Reliability and High Mileage Question

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Abnsapper

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Posts
16
Reaction score
11
Location
South Carolina
Ram Year
2012, 2015, 2018
Engine
345
Ram and Ford! I have owned 4 Ford F-150s staring in 1987, 98, 2005, 2015. I have owned 5 Dodge Ram 1500s starting in 1990, 2000, 2009, 2012, and 2018. I love both. Yes I have had a lot of trucks, but we have 6 children and have given each one a truck when they were ready to drive. I put 293,000 on Ford and 316,000 on Dodge without any issues. I maintain my vehicles and take good care of them. I agree with several of my brethern; as long as you take care of your vehicle, the sky is the limit.
 

RLJ10X

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2014
Posts
1,940
Reaction score
1,683
Location
Southern Indiana
Ram Year
2011
Engine
5.7 Hemi
The vehicle is only half of the equation.

You have to do the maintenance.

Just as important: The Driver! Some guys can destroy an anvil with a rubber mallet. They're always having trouble with something. Why is that?

It's usually self inflicted.

I'd never buy a used truck that has been lifted. I will NEVER buy ANYTHING from a 20sometning EVER! God plays an awful trick on youn men. He makes them think they're a lot smarter than they really are.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, just be, for the most part, gentle on your vehicle. You can open it up from time to time, I'm saying you can't. It's the dudes that constantly beat on things, and then ***** and moan how their 545RFE is the worst ************* ever. They just tore up their 3rd one. But on the other hand, there are those who can get over 400,000 miles out of a 545RFE. A little mechanical sympathy goes a long way.
 

TheEnder

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2017
Posts
2,088
Reaction score
1,634
Ram Year
2013
Engine
4.7L V8
I am considering purchasing my first Ram 1500 truck, but curious what your thoughts are on long-term reliability.
Been a fan of the ram truck style since 94, but never owned one.

Currently drive Acura MDX with 150k miles and absolutely love this car, but have a 20' pontoon boat I tow several hours at a time about 6 times per year. Car can handle it with 5k towing capacity, but prefer something that is better suited for towing this boat.

Looking at a 2016 Ram 1500 5.7.

I have read about common issues, including the exhaust manifold bolts. Some say just replace the manifold altogether, etc...

Is the Ram 1500 a reliable truck and how many miles is reasonable to expand to put on it. 250k with proper maintenance and needed repairs reasonable to expect?

GET A PENTASTAR!

(sorry for shouting, that’s my favorite engine)


Sent from Blue Onyx
 

TheEnder

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2017
Posts
2,088
Reaction score
1,634
Ram Year
2013
Engine
4.7L V8
The vehicle is only half of the equation.

You have to do the maintenance.

Just as important: The Driver! Some guys can destroy an anvil with a rubber mallet. They're always having trouble with something. Why is that?

It's usually self inflicted.

I'd never buy a used truck that has been lifted. I will NEVER buy ANYTHING from a 20sometning EVER! God plays an awful trick on youn men. He makes them think they're a lot smarter than they really are.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, just be, for the most part, gentle on your vehicle. You can open it up from time to time, I'm saying you can't. It's the dudes that constantly beat on things, and then ***** and moan how their 545RFE is the worst ************* ever. They just tore up their 3rd one. But on the other hand, there are those who can get over 400,000 miles out of a 545RFE. A little mechanical sympathy goes a long way.

I know someone on here that did that. Ran 10PSI of boost through a stock 545RFE and then pitched a ***** when it shat itself, some people just aren’t too bright


Sent from Blue Onyx
 
Joined
Jun 28, 2019
Posts
86
Reaction score
94
Location
San Ysidro, CA
Ram Year
2014
Engine
3.6 Pentastar
My 2014 Ram has 269K miles. Factory Pentastar engine replaced due to ticking in one of the heads at 240K miles by previous owner, he had the Maxcare warranty.
You can either get the Pentastar or the Hemi, but make sure to get the 8 spd transmission which was an option on the Hemi up to 2015 or 2016, you can tell those by the rotary shifter instead of a column or floor console shifter. It's more reliable than the 545RFE and 65RFE transmissions. Mine is still running great.

Sent from OnePlus 7 PRO using Tapatalk
 

AE5548

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Posts
274
Reaction score
293
Location
NH
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Had an 01.5’ 2500 CTD I bought new and sold with 78k. Zero issues. Had an 06’ 1500 Hemi I bought new and traded in with 136k, zero issues other than rear fender and bottom of the doors rust. Bought an 11’ 1500 Hemi with 46k and traded in with 133k and zero issues, rust was starting. Now have an 18’ 1500 Hemi I bought new and just turned 50k and so far, zero issues. I’m happy with the trucks, but still nervous since when issues do arise they can be costly and Ram dealers are not as customer service oriented as most Japanese car companies.

I don’t tow, haul, race and don’t go off roading. Any mods i do are cosmetic. I keep up with oil changes and maintenance, never run K&N or other high flow air filters and don’t “beat” on my trucks. I do live in New England so I deal with extreme cold and salt.
 

kurek

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2019
Posts
2,498
Reaction score
3,440
Location
Northwest
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7
heh, just repeat after me:

Lifetime Fluid Is A Self Fulfilling Prophecy

I've found just about any machine will last forever if you get used to doing the maintenance before the last minute.
 

Livinalittle

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Posts
453
Reaction score
411
Location
Ontario
Ram Year
2013 Sport, 6 speed, 4x4, 3.92
Engine
5.7L Hemi
Welcome to the forum.
If you’re looking for a bias response you came to the right place!
Rams are excellent trucks but just like every other vehicle on the road they need to be maintained properly. It can all be done yourself; don’t let the dealership tell you it has to be their mechanic because they will try, but it does have to be done.
 

Big Daddy

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2011
Posts
105
Reaction score
136
Ram Year
2009
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I have a 2009 1500, with just over 290,000 miles. 11 years old, 290,000 fantastic miles and many more to come....Enuff said.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
194,904
Posts
2,863,917
Members
155,256
Latest member
plato45
Top