New Truck; value your thoughts

[mikeru]

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.

That may be true, but if your truck is down does it really matter if it's the engine or the electrical architecture that's causing it? It might make the fix less invasive if it can be fixed with software, but sometimes that software fix takes weeks or months before it's released.

 

[Eric Troup]

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.

My 2023 GMC Denali Yukon Duramax had problems with the CAN bus at 45k miles. Bunch of error messages. Took a week for dealer to diagnose and another week to get a part. But, they order the wrong part - had to get a slightly different part. Another time the Main Dash Screen would not light up.

Bottom line, all these newer vehicles have complex electronics with many common components: example the CAN bus architecture. Not really a valid differentiator.

 

[turkeybird56]

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.

For giggles: when U have absolutely nothing else to do, could you do a test of lighting: Hook up the LED trailer to yer 2025 and check operation. Then hook up the trailer with the incandescent bulbs to yer 2025 and report back findings? I would test my trailer on my son's 25, my trailer is a 2006 WW but he is in PA, rather far away, LOL.

 

[turkeybird56]

My 2023 GMC Denali Yukon Duramax had problems with the CAN bus at 45k miles. Bunch of error messages. Took a week for dealer to diagnose and another week to get a part. But, they order the wrong part - had to get a slightly different part. Another time the Main Dash Screen would not light up.

Bottom line, all these newer vehicles have complex electronics with many common components: example the CAN bus architecture. Not really a valid differentiator.

THIS is the exact reason: My 2019 is early built first built 5th Gen from April 2018. Most of my electronics is still running on my Original OS in U Connect from April 2018. Since I have lowly U Conn 4 plain jane radio, there are no OTA's. Which is why I have neva had my U Connect OS upgraded. As long as works on original OS, mine is 17. sumthing, not gonna get done as I have to HAVE dealer do if I wanted to, and my SA told me to leave it alone, unless an issue.

 

[Mlarv5]

For giggles: when U have absolutely nothing else to do, could you do a test of lighting: Hook up the LED trailer to yer 2025 and check operation. Then hook up the trailer with the incandescent bulbs to yer 2025 and report back findings? I would test my trailer on my son's 25, my trailer is a 2006 WW but he is in PA, rather far away, LOL.

Absolutely nothing else to do, that will be in about 10 years. I seem to work more now that I am retired then before I retired. My flat bed is in MO right now, my grandson needed to move a car from TN to MO. He is not sure when he is coming back down this way. I think he wants me to spend the money on gas to go and get it. The dump trailer is on a construction site for a few weeks. I rent it to a few contractors (I can trust), it gets me beer money. When I need it, to get dirt or gravel, I just give then a two days heads up to clean it out. When I am in reach of each of them I will give it a try. Now that I heard about this, if I go and get the trailer in MO I will use my F150, cause the last thing I need is the trailer lights not to work on that long of a drive.

 

[turkeybird56]

Absolutely nothing else to do, that will be in about 10 years. I seem to work more now that I am retired then before I retired. My flat bed is in MO right now, my grandson needed to move a car from TN to MO. He is not sure when he is coming back down this way. I think he wants me to spend the money on gas to go and get it. The dump trailer is on a construction site for a few weeks. I rent it to a few contractors (I can trust), it gets me beer money. When I need it, to get dirt or gravel, I just give then a two days heads up to clean it out. When I am in reach of each of them I will give it a try. Now that I heard about this, if I go and get the trailer in MO I will use my F150, cause the last thing I need is the trailer lights not to work on that long of a drive.

Not sure if problem with all 25s figured I just mention it. There are more than a couple in this forum have that issue and they were not happy campers.

 

[turkeybird56]

Absolutely nothing else to do, that will be in about 10 years. I seem to work more now that I am retired then before I retired. My flat bed is in MO right now, my grandson needed to move a car from TN to MO. He is not sure when he is coming back down this way. I think he wants me to spend the money on gas to go and get it. The dump trailer is on a construction site for a few weeks. I rent it to a few contractors (I can trust), it gets me beer money. When I need it, to get dirt or gravel, I just give then a two days heads up to clean it out. When I am in reach of each of them I will give it a try. Now that I heard about this, if I go and get the trailer in MO I will use my F150, cause the last thing I need is the trailer lights not to work on that long of a drive.

Yup retired means 2X as big honey do list also.

 

[1979PowerWagon360]

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 have to agree with this answer. I believe it's accurate. Everything is now a gamble. This isn't just a off the top of my head response. I believe the evidence out there confirms it. I'd drive them all and pick the one I like best overall.

 

[turkeybird56]

I have to agree with this answer. I believe it's accurate. Everything is now a gamble. This isn't just an off the top of my head response. I believe the evidence out there confirms it. I'd drive them all and pick the one I like best overall.

I’ll stick with my 7 year old ride till they at least release Hemi with no e torque. I could go up to 2500 6.4l but I have no need of so much truck but I would do that instead of e torque.

 

[Docwagon1776]

My 2023 GMC Denali Yukon Duramax had problems with the CAN bus at 45k miles. Bunch of error messages. Took a week for dealer to diagnose and another week to get a part. But, they order the wrong part - had to get a slightly different part. Another time the Main Dash Screen would not light up.

Bottom line, all these newer vehicles have complex electronics with many common components: example the CAN bus architecture. Not really a valid differentiator.

To me, failure rate is very much a differentiator. Would you say since some ZF 8 speeds fail and some Nissan CVTs fail, there's no difference despite how *much more often* Nissan's transmissions fail?

Like I said, it's Russian Roulette. The difference is simply how many chambers are loaded. Every manufacturer is making some duds, more so post-COVID, but failure rates are not equal across the board. Failure rate on Rams is *much* higher in 2025 than it was in 2024 and it's almost entirely due to the electrical systems on both the hardware and software side. If I were going to buy a new Ram, it would not be a half ton, but I have no interest in a new truck. I expect I'll keep my 2021 for a very long time.

 

[nlambert182]

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.

I know a few folks with Fords and GMs who do have the 10-spd issue. It's also becoming fairly common on the message boards.

While the below is anecdotal, I mention it because I've seen all of these first hand.

Unfortunately, we were one of the very first (according to Ford) to experience the 10-spd problem with our 2019 Expedition. For the first 6 months it sat on the lift while Ford engineers and the techs scratched their heads and tried to diagnose it. It took a year for Ford to redesign some of the internals, get them in production, and get them to the dealer to try and fix ours. Wouldn't you know it.... lasted a whopping 88 miles before it puked again. Ford went back to the drawing board having to redesign more parts, only reimbursed us for half of our rental car costs (despite what they previously approved in writing) and we took a $14k bath to walk away from it.

My engineer has his truck in the shop right now (2016 Silverado) having the engine replaced because of lifter failure. The truck only has 56k on it. A close family friend bought a new Tahoe back in 2020 and it had a full engine replacement at 8k miles because of lifter failure. My wife's best friend bought a 2018 Yukon Denali and had to replace the engine at just under 80k for the same thing. I could go on and on about these. I know a handful of others with the same issue. One co-worker's wife's 2023 Suburban is in the shop right now having the transmission replaced under warranty because it jumps out of gear. Less than 20k miles.

My old manager had a 2016 Ram 1500. Lifter failure on the dot at 100k miles. Had another co-worker at that company that went through the same thing with his Challenger.

I have zero experience with the Hurricane (and won't ever), so I can't comment on those with anything other than what I read on forums.

Point is... the problems are real, and they're unfortunate. But if I had to choose, I'd at least go with one whose problem has been identified and can be fixed. Ford/GM have yet to figure out the actual culprit behind the 10-spd failure and properly fix them.

 

[DanAR]

That may be true, but if your truck is down does it really matter if it's the engine or the electrical architecture that's causing it? It might make the fix less invasive if it can be fixed with software, but sometimes that software fix takes weeks or months before it's released.

I didn’t say it mattered. I was only trying to be more correct as to where the current weaknesses appear to lie based on feedback being received on the forum. I agree down is down.

 

[Farmer Fran]

Ok...
RAM
The thermosat was an issue on gen1 grand wagoneer. Not on the 2025 RAM
The HO seems to be fine in the 2025 RAM.
Electrical is a current issue but not as wide spread as this forum makes it out to be.
Interior comfort and ride quality is the best in the business

GM
I have no info on the diesel, so no opinion.
My 2020 Camaro SS did blow a motor at 1 year old. The 6.2 not so good anymore. I know you said diesel l, so moot.
The ride quality and Interior are not even in the same sport as RAM

FORD
my neighbor has a gen1 ecoboost F150 and still going strong.

 

[Dusty]

"I wouldn't worry about hurricane resale versus hemi as all hemi's with be e torque."

That is not cast in stone. With the EPA removing the incentive for start/stop the cost reduction for manufacturers to drop it has much greater value.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 135566 miles.

 

[Burla]

That is not cast in stone. With the EPA removing the incentive for start/stop the cost reduction for manufacturers to drop it has much greater value.

Regards,
Dusty

Until we hear it from Ram, the new ram hemi's will have e torque. Most of us I'm sure are hoping they nix this, however hope is not a real strategy. Most application can dump start stop for 100 bucks, the e torque is more detailed.

 

[BuschLatte420]

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

Wonder why they are upping that warranty time? To try to buy more sales?

 

[BuschLatte420]

Until we hear it from Ram, the new ram hemi's will have e torque. Most of us I'm sure are hoping they nix this, however hope is not a real strategy. Most application can dump start stop for 100 bucks, the e torque is more detailed.

This is why I bought a hemi classic while I had the chance!

 

[BuschLatte420]

THIS is the exact reason: My 2019 is early built first built 5th Gen from April 2018. Most of my electronics is still running on my Original OS in U Connect from April 2018. Since I have lowly U Conn 4 plain jane radio, there are no OTA's. Which is why I have neva had my U Connect OS upgraded. As long as works on original OS, mine is 17. sumthing, not gonna get done as I have to HAVE dealer do if I wanted to, and my SA told me to leave it alone, unless an issue.

My u connect in my 2022 classic randomly updated and gave me wirelsss apple car play, that’s the one good thing it ever did haha

 

[turkeybird56]

Until we hear it from Ram, the new ram hemi's will have e torque. Most of us I'm sure are hoping they nix this, however hope is not a real strategy. Most application can dump start stop for 100 bucks, the e torque is more detailed.

The EPA options (or influenced by EPA), that ended up on gas motors I absolutely hate:
1) Stop/Start
2) MDS (or whateva a particular manufacturer calls it, thinking GM AFM/DFM HERE)
3) E torque (junkola).

Not going into Diesel as the stuff forced onto Diesel Motors in the name of the EPA/carb REQUIREMENTS have absolutely killed Diesel Motors (IMHO).

 

[turkeybird56]

My u connect in my 2022 classic randomly updated and gave me wirelsss apple car play, that’s the one good thing it ever did haha

WHY I am happy I got the low end 8.4 U Conn 4 radio, not even a 4C radio, SO no OTA's period. I even tell my SA when I go to dealer, LEAVE the U Conn alone.