, everything is controlled by computer. And either their computer is a little slow or it's done a different way than other manufacturers.

One of the complaints I saw over and over was that it would sometimes miss that you pressed a button. Whether you were changing the station on the radio, or turning on the lights, it apparently is an intermittent thing. My theory is that EVERYTHING is run over the CAN bus. The bus is overloaded and sometimes misses things. Admittedly, not important things in these examples, but Chrysler has been doing it this way for a long time. Check into the problems people had with their caravans when it rained.

I guess it just came down to: I don't really trust Chrysler. But that's just me. There are tons of satisfied owners out there. They must have done something right.

Two things to look for with a RAM, in my book. There's a new uconnect coming out, if it hasn't already. I think it's uconnect 3. It's supposed to be a big deal.

Second, specific to the RAM, and a feature you mentioned. Look into the ram boxes coming apart. Something about the plastic door appearance piece coming off I think. Not sure, it's been a while. Maybe something about the paint on dual tone trucks too. I want to say the dual tone paint is something a dealer does, so be careful with that.

This is all off the top of my head, and was from when I was purchasing last summer. Just stuff for you to put in google and see what turns up.

That's all I really know about them. It was enough to steer me away, but again, they're probably very good trucks too. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

sdeeter19555 · December 20, 2016

I had a nicely equipped 2016 Ram 1500 for a rental back in October, I'll echo what was said about the MyLink thing...it's quirky, and I didn't like it. It would cinnect my Samsung sometimes, and not others. Trying to conect two phones consistently was impossible. The infocenter in the Toyota Rav4 rental I had worked much better, very consistent, even with two phones.

One thing that was weird was the headlights...every now and again they would blink off-on, which is stressful at 80mph at night. It never left me down, but that blink was always a "is this the time they stay off?".

Mileage was right about that I see reported by the newer GM trucks in this forum, it was the 5.7l and 8spd trans. The trans shifted nice and was consistent, but that knob would drive me insane after awhile.

I could see owning one for the wife, not a truck for me.

As for the 2500 Ram issues noted above, the bad rear is odd as that is the same rear used behind the DMax for the most part and Dodge has never gotten the front steering linkage to work since they released the 2nd Gen back in 1994 with the coil sprung front axle.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Silverado Steve · December 20, 2016

The RAM is a nice looking truck, my issue was the rotary knob for the transmission. The one thing i could never get past was how low rated all the Fiat Chrysler products were rated in terms of reliability, all near the bottom in most surveys. If you make the jump, i wish you luck, if you're issue is just squeaky springs, i wouldnt dump my truck for that....seems the new Tacoma and even the F-150 has complaints about that as well. I gave my rear springs a healthy dose of Fluid Film, no squeak in over a year.

OldBlue61 · December 20, 2016

My 2¢...

I echo what Steve and Steve said. I'm a Ford guy ( I know, I know). I had a '15 F150, a '16 Ram, and a '15 Silverado for 2 weeks each as rentals when the wife's car got wrecked. I preferred the Ram to the Chevy in ride quality, but the reliability issues knocked them out of the top spot for me. The F150 was a huge disappointment to me. The GM twins are, IMHO, the best of the bunch at the moment.

If I'm not mistaken, aren't they due for a redesign in '18?

muddkatt · December 20, 2016

I would go sign up on a couple of Ram forums and ask the questions if It was me. There are a few members here that either owns or drives X-brand for work, but I don't think there are enough members here to actually help you make an informed decision regarding another brand.

With that said, my brother runs a Ram for his work truck. Its a 2011 I think and he has been happy with it. He told me last week that it was time for a new truck and he would most likely go with another Ram. He said optioned similarly, Rams were 5 to 10 thousand less than Ford or Chevy.

Good luck on your hunt.

Driver72 · December 20, 2016

I owned a 2013 and a 2014 Ram Laramie 4x4 CC. They are the exact same truck as the current 2017 as 2013 was the first year of the current model.

Yes, far and away they are much better set up than my current GMC Sierra.

I was seriously, and I mean seriously considering getting another Ram.

I didn't mainly for two reasons:

1. because I didn't want to get a new 2017 and have to drive the exact same truck I did when I got my 2013 in July 2013.

2. The 6.2 liter engine in the GMC

GM is way behind in the technology and options front with these trucks, it's almost shocking to me. I've posted about it several times on these forums. The Ram just has soooo much more for much less money.

You can get a RAM Laramie 4x4 CC with MSRP of $51k (which has much more than my $58k MSRP Sierra) for $42-44k.

The UConnect from 2013 in the Ram blows away the MyLink in 2017 in the GMC's.

The ZF made 8 speed transmission in the Ram, beats GM's 8 speed.

Then there are all the other things you mentioned that is missing on the GM trucks but are on the Ram's.

The 5.7 liter Hemi is a strong motor too. It nicely splits the 5.3 and the 6.2 in the GM's.

Be sure to drive the Ram with the 3.92 axle ratio if you can, the 3.21 base will still be strong, but more gas mileage dependent.

The 3.93 in the Ram is equal to GM's 3.42 since the RAM comes with 1" taller tires than the GM trucks (33 vs 32 inches).

The ride in the Ram still beats all the other trucks. I wouldn't get the air suspension however. The regular suspension drives just fine and is amazingly smooth.

The RAM with the Hemi also SOUNDS better than the GM trucks. For some reason GM decided to make the GM trucks virtually silent.

Well, clearly not what many want as there are so many threads about adding a catback exhaust, or changing the mufflers out, etc etc.

The RAM comes stock with a nice growl under the hood and a nice low burble from it's dual exhaust. It sounds like a TRUCK.

GM also felt the need to make the throttle response are their trucks so slow and lazy it makes minivans and Hyundai's feel stronger off the line, you have to give the GM trucks too much throttle to get the trucks going with normal traffic. Drive the Ram you'll instantly feel what proper throttle response is suppose to be.

I know this post of mine sounds like I dislike my GMC. I don't, I've had it for 6 weeks and have only 600 miles on it. But I gotta say, it IS missing A LOT and feels dated in the technology and options front compared to what RAM offered 4 years ago.

Every vehicle has it's issues and reliability. My brother got a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD with the Duramax back in early Oct.

He just told me yesterday he has a transmission leak, he said he can see it coming out of the seals. So off to the dealer it goes.

There are thousands and thousands of RAM's on the road that have been on the road for years and years and years.

If you are worried about a bit of reliability, take out the extended warranty. You'll still be spending thousands less than you would for the GMC.

You can buy a Denali GMC and still not have anywhere near the options and the up to date technology as you would on the RAM Laramie and you'd spend easily $12k less on the RAM. For $2k get a 100k bumper to bumper warranty and you'll still have $10k left over.

I'm a muscle head, I sold my Laramie in 2015 to get my Hellcat.

As I said, I went GMC for the 6.2 V8, but the Ram with the Hemi and 3.92 feels quite strong.

I ran a 0-60 in 6.4 seconds in it and a 1/4 mile of 14.7 @ 92.9 mph at the drag strip (the 0-60 time was verified on my VBox).

Again, not as fast as the 6.2, but faster than the 5.3. It would be faster if the Ram wasn't so heavy. It uses lots of steel and well, options and technology add weight, so it's no surprise it's 300 lbs heavier than the GM trucks.

As for fuel economy, I got 16-16.5 average on my Ram's according to the onboard computer.

With only 600 miles on my GMC and 6.2, I'm at 16.4 mpg on the computer, so they are pretty similar.

Bottom line, if you are unhappy with your GM trucks, you owe it to yourself to look at other brands.

Check out the trucks throughly however. One area where the RAM trucks can suffer is paint. My 2013 went away for the 2014 (on their dime) because after buying it I found many paint smears, smudges and even overspray. Chrysler wanted to repaint my whole truck. I said no way, and made them get me a 2014 as a replacement at no additional cost. After a bunch of emails and calls, they finally agreed.

In the meantime I was able to drive the 2013 (for 5 months and 3,000 miles) and all of those payments transferred over to my 2014 and I wasn't charged for miles. So do a thorough inspection of the paint on the RAM you are looking at.

Final point. I'll get another GMC in 2-3 years only if they update these trucks with technology and options you could get on a RAM or Ford 3-4 years ago already. I like the way the GMC drives and the 6.2 is very strong which I love. But miss lots of things I had on my RAM too.

Good luck man.

SkiDooNick700 · December 20, 2016

If I did it all over again I'd strongly consider a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. My friend and his dad both bought Ram EcoDiesels just a few months back. They are nice trucks. Both are BigHorns and seemed to have every option that I have in my SLT, minus the leather. The EcoDiesel is obviously a pooch compared to the 6.2L, or even a 5.3L for that matter, however if you don't want a "race truck" then its the way to go IMO. I mean, 28-29mpg at 75mphin a full size truck? Can't complain!

I've driven both the EcoDiesel and the Hemi (both 8spds) and both trucks shifted so much smoother than mine does.

KARNUT · December 20, 2016

My brother in law has a 15 platinum ram, we go out every Saturday night for dinner and switch who drives. The two things I don't like are the dial tranny, I can hear his V4 in the exhaust. I hadn't pointed it out to him, it would drive him crazy. Nice truck other wise.

sdeeter19555 · December 20, 2016

My dad has a 2013 Bighorn, you can't even tell when it goes into V4...maybe a difference in exhaust? It's a nice truck, but he's only put about 7500 miles on it since he bought it new...

Two other points I will share...you can have a FACTORY trailer brake controller installed if you get one without it, my father had this done as part of his purchase. Secondly, the 22s and soft suspension don't do heavy equipment trailers well, you get some pucker factor moments...we've hauled his compact tractor on his 16 foot trailer (guessing 6k pounds total), and you can watch it squirm pretty good. And it's not like he hasn't towed before (has a class A CDL), but he usually has me tow that combo with my truck because he doesn't like the feel (lots of power, just squirms some on the backroads).

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

KARNUT · December 20, 2016

He has the pipes thru the bumper and has a little rumble and the V4 is noticeable.

crushNchowda · December 20, 2016

I owned a 2013 and a 2014 Ram Laramie 4x4 CC. They are the exact same truck as the current 2017 as 2013 was the first year of the current model.

Yes, far and away they are much better set up than my current GMC Sierra.

I was seriously, and I mean seriously considering getting another Ram.

I didn't mainly for two reasons:

1. because I didn't want to get a new 2017 and have to drive the exact same truck I did when I got my 2013 in July 2013.

2. The 6.2 liter engine in the GMC

GM is way behind in the technology and options front with these trucks, it's almost shocking to me. I've posted about it several times on these forums. The Ram just has soooo much more for much less money.

You can get a RAM Laramie 4x4 CC with MSRP of $51k (which has much more than my $58k MSRP Sierra) for $42-44k.

The UConnect from 2013 in the Ram blows away the MyLink in 2017 in the GMC's.

The ZF made 8 speed transmission in the Ram, beats GM's 8 speed.

Then there are all the other things you mentioned that is missing on the GM trucks but are on the Ram's.

The 5.7 liter Hemi is a strong motor too. It nicely splits the 5.3 and the 6.2 in the GM's.

Be sure to drive the Ram with the 3.92 axle ratio if you can, the 3.21 base will still be strong, but more gas mileage dependent.

The 3.93 in the Ram is equal to GM's 3.42 since the RAM comes with 1" taller tires than the GM trucks (33 vs 32 inches).

The ride in the Ram still beats all the other trucks. I wouldn't get the air suspension however. The regular suspension drives just fine and is amazingly smooth.

The RAM with the Hemi also SOUNDS better than the GM trucks. For some reason GM decided to make the GM trucks virtually silent.

Well, clearly not what many want as there are so many threads about adding a catback exhaust, or changing the mufflers out, etc etc.

The RAM comes stock with a nice growl under the hood and a nice low burble from it's dual exhaust. It sounds like a TRUCK.

GM also felt the need to make the throttle response are their trucks so slow and lazy it makes minivans and Hyundai's feel stronger off the line, you have to give the GM trucks too much throttle to get the trucks going with normal traffic. Drive the Ram you'll instantly feel what proper throttle response is suppose to be.

I know this post of mine sounds like I dislike my GMC. I don't, I've had it for 6 weeks and have only 600 miles on it. But I gotta say, it IS missing A LOT and feels dated in the technology and options front compared to what RAM offered 4 years ago.

Every vehicle has it's issues and reliability. My brother got a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500HD with the Duramax back in early Oct.

He just told me yesterday he has a transmission leak, he said he can see it coming out of the seals. So off to the dealer it goes.

There are thousands and thousands of RAM's on the road that have been on the road for years and years and years.

If you are worried about a bit of reliability, take out the extended warranty. You'll still be spending thousands less than you would for the GMC.

You can buy a Denali GMC and still not have anywhere near the options and the up to date technology as you would on the RAM Laramie and you'd spend easily $12k less on the RAM. For $2k get a 100k bumper to bumper warranty and you'll still have $10k left over.

I'm a muscle head, I sold my Laramie in 2015 to get my Hellcat.

As I said, I went GMC for the 6.2 V8, but the Ram with the Hemi and 3.92 feels quite strong.

I ran a 0-60 in 6.4 seconds in it and a 1/4 mile of 14.7 @ 92.9 mph at the drag strip (the 0-60 time was verified on my VBox).

Again, not as fast as the 6.2, but faster than the 5.3. It would be faster if the Ram wasn't so heavy. It uses lots of steel and well, options and technology add weight, so it's no surprise it's 300 lbs heavier than the GM trucks.

As for fuel economy, I got 16-16.5 average on my Ram's according to the onboard computer.

With only 600 miles on my GMC and 6.2, I'm at 16.4 mpg on the computer, so they are pretty similar.

Bottom line, if you are unhappy with your GM trucks, you owe it to yourself to look at other brands.

Check out the trucks throughly however. One area where the RAM trucks can suffer is paint. My 2013 went away for the 2014 (on their dime) because after buying it I found many paint smears, smudges and even overspray. Chrysler wanted to repaint my whole truck. I said no way, and made them get me a 2014 as a replacement at no additional cost. After a bunch of emails and calls, they finally agreed.

In the meantime I was able to drive the 2013 (for 5 months and 3,000 miles) and all of those payments transferred over to my 2014 and I wasn't charged for miles. So do a thorough inspection of the paint on the RAM you are looking at.

Final point. I'll get another GMC in 2-3 years only if they update these trucks with technology and options you could get on a RAM or Ford 3-4 years ago already. I like the way the GMC drives and the 6.2 is very strong which I love. But miss lots of things I had on my RAM too.

Good luck man.

Listen.....I consider myself a "car guy" & try to be impartial if I like a vehicle & its proven itself I don't care who makes it. That being said.....Dodge/Fiat/Chrysler/Daimler (you get where I'm going there eh?) has a LONG history of being the "bang for the buck", cheaper, highly discounted manufacturer out of the big 3. It has a LONG history of some good initial rough designs/aesthetics/features & then proceeding to run them into the ground (this whole mack truck look Ram thing dates back to mid 90's - & how about their success w/ the charger, which is a 300, which is a challenger, which rides on a platform dating back to the mid 90's they bit off of Daimler) - Dodge vehicles have a long history of REALLY falling apart...we all joke about F.O.R.D. & Govt. Motors....but if I challenge anyone w/ a basic interest/knowledge/history of cars/trucks to be able to sit in front of me w/ a straight face & argue that by and large Dodge has the lowest reliability/quality expectations & record...

Which is WHY they are notorious for really slashing prices on their products & offering more features per dollar than the competition - they HAVE TO.

They have a lot of options...many of which are ether unnecessary and/or inappropriate for a truck - coil over rear suspension? Sweet ride, weak paylaod, will break. Air ride? I'm not "Unique Rides/Will Castro" all set. Push button start, ummm why? Rotary knob for gear selection, again, ummmm why? Truck that supposedly has 395hp yet gets SLAUGHTERED in any acceleration test by every other truck on the market? I question the 5.7 hemi ratings, always have. And last but not least, ALL their vehicles are fat ass pigs.

If you're switching cuz you need more options/features @ a cheaper price point, can't argue w/ ya. If you think the Dodge is going to be a better product than a GM or Toyota or a Ford? hehe, all I can say is "good luck"

Driver72 · December 20, 2016

I never noticed the V4 transition on my RAM's nor my GMC though.

But to be honest, 95% of the time when I'm driving I have the music on a bit anyway, so I never listen for it anyway.

What bothers me more is squeeks, rattles and vibrations.

Sadly with 580 miles on my GMC I've started to hear a mild vibrating hum coming from the drivers door area.

I also had on the stereo yesterday and a bass-y song came on and the front speaker vibrated/rattled a bit.

I'm not a bass addict either, I have the bass set at one spot above the half way mark and the midrange set at 3 spots above the mid-way mark.

After that I dropped the bass down to the mid way mark.

I didn't have the radio on too loud either, maybe a 1/3rd or so up the scale.

So not sure if that vibration rattle I'm now hearing is from the speaker enclosure or not. If it continues I'll have them take the door panel off and put more foam in there.

The Ram isn't as Lexus quiet as the GM trucks, but again that doesn't bother me, a bit of rumble, engine sound, exhaust sound, etc. is ok.

If hearing a tiny V8 to V4 change over bothers someone, they best drive nothing but Lexus's and definitely stay away from performance cars as it's music to an enthusiasts ears to hear some engine and exhaust noise. It's the rattling, vibration or buzzing interior pieces that will drive one crazy.