Silverado vs. Rebel

[jayman9782]

I've been a GM guy for 20+ years. I have owned three brand new Silverado's (all 5.3L 6-speeds) since 2009. My current truck is a 2017 5.3L 6-speed with nothing but transmission flaws. I say flaw because GM states that's how these are designed to drive. Lag from a stop, harder shifting sometimes, other times it can't decide if it wants to shift or run sluggishly at low RPM's to save that .00001 gallon of gas, etc. I'm just not happy.

In any event, I have an opportunity to pick up a 2018 RAM Rebel. Does anyone have any bad experiences with the later model Rebels (2016-2018) that would otherwise keep me from buying? Unusual wear and tear? What's the towing on these like - are they built at all for towing? I don't tow much, but definitely do often enough that I need to have that at hand. I live in an area with alot of snow and salt. Will this have an adverse effect on the air ride suspension?

Thanks for any insight!

 

[mohemipar]

I think you’d be a happy camper with a Rebel from the sound of what you want. They are great trucks. On paper the payload can be a little low on the Ram half tons, but they handle the weight very well and have more than enough power to tow a lot of weight. I believe all of the 4th gen Rebels came standard with air suspension, which is great for towing. Any sag in the rear will level out. The 8 speed transmission will be NIGHT AND DAY difference compared to the GM, in day to day empty driving and with towing. I have owned a couple of 5.3s and 6L 6 speeds and they simply can’t compete with the 5.7 Hemi and ZF 8 speed. The Hemi with 8 speed will be a huge improvement. Personally I would look for a truck with 3.92 gears, but even the standard 3.21 is still going to be better than the Chevy’s set up. You are in for a treat during a test drive. Especially with 3.92’s the trucks are a ton of fun to drive. With the Rebel you also get the better transfer case and the trucks are very good off the pavement.

In general the Rams and tough and very good quality trucks. If you are looking at used, I would just make sure it was well maintained.

 

[WilliamS]

Ive owned nearly everything, heck I run a Ford dealer and drive a Ram. The only real question you need to ask if you are looking at Rebels is can you live without a square wheel well arch? Other than that the Ram is better in nearly every way. Not bias, again I run a Ford dealer you know #1 selling truck on the planet and i have a BigHorn Ram.

The fit and finish is what keeps me in Rams. All my previous GM's including Cadillac slowly develop creaks and squeaks that my brain will not let me tune out. Me I would only steer against the Rebel because of the cheap looking grill, but thats my opinion.

Ive owned 8 Hemi powered vehicles and never been stranded or broken down over the last 14 years. The Hemi over the ancient 5.3 will be night and day.

 

[Jared4.7]

My old 5.3's were turds in comparison to my Rams. I do not miss any of my GM trucks at all.

 

[BigRed4x4]

I live 25 miles north of Lansing Michigan, a major GM manufacturing city and Ram's are everywhere. With so many employed by GM and brand loyalty what it is, that's says a lot in my opinion.

 

[Graygoose]

You will love the power and 8 speed over the GM 5.3 and 6 speed...hands down.

 

[jayman9782]

Awesome - thanks guys! Keep 'em coming. I'm glad I'm able to get some actual experience/comparisons with both manufacturers.

 

[unxpctd]

The 8 speed / Hemi combo is great...I had a 2014 Durango R/T and now my 2017 Rebel. Love it so far!

Get a pedal commander for $270 and the throttle response is even better (and customizable). Even without it the Ram is a great truck.

While I love the look of the Ram Sport models...the Rebel caught my eye and I love the ride. Took a 4500 mile round trip back in February and it was great on the road.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[14hemiexpress]

I have had 3 rams 06,14,10 and I now drive a gmc for my work truck. It's a 15 5.3l i don't have significant complaints about the gmc it's a nice truck but that 5.3l 6spd combo is pretty ruff. Mostly it's the transmission it shudders it hits hard and sometimes it doesnt know what to do and it just sits between gears then hits hard it drives my nuts sometimes but it's free. Anyways off that soap box I have have 3 hemi 2 5spds and 1 6spd the 5 spd in the ram is mostly junk and its leaps and bounds above that 6spd gm. The hemi revs so much smoother than the 5.3l and it laughs at rpm as the 5.3 shudders around 4500-5500 range. The ram is so much smoother of a ride and the steering in them are great. Hopefully at the end of this year work needs another write off and let me pick out a new one.

 

[69GWC]

Simply go drive the Ram it will sell its self, the 5.7 Hemi and 8sp will walk on that 5.3 all day long and get jusy as good or better mpg doing it.

Only thing bad is the air ride and really cold weather can be a problem for some.

 

[17CrewCab1500]

I too was a long time GM fan. My Silverado was in the shop so much that I didn't even know at the time I wasn't suppose to visit my dealer that much.. just thought that was part of the deal. Bad deal for them, cause they gave me a Dodge Ram (back in 2005) to drive as a Rental.

I fell in love with that truck before I made it home. My wife was like now that is a truck. 2 weeks later, I was a proud owner of a 2005 Dodge Ram truck. Never looked back.

A month ago, I was rearended and my body shop game me a 2018 Silverado. I wanted to return it before I made it to the first stop light. I hated that thing, I had it 2 weeks. I can relate to the weird transmission shifting. Thing was slow. Shifted hard and sounded like a school bus. haha

The Rebel is a really nice truck. Ram has come way up and for the interior, compared to that 2017 of yours.. it's not even fair. That Silverado is a plastic rattle box.. at least the 2018 was!

 

[jayman9782]

Simply go drive the Ram it will sell its self, the 5.7 Hemi and 8sp will walk on that 5.3 all day long and get jusy as good or better mpg doing it.

Only thing bad is the air ride and really cold weather can be a problem for some.

I've recently been reading some threads on the air ride system in the cold. That could be a problem since I live where it can be -20F or colder for extended periods of time throughout the winter.

The 8 speed / Hemi combo is great...I had a 2014 Durango R/T and now my 2017 Rebel. Love it so far!

Get a pedal commander for $270 and the throttle response is even better (and customizable). Even without it the Ram is a great truck.

While I love the look of the Ram Sport models...the Rebel caught my eye and I love the ride. Took a 4500 mile round trip back in February and it was great on the road.

Good luck with your choice!

unxpctd, have you had any problems with the air ride in the cold? I've been reading something with fuses and the front going down as low as it can while the rear gets stuck up as high as can go.

 

[bigred90gt]

As to towing, we towed a boat all over gods creation in the 80s & 90s with my dad’s 86 F150 5.0 that had MAYBE 1/2 the torque and less than half the horsepower of these trucks, as well as an open one wheel peel differential. Unless you are towing super heavy, in which case you should be in a Diesel of whatever flavor you prefer, than any of the new 1/2 to trucks will be more than enough for you in any configuration. Hell, my 2011 V6 3.7L F150 had more hp and tq than the 86. People concern themselves entirely too much with towing. If you’re stressing about it, you probably need a diesel. If you’re towing a normal sized boat or a flatbread trailer with a load of random stuff (4000-7000lbs ish), you have nothing to worry about.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[unxpctd]

I haven't had any issues with the air suspension in the cold. I do have a garage though..so my Rebel never sits outside overnight in the cold. It was perfect during driving (62mph+ will put it into the lower mode - AERO). Back under 62 goes to NORMAL. There are 4 settings...ENTRY/AERO/NORMAL/OFFROAD which is the highest.

It is freaky though...few minutes after you shut the truck off you hear it decompress...the pumps are working

Here is my opinion on the air suspension. Very useful at times...very cool...and if you're worried about issues make sure you get an extended warranty, which I would recommend on ALL new vehicles (not just Ram) due to the increased about of electronics nowadays. You can modify the wheels and tires but don't touch the suspension or air stuff...and you should be covered.

Like anything...there will always be issues with something on every vehicle. I haven't had any issues and love my Ram.

 

[unxpctd]

There is a TON of information on this forums...and I'm not plugging another forum for any other reason than its just Rebel specific.

I also post on www.ramrebel.org

This community is huge...knowledgeable and very experienced...the Ramrebel.org group is newer of course...but they have alot of insight and ideas that are specific to the Rebel also.

Good luck with your choice! I was a Ford guy for 20 years...all cars, 3- Taurus SHO's and a 2004 Mercury Marauder. Loved my Fords...but after seeing what Dodge/Ram has done with the Hemi and the 8 speed combo...I'll never go back.

 

[usaf2006]

While I love the look of the Ram Sport models...the Rebel caught my eye and I love the ride. Took a 4500 mile round trip back in February and it was great on the road.

What kind of mileage did you get??

OP:

I've had my '17 Rebel side august, and I haven't had any major issues. The interior is great, and the ride is suprer smooth.

My Rebel has 1,300lbs of payload and 10,140lbs of towing capabilities (2wd). Not that I'd ever tow that much. I moved all my household goods this papa Monday, and with a loaded down 6x12 Uhaul trailer, packed bed, and 3 kids, my Rebel towed that trailer like it was hardly there. Tow haul mode worked like it should, and the move went smooth.

 

[GsRAM]

In December of 2017, I traded my 2015 Silverado 1500 Z71 on my 2017 Ram 2500 HD. I had all the same kinds of problems you had with your truck. The transmission shifting was terrible, had a horrible clunk on the 3-2 downshift, horrible lazy laggy throttle response, interior rattle started about 2,000 miles, sheet metal was so thin I felt like I was going to Dent the truck just by leaning on it. It wasn't a bad truck, but I also hated the stupid carpet inner fenders. If you buy a new Ram you will love it. Even the 6-speed in the truck I have, with its inherent spacing issues is night and day difference better than the Chevy. The throttle response is way better on the ram. Even after a year of ownership, I still smile every time I get behind the wheel. I'd go for it in a heartbeat if I were you, you won't regret it. I don't miss my Chevy at all! Good luck

 

[TruckNut]

Before I purchased in 2015, I drove everything. I loved the look of the GMC, so I drove the 5.3 with the tall rear end. It was really sluggish and the transmission-meh. Drove the Ford-nice but pricey and not my favorite body style. Since I had a 2013 Durango which I loved (had the 6 speed), I drove a Ram. End of testing. The drive train is unbeatable. 5.7 and ZF 8 speed are phenomenal. Interiors are of quality materials. Liked RAM so much I bought again when looking for a 4X4.

You’ll have a choice of 3.92 or 3.21. Many who tow frequently get the 3.92, but you will take a hit of around 1mpg on the highway. I tow with my 2017 (got the 3.92 gears) and it is rock solid stable. I did not buy it with air ride as I was worried about long term. There are many here who swear by it-it is amazing in what it can do, but if you get the Rebel, get the extended warranty with it and have fun!

 

[daveray9]

For me the Rams just look tougher.. especially the rebels with their front grill and bumper. All the Chevy's .. even the SS ones are just to square for me... now if you were talking a rebel over a Raptor....... thats a different story. Although when Ford changed the design of the bumpers a few years back you lost me. The 2010 Raptor was the nicest looking truck I have ever seen, only thing I hated was single exhaust.

 

[unxpctd]

I only got 17-18mpg on my 4500 mile round trip...the one downfall of the Ram (in my experience). I didn't buy the truck for the mileage though..and she only has 9000 miles on it. Super smooth on the road and math wise it cost me about $100 more for the gas vs. my 2014 Durango which got like 19-21mpg with the Hemi.

Not the end of the world...and I wouldn't trade the Ram for anything else just because my mileage is a bit lower than I expected. If I was using it for a daily driver to and from work then I may be a bit more worried. I only fill up once every 3-4 weeks with the 32 gallon tank...and I have a vehicle for work assigned to me which I also take home...so my Ram sits for 3-5 days at a time when I'm working 12 hour shifts.

I have the S&B CAI and the Carven Progressive exhaust...not sure if those lower the mileage...shouldn't...but the sound is so sweet I do tend to get on it when taking off from a stop