How much better is the 5th gen ride?

[barr0208]

im not dissing my truck 3 years no rattles, the drivetrain issue is really not an issue its driving habits that cause it. i love my truck and it is not giving me any problems either than the rear window leak. i get great satisfaction every time i drive it and if you dont like the fuel mileage then dont buy a truck period.

 

[Marshall]

i have had a 2005, 2010, and now a 2014 sport, all club cabs , never had any problems with any, other than a idiot smashed my 2010 Laramie, hence the 14, love the 8 speed, it gets great mileage. Had a nice ford in the 1970's, well built, looked good, could not afford to drive the damn thing even with dirt cheap gas, I have family members with Fords , they all love them, even while they are getting them fixed all the time. Remember all the large holes cut in the frames to get a mile/gallon more? than bent frames.

 

[ramffml]

I have just finished an article about the Ford F150 on the 25 issues you need to be aware of before buying one. Just a few things that were brought up were engine issues, handling issues, poor ride quality, noisy interior on highway driving, poor fuel mileage,steering issues, suspension problems and the many problems with the aluminum body and bed! I do not care for Ford but was surprised at the large list of issues that they have. Funny thing though a Ford owner will tell you what a wonderful truck they are .

Care to share the article? I'd like to read it.

 

[tidefan1967]

Care to share the article? I'd like to read it.

Go drive one of those GM trucks and let us know what you think. My last two new GM trucks rode terribly. Really firm and you could feel every pebble you drove over. If I know GM the suspension under their new trucks is probably the same as the previous gen judging by how little else they’ve changed minus the sheet metal.

 

[ramffml]

Go drive one of those GM trucks and let us know what you think. My last two new GM trucks rode terribly. Really firm and you could feel every pebble you drove over. If I know GM the suspension under their new trucks is probably the same as the previous gen judging by how little else they’ve changed minus the sheet metal.

The GM's definitely don't ride as well as 5th gens. I did test drive the 2019 GMC quite a lot actually before getting my ram, they have a tendency to side skip over railroad tracks and anything that isn't a 100% vertical bounce tends to inject some horizontal movement in the rear end whereas my truck is 100% composed unless it's an absolutely horrific bump. Flipside is that the GMs tow a trailer better, less porpoising and more forgiving of a WDH that isn't 100% setup "dead on".

I think most reviewers say the new GMs and Ford ride pretty much equivalent, both leaf suspensions, Ford might ride a tad worse on average simply because it's a lighter truck on average and can carry more weight; when a truck is empty it tends to ride worse than when its loaded down.

Your last GM truck was almost 20 years old IIRC? 2003 or something? I'm sure there is a large improvement in todays GM's but I couldn't tell you by how much as I haven't driven an old chevy in years.

 

[tidefan1967]

The GM's definitely don't ride as well as 5th gens. I did test drive the 2019 GMC quite a lot actually before getting my ram, they have a tendency to side skip over railroad tracks and anything that isn't a 100% vertical bounce tends to inject some horizontal movement in the rear end whereas my truck is 100% composed unless it's an absolutely horrific bump. Flipside is that the GMs tow a trailer better, less porpoising and more forgiving of a WDH that isn't 100% setup "dead on".

I think most reviewers say the new GMs and Ford ride pretty much equivalent, both leaf suspensions, Ford might ride a tad worse on average simply because it's a lighter truck on average and can carry more weight; when a truck is empty it tends to ride worse than when its loaded down.

Your last GM truck was almost 20 years old IIRC? 2003 or something? I'm sure there is a large improvement in todays GM's but I couldn't tell you by how much as I haven't driven an old chevy in years.

No I actually had two 2014 Silverado’s before moving to RAM in 2015. Both those trucks were what was known as “Viberado’s” later on. It was after that that I swore off “new” GM products forever more.

 

[ramffml]

No I actually had two 2014 Silverado’s before moving to RAM in 2015. Both those trucks were what was known as “Viberado’s” later on. It was after that that I swore off “new” GM products forever more.

Yeah I think some of those GMs in that year range suffer from the "chevy shake", but not sure if that was suspension or drivetrain/transmission. They had pretty bad transmissions back then, the current 10 speed is supposed to be great.

 

[mikeru]

I test drove a couple 2021 Silverados before I bought my current truck. One was diesel and one was the 5.3L gas. They didn't have anything in stock with the 6.2L engine, which disappointed me. I wasn't thrilled with the ride of either one. Acceleration was horrible. And the ride was nothing like a 5th gen Ram 1500. Lets just say I was underwhelmed.

 

[Bandit1859]

Have a new 2021 Warlock that I LOVE… and it was my perfect truck… however now a little one on the way and the warlock while pretty darn smooth riding in the summer…seems to be a lot stiffer in the cold mn winter… or maybe it’s more road heave in the winter (or both). It’s still new (under 10k mi) and the warlock has hd shocks from my understanding so not sure how much that factors in.

Looking at options for a smoother ride. Not sure if 5th gen makes that much of a diff?… big Horn or Laramie would be the way I’d lean if it’s a significant improvement…however not if it’s just a small improvement.

As well I’d switch from quad to crew… not sure if that impacts the ride.

Ill have to drive one to see for myself, however welcome any and all thoughts from the wise folks of the forum!

I have a 2019 and a 2020 bighorn crew cab and a larime both r extremely good

 

[Dinky]

We had a kid last year i found my truck bouncing around help put her to sleep

 

[rizzkid12]

Responding to the original poster. Yes colder weather may make the shocks a little stiffer due to the internal oil viscosity. You can also reduce air pressure a bit to smooth out the ride. 40-38 psi makes a noticeable difference. IMO spending more $ on a new truck seems crazy since you already have a 2021. The quad is plenty big for kids and a car seat.

 

[Ramtastico]

Easy.

- 5.7L Hemi w/o eTorque
- Transmission is the 8HP75
- Tow? 3.92 No towing? 3.21

You’ll use LSD more often than a locker. But if you off-road then locker is more useful than LSD, as is the 3.92 axle

Don’t forget the 33-gallon tank

This is good… although a little intrigued with the diesel… never owned one, never needed the torque… but that diesel sound when accelerating works better than Vi**ra lol.

 

[Ramtastico]

Slightly off topic, but definitely related. I know your little one will be brand spanking new and you will love them to pieces, but they eventually turn on you and put all their focus into psychological operations to make you nuts. I know this because my three are 20-30 years old and the PsyOps continue on the daily. That being said, keep the Warlock to let the little one know that you are hard and not to be toyed with at any time in the future.
Back on topic the longer wheelbase of the crew cab should make a difference. The space in cab will definitely make a difference with the little one. (You have to haul a lot of gear for a baby. I do find mine a little bouncy (on Bilstein’s) in the deep cold but I think that’s just a fact of life.

Omg this was funny!

 

[Ramtastico]

Easy.

- 5.7L Hemi w/o eTorque
- Transmission is the 8HP75
- Tow? 3.92 No towing? 3.21

You’ll use LSD more often than a locker. But if you off-road then locker is more useful than LSD, as is the 3.92 axle

Don’t forget the 33-gallon tank

Quite helpful actually… I love the 6… super quiet, great gas mileage, and i Tend to drive a bit more relaxed… but will likely get the hemi just to check that box.

I was looking at the ED 3.0 however too many horror stories and don’t have time to be mr maintenance.

speaking of maintenance… the local Ram dealer charging $100 for a full syn oil change. Time to go back to changing the oil myself!

 

[Docwagon1776]

The only significant difference in the suspensions that I can find is variable rate springs in the rear. That's not a difficult swap to make on the 4th gen, but I think you'll find that tires and shocks make much more difference to the ride quality than 4th gen vs 5th gen.

 

[Dusty]

Have a new 2021 Warlock that I LOVE… and it was my perfect truck… however now a little one on the way and the warlock while pretty darn smooth riding in the summer…seems to be a lot stiffer in the cold mn winter… or maybe it’s more road heave in the winter (or both). It’s still new (under 10k mi) and the warlock has hd shocks from my understanding so not sure how much that factors in.

Looking at options for a smoother ride. Not sure if 5th gen makes that much of a diff?… big Horn or Laramie would be the way I’d lean if it’s a significant improvement…however not if it’s just a small improvement.

As well I’d switch from quad to crew… not sure if that impacts the ride.

Ill have to drive one to see for myself, however welcome any and all thoughts from the wise folks of the forum!

I had previously owned a 2010 and 2014 4th gen Ram 1500 Quad Cabs. Both had 20 inch tires and wheels. Whether the difference in tire size or the difference in suspension, my 2019 Quad Cab on 18 inch tires rides noticeably better.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 065595 miles.

 

[Maddamnmike]

I didn’t read all the responses so sorry if this is a duplicate. The Gen 5 rear suspension is all new and is designed more like a car than a truck. It performs like a truck towing and hauling but rides like a car. Also, if you don’t modify the exhaust it is super quiet.

Now. The best thing will ever do is have that baby! Congratulations. The kid will be far better than a truck

 

[Lie2me]

IMHO—-I wouldn’t spend the money again. I’ve owned 6 4th Gen Rams. Yes, the 5g rides like a dream. So did my 17 4G with factory air suspension & my lowered CC. Currently have a 5g 2wd CC & 2014 RC Sport 4x4.
###Other 5g considerations: no proximity unlock below Laramie.
Blind spots are worse.
auto brake setting MUST BE TURNED OFF!!!
The rear doors feel light & cheap.
Same bs to upgrade radio
The driver window controls & radio are too far from the seat. Shouldn’t have to lean forward to roll down window or touch far left side of screen, I’m a big fellaToo.
Last, center console is just odd, not well planned.

The tires equipped (anything below a Laramie)by Ram are beyond garbage. If you have Wrangler SRA or HP or Nexcan??? Please buy new tires before you consider a new Ram. To me, swapping to Firestone Destination, Michelin LTX, or Cooper Discovery, or Bridgestones ( on the 5g)has been a life altering event. TireRack has a good tire rating system, not best prices.

 

[Rockyhammock]

Tried the 2018 first, with wife in the crew cab. Then we went ahead and test drove the 2019. The first words out of the wife's mouth were, "this drive like a car." We bought the 2019.

 

[HEMIMANN]

The GM interiors are not objectively "bad"; it's well thought out, well executed, completely functional but just a tad plain. They were completely overshadowed by Ram but honestly I'm so over that. Every truck has pros/cons and I'm tired of all the cons on my truck and at this point I'm not sure the pretty face inside my truck is worth it. Would you rather marry the gorgeous drama queen or the more plain/simple country girl that never lets you down?

I may still consider a 5th gen ED, but the pricing is horrific in Canada, I don't know who is buying these things new but it won't be me. That leaves used, and even then they will be more costly than a used GM 3.0 simply because you only find ED in high priced trims over here.

My experience is somewhat similar, the drivetrain is dicey but then again, I've read bad things about GM engines and transmissions lately as well. In fact, a bad GM engine design I owned led me to Ram after a buddy bought a Ram. Then the test ride and interior of Ram sold me.

I think I'd buy the Ram again since the transmission was upgraded (but a complete PITA to change oil on), and baby the Hemi rather than have another GM with failing engines and transmissions with crude interior and ride?