Current Chevy owner but like the Ram. Convince me :)

[Farm truck]

I've been a GM owner for many years, I needed a 2500 to pull a new Tractor. I drove Chevy, GMC, Ford, and Ram. The Ram put the biggest smile on my face and I bought it. I have a level 2 tradesman, the 8.4 in radio. I have had fun doing some upgrades like foglights, polished aluminum wheels, MBRP exhaust, and the cool OEM rear assist step. No Regrets.

 

[jj888]

The no-brainer thing got me, Foolishly I test drove the nicest Ram on the lot and after that I couldn't look at anything else, I could not talk myself out of buying it, so I bought it. Nicest truck I've ever driven and I've had all of them over the years. I traded a very nice Tundra crew cab limited that I thought was great until I drove the RAM.

Maybe I made the mistake driving the Ram before anything else! I have not even driven a Chevy yet but guess I need to try that out too to do my due diligence.

 

[Treburkulosis]

Welcome. My work truck is a 02 Silverado 4.8 with 336k on it. It has been an amazing vehicle. Doesn't leak a drop of anything. The newer Chevys in my personal experience the 5.3 and the 4.8s just aren't as depandable. Especially as they get closer to 200k. Now with the Ram. I was not a Dodge guy. Long time Ford guy. I love my Ram so much I actually bought it twice. If you are looking for a used truck don't bother with the 6 Spd as I did. Love the Hemi hate the 6 Spd. I would say at least a 14 or newer. You are correct about the market currently. My dad just hit that with trying to find himself a truck. He finally found a 1 owner Ecoboost Lariat. Although I feel he over paid, that's just the market currently. It's either junk with a billion miles or a salvaged title. The clean ones are 5-10k over what I think they are worth. It is the same in every truck brand across the board. Figure out what model you like. Base, Chrome, off road or Blacked out Sport. I have spent way too much trying to make my truck what I should have bought to begin with. The Ram is an excellent truck. I enjoy mine. There are just a few things that I wish I had known before buying my 12. Also don't expect to get good MPG like your LS motor. They get pretty good especially with the 8 speed, but my 6 speed is 18 mpg on a good day.

 

[Musky Mike]

I'd say buy which ever one you like the most. I'm not familiar with new Chevy or Ford trucks, but all vehicles can have some problems, Ram, Ford, Chevy and Toyota. Ram does have a few, I would browse the forums so are familiar with some of the problems. I know when I bought my Ram, I showed up before the dealership opened and waited for them to open to I could have a cold start up on the Ram truck I wanted to buy to make sure there was no "Hemi Tick". Drove it for 20 minutes, shut it off for 5 minutes and started it again to make sure. Sure it was overboard, but I had read too much on the forums about "Hemi Tick".

 

[Treburkulosis]

I'd say buy which ever one you like the most. I'm not familiar with new Chevy or Ford trucks, but all vehicles can have some problems, Ram, Ford, Chevy and Toyota. Ram does have a few, I would browse the forums so are familiar with some of the problems. I know when I bought my Ram, I showed up before the dealership opened and waited for them to open to I could have a cold start up on the Ram truck I wanted to buy to make sure there was no "Hemi Tick". Drove it for 20 minutes, shut it off for 5 minutes and started it again to make sure. Sure it was overboard, but I had read too much on the forums about "Hemi Tick".

The hemi tick mine had it early on, but once I added a good oil and filter along with doing seafoam once a year, I have not heard mine since. I am not saying that's the magical fix, but for mine that fixed it.

 

[dragstrip69]

Maybe I made the mistake driving the Ram before anything else! I have not even driven a Chevy yet but guess I need to try that out too to do my due diligence.

I didn't want to waste my time, the Ram is light years ahead of the pack right now.

 

[Sandevino]

First of all, you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Now that that’s out of the way, here’s my $.02...

Decision 1 - gas or diesel. If gas go with a 2500 and if diesel go with a 3500. Payload is the determinant factor and diesel 2500’s (GM and Ram) have ridiculously low payloads. The price needle moves up $5-10k with a 3500 so keep that in mind.

Decision 2 - two of four wheel drive. Personally, this isn’t even a question but I see a large number on both sides. Get four wheel drive.

Decision 3 - which creature comforts do you “need” or “want” in the vehicle? I assume yours has the big 6 - power windows, locks, mirrors, tilt wheel, cruise control and air conditioning. These were top trim options 20 years ago. Now you have a plethora of options which are option packages which cost big bucks. For Ram it’s the Tradesman and GM I believe it’s the Custom trim levels that are considered base models. Oddly enough, base model is the SLT or LT from 20 years ago.

Decision 4 - standard and extended warranty coverage. You obviously keep your vehicles a long time which is good. Standard warranties are 3 year / 36,000 miles for both brands. Extended warranties are a rip off in most cases. In your case I’d avoid them.

Decision 5 - determine your use case. Over the past 20 years, what have you wished you could do that the current vehicle would not allow? Do you see either vehicle allowing you to do said activity? Have you lost interest in it and found new activities?

Best of luck and keep us posted!

 

[dhay13]

^ agreed. 2500 ****** should not even be considered when towing or hauling heavy. Payload is ridiculously low and you car rarely ever get close to max towing because of it. A 3500 Cummins will do just about anything you would want to do but a 2500 6.4 is great if you are towing under about 12,000

 

[corneileous]

^ agreed. 2500 ****** should not even be considered when towing or hauling heavy. Payload is ridiculously low and you car rarely ever get close to max towing because of it. A 3500 Cummins will do just about anything you would want to do but a 2500 6.4 is great if you are towing under about 12,000

True, but if you’re not towing exceptionally heavy then at least that 12,000 pound trailer that’s only a grand above my half-ton’s max trailer weight would be much better suited with a 3/4-ton just despite how much I guess it’s limited.


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[Michael]

I didn't want to waste my time, the Ram is light years ahead of the pack right now.

That’s funny. [emoji23]

 

[Fishstickz]

I think I need to take a look to see what features the Tradesman offers. I definitely like some gadgets (loved that big screen and would use the Android Auto) but I know they add up so I can do without. Does a Big Horn just come standard with options that you would have to add on to a Tradesman, or is just different overall? I think if I decide to go this route, I will have to ask people on here which options they find useful. When you talk about finding one under $40k, are you talking about a custom build or one on the lot?

I will say that you can add ‘most’ factory options on your own if you’re into doing that sort of thing. For example lots of people have upgraded radios to get the big screen radio, so if you come across a good deal that doesn’t quite check all the feature boxes, just know that you could most likely check those boxes later on down the road if so inclined.

Sometimes adding these features can end up cheaper than it would buying them outright from the dealer too


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[dhay13]

True, but if you’re not towing exceptionally heavy then at least that 12,000 pound trailer that’s only a grand above my half-ton’s max trailer weight would be much better suited with a 3/4-ton just despite how much I guess it’s limited.


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I can assure you in 99.9% of all cases you cannot tow 11,000lbs with a 1500 Ram and stay under payload. Maybe an F150 with much higher payload than the Ram has but I would not be comfortable towing that much with any 1/2 ton. Tail wagging the dog and just asking for trouble

 

[corneileous]

I can assure you in 99.9% of all cases you cannot tow 11,000lbs with a 1500 Ram and stay under payload. Maybe an F150 with much higher payload than the Ram has but I would not be comfortable towing that much with any 1/2 ton. Tail wagging the dog and just asking for trouble

I didn’t say I would do it, I was just stating that that was what my truck’s max trailer weight is, just under 11,000 pounds but yeah, I know, I’ve already had this argument with somebody over this and all I can say is depending on how much junk you have loaded in your truck- cab, and bed, and a properly set up WDH is what’ll determine how much payload you got left for whatever amount of tongue weight you need.


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[Jm91rs]

I guess that is the thing. I was so impressed driving it for the first time it almost seems like a no brainer as far as the looks and feel go. I am just a little nervous jumping ship when GM as been so good for me. If it makes a difference, I think I am pretty easy on my vehicles and take good care of them, keep them garaged, etc. so hopefully that would contribute to the reliability just like my other two different brand vehicles that I have had for a long time have not given me a problem.

If you haven't had reason to dislike GM, you might stick with them. I can't speak to reliability of Ram, but I can say GM is not what I thought they were. I personally was a GM guy, probably something my dad instilled in me from birth. I still tend to think of myself as one at heart. My 2010 Silverado started rusting from the inside out and had an oil pressure problem that no one could solve until after about $1500 worth of dealer attempts I figured out myself with a $8 part. My 2013 Sierra is flaking paint like nobody's business even though it's been pampered and garaged for its whole life. If I go through a car wash probably 1/3 of the white diamond ($500 extra for that stupid color!) will blow away to reveal the grey primer. My 2011 Express van was randomly not starting while under warranty, but the problem was intermittent and by the time the warranty was up they refused to do anything about it even though it had been reported earlier. My 2016 2500 Denali is a diesel and it has had 1 injector replaced 3 times at my expense and once under warranty. I can only go about 3 weeks between check engine lights and limp mode tow back to dealer. Between the treatment at the dealers and the problems that I just didn't expect from pampered low mile vehicles, it was like a sign from someone that GM just didn't care about me or my business. I test drove a Ram and it was head and shoulders better than any of my other GM vehicles in ride quality and bells and whistles. I bought a 2021 Laramie in November and may be replacing the 2013 Sierra with another Ram this year. I can't quite throw all of my money at Ram yet, until I get some miles and years on this first one, but so far so good and I may just be a Ram guy now.

 

[Jm91rs]

I think I need to take a look to see what features the Tradesman offers. I definitely like some gadgets (loved that big screen and would use the Android Auto) but I know they add up so I can do without.

If you're talking about the 12" screen you should probably just do without. Unless there has been an update since I last looked at it, the 12" screen has been a nightmare for some, with far fewer reported issues on the smaller screen (which is still huge compared to most vehicles).

 

[Frank Amato]

If you haven't had reason to dislike GM, you might stick with them. I can't speak to reliability of Ram, but I can say GM is not what I thought they were. I personally was a GM guy, probably something my dad instilled in me from birth. I still tend to think of myself as one at heart. My 2010 Silverado started rusting from the inside out and had an oil pressure problem that no one could solve until after about $1500 worth of dealer attempts I figured out myself with a $8 part. My 2013 Sierra is flaking paint like nobody's business even though it's been pampered and garaged for its whole life. If I go through a car wash probably 1/3 of the white diamond ($500 extra for that stupid color!) will blow away to reveal the grey primer. My 2011 Express van was randomly not starting while under warranty, but the problem was intermittent and by the time the warranty was up they refused to do anything about it even though it had been reported earlier. My 2016 2500 Denali is a diesel and it has had 1 injector replaced 3 times at my expense and once under warranty. I can only go about 3 weeks between check engine lights and limp mode tow back to dealer. Between the treatment at the dealers and the problems that I just didn't expect from pampered low mile vehicles, it was like a sign from someone that GM just didn't care about me or my business. I test drove a Ram and it was head and shoulders better than any of my other GM vehicles in ride quality and bells and whistles. I bought a 2021 Laramie in November and may be replacing the 2013 Sierra with another Ram this year. I can't quite throw all of my money at Ram yet, until I get some miles and years on this first one, but so far so good and I may just be a Ram guy now.

I completely agree. I was a devout Chevy person until they snubbed me when I went to purchase a new used one. I’m glad I stopped at the Ram dealer. I have been nothing less than thrilled with the Ram and I treat it like a truck not a showpiece.

 

[Narg]

I moved from Chevy to RAM last year. (posted a 1 year review on another forum, it was long and this forum had limits )

Basic take.
Ride quality - RAM (big difference IMHO)
Drive fun - Chevy (slight difference on handling)
Features - RAM (Chevy is close but not quite)
Technology - RAM (This one goes back and forth year after year it seems)
Sound system - Chevy (those Bose speakers are just sweet)
Predictability - Chevy (RAM features and tech behaviors can be strange)
Style - RAM (Hands down, RAM is georgous)
Power Train - RAM (So much better than GM in my 1st year, time will tell....)

Most differences are minor for me. I went RAM completely due to ride quality and good looks.

Things I miss are the "sports car" like handling of the Chevy, and the much more predictable technology where the RAM seems to have a mind of it's own at times.

Also, my highly optioned Laramie Longhorn is a massively heavy beast. The RAM truck you mention is much lighter. My payload is under 1,000 lbs. I think both Ford and Chevy are better at light weight options and overall final payload in their high end trucks, and likely across the board.

 

[corneileous]

Basic take.
Ride quality - RAM (big difference IMHO)
Drive fun - Chevy (slight difference on handling)
Features - RAM (Chevy is close but not quite)
Technology - RAM (This one goes back and forth year after year it seems)
Sound system - Chevy (those Bose speakers are just sweet)
Predictability - Chevy (RAM features and tech behaviors can be strange)
Style - RAM (Hands down, RAM is georgous)
Power Train - RAM (So much better than GM in my 1st year, time will tell....)

Most differences are minor for me. I went RAM completely due to ride quality and good looks.

Things I miss are the "sports car" like handling of the Chevy, and the much more predictable technology where the RAM seems to have a mind of it's own at times.

Also, my highly optioned Laramie Longhorn is a massively heavy beast. The RAM truck you mention is much lighter. My payload is under 1,000 lbs. I think both Ford and Chevy are better at light weight options and overall final payload in their high end trucks, and likely across the board.

I didn’t know they had Bose speakers but all in all, the stock radio system in my 18 Limited was actually pretty nice but thank god for crutchfield because I know have the Infinity Reference speakers in there that Ram probably should’ve used...lol.

That 12” Uconnect is still pretty new and even though it’s been out now for several years, they’re still working out bugs.

As far as the ride, I was always told by several people who had post-2000 model Chevys that they didn’t have that cushy ride anymore...

Onto the weight and payload, I don’t know about the newer body styles but at least on the older body styles like mine, that’s only because Chevy and Ford are using a lot more aluminum these days than just the aluminum hood on my truck and possibly the aluminum front fenders.


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[HEMIMANN]

My truck has the Alpine however many speakers. Sounds good enough to me. But I'm half deaf anyway.

 

[corneileous]

My truck has the Alpine however many speakers. Sounds good enough to me. But I'm half deaf anyway.

That’s just all the more reason for improvement so you can make it louder to hear it good… LOL.

Really, the only thing I just wasn’t that impressed with at all on my stock system was that cheesy subwoofer they put under the rear seat but even if you didn’t want to go with 500 watts of power pushing two JL audio 10 inch subs like I did, I’ve heard that keeping the original speaker box, tossing that junky speaker in the trash and finding the most powerful 8 inch or possibly a low profile 10 inch subwoofer if they make one and put it in there with a decent sized amp, they sound pretty good, then.


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