Greetings from Florida. 58 years old, not a gearhead but like to tinker, do things myself, and am very particular (since I can't use the anatomical word) about researching things I'm looking to buy, gathering opinions, etc. before pulling the trigger.
In my life I've owned and operated various cars and trucks (Olds, Toyota, Ford, Chevy, Suzuki, Honda) but never a Dodge product.
I've had two 2004 2500 series Suburbans, a v6 Ford F150, an F250 (2008 with v10), and currently a 2015 Expedition with the EcoBoost.
Recently on a trip while towing my travel trailer (5500 pounds) for the first time, we got stranded 4 hours from home when the transmission took a dump. I've put a bit of money recently into the Expedition (brakes, tune up, ironically the transmission service (drain, filter, fill - this MIGHT have caused this issue if done improperly but I'll never be able to prove it)) and the wife likes it a lot so we're going to get a new transmission and keep chugging along.
My other vehicle is a 2014 Prius that I use around town, commuting to work (5 miles one way). 3 days after our little experience with the Expy I got rear-ended on my way to work by an uninsured driver. Due to age I didn't have collision on my Prius so I'm stuck with the repair bill. I got damn lucky it wasn't totalled and I wasn't seriously injured.
We've decided we are going to replace it with a full sized truck for safety, utility, and as another tow vehicle for our trailer and boat (which would allow us to bring both with us on vacation).
Since I've owned Ford and GM trucks/large SUVs, I decided to perhaps give the other guys a try. I'm not interested in Nissans, and Toyota Tundras seem . . . . overpriced and the seats and interior comforts seem sub-par. I know they are "reliable" but they just aren't singing to me. GMs are . . . . sort of pathetic in my humble opinion. I'm a little leery now of Fords after my side-of-the-road experience with the Expy, though that may not have been Ford's fault if the people who did my transmission service screwed something up.
This leads me to this forum. Obviously you guys own Rams and are biased, but I'd love to hear some opinions.
My needs:
I only commute to work 10 miles a day (5 each way). When we take long trips, we are using our 2015 Expedition (73,000 miles). I have a 5000 pound travel trailer (empty, so maybe add another 500-1000 if weighted down with items) that is about 23 feet total in length. I also have a 20 foot Tritoon with a 90hp Suzuki, probably about 4000-4500 pounds total. My other car is a 2014 Prius with 100k on it. I use it primarily for driving to work and occasional errands, but most of the long trips I'm using the Expedition for comfort and safety, or I'm towing.
I've been wanting to get a truck to replace the Prius. 10 miles a day commuting is nothing, and even though I get 45 mpg in the Prius, and get about 18 in the Expedition, in the grand scheme of things it isn't a huge deal overall given how few miles it is. I've been thinking about a truck for backup towing, and also to allow me AND the wife to tow both the travel trailer and the boat when we go on trips.
I've since decided against the Tundra for many reasons (cost, difficulty finding what I want, and seat comfort). Given my usage of perhaps less than 5k a year of driving, I just can't justify the extra $$ for one. What do I care if I'll get another 100k out of it if I am realistically only going to put 50k on it in the next 10 years?
I've owned a 2008 F250, a 2011 F150 v6, a few 2500 Suburbans (2004), and now a 2015 Expedition with Ecoboost.
Never owned a Ram. I read good things about them from 2020 and on (not sure I want to dip my toe into the EcoDiesel, especially given how little I drive, short commutes, etc.) but the Hemi is solid, I believe. The one thing a lot of people mention is COMFORT of the Rams, and I know that is important to my wife (and me, honestly, as I am 58 and not getting younger, and my job involves a lot of heavy lifting, I'm tall, and I like the idea of a comfortable road experience).
I know either the F150 (either 5.0 or Eco) is popular and has a lot of good things going for it, but my recent experience with losing a transmission at 73k miles, not to mention the "cheap" feel of the interior and components and niggling little things over the years with the various Fords I have had has me thinking of giving the Ram a try.
Always appreciate your opinions, guys - thank you.
