New RAM Convert

Outlaw Pilot · February 3, 2018

Hi all! Just 2 months ago I was excited to take home my first pickup truck - a 2016 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn dually. Despite installing upgrades and personalizing it, we ended up trading it just a few days ago and today I drove home in my 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali dually.

I loved the RAM but its GVWR was 6358 kg versus the Sierra's 5908 kg which makes it in the nanny-state of Ontario too big for certain exemptions I needed for fifth wheel trailer towing without requiring a class A license, CVOR, etc. etc. etc.

Took a little hit on the exchange, but not disastrous. But the first thing I noticed was the ride! The RAM drove like a truck. Period! The Sierra drives like an SUV. As my daily vehicle it's a massive difference.

Some weird little things that I thought would be in the Sierra, especially being a Denali, that aren't there. Automatic high beams, better media controls on the steering wheel back, a DEF gauge, push-start ignition, and most surprisingly NO TPMS!

But there are certainly things GMC has done better than RAM. The bumper step is among the most obvious. But the ride is leaps and bounds better.

Overall, I'm a very happy new Duramax owner!

Anthony

m3n00b · February 3, 2018

Congrats man. I love hearing non biased reviews from owners.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Donstar · February 3, 2018

47 minutes ago, Outlaw Pilot said:

Hi all! Just 2 months ago I was excited to take home my first pickup truck - a 2016 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn dually. Despite installing upgrades and personalizing it, we ended up trading it just a few days ago and today I drove home in my 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali dually.

I loved the RAM but its GVWR was 6358 kg versus the Sierra's 5908 kg which makes it in the nanny-state of Ontario too big for certain exemptions I needed for fifth wheel trailer towing without requiring a class A license, CVOR, etc. etc. etc.

Took a little hit on the exchange, but not disastrous. But the first thing I noticed was the ride! The RAM drove like a truck. Period! The Sierra drives like an SUV. As my daily vehicle it's a massive difference.

Some weird little things that I thought would be in the Sierra, especially being a Denali, that aren't there. Automatic high beams, better media controls on the steering wheel back, a DEF gauge, push-start ignition, and most surprisingly NO TPMS!

But there are certainly things GMC has done better than RAM. The bumper step is among the most obvious. But the ride is leaps and bounds better.

Overall, I'm a very happy new Duramax owner!

Anthony

If I win the lottery, my next truck would be an identical twin but the background of my photo would depict sunny skies and me wearing shorts! Beautiful truck, Anthony!

Outlaw Pilot · February 3, 2018

Haha. Yeah, that's what this beast is for... towing! Its mission will be to take our fifth wheel trailer south... very, very south!

sethro274 · February 3, 2018

1 hour ago, Outlaw Pilot said:

Hi all! Just 2 months ago I was excited to take home my first pickup truck - a 2016 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn dually. Despite installing upgrades and personalizing it, we ended up trading it just a few days ago and today I drove home in my 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali dually.

I loved the RAM but its GVWR was 6358 kg versus the Sierra's 5908 kg which makes it in the nanny-state of Ontario too big for certain exemptions I needed for fifth wheel trailer towing without requiring a class A license, CVOR, etc. etc. etc.

Took a little hit on the exchange, but not disastrous. But the first thing I noticed was the ride! The RAM drove like a truck. Period! The Sierra drives like an SUV. As my daily vehicle it's a massive difference.

Some weird little things that I thought would be in the Sierra, especially being a Denali, that aren't there. Automatic high beams, better media controls on the steering wheel back, a DEF gauge, push-start ignition, and most surprisingly NO TPMS!

But there are certainly things GMC has done better than RAM. The bumper step is among the most obvious. But the ride is leaps and bounds better.

Overall, I'm a very happy new Duramax owner!

Anthony

Denali should have TPMS in the gauge pack, auto high beams and Audio controls on the steering wheel that use your gauge cluster for more options (unless the Canadian models are different). It could use a DEF gauge though.

Outlaw Pilot · February 3, 2018

Negative on the TPMS. The Owner's Manual shows it as an Info Center item, but TPMS is NOT available for GMs over 10,000 lbs GVWR. The question is why since RAM has no such exclusion.

My observation about the steering wheel audio controls is just that they're more useful in the RAM. As for the auto high beams, you're saying that's in there somewhere???

redwngr · February 3, 2018

6 minutes ago, sethro274 said:

Denali should have TPMS in the gauge pack, auto high beams and Audio controls on the steering wheel that use your gauge cluster for more options (unless the Canadian models are different). It could use a DEF gauge though.

DRW gm's don't have tpms.

SRW gm's over 10000 lb, don't have tpms.

Doesn't matter if they are denali's.

The all have auto on headlights, bit auto high beam (intellibeam) is only on the LED equipped trucks. The HD 's don't get LED's and they don't get Intellibeam.

1500 denali have intellibeam. It is available on 1500 SLT.

I does have a def gauge, but many don't like the format.

Outlaw Pilot · February 3, 2018

I think auto-high beams are another excluded option in the heavies. <Scratching head... again!>

StormZ71 · February 3, 2018

3 hours ago, Outlaw Pilot said:

Hi all! Just 2 months ago I was excited to take home my first pickup truck - a 2016 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn dually. Despite installing upgrades and personalizing it, we ended up trading it just a few days ago and today I drove home in my 2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali dually.

I loved the RAM but its GVWR was 6358 kg versus the Sierra's 5908 kg which makes it in the nanny-state of Ontario too big for certain exemptions I needed for fifth wheel trailer towing without requiring a class A license, CVOR, etc. etc. etc.

Took a little hit on the exchange, but not disastrous. But the first thing I noticed was the ride! The RAM drove like a truck. Period! The Sierra drives like an SUV. As my daily vehicle it's a massive difference.

Some weird little things that I thought would be in the Sierra, especially being a Denali, that aren't there. Automatic high beams, better media controls on the steering wheel back, a DEF gauge, push-start ignition, and most surprisingly NO TPMS!

But there are certainly things GMC has done better than RAM. The bumper step is among the most obvious. But the ride is leaps and bounds better.

Overall, I'm a very happy new Duramax owner!

Anthony