New Truck; value your thoughts

[Ramtastico]

Need to get a new vehicle for tax purposes in 2025... no ability to wait until next year (little bit complicated lol). 5-year ownership target which is important as I won't be in a position to swap it out in a year or two without taking a hit.

For those who have floated between Ram and Chevy/GMC, would love your input.

Thing is there is no 'one' use to be a clear-cut decision for me. Business use is road trips, local lumber runs, furniture moving, and occasional towing.

Here are my 2 choices.
1. 2025 Ram 1500 Limited... quite a bit cheaper to grab a '25 than ordering a '26 even with discounts.
-Pro- just a bleeping nice place to be, especially on a long trip. Pano, safety tech for the fam, lots of room, massaging seats YES
-Con- Not sure I love losing the box room. Yeah drywall fits, but often throwing things in that take advantage of the wheel well area.
-Maybe Con- Hurricane... not sure how it will hold up resale wise with the hemi coming back AND overall, the '25s have jumped up in price from a month/two ago

2. 2025 Trail Boss z71 w/duramax (the updated engine).
Pro- Being offered a great deal and the Diesel has a 100k powertrain warranty. My Diesel mechanic cousin likes the new Duramax. The otough boxy look satisfies my hot wheels inner child lol.
Con- I plan on owning it 5 years and while great work and play truck, do i want to live my life without massaging seats and a pano roof lol.

Literally could go either way... going to drive a TB tonight, already drove the limited.

 

[Burla]

I wouldn't worry about hurricane resale versus hemi as all hemi's with be e torque. Other then a few nagging issues, guys are loving the hurricane, if you knew what I value you would be surprised to hear me say that, but it is what it is.

If you get a diesel use cetane boost and avoid short trips, but for 5 years you "should" be good.

I say flip a coin, with 5 years as a goal in theory you should be good either way. I would probably buy the Ford though as they have solved a lot of eco boost issues by now and hurricane is still new. They are number one for a reason. Have you drove a f150?

 

[Docwagon1776]

I would not buy a '25 Ram if I needed the truck. Not because of the motor, but because of the much higher than industry norm rate of electrical issues. The new electrical architecture is problematic, and while you'll *probably* get a good one it's kind of like knowing you'll *probably* get a click when you pull the trigger playing Russian roulette.

I don't know much of anything about the new GMC diesels, never had any interest in them.

 

[coobie]

I would not buy a '25 Ram if I needed the truck. Not because of the motor, but because of the much higher than industry norm rate of electrical issues. The new electrical architecture is problematic, and while you'll *probably* get a good one it's kind of like knowing you'll *probably* get a click when you pull the trigger playing Russian roulette.

I don't know much of anything about the new GMC diesels, never had any interest in them.

I would take a ram over the 6.2 gm motor any day.My neighbor has 2 of the chit box motors and both exploded at 55,000-60,000 miles.

 

[Docwagon1776]

I would take a ram over the 6.2 gm motor any day.My neighbor has 2 of the chit box motors and both exploded at 55,000-60,000 miles.

All post-COVID builds are Russian roulette. The only question is how many chambers are loaded.

A couple of my buddies work in QC management roles in various links in the automotive supply chain. Even previously famously picky makers like Toyota now take parts they would have rejected pre-COVID. When supply chains went to ****, they took what they could get to keep the assembly lines running and now that lower bar is just the new normal.

 

[mikeru]

Need to get a new vehicle for tax purposes in 2025... no ability to wait until next year (little bit complicated lol). 5-year ownership target which is important as I won't be in a position to swap it out in a year or two without taking a hit.

For those who have floated between Ram and Chevy/GMC, would love your input.

Thing is there is no 'one' use to be a clear-cut decision for me. Business use is road trips, local lumber runs, furniture moving, and occasional towing.

Here are my 2 choices.
1. 2025 Ram 1500 Limited... quite a bit cheaper to grab a '25 than ordering a '26 even with discounts.
-Pro- just a bleeping nice place to be, especially on a long trip. Pano, safety tech for the fam, lots of room, massaging seats YES
-Con- Not sure I love losing the box room. Yeah drywall fits, but often throwing things in that take advantage of the wheel well area.
-Maybe Con- Hurricane... not sure how it will hold up resale wise with the hemi coming back AND overall, the '25s have jumped up in price from a month/two ago

2. 2025 Trail Boss z71 w/duramax (the updated engine).
Pro- Being offered a great deal and the Diesel has a 100k powertrain warranty. My Diesel mechanic cousin likes the new Duramax. The otough boxy look satisfies my hot wheels inner child lol.
Con- I plan on owning it 5 years and while great work and play truck, do i want to live my life without massaging seats and a pano roof lol.

Literally could go either way... going to drive a TB tonight, already drove the limited.

Your only con on the Ram 1500 Limited is for the rambox. I get that. You’re worried about losing the small amount of space in front of and behind the wheel well. I used to have the same opinion…until my girlfriend got a rambox truck. I don’t know the nature of these items you would normally store in the bed sides, but perhaps you could throw those items into the rambox boxes. It’s lockable storage as well.

But if you’re dead set against the rambox option why not consider getting a Limited with the 6’4” bed? No rambox for those.

 

[turkeybird56]

I would take a ram over the 6.2 gm motor any day.My neighbor has 2 of the chit box motors and both exploded at 55,000-60,000 miles.

The chevy's made it that far, congrats to the builders, lol. (sic). Wat a friggin mess GM has with all those builds and all the product lines affected.

Why I wish with RAM bringing back the Hemi, they at least drop E TQ, but alas, I also understand it was the fastest way to get the Hemi back to market.

 

[Mlarv5]

GM is recalling 300K 6.x motors. The hurricane engine is why I tried a Ram (I am a Ford fan, well over 300K on a few of the 2.7 engines).

The only issues I am having is no customer service, for little issues that just bug me. I have base truck, the higher end trucks have a different U-connect system interface, so I am not sure you will have the same issue's. Noting major just annoying to have things not work right.

 

[tron67j]

Interesting two units to compare. Just from the perspective of driving I was just in my cousin's Chevy 1500 and i noticed I didn't see the road in front of me, due to it's hood, as close as I can in my Ram 2500. That would be a con for me. Since you are considering the Hurricane it would appear heavy towing necessitating a diesel isn't in the forecast. Not working a diesel, from what I read here, is any the best and can lead to poor diesel performance.

I personally like the Ram better, mostly the ride but also the looks.

Good luck with whichever way you go.

 

[Ramtastico]

Interesting two units to compare. Just from the perspective of driving I was just in my cousin's Chevy 1500 and i noticed I didn't see the road in front of me, due to it's hood, as close as I can in my Ram 2500. That would be a con for me. Since you are considering the Hurricane it would appear heavy towing necessitating a diesel isn't in the forecast. Not working a diesel, from what I read here, is any the best and can lead to poor diesel performance.

I personally like the Ram better, mostly the ride but also the looks.

Good luck with whichever way you go.

I've seen that front end thing called out as well... its a deer slayer... might not ever know you hit one lol.

 

[commander]

The "electrical" issues that I experienced due to the fact that the vehicle has 3 separate computers, and they don't like each other! The last update that was done, "appears" to have solved the nagging issues I was experiencing. Personally, I wouldn't have a GM vehicle! But that is me.

JT

 

[Ramtastico]

Really the appeal of the chev is the hot wheel looks (trail boss in black or blue metallic) The trail boss looks ready for fun and just a little less 'ordinary' to me. Its also a bit more 'worky' where I won't mind jumping in covered in sweat and sawdust. The 3.0 duramax... simply same price as the 5.3 gas, better resale, better warranty.

The appeal of the limited is comfort and the safety tech for taking long trips out west... or stuck in traffic during Minnesota road construction season (which is 11.9 months a year). Being in a car/truck all day, the comfort can do wonders for the mood.

Only thing I didn't consider was an f150... not sure why as I grew up in a ford family, but for whatever reason it's not doing it for me.

 

[Ramtastico]

Your only con on the Ram 1500 Limited is for the rambox. I get that. You’re worried about losing the small amount of space in front of and behind the wheel well. I used to have the same opinion…until my girlfriend got a rambox truck. I don’t know the nature of these items you would normally store in the bed sides, but perhaps you could throw those items into the rambox boxes. It’s lockable storage as well.

But if you’re dead set against the rambox option why not consider getting a Limited with the 6’4” bed? No rambox for those.

Not dead set for sure... just thinking of use cases... wife buys a bunch of craigslist furniture... table legs, chairs etc... you gain a lot in those wheel well cubbies for that kind of thing. The warlock quad with long box just barely made it into the garage... so crew with long box won't ever make it.

On paper I like both for very different reasons. Ultimately it might just come down to best deal.

 

[KingJ2]

Need to get a new vehicle for tax purposes in 2025... no ability to wait until next year (little bit complicated lol). 5-year ownership target which is important as I won't be in a position to swap it out in a year or two without taking a hit.

For those who have floated between Ram and Chevy/GMC, would love your input.

Thing is there is no 'one' use to be a clear-cut decision for me. Business use is road trips, local lumber runs, furniture moving, and occasional towing.

Here are my 2 choices.
1. 2025 Ram 1500 Limited... quite a bit cheaper to grab a '25 than ordering a '26 even with discounts.
-Pro- just a bleeping nice place to be, especially on a long trip. Pano, safety tech for the fam, lots of room, massaging seats YES
-Con- Not sure I love losing the box room. Yeah drywall fits, but often throwing things in that take advantage of the wheel well area.
-Maybe Con- Hurricane... not sure how it will hold up resale wise with the hemi coming back AND overall, the '25s have jumped up in price from a month/two ago

2. 2025 Trail Boss z71 w/duramax (the updated engine).
Pro- Being offered a great deal and the Diesel has a 100k powertrain warranty. My Diesel mechanic cousin likes the new Duramax. The otough boxy look satisfies my hot wheels inner child lol.
Con- I plan on owning it 5 years and while great work and play truck, do i want to live my life without massaging seats and a pano roof lol.

Literally could go either way... going to drive a TB tonight, already drove the limited.

The MY 2026 models should all come with a 10y/100k mile warranty. It applies to both the Hurricane and the Hemi engines.

 

[nlambert182]

Here's your real dilemma...

GM - potential lifter failure and potential 10-spd trans failure
Ford - potential 10-spd trans failure
Ram - potential issues with the Hurricane (new engine)

Pick your poison. Everything now is a gamble.

 

[DanAR]

Here's your real dilemma...

GM - potential lifter failure and potential 10-spd trans failure
Ford - potential 10-spd trans failure
Ram - potential issues with the Hurricane (new engine)

Pick your poison. Everything now is a gamble.

Agree except so far the current RAM issues (MY25) seem to be the new electrical architecture (fancy name for electrical harness and components) and not the Hurricane engine itself. So far.

I think you can add to the list the Tundra - Turbo failures.

 

[Mlarv5]

Here's your real dilemma...

GM - potential lifter failure and potential 10-spd trans failure
Ford - potential 10-spd trans failure
Ram - potential issues with the Hurricane (new engine)

Pick your poison. Everything now is a gamble.

I sort of agree with this except.
I have a 2023 F150, and before that I had a 2020 F150 with the 10 speed tranny. I never had an issue with them. I know a lot of folks with the 10 Spd without issues.

I have a 2025 Ram with the SST engine, 6K mile with out issues, now the electrical gremlins is a different story.

GM is recall all their 6.x engines because of bearing failures.

I would not hesitate to buy a F150 or Ram, but I would run like H--- from any GM

The internet is full of people looking for an answer to a problem they are having. All these forums are also.
How many F150's have been sold?
How many Rams have been sold?

How many times do you see people post I have an XYZ truck/ SUV/car with no issues?

Every thing is new once. Name a vehicle made that has a forum, that doesn't have folks there with issues looking for answers.

I would say drive each, look at your needs. If it is heavy towing look at the spec's of each, and buy the one that will work the best for you.

 

[turkeybird56]

Agree except so far the current RAM issues (MY25) seem to be the new electrical architecture (fancy name for electrical harness and components) and not the Hurricane engine itself. So far.

I think you can add to the list the Tundra - Turbo failures.

Hurricane has plastic thermostat/housing/thermostat problems and that finicky new Atlantic architecture. Having A DI turbo motor not gonna help would be real concerned on longevity. All ppl running 2025s should think about running at least 89 fuel but alas we shall see.

 

[turkeybird56]

I sort of agree with this except.
I have a 2023 F150, and before that I had a 2020 F150 with the 10 speed tranny. I never had an issue with them. I know a lot of folks with the 10 Spd without issues.

I have a 2025 Ram with the SST engine, 6K mile with out issues, now the electrical gremlins is a different story.

GM is recall all their 6.x engines because of bearing failures.

I would not hesitate to buy a F150 or Ram, but I would run like H--- from any GM

The internet is full of people looking for an answer to a problem they are having. All these forums are also.
How many F150's have been sold?
How many Rams have been sold?

How many times do you see people post I have an XYZ truck/ SUV/car with no issues?

Every thing is new once. Name a vehicle made that has a forum, that doesn't have folks there with issues looking for answers.

I would say drive each, look at your needs. If it is heavy towing look at the spec's of each, and buy the one that will work the best for you.

Hope UR able to get yer electrical gremlins worked out. Read about trailer lighting issues if U do not have full LED.
@Mlarv5 do you pull a trailer and if so lighting OK? If U pull trailer is lighting all LED? Ppl having issues with older incandescent lighting seems not enuf power put out for older lighting why I ask.

 

[Mlarv5]

Hope UR able to get yer electrical gremlins worked out. Read about trailer lighting issues if U do not have full LED.
@Mlarv5 do you pull a trailer and if so lighting OK? If U pull trailer is lighting all LED? Ppl having issues with older incandescent lighting seems not enuf power put out for older lighting why I ask.

I do pull a trailer sometimes. I use the F150 to pull it. It is setup with a tow package and 3.73 rear end. The ram has a brake controller and a 3.55 rear end. My Ram does not have the tow rating I need to pull the dump trailer half full. The dump trailer has regular incandescent bulbs. My 18 ft flat bed has LED bulbs. Since I have retired I am not pulling either one much anymore.