Disappointed with my 2020

Kennewbike · November 16, 2020

Hey everyone. I just wanted to say one things about these trucks. I get a new one every year and have already had a 2019 RST, a full loaded 2020 RST and now have a 2020 High Country. I cannot get past what I feel is GM's major software flaws and don't think I will be buying another. Here are the 3 things I feel do not make any sense and could be VERY easy fixes if they wanted to:

1. Radio cannot receive or respond to text messages (it would on my 2019 but none after). We are in 2020 and hand's free operation is a MUST now because of all the new laws for distracted driving. I am in and out of my truck a lot for work and CAN NOT have my phone tethered to the truck with a wire. Ford and Dodge have full texting available on their trucks.

2. When I put the truck into "sport" mode, I have to engage this every single time I am in truck, and it really should just stay in the setting I chose all the time unless I change it back. The same goes for other options like engine shut off at lights as well.

3. When my trailer is hooked up and I am making a left or right turn, an entire view of the side of my truck comes up on my screen for safety. This ONLY happens with a trailer hooked up and really should be an option even when the trailer is not. My father has a lower model Honda Civic and even his car offers this. This would be a huge safety advantage for us and if it can be accessed with a trailer on, certainly it would be easy for GM to make this an option all the time.

Everything else I enjoy about this truck (other then what I feel is a dated interior and we are only truck that doesn't offer the double sunroof option that is very nice and most would love to have. I bought these trucks because I LOVE the way they look and I love my 6.2 with 10 speed, but these software issues are really bothering me and its going to make me move to Dodge or Ford for my next one. Anyone else find these 3 things bothersome?

Michael621 · November 16, 2020

Nope.

Monkey · November 16, 2020

Well said and agree with all 3 points. You would think all 3 of these things could be fixed with a software update... I've been looking for some aftermarket software to handle 2 and 3 to no avail...

Sent from my SM-G988U1 using Tapatalk

It's Tim · November 16, 2020

Bye.

TNTSierra · November 16, 2020

Those seem like very minor things to switch over to another brand. Me personally, I would never go to a Ford. Ram makes a good looking truck and nice interior but good luck with those. A few friends of mine have had nothing but issues with them. And Ram guys talk how good their Hemi’s are?? The new 5.3L with 10 spd will hang with it even with a 40 hp disadvantage. And the 6.2L. No contest. But good luck!

sharkeysierra · November 16, 2020

Nope...

newdude · November 16, 2020

2 hours ago, Kennewbike said:

Hey everyone. I just wanted to say one things about these trucks. I get a new one every year and have already had a 2019 RST, a full loaded 2020 RST and now have a 2020 High Country. I cannot get past what I feel is GM's major software flaws and don't think I will be buying another. Here are the 3 things I feel do not make any sense and could be VERY easy fixes if they wanted to:

1. Radio cannot receive or respond to text messages (it would on my 2019 but none after). We are in 2020 and hand's free operation is a MUST now because of all the new laws for distracted driving. I am in and out of my truck a lot for work and CAN NOT have my phone tethered to the truck with a wire. Ford and Dodge have full texting available on their trucks.

Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Don't waste your time with the factory bluetooth for anything. Don't even pair it as a matter of fact, just use ACP/AA. Or just trade it for a 2021 which has wireless ACP/AA.

2. When I put the truck into "sport" mode, I have to engage this every single time I am in truck, and it really should just stay in the setting I chose all the time unless I change it back. The same goes for other options like engine shut off at lights as well.

Blame the governments on this. Sport mode "wastes" fuel economy so they default to the mode that offers the best fuel efficiency. Just like stop/start has to be turned off each time.

3. When my trailer is hooked up and I am making a left or right turn, an entire view of the side of my truck comes up on my screen for safety. This ONLY happens with a trailer hooked up and really should be an option even when the trailer is not. My father has a lower model Honda Civic and even his car offers this. This would be a huge safety advantage for us and if it can be accessed with a trailer on, certainly it would be easy for GM to make this an option all the time.

As for this, I'd maybe try to get a hold of WAMS (White Auto Media Services) and see if its something they've figured out.  https://www.whiteautoandmedia.com/product-category/fullsizetruck/2019-t1/

Everything else I enjoy about this truck (other then what I feel is a dated interior and we are only truck that doesn't offer the double sunroof option that is very nice and most would love to have. I bought these trucks because I LOVE the way they look and I love my 6.2 with 10 speed, but these software issues are really bothering me and its going to make me move to Dodge or Ford for my next one. Anyone else find these 3 things bothersome?

Edited November 16, 2020 by newdude

smit303 · November 16, 2020

Not as much as you.

Enough · November 16, 2020

1. I'm an old fart and I don't get the texting thing. Your phone will connect seamlessly and actual conversation is a much better form of communication.

2. Is it really that difficult to turn a knob ? Are your fingers texting instead ?

3. For about $550.00 there is an aftermarket camera kit that will provide side view with turn signals and a forward viewing camera at low speeds. I will agree with you that the mirror options in the new trucks are lacking. The 2015-2018 had much better options. In the LT trim why have a factory convex spot on only the driver's side mirror ? Would it really have broken the bank to put one in the passenger mirror ?

bshort · November 16, 2020

Haven't noticed.

lapoolboy · November 16, 2020

Test drive and research prior to purchase = winning

the wanderer · November 16, 2020

2 hours ago, TNTSilverado said:

Those seem like very minor things to switch over to another brand. Me personally, I would never go to a Ford. Ram makes a good looking truck and nice interior but good luck with those. A few friends of mine have had nothing but issues with them. And Ram guys talk how good their Hemi’s are?? The new 5.3L with 10 spd will hang with it even with a 40 hp disadvantage. And the 6.2L. No contest. But good luck!

The Hemi is down 2 gears compared to the 5.3, and the Ram is also a heavier truck. Lets compare apples to apples shall we? There are enough videos on youtube to show the 5.7 "hanging" with the 6.2, when both are running 8 or 6 gears, such as this one (and keep in mind the substantial difference in torque). I'm no hemi fan girl, but I own one, and it is very capable. Absolutely nothing wrong with its performance, and when comparing apples to apples (similar weight trucks, close gear ratios, same gear count) the hemi will finish in between the 5.3 and 6.2, just like it should based on the power numbers. There is nothing wrong with any of those 3 engines, and I'd be happy with any of them. Ford Turbo's, well, I'll pass on those.

But to the OP; you're just going to swap one set of problems for another. Ram is not perfect either, I own one and love it, but if pushed I could come up with a similar list. I have to disable MDS every time I get in. Unconnect refused to turn on for me once in the 1.5 years I owned it, my brakes squeal in reverse on humid days (fix is available but haven't had it done yet).

Why do you swap trucks so often? Maybe I'm an odd duck, but I do sort of form a one-way bond with my vehicles which is kind of hard when you swap them every year. Just chill, enjoy your RST, and don't fret when a machine is less than perfect.

TNTSierra · November 16, 2020

10 minutes ago, the wanderer said:

The Hemi is down 2 gears compared to the 5.3, and the Ram is also a heavier truck. Lets compare apples to apples shall we? There are enough videos on youtube to show the 5.7 "hanging" with the 6.2, when both are running 8 or 6 gears, such as this one (and keep in mind the substantial difference in torque). I'm no hemi fan girl, but I own one, and it is very capable. Absolutely nothing wrong with its performance, and when comparing apples to apples (similar weight trucks, close gear ratios, same gear count) the hemi will finish in between the 5.3 and 6.2, just like it should based on the power numbers. There is nothing wrong with any of those 3 engines, and I'd be happy with any of them. Ford Turbo's, well, I'll pass on those.

But to the OP; you're just going to swap one set of problems for another. Ram is not perfect either, I own one and love it, but if pushed I could come up with a similar list. I have to disable MDS every time I get in. Unconnect refused to turn on for me once in the 1.5 years I owned it, my brakes squeal in reverse on humid days (fix is available but haven't had it done yet).

Why do you swap trucks so often? Maybe I'm an odd duck, but I do sort of form a one-way bond with my vehicles which is kind of hard when you swap them every year. Just chill, enjoy your RST, and don't fret when a machine is less than perfect.

It is an apples to apples because that is what Ram offers. No excuses. It's Ram's problem for making it weigh so much and not offering more gears. It is what it is. The new 10 spd Gm 5.3l will keep up and beat a new Ram Hemi.. Those are the facts. The new 10 spd 6.2L beats the new Hemi ram by almost a second to 60 mph

Here is the review:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a22984237/2019-ford-f-150-vs-chevrolet-silverado-vs-ram-1500-pickup/

6.2l runs 0-60 in 5.4 secs

5.7L hemi runs 0-60 6.2 secs

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a25016363/2019-chevy-silverado-1500-by-the-numbers/

5.3L runs 0-60 in 6.1 Secs

Have a great day

Edited November 16, 2020 by TNTSilverado

redwngr · November 16, 2020

Wireless CP and AA is new for 2021 model.

It's standard on upper trims and available on mid trims.

the wanderer · November 16, 2020

1 minute ago, TNTSilverado said:

It is an apples to apples because that is what Ram offers. No excuses. It's Ram's problem for making it weigh so much and not offering more gears. It is what it is. The new 10 spd Gm 5.3l will keep up and beat a new Ram Hemi.. Those are the facts. The new 10 spd 6.2L destroys the new Hemi ram by almost a second to 60 mph

Here is the review:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison-test/a22984237/2019-ford-f-150-vs-chevrolet-silverado-vs-ram-1500-pickup/

6.2l runs 0-60 in 5.4 secs

5.7L hemi runs 0-60 6.2 secs

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a25016363/2019-chevy-silverado-1500-by-the-numbers/

5.3L runs 0-60 in 6.1 Secs

Have a great day

Dude. You're mixing an engine comparison vs a truck comparison. It's not an excuse that the Ram is heavier, it's physics. You need more engine to move a heavier truck, doesn't mean the engine itself is a failure. Now start adding other advantages like extra gears etc. Most people who own the Ram have no clue how fast (or not) it is, features matter, and features create weight.

And a single peformance number (wherever you got those) don't mean squat. Motortrend for example, has the 5.3 at 6.4 and 6.6 depending on trim. Guess what, the trim effects performance, because weight.

So it's funny that you're bagging on the hemi when it's obvious the Ram has a disadvantageous due to gear count and weight.