Ram 1500 Experiences and Opinions

Blkkbgt

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Looking for opinions and experiences on the Ram 1500 5.7.

I ask because it seems like people either love them or hate them. My brother for example loves his 2014 Ram. It has 60k on it and the only issues have either been self induced or wear items.

Flip to a friends brother who Lemmon lawed his 17 because of electrical issues.

Looking up reviews online is a joke to say the least, but again it seems to be a love it or hate it truck.

Why a Ram and not an F150? Simple, the dealers in my area don't spec the trucks the way I want to keep the capability, creature comforts and price acceptable to me.

I also like the new Ram interior more as well to be honest. The other major factor here is price obviously as I can get more truck with more capability for less.

Talking to a local dealer I can get everything I want for about 41 before taxes. This includes 4x4, heated seats, tow package and 3.92 gear ratio.

GM is not an option either after seeing how poorly our work trucks have been holding up.

So let's here it.

Thanks.
 

Malern28us

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Look for 1 year old used.
Mine was a Engineers loaner.
25k miles.
Fully loaded limited. It stickered for $70k new, i paid $41k off the dealer lot.
The 3.92 I agree with. The tow package eliminates power folding mirrors and surround view on my 2019. Check the specs out if your buying new. The may still be that way.
I bought my 2019 in March of 2020 if that helps.
 

My94GT

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I have a 19 ram Laramie 1500 with 3.92 gearing and most the bells and whistles. All the tech stuff like self parking, adaptive cruise etc, air suspension, 12 inch screen. Pretty much everything you can get but the pano roof and ram boxes which I would have got if I could have but in December of 18 finding a black appearance package truck was hard.

so far I’ve had no issues really and I have 58k miles on it. I did recently take it for a miss fire on cyl 8 but it was a cold start issue that was resolved with an update that was done under warranty.

outside of that I love the truck. It’s a gas hog but with a level and oversized tires I still manage 16-17 pending on time of year and how fast I drive. The interior has been top shelf, though I’m curious to see the new F150 interior but I would wager it’s a coin toss still. The truck is super comfortable to drive and the air suspension was something I was hesitant about but have come to love. Great for loading up stuff in the bed or a trailer, fitting in low parking garages, and even great for the mother in law to easily get in while in entry exit mode.

I would gladly buy a ram again which I laugh about as for every previous generation of them I did nothing but talk trash about their quality but I am eating crow now or maybe the 5th Gen is just a huge step up. My father who is a Ford fan first liked it so much he walked from a deal on an F150 and picked up a 19 limited shortly after driving mine.


If I would want for anything out of it, I’d say a bit more power would be nice but isn’t desperately needed and some better fuel economy.
 

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SecondhandSnake

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Family has had three of them in the 10-19 range, several different trims, mostly the higher ones. No real issues. Only thing put into them was tires and brakes. One got a bit of a tick around the 7 year mark when warmed up, probably a broken exhaust manifold bolt. Gas mileage was surprisingly decent, both with the 6sp and 8sp transmissions. They are pretty thirsty if towing though.

Only bad I had heard was one former coworker had an early 11 that ate a lifter and wiped a cam lobe. He got atrocious fuel economy, but absolutely flogged that thing every single day.

Mine is a 2500 but I haven't had anything to complain about either. Lower trim but one of the last manuals you could buy. Had a nuisance oil leak and a cracked fuel fitting resulting in a leak but that was it.
 

matab14

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Bought a new Laramie last October and love it so far. Having owned Ford and GMC in the past I was same opinion as you. I got so much more for my money I felt like i have been nothing but pleased. Only downfall is mpg like someone else mentioned. With level and tires it’s at that 16 range on the interstate. At the end of the day though it’s a truck and I can accept that.

Actually just had the Windows tinted today!



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noco5.0

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I've owned a couple of Rams and they have been problem free. I prefer the Dodge infotainment system to Fords. The new Ford system might be closer though haven't test driven a 21 yet. I'm torn myself probably going to buy either an F150 or Ram in the next few months. I personally like the way the F150 looks better but in general the Ram is nicer on the inside.
 
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Blk04L

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I had a 19 Laramie that was decently optioned but not fully. I had no issues at all and it was a very good truck. Interior was top notch and the 8 speed definitely gels well with the 5.7.

I put 33s on it, stock 32s, and did a lot of highway driving. Think the lifetime mileage for me was 19-20 mpg.

Only reason why I don't have it still was cause I got rear ended by a commercial truck. My 1 year old son was with me and he was fine. Truck not so much(frame) but we all walked away.
 

SHOdown220

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Had a 14 and regret selling it, miss that truck every day. No issues to report other than a windshield not sealed properly from the factory and caused a water leak. Dealer fixed it under warranty in 1 day.

My dad has a 16 and no problems with his either. I'll be buying another one in the next year or 2, either Laramie or bighorn with blacked out package
 

7998

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My dad just traded his '16 F150 KR in for a 2021 Ram Longhorn. It has everything but the 4 way tailgate and the 33 gal tank. I took it for a long drive recently and drove it back to back with the '19 Platinum. Here's my honest opinion. The Ram is a nicer truck, but not by much. In fact if I were buying again it would come down to the deal.

The Ram has a nicer interior no doubt. The materials, textures, appearance all make you feel like you're in a luxury truck. The switches are aluminum and have a nice movement when operated, the shifter feels like it made from a piece of billet. The wood looks like actual wood. The surrounds look like piano wood though I know it's plastic.
Not that I'm slumming it in the Platinum. But the surrounds are painted plastic that is obviously painted plastic. The switches are the same black plastic I had in my XLT, and the black wood that is sparingly placed around the cabin is unrecognizable as any species of wood I'm familiar. In fact if Ford had omitted it I doubt 99% of the people would notice.

The Ram's ride is a little nicer on the as well, But not by much. It is a truck after all and will remind you of that when you start hitting bigger bumps. But where the Ram really shines is on the smaller bumps, there you notice the rear coils and air suspension paying off.

I came back and looked at both trucks side by side and thought the Ram was a nice truck but not nice enough to make me want to trade, nor did I feel like I was driving a lesser truck.

If you like the Ram, get it. Everyone I know who has one and has switched from Ford or GM loves it, and none of them have had any majors problems.
 

Pribilof

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I have a 19 ram Laramie 1500 with 3.92 gearing and most the bells and whistles. All the tech stuff like self parking, adaptive cruise etc, air suspension, 12 inch screen. Pretty much everything you can get but the pano roof and ram boxes which I would have got if I could have but in December of 18 finding a black appearance package truck was hard.

so far I’ve had no issues really and I have 58k miles on it. I did recently take it for a miss fire on cyl 8 but it was a cold start issue that was resolved with an update that was done under warranty.

outside of that I love the truck. It’s a gas hog but with a level and oversized tires I still manage 16-17 pending on time of year and how fast I drive. The interior has been top shelf, though I’m curious to see the new F150 interior but I would wager it’s a coin toss still. The truck is super comfortable to drive and the air suspension was something I was hesitant about but have come to love. Great for loading up stuff in the bed or a trailer, fitting in low parking garages, and even great for the mother in law to easily get in while in entry exit mode.

I would gladly buy a ram again which I laugh about as for every previous generation of them I did nothing but talk trash about their quality but I am eating crow now or maybe the 5th Gen is just a huge step up. My father who is a Ford fan first liked it so much he walked from a deal on an F150 and picked up a 19 limited shortly after driving mine.


If I would want for anything out of it, I’d say a bit more power would be nice but isn’t desperately needed and some better fuel economy.

Pretty much sums it up for me. My wife liked my 2019 Rebel so much she took it. I was so happy with Ram I bought myself a 2500 Cummins.
 

Blkkbgt

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I had a 19 Laramie that was decently optioned but not fully. I had no issues at all and it was a very good truck. Interior was top notch and the 8 speed definitely gels well with the 5.7.

I put 33s on it, stock 32s, and did a lot of highway driving. Think the lifetime mileage for me was 19-20 mpg.

Only reason why I don't have it still was cause I got rear ended by a commercial truck. My 1 year old son was with me and he was fine. Truck not so much(frame) but we all walked away.

That is some seriously scary shit getting rear ended by a commercial truck. One of my biggest fears is getting into an accident with my kids in the car.

Glad to hear you and your son walked away.
 

Blkkbgt

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My dad just traded his '16 F150 KR in for a 2021 Ram Longhorn. It has everything but the 4 way tailgate and the 33 gal tank. I took it for a long drive recently and drove it back to back with the '19 Platinum. Here's my honest opinion. The Ram is a nicer truck, but not by much. In fact if I were buying again it would come down to the deal.

The Ram has a nicer interior no doubt. The materials, textures, appearance all make you feel like you're in a luxury truck. The switches are aluminum and have a nice movement when operated, the shifter feels like it made from a piece of billet. The wood looks like actual wood. The surrounds look like piano wood though I know it's plastic.
Not that I'm slumming it in the Platinum. But the surrounds are painted plastic that is obviously painted plastic. The switches are the same black plastic I had in my XLT, and the black wood that is sparingly placed around the cabin is unrecognizable as any species of wood I'm familiar. In fact if Ford had omitted it I doubt 99% of the people would notice.

The Ram's ride is a little nicer on the as well, But not by much. It is a truck after all and will remind you of that when you start hitting bigger bumps. But where the Ram really shines is on the smaller bumps, there you notice the rear coils and air suspension paying off.

I came back and looked at both trucks side by side and thought the Ram was a nice truck but not nice enough to make me want to trade, nor did I feel like I was driving a lesser truck.

If you like the Ram, get it. Everyone I know who has one and has switched from Ford or GM loves it, and none of them have had any majors problems.

Excellent side by side comparison! Thank you for typing all that out!

A lot of what you said echos my feelings about the interior. I genuinely felt it was layed out better than the F150 or anything from GM. The touch of the buttons was better in the Ram and the seat was more comfortable too.
 

Blkkbgt

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I have a 19 ram Laramie 1500 with 3.92 gearing and most the bells and whistles. All the tech stuff like self parking, adaptive cruise etc, air suspension, 12 inch screen. Pretty much everything you can get but the pano roof and ram boxes which I would have got if I could have but in December of 18 finding a black appearance package truck was hard.

so far I’ve had no issues really and I have 58k miles on it. I did recently take it for a miss fire on cyl 8 but it was a cold start issue that was resolved with an update that was done under warranty.

outside of that I love the truck. It’s a gas hog but with a level and oversized tires I still manage 16-17 pending on time of year and how fast I drive. The interior has been top shelf, though I’m curious to see the new F150 interior but I would wager it’s a coin toss still. The truck is super comfortable to drive and the air suspension was something I was hesitant about but have come to love. Great for loading up stuff in the bed or a trailer, fitting in low parking garages, and even great for the mother in law to easily get in while in entry exit mode.

I would gladly buy a ram again which I laugh about as for every previous generation of them I did nothing but talk trash about their quality but I am eating crow now or maybe the 5th Gen is just a huge step up. My father who is a Ford fan first liked it so much he walked from a deal on an F150 and picked up a 19 limited shortly after driving mine.


If I would want for anything out of it, I’d say a bit more power would be nice but isn’t desperately needed and some better fuel economy.

Beautiful truck. If I pull the trigger I am looking for on in maximum steel myself.
 

03DSGMach1

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Subbing as I’m looking for a used Rebel or Big Horn in the next year or so.

Not me personally but a good friend of mine had 16(?) Rebel and it was great except for multiple trips to the dealer for the air suspension. He got it Lemon lawed and bought a 2019 Rebel without the air suspension.


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SGT MERC

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I have a 2020 1500 Tradesman. I've always had fords, but couldn't pass on the incentives Ram was offering. Mine has the off road package with the skid plates and returned shocks. I love everything about the truck over Ford, except the radio. Ford turned on and connected to my phone immediately continue where I left off when the truck was previously turned off. The radio in my Ram takes too long to turn on and it has to be manually connected every time I start it.

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tistan

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I have a a 2019 Ram. It is my first non Ford truck I have owned. I am very happy with my Ram. I also had a cold start issue that was solved with a program update. Other than that, it has been rock solid so far. The reason I bought it over a Ford is that Ford tried to push the ecoboost and what I wanted with a 4x4 v8 xlt was going to be over 50k. I was 40k out the door on my ram with more options and a much nicer interior, not to mention the ram doesn't ride like a truck. I can be in it 6-8 hours a day and I'm not worn out at the end.
 

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